Everyone is familiar with the perils of procrastination. We all know the stress of trying to finish something important at the very last minute.
But what if you struggle with the opposite problem? What if, instead of waiting, you feel an intense sense of urgency to act as quickly as you can?
Precrastination refers to rushing to get things done as soon as possible. And while we live in a society that certainly favors efficiency, there can be steep costs associated with trying to hurry through your tasks. And if you don't know how to prioritize which tasks to complete first, you risk making careless mistakes or missing potential opportunities.
A Brief Overview of Precrastination
Precrastination is a fairly new concept. David Rosenbaum, a psychology professor, actually discovered it by accident. In a series of experiments, he sought to examine how people managed distance versus weight when carrying heavy objects.
He instructed university students to carry one of two buckets down an alley. One bucket was closer to the start line, and the other was closer to the finish line.
Rosenbaum assumed the participants would select buckets closest to the finish line (as doing so would mean they wouldn't have to carry them for as long). But most students chose the bucket closer to them at the starting line- meaning they carried them for a longer distance and engaged in more physical effort.
When asked about their decision, participants indicated that they chose buckets closest to them because it would allow them to finish the task as fast as possible. Similar results occurred in subsequent experiments.
Research shows that precrastination isn't just about getting things done. It's a deliberate, psychological attempt to decrease cognitive demands. By completing tasks as soon as you can, you get to avoid the mental efforts of needing to think about them. There's an evolutionary advantage to this mindset, but it isn't without its downsides.
Are You a Precrastinator?
Procrastination refers to delaying certain tasks, and it's often due to anxiety or uncertainty. When you procrastinate, you scramble to get things done, and this cycle can exacerbate stress.
If you engage in precrastination, you act right away instead of outweighing the possibilities. If you get an email, for example, you reply immediately, rather than carefully plan out your response. In some cases, this might not be problematic. But other times, you might miss completing another critical task because you're so preoccupied with finishing that email. Or, you might make a careless error because you rush to send it out.
Precrastination can also have more serious implications. For example, if you're looking for work, you might take the first job offer that comes your way. And while that might end up being a great job, you risk the potential for examining better opportunities.
If you precrastinate, you might also have higher levels of agreeableness, conscientiousness, and perfectionism. And while getting things done sooner might feel good in the present moment, you might still feel yourself ruminating over whether you made the best decision.
You might also doubt whether you completed the task to the best of your ability.
How to Improve Precrastination Tendencies
Precrastination isn't inherently a bad thing, but if you feel disorganized or overwhelmed in everyday life, you may need to reconsider how you focus on tasks. Here are some simple strategies for managing this trait:
Understand the Benefits of Getting Things Done as Soon as Possible
If you want to change behavior, it's important to first recognize how it benefits you. Even negative choices come with some perks, and those perks reinforce the cycle.
In most cases, precrastination comes with a sense of accomplishment. Every time you achieve a task, the brain releases feel-good hormones like dopamine. This makes you want to repeat the behavior over and over again.
Remember that you are only human, and we are wired to want to minimize effort when getting tasks done! Change comes from a place of internal acceptance, so try to be compassionate with yourself in your growth process.
Prioritize Your Tasks Efficiently
Precrastination typically focuses on the quantity of tasks completed rather than the quality. And while you might wish to get a certain task done as soon as you can, this mindset may result in wasting precious energy and overlooking more efficient strategies.
Changing precrastination requires understanding optimization. To start, consider making a to-do list every morning. Highlight the most important tasks- the ones that you absolutely must get done as soon as possible. Try to get in the habit of finishing those tasks first.
With this approach, you aren't focused on the number of items you complete. Instead, you're focused on making sure you're getting things done in the correct order.
This mindset helps mitigate both precrastination and procrastination. As a result, you'll likely feel more relieved knowing that you're able to get what needs to be done on time.
Practice Healthy Stress Management
It can be helpful to frame precrastination as another branch of anxiety. When you precrastinate, you're trying to get things done as soon as possible even if that isn't the best decision. The next time you feel the compulsive need to finish something fast, ask yourself, What am I feeling stressed about? What makes me believe I need to get this done right away?
Stress management looks different for everyone, but healthy coping skills typically include:
increased mindfulness
challenging negative thoughts
sitting with your feelings (even if they feel uncomfortable)
seeking healthy social support
Give Yourself Enough Time
Sometimes precrastination comes from a scarcity mindset. And in our fast-paced world, time often does feel limited.
If you notice yourself rushing to get a certain task done, allocate more time to complete it than usual. For instance, if you need to shop for groceries, and you usually only give yourself 45 minutes, consider doubling that time.
You may not need an hour and a half at the grocery store. But knowing you've blocked off enough time may reduce the sense of urgency or panic you feel. The tendency to rush through a task may not be as strong if you know you can move at a more leisurely pace.
Similarly, if you need to make a significant decision, consider delaying the choice for 48-72 hours. Research shows that giving yourself more space can enhance your clarity and reduce impulsivity. Having more time allows you to decide what you really want.
How Therapy Can Help With Precrastination
People who experience depression, anxiety, trauma, or perfectionism may also struggle with precrastination tendencies. In addition, it's certainly possible to oscillate between procrastination and precrastination depending on the context. But over time, it can lead to burnout and aggravated mental health problems.
Together, we can work through your procrastination patterns and develop healthier strategies for structuring your time. We can also explore the barriers or triggers that maintain this cycle.
Sometimes, being the early bird has its perks. But if you feel overwhelmed or compulsive about how you make decisions, it may be time to reconsider your approach.
I am here to support you grow and build a more authentic, meaningful life. Contact me today to get started!
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