The Well-Managed app was designed to help people live their best lives while juggling the many responsibilities associated with modern life. Here are some of the scientific processes underlying how the app can help do this:
- Clears Mental Clutter: When we have a lot on our plates, our minds tend to juggle multiple tasks simultaneously. This mental juggling consumes cognitive resources and can lead to distraction, inability to concentrate, stress, and burnout. With Well-Managed, you’re delegating the responsibility of remembering recurring tasks to the app. Your brain doesn’t have to constantly “remind” you of things, reducing mental clutter and allowing you to focus on the present moment. You have the mental space for more important cognitive functions, like problem-solving and creativity.
- Sense of Accomplishment and Motivation: Checking off completed tasks is deeply satisfying and provides a sense of progress. Your brain receives a small hit of dopamine (the “reward” chemical). Well-Managed includes celebratory animation that was specifically designed to enhance the dopamine reward associated with completing tasks. This feeling of accomplishment reinforces positive behavior and motivates you to keep going.
- Fosters a Positive Feedback Loop: When everything is running smoothly and your life is under control, you are more likely to have the energy and bandwidth to do things that continue to help your life go smoothly. You’ve created what is known as a “virtuous cycle” (the opposite of a “vicious cycle”) – an initial good action or condition leads to positive outcomes, which then make performing the initial action easier, which leads to more positive outcomes… you get the picture. The virtuous cycle creates momentum so it takes less energy to be productive and stay on top of things.
- Boosts Sense of Control: Well-Managed lays out tasks that are due now, in the upcoming week, and in the subsequent week in a visually appealing and low-pressure way. This structure brings order and provides a sense of control over responsibilities. This sense of control can, in turn, enhance users’ resilience and ability to overcome challenges in service of their goals.
- Helps Avoid Bigger Problems Later: “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” When you manage smaller tasks regularly (such as checking your car’s oil, cleaning the house regularly, or maintaining your health), you prevent bigger problems – and the stress associated with them – from arising. Regular car maintenance can extend your vehicle’s life, cleaning your home regularly keeps things from becoming messy, dirty, or overwhelming, and routine medical check-ups can prevent or minimize future health crises. The Well-Managed app can help you stay ahead of problems before they escalate.