Quick Answer
Studies have shown that unfinished tasks remain in your memory more than finished ones - this is known as the Zeigarnik effect.
Sources & References
Psychology TodayBluma Zeigarnik, a Lithuanian psychologist, is credited with identifying the Zeigarnik effect.psychologytoday.com- 2How to Use the Zeigarnik Effect in Your Daily WorkBreaking down large tasks into smaller, interruptible steps can leverage the Zeigarnik effect to maintain focus and motivation.medium.com
Small TalkSmall Talk provides further insights into the memory-boosting aspects of the Zeigarnik effect.getsmalltalk.com- 4Simply PsychologyBluma Zeigarnik's 1927 study discovered that memory for unfinished tasks is 90% better than for completed tasks.simplypsychology.org
WikipediaThe Zeigarnik effect states that people remember interrupted or incomplete tasks better than completed ones.en.wikipedia.org
ForbesThe Zeigarnik effect is often used in marketing to encourage engagement, such as progress bars or multi-step forms.forbes.com
