Episode 11: Open loops are killing your success
Open loops are killing your success.
Welcome to the Self-Performance Strategies Podcast.
Main Quote:
"Anything that does not belong where it is is an "Open-Loop" pulling on your attention."
-David Allen
Main takeaways:
What is an Open Loop?
Psychologist and psychiatrist Bluma Zeigarnik first discovered the Open Loop process.
She discovered what is now known as the Zeigarnik Effect (Open Loop), the tendency of our brain to remember and focus on incomplete tasks more than it does on completed tasks.
This unfortunate predisposition was taken further and applied to the concept of productivity by management consultant David Allen.
In his best-selling book, Getting Things Done, Allen explains a direct link between our ability to switch off and relax and our productivity.
The basic message is that you will never reach your creative potential and be in danger of burnout unless you allow yourself proper rest by closing loops.
Closing Open Loops.
Solving the problem 99% of business owners and leaders struggle with.
To further explain, an Open Loop is anything pulling at your attention stopping you from reaching states of flow or deep work.
They are also the list that appears in your mind as you drift off to sleep.
You never close the loop, so your subconscious likes to think about it.
Open Loops can include:
-Bills not paid
-Money owed
-Books unread
-Taxes not done
-Projects started
-Emails not responded to
-Invitations not answered
-Boxes in rooms left for years
-Unresolved relationship issues
Anything you have left unclosed or undone in your life.
You need to free your mind.
You consider all of your Open Loops important.
Like a tab on your computer, you devote a portion of memory to them, and it drains your CPU.
But doing this can make you feel paralyzed and frustrated because you have too many tasks to tackle, so you tackle none.
How do you close loops?
With a simple 2 step process, you can quickly close 99% of your loops.
First, create an Open Loop list.
Set a timer for 30 minutes and brain dump every Open Loop you can think of.
Anything that is not complete, from projects to old relationships.
Now you Do, Drop, Delegate
If you have done the 1st part right, you will laugh a little at the amount of shit on your mind.
You know 80% of the list can be dropped.
The following 20% you should delegate or do within the next 7 days.
It will take work, but it needs to be done.
Do a monthly audit.
Life is crazy; you are constantly opening new loops daily.
Relationship loops will be harder to close, but the emotional freedom you will feel once they are is worth it.
Sit down at the end of each month, close loops, and see your mental performance improve.
Don't let Open Loops stop you.
I have not met a person who has this 100% under control.
If you feel overwhelmed and stressed right now, take the time to do the exercise, and you will instantly feel more focused and mentally clear.
Close loops so you can open up success.
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Big love.
Make it a great one,
Stephen
