Record Clip Option

This is kind of difficult to explain, but I am sure there is a simple solution to my question.  How do I get midi information to begin recording only at the point I begin playing?  For example, I press the "record" button at measure 11.  I need to hear the music one measure before I begin playing at measure 12.  As a result, I get a clip beginning at measure 11 and not 12.  Then I have to go in and split the clip at measure 12 and then delete measure 11.  It can be done, but it's too time consuming to do that for each recorded clip.  What 's the solution?
 
Thank you!
 
TIM 
Sonar Platinum
Windows 8.1

Setting up an auto punch in overwrite mode should do that.  I set a quick marker point a measure or 2 ahead of the punch for playback start.

Rbh,
My problem would again be an extra step.  Many times I also have music recorded in the measures before I begin the new recording.  i would not want to use over-write.  If there are no other options, I guess I will have to do it this way, but i know at one time I didn't need to do anything extra.
 
Thanks Rbh! 

ya punch in or use another track like Craig mentioned is the best way to do this in my opinion.
 
when you hit the R button on your PC keyboard you should hear a 4 count = 1 measure that will pre roll you in to your recording. but if its content after that you are worried about over writing you need to use Take lanes or use a new track and bounce them/edit them together. Punch recording is easy once you figure out the jest of it.