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Attention residue is a concept from organizational psychology (popularized by Sophie Leroy) that explains why switching between tasks can hurt focus and performance.
What it means
When you move from Task A to Task B without fully finishing or mentally “closing” Task A, part of your attention stays stuck on the previous task. That leftover mental load is the residue—and it reduces how well you think, decide, and create on the new task.
Why it happens
Unfinished tasks keep your brain in a state of open loops
Emotional or complex work is especially “sticky”
Rapid context switching doesn’t give your mind time to disengage
What it causes
Slower thinking and more mistakes
Shallow focus (you’re present, but not fully)
Mental fatigue even when tasks seem small
How to reduce attention residue
Finish or define a stopping point before switching tasks
Externalize the open loop: write down next steps so your brain can let go
Batch similar tasks instead of bouncing between types of work
Use transition rituals (short walk, deep breaths, reset note)
Protect deep work blocks from interruptions
A simple rule of thumb: don’t switch tasks—transition them.
If you want, I can help you apply this to studying, coding, creative work, or managing notifications and meetings.
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