#94. Close the Open Loops: How to Stop Feeling So Scattered All the Time
Ever feel like your brain is running a dozen browser tabs at once... and somehow all of them are playing music you can't find? Yeah. That, my friend, is the power of "open loops" at work.
Let's break it down — and more importantly, let's fix it.
What Are Open Loops (and Why Should You Care)?
An "open loop" is any unfinished task, unanswered email, half-done project, or lingering decision you haven't wrapped up yet.
Every open loop you’re holding onto? It's like a background program draining your energy and attention — even if you think you're ignoring it.
Result? Brain fog. Overwhelm. Feeling stuck. That weird 2 AM panic about whether you RSVP'd to your niece's birthday party. (Spoiler: you didn't.)
Why Open Loops Are a Bigger Problem Than You Realize
✅ They're constantly running in the background, draining your mental energy.
✅ They make it harder to focus on anything new.
✅ They trigger stress because your brain knows there are loose ends.
Translation? More burnout. Less clarity. No bueno.
3 Ways to Start Closing the Loops (Without Burning Out)
Ready to close some loops and clear some space in your brain? Here's how to start:
1. The One-Touch Rule (for Small Tasks Only!) If a task takes a few minutes (like replying to an email or signing a permission slip), handle it once. Don't "check it" and "save it for later."
Touch it once. Get it done. Move on.
➕ Bonus tip: Only apply this rule to quick wins. Big tasks (like writing a full eval report)? Different strategy needed. Keep reading.
2. Start It — But Anchor It For bigger projects, it's totally fine to "open the loop." Just do it intentionally:
Start the task.
Immediately note the very next small step to take to keep moving forward.
Block time on your calendar to return and finish.
Starting creates momentum. Planning how you'll close the loop keeps you from spiraling into 100 half-finished things.
3. Ask: What's REALLY Going On? Sometimes unfinished tasks aren't about time. They're about emotion:
Fear of doing it wrong.
Worry about what people will think.
Perfectionism.
If you’re stuck, gently ask yourself: "Am I avoiding a feeling here?" Recognizing the emotional roadblock is step one. Giving yourself permission to move forward (imperfectly) is step two.
Tiny Challenge for You This Week
Pick one area where you know you've got open loops (email, your desk, unfinished reports, whatever).
✅ Close just three loops.
Not all of them. Not perfectly. Just three.
Quick wins matter. Progress compounds. And peace of mind is built one small closed loop at a time.
Want More Support With This?
I just went live inside the SLP Support Group on Facebook with a training on exactly this — how to stop drowning in open loops and finally finish what you start.
🔗 Click here to join the group and catch the replay!
Bottom Line:
You're not lazy. You're not unorganized. You don't "just need to try harder.” You’re carrying too many open tabs in your mind. Let's start closing them.
You've got this.
(And if you need help building systems that work for your real, messy, beautiful life? Book a free consult here. I'd love to support you.)
Progress over perfection. Always. 🤟🏼