The Lift

Close the loop: Incompletions are why everything you haven't finished is draining you (and your company)

September 15, 2026·19 min
Episode Description from the Publisher

Ben went to Salzburg for two weeks of “pure PTO” vacation. He ended up spending the first day and a half locked in a hotel room, heart rate elevated, surrounded by sticky notes. In today’s episode, we cover incompletions: the tasks that haven't been done, the conversations that haven't happened, the decisions still open. And why they are probably quietly costing you, your coworkers, and your organization more than you realize.Topic Highlights:– What "attention residue" is and why your brain stays at work long after you've left the building. – Why incompletions don't just drain you personally – they quietly stall entire organizations. – What being on the receiving end of someone else's incompletion actually does to them. – The 20-minute microdose you should take before any vacation, big deadline, or leadership transition.Guest Bio:Ben Brooks is a leadership strategist, career innovator, executive coach, founder of PILOT, and host of The Lift. He loves traveling, making new friends, and of course, his dog, Jetson. Episode Links:The LiftPILOTConnect with Us:theliftpod.comLet’s stay in touchSubscribe to The LiftFind Ben online: LinkedIn | InstagramSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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