Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity

The relationship the author establishes between “open loops” and stress lies at the heart of his methodology. “Open loops” is a term coined by Allen to describe the many uncompleted tasks in our lives. The “stress-free productivity” promised in his book’s title is largely achieved by transforming open loops into actionable material.

Allen suggests that the key problem with open loops is our cognitive inability to keep track of them. The brain dwells over unresolved issues but gives equal significance to minor and major open loops, leaving us in a constant state of anxiety. Furthermore, the brain often triggers reminders in contexts where we can take no action—a stress-inducing waste of thought and energy. Allen highlights the psychological impact of open loops by characterizing them as a nagging voice in the brain. This unwelcome voice is a continual reminder of unresolved commitments, “demanding that you do something about it” (167).

Cluttering of the short-term memory is presented as a further negative impact of open loops. The author argues that the human brain is designed to focus on one thing at a time. Consequently, storing open loops impairs focus on present tasks, again creating stress.