Build momentum and end procrastination with the Hemingway Effect

There are a lot of techniques to enhance productivity and avoid procrastination… and the "Hemingway Effect" is one of my favorites. It is based on two psychological concepts:

The Zeigarnik Effect: it tells us that our brain tends to remember unfinished tasks better than finished ones, and it creates a kind of mental tension until we complete the task.

The Ovsiankina Effect: this means that when we leave a task unfinished, we create a kind of “urge” in our brain that is stronger compared to a task we haven’t begun yet.

In short, if you start something and don’t finish it, your brain will keep bringing it up and motivating you to get it done.

Now… how the Hemingway Effect works and how we can put it into practice:

1. Start small: the important point here is simply to start (whatever your important task is). Even if you can dedicate only half an hour daily.

2. Plan the stopping point: stopping the work at an interesting point will keep you motivated to return to the task.

3. Use breaks: not random distractions, but deliberate breaks that leave you feeling closer to finishing the project/task.

4. Make a note: write your next steps so you don’t have to waste time figuring them out later. In this way, you can easily enter into Flow.

Note: “Never pump yourself dry; leave a little for the next day.”