In a recent LinkedIn post, Choo Ann NGOH discusses a common workplace phenomenon: the feeling that deadlines are always looming, even when there appears to be ample time.
Choo Ann NGOH recounts personal experiences where perceived ample time for projects evaporated, leading to last-minute rushes. “Many years ago, I committed to delivering a project paper for a bank,” NGOH writes. “In my head: ‘Should be kacang puteh (easy) lah, got two weeks mah’ On paper: two weeks exactly In reality: the deadline became next Monday before I knew it 😱😅”
The Psychology of Perceived Urgency
According to Choo Ann NGOH, this temporal distortion isn’t just a matter of poor planning but is rooted in how our brains process time and urgency. NGOH explains that our brains don’t always operate on a strict calendar timeline.
“Our brain see the date, auto-panic like got ghost—even if still got time 😱😅”
This psychological effect, as highlighted by NGOH, often leads to procrastination during the initial phases of a project. The mind adopts a relaxed stance, assuming there’s plenty of time for completion. This can manifest as extended coffee breaks, unnecessary meetings, or the classic deferral: “I’ll start tomorrow.” NGOH points out the insidious nature of this habit, noting how “tomorrow becomes next week 🙈🙉🙊”
Why This Causes Inefficiency
The core issue, as Choo Ann NGOH argues, is that our brains prioritize perceived urgency over objective time allocation. This leads to a concentration of effort in the final stages of a project.
“Because our brains use urgency, not calendar math, to allocate attention And that’s why most of us end up sprinting in the last 10% of the timeline — the least efficient place to sprint”
This last-minute sprint, NGOH suggests, is highly inefficient. The pressure and compressed timeline often lead to lower quality work and increased stress, rather than optimal productivity.
NGOH’s Solution: Breaking Down Deadlines into Decision Points
To combat this common pitfall, Choo Ann NGOH proposes a strategic mental shift focused on breaking down large deadlines into smaller, actionable ‘decision points’ rather than just tasks.
From ‘Tasks’ to ‘Decision Points’
Instead of setting a broad goal like “Finish slide deck by Friday,” NGOH advocates for a more granular approach. This involves establishing clear mini-obligations throughout the week:
- “Decide the core message by Tuesday”
- “Gather feedback by Wednesday”
- “Finalise visuals by Thursday”
This method, as NGOH explains, transforms the perception of a daunting, monolithic deadline into a series of manageable steps. “Suddenly, the entire week doesn’t feel like one mountain — just a few manageable hills,” NGOH writes.
The Power of Clarity Over Urgency
The key takeaway from NGOH’s post is the distinction between urgency and clarity. While urgency can spur action, it often leads to reactive behavior and inefficiency. Clarity, on the other hand, fosters a more consistent and proactive approach.
“Urgency creates movement Clarity creates consistency”
By implementing this strategy, NGOH suggests, individuals can reprogram their brains to shift from panic to planning. This proactive approach ensures that projects are not only completed but often finished ahead of when the deadline truly *feels* imminent, leading to a less stressful and more productive experience.
📝 About This Content
This article is based on insights shared by Choo Ann NGOH on LinkedIn.
📅 Originally posted on February 3, 2026 | View original post on LinkedIn →