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title: The Zeigarnik Effect
created: 2024-11-18T09:16:49
modified: 2026-01-10T17:00:51
---

[@oyamaHemingwayEffectHow2018]

is a psychological phenomenon describing a tendency to remember _interrupted_ or _incomplete_ tasks or events more easily than tasks that have been _completed_.

suggests that students who suspend their study to perform _unplanned energizing distractions [^1] / unrelated activities_ (such as _studying a different subject_ or _playing a game_), will remember material better than students who complete study sessions without a break.

# The Power of Cliffhangers: Stop When You Know What Comes Next

* In practice, intentionally/strategically leaving certain pieces of your work/tasks/projects at a cliffhanger or an _incomplete/unfinished/unresolved_ point can boost your motivation and engagement when you resume.
* By leveraging and applying the Zeigarnik Effect, you can optimize [productivity](Productivity.md) and make progress feel more seamless / make it easier to come back and dive into the flow during the next session.

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This technique aids in…

* maintaining continued forward momentum.
* enhancing natural curiosity and creativity by allowing your subconscious mind to work on the problem during breaks.

[^1]: 被打斷或許不是一件壞事，因爲每一個干擾出現時，就創造了一個決策時刻/決定點。