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How Reshma Saujani Used the Zeigarnik Effect to Build Girls Who Code into a 300K-Person Phenomenon

Ever feel overwhelmed by the constant flow of unfinished tasks? You’re not alone. This mental clutter is a well-known psychological principle called the Zeigarnik Effect. It states that we remember unfinished tasks better than completed ones, which creates a sense of discomfort that drives us to resolve them. And many successful founders, including Reshma Saujani, have used this to their advantage.

Saujani, founder of Girls Who Code, turned her own "unfinished business" into one of the most powerful drivers of her career. In 2012, when she launched the organization, the mission was clear: close the gender gap in tech. But with so much work to do, the feeling of "unfinished" was constant. Rather than let it overwhelm her, she leaned right into it. The discomfort pushed her to keep moving forward, fuelling her sense of urgency and purpose.

In 2018, Saujani famously wrote a letter to her younger self, acknowledging that much of her journey was still in progress, just like the rest of us. It’s a reminder that progress isn't linear, and perfection isn’t necessary for success.

Why Unfinished Tasks Are Your Superpower ✨

Unfinished tasks often feel like obstacles weighing us down, but they’re actually fuel for creativity and progress. For Saujani, Girls Who Code wasn’t just about solving a technical issue, it was about creating a movement. The discomfort of an underrepresented, underserved community became the engine behind her mission.

Saujani’s journey proves that unfinished business doesn’t mean failure, it means focus. It’s the uncomfortable drive to keep going despite pesky setbacks, doubts and challenges.

How to Turn Your Unfinished Business into Productivity 👉

We all have unfinished tasks…projects, business ideas, conversations. Instead of letting them paralyze you, use them to fuel your momentum.

Here’s how:

1. Identify Unfinished Tasks: Write down the projects or goals you’ve abandoned or put off. Which ones are nagging at you?

2. Reframe the Discomfort: Use that discomfort as motivation, not frustration. View unfinished tasks as progress waiting to happen.

3. Commit to Completing One Thing: Pick one unfinished task this week and break it down into manageable steps. Each small win brings you closer to completion. (And if you need an accountability buddy, hit reply and put it in writing!)

4. Embrace Imperfection: Remember that action matters more than perfection. Just like Saujani, you don’t need everything to be perfectly completed to move forward.

$268,000+ in Grants You Can Apply To This Week

🔹 IFundWomen Universal Grant Program – Amount varies (typically $5,000–$25,000+)
👉 ifundwomen.com/grants

🔹 Amber Grant (WomensNet) – $10,000 monthly + annual $25,000 bonus
👉 ambergrantsforwomen.com

🔹 Women Founders Grant – $5,000
👉 womenfoundersgrant.com

🔹 HerRise Microgrant – $1,000 monthly grants (women of color entrepreneurs)
👉 hersuitespot.com/her-rise

🔹 Giving Joy Microgrant – Up to $500 per grant (multiple awarded)
👉 givingjoygrants.org

🔹 Galaxy of Stars Grant – $1,500 to women/minority entrepreneurs
👉 galaxyofstars.org

🔹 Awesome Foundation Grant – $1,000 monthly (no strings attached)
👉 awesomefoundation.org

🔹 FedEx Small Business Grant Contest – $50,000 grand prize; runners-up $20,000
👉 fedex.com/grantcontest

🔹 NASE Growth Grant – $4,000 quarterly for small businesses
👉 nase.org

🔹 Galaxy Grant (by Hidden Star) – $1,500–$3,750 grants for minority & women-owned businesses
👉 galaxyofstars.org

🔹 Awesome Foundation Grant – $1,000 monthly (no strings attached)
👉 awesomefoundation.org

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