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The Mel Robbins Podcast cover image

Giving Up Is Not an Option: The Motivation You Need to Hear Right Now

The Mel Robbins Podcast

ADVICE

The Zygarnic Effect and Dreams

Summary: Writing down your dreams daily leverages the Zygarnic Effect, a psychological phenomenon where the brain creates a mental checklist for unfinished tasks. This constant reminder keeps your aspirations top-of-mind and motivates you to pursue them, even using gamification techniques like progress bars.

  • 🧠 The Zygarnic Effect: This psychological principle explains how our brains create mental checklists for important but unfinished tasks, constantly reminding us until completion. It's triggered by repeatedly writing down your dreams, making them feel important to your brain.
  • 📝 Daily Practice: Writing down five desires every morning activates the Zygarnic Effect, turning your aspirations into actionable items on your brain's to-do list.
  • 📈 Gamification: Software designers utilize the Zygarnic Effect through gamification, using progress bars and completion percentages to motivate users and keep them engaged.
  • 🔥 Fueling the Flame: This practice keeps your dreams alive and helps you overcome the tendency to argue against, joke about, or make excuses for not pursuing them.
  • 💔 Pain of Inaction: As you consistently acknowledge your dreams, you'll begin to feel the discomfort of not working towards them, prompting you to take action.
  • 💖 Free Resource: A free downloadable worksheet with prompts is available at melrobbins.com/dreambig to facilitate this daily practice.

Key Takeaway: Harness the power of the Zygarnic Effect by writing down your dreams daily; this consistent reminder helps your brain prioritize and pursue your aspirations, transforming desires into action.

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