What’s your worst earworm? I’m not going to mention mine lest I pass it to you. Mum’s the word for that UB40 song. But I recently learned something fascinating about earworms – they can be chalked up to the Zeigarnik effect. Named after a Russian psychologist who first published about this almost 100 years ago — “Uncompleted tasks and unmet goals tend to pop into one’s mind.”
In their book, Willpower, psychologist Roy Baumeister and science writer John Tierney explain the Zeigarnik effect and why songs we don’t like tend to pop up as earworms. “We’re more likely to turn off the bad one in midsong, so it’s the one that returns to haunt us.”
I don’t play any ear worms in this week’s Life of Try episode, but I do explore how the Zeigarnik effect can amplify the power of taking one small, imperfect step. I offer a simple 10-minute strategy can help you overcome resistance, build momentum, and move forward and dig in to why starting before you feel confident can give your mind something useful to work on.
If a goal feels overwhelming, the blank page feels intimidating, or uncertainty keeps you stuck, this episode offers a practical way to begin without pressuring yourself to finish.
In this episode, I cover:
• How the 10-minute rule can reduce procrastination
• Why imperfect action builds confidence and momentum
• How unfinished tasks can keep ideas active in your mind
• Why your own rough first attempt still matters in the age of AI
• How to take the first step when a goal feels overwhelming
Don’t ask yourself to finish it today. Ask yourself to begin it. Set a timer, make one imperfect move, and leave yourself a clear next step.
- Click this link to watch in a browser: How to Stop Procrastinating and Start: The 10-Minute Rule for Taking Action
- Subscribe to The Life of Try on Spotify, Amazon Music, or Apple Podcasts
- Subscribe to the YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thelifeoftry
Links for this episode:
How to Stop Procrastinating and Start: The 10-Minute Rule for Taking Action transcript
Related Episodes
Why Fun is the Secret to Building Better Habits with Mike Rucker, PhD – a Life of Try short
Success isn’t always about finishing first. Sometimes the greatest victories belong to those who stay prepared, keep growing, and never stop trying.
(featured photo from Pexels)
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