## Pre-Crastination: Understanding the Opposite of Procrastination ### Authors - [[David Rosenbaum]] #presentation While procrastination is widely studied, its opposite—pre-crastination—is relatively underexplored. Pre-crastination refers to the tendency to complete tasks as soon as possible, often at the expense of efficiency or effort conservation. Understanding pre-crastination can provide insights into decision-making, [[time management]], and cognitive load. In a series of experiments, participants were given a choice between picking up and carrying a nearby object versus a farther one, both leading to the same goal. Surprisingly, many individuals chose the closer object despite the additional effort required to carry it, suggesting a preference for immediate task completion over minimizing physical effort. These findings suggest that pre-crastination stems from a desire to reduce cognitive load rather than conserve physical effort. Individuals may prioritize mental closure over rational [[time management]], leading to inefficient behaviors. This research has implications for workplace productivity, [[stress]] management, and decision-making strategies. Future studies should explore the neural and psychological mechanisms underlying pre-crastination and its interaction with procrastination tendencies. By understanding both behaviors, we can develop better strategies for optimizing productivity and well-being. ### Keywords: [[Pre-crastination]], [[procrastination as a keyword (needs further specification to be useful)]], [[Decision-Making]], [[Cognitive Load]], [[time management]], [[Task Completion]] Literature: Rosenbaum, "Pre-crastination"