Want to Be More Effective? Stop Pre-Crastinating!

Over the weekend, I met an old family friend. There was so much to catch up on—kids sharing school stories, travel talks, and fun games. In the midst of great food, laughter, and conversations, I noticed our friend constantly checking email notifications and responding to messages.

Sound familiar? ??

We’re all guilty of being on our phones more than necessary. But ask yourself:

? Do you check your notifications first thing in the morning?

? Do you feel the need to respond to emails immediately, even if they aren’t urgent?

? Do you clear all unread messages in group chats just to feel "caught up"?

? Do you find yourself looking at your phone during meetings or conversations?

If you answered yes to any of these, congratulations—you’re in the pre-crastination trap!

What Is Pre-Crastination? ??

Pre-crastination is the opposite of procrastination. It’s the urge to complete tasks immediately—even when it leads to inefficiency, stress, and poor decision-making.

For example:

?? Checking your phone every time an alert pops up instead of scheduling a time for it.

?? Rushing to reply to emails without taking time to think.

?? Prioritizing doing over thinking—leading to mistakes and burnout.

This habit increases anxiety, reduces mindfulness, and negatively impacts both your personal and professional life.

So how can you stop pre-crastinating? Here are five effective strategies:

5 Ways to Overcome Pre-Crastination ??

1?? Set Rituals ?

Prioritization is key! Build intentional habits that help you resist the urge to react to every notification.

?? What’s the first thing you’d like to do in the morning? (Meditation, journaling, stretching?)

?? How would you like to wind down your day? (Music, reading, a warm bath?)

?? Can you set dedicated family time without screens?

Even 30 minutes of uninterrupted time can make a huge difference. My pediatrician once told me this when I was anxious about neglecting my elder child after having a baby—it worked wonders! ??

2?? Outsource & Delegate ??

You don’t have to do everything yourself! If possible, delegate tasks to team members or colleagues. Also, don’t hesitate to say no when something isn’t necessary. And if you feel overwhelmed, take a 10-minute break before jumping into the next task.

3?? Embrace JOMO Over FOMO ??

The Fear of Missing Out (FOMO) keeps us glued to screens. Instead, welcome the Joy of Missing Out (JOMO)—being fully present in the moment.

Try this simple STOP method: ?? Stop ?? Take a deep breath ?? Observe your surroundings ?? Proceed mindfully

What do you see, hear, or smell right now? Grounding yourself can reduce stress and increase focus.

4?? Work-Life Balance ??

In today’s world, more isn’t always better. More work, more money, more information—it all leads to more stress.

This reminds me of the story of Icarus. His father warned him not to fly too close to the sun, but he ignored the advice, and his wings melted. The lesson? Overestimating our abilities and constantly pushing limits can lead to burnout. Pace yourself! ???

5?? Be Kind to Yourself ??

We are often our own worst critics. We say things to ourselves that we’d never say to a friend. Give yourself permission to pause, relax, and recharge.

Whether you struggle with procrastination or pre-crastination, there’s always an underlying emotion at play.

??With greater awareness, you can make more intentional choices and find deeper meaning in your work and life.

?? What’s one habit you’d like to change to avoid pre-crastination? Let’s discuss in the comments! ??