97 - Unresolved projects can sap our energy
Unfinished projects and decisions drain energy even if you’re not thinking about them. This episode reveals how gaining closure can unlock focus and clarity, and why open loops quietly sabotage momentum.
The Hidden Cost of “I’ll Get to It Later”
We often assume that only active tasks demand energy. But the truth is, unfinished work drains us even when ignored quietly.
In this episode of Pattern Cognition, we explore a simple but powerful idea:
Closure is a superpower.
Over the past few weeks, I went through my “open loops,” half-finished projects, vague partnerships, and unmade decisions. Some I completed, and others I intentionally closed. What I didn’t expect was the rush of energy that followed. It was like freeing up mental RAM.
• Open loops consume attention. Even when you're not actively working on them, they live in your subconscious and partially engage your mind.
• Every unresolved item delays clarity. You can’t fully focus on new work while something old remains undecided.
• Closure creates capacity. Closing a loop doesn’t just finish something. It frees up energy to reallocate toward what matters.
• Small decisions multiply impact. Even closing one outdated task or project can spark unexpected momentum across your life.
• You don’t need to finish everything; you just need to resolve it. Decide, delegate, delete, but don’t let it linger.
This episode prompts you to clean your mental slate, not to do more, but to finally stop carrying what’s no longer helping.
Listen to this episode of Pattern Cognition to learn how to navigate these challenges and invest wisely.
Highlights:
00:00 The Power of Closure
00:02 Identifying Open Loops
00:21 The Energy Drain of Unfinished Business
00:24 Gaining Energy Through Closure
00:35 Reflecting on Your Open Loops
Links:
Website: https://www.sidmofya.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sidmofya/
Transcript:
Getting closure is a superpower. Um, over the last few weeks, I've spent quite a bit of time looking at my open loops projects that I started and didn't finish. Business partnerships that were not quite working and just closing some of those loops, and I noticed this huge surge in energy. And the revelation that hit me is that. These open loops, they drain energy. Even when I'm not thinking about them as I close them, I just gain new energy from things that I don't even think about. So closure is a superpower. What are some open loops that you might need to close?