Why you feel overwhelmed—even when you don’t have "that much" on your plate

You sit down to work and suddenly remember:

• You never responded to that text.

• The laundry is still in the washer.

• You need to reschedule your dentist appointment.

• Oh, and what are you making for dinner?

Welcome to the world of open loops — and why your brain feels like it has 47 browser tabs open at once.

What Are Open Loops?

In neuroscience and productivity psychology, an "open loop" refers to any incomplete task or unresolved thought your brain is trying to track. It could be a decision you haven’t made, a project you haven’t finished, or even a conversation you need to have.

Your brain, specifically your prefrontal cortex, doesn’t love ambiguity. When a loop is open, your brain holds it in working memory—which drains your mental energy and increases cognitive load.

The result?

• Mental fog

• Inability to focus

• Anxiety (even when you're not sure why)

This is not just stress. It’s a neurological logjam.

The Zeigarnik Effect: Why Your Brain Won’t Let It Go

The phenomenon behind this is called the Zeigarnik Effect. Discovered by psychologist Bluma Zeigarnik, it describes how our brains are more likely to remember unfinished tasks than completed ones.

It’s the same mechanism that makes you lay awake at night remembering something you didn’t do.

That’s why even a small task left undone can weigh on you disproportionately.

How to Clear Mental RAM (Backed by Science)

The solution isn’t just more discipline or a better planner. It’s about closing loops consciously.

Here’s your brain-based protocol:

1. Externalize It

Write down everything that’s swirling around in your brain. Don’t filter. Get it out. Your brain relaxes once it knows the task is tracked somewhere outside of itself.

2. Categorize It

Go through your list and sort into three buckets:

• Finish: Tasks that will take 2-10 minutes

• Delegate: Tasks someone else can own

• Schedule: Tasks that need focused time

3. Set a Timer & Close Tabs

Give yourself 15-30 minutes a day to just close loops.

• Pay that bill

• Send that email

• Schedule that appointment

Momentum is the cure for mental congestion.

Bonus Tip: Create a Daily Shutdown Ritual

At the end of each workday, take 5 minutes to:

• List any remaining open loops

• Identify the next step

• Decide when you’ll address it

This tells your brain, "We've got it covered." Which helps it shut down and reset.

Why This Matters for High Performers

If you want to:

• Be more present in meetings

• Focus faster

• Reduce mental fatigue

• Think strategically instead of reactively

... then clearing your mental RAM isn’t a nice-to-have. It’s a performance essential.

This is what we practice inside The Performance Lab—not just how to get more done, but how to think better while doing it.

Want to optimize your mental clarity and finally feel on top of everything again?

[Join The Performance Lab] (insert link)

Related Resources:

• [How to Build a High-Performance Morning Routine]

• [Why Your Brain Procrastinates (and How to Hack It)]

• [The Myth of Multitasking: What Neuroscience Really Says]