Do you really know? Could precrastination be affecting your productivity?
Sep 27, 2025
Explore the curious concept of precrastination, where the rush to finish tasks can actually hinder productivity. Learn how this contrasts with procrastination and its surprising links to mental health. Dive into David Rosenbaum's intriguing bucket experiment illustrating sub-goal completion and everyday examples, like hasty email replies. Discover why it's crucial to balance between procrastination and precrastination by focusing on priorities instead of speed. Unpack the mental drain that comes from always being on task!
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
What Precrastination Means
- Precrastination means hurrying to finish sub-goals even if it costs extra effort.
- This behaviour relieves working-memory load but can cause unnecessary physical or mental exertion.
The Bucket Experiment
- Rosenbaum's bucket experiment asked participants to carry a bucket filled with coins from point A to point B.
- Most people chose the nearer bucket and carried it farther, showing a preference for immediate sub-goal completion.
Why People Precrastinate
- People prefer finishing nearby sub-goals to reduce working-memory stress.
- That desire can lead to overexertion or taking extra risks to clear tasks from mind.