It’s the final week of classes and the entire load of papers, book reviews, presentations and of course the ever so painful final exams are staring right into my eyes. I am finally facing the result of weeks of procrastination. Up until this day I loved work, I could stare at it for hours, now I actually need to get stuff done, not only for my own dear life but also for upholding the commitment I made to my team members which counts to about 18 this mod! Yes it is true, I have 18 different classmates that I have teamed up with and need to at least meet all expectations.
Given that I have gone through this exact phase about 5 times now, I planned out ahead this time (not too far ahead I must say). I made a conscious decision and the required effort to stay just one day ahead of the required timelines. Although to follow through this, I had to painstakingly convince myself to start one day ahead of my regular last minute schedule but once I got the ball rolling it has been rather smooth since then. Today, as my roommate worries about the Game theory quiz that is due tomorrow, I know I already worried about it last night. Everything I do falls right in sync with what he does, just that I feel I am always one day ahead. It was surprising that not only was it much easier to flow ideas without my nerves playing pac-man through my head but the quality of work I delivered was at least better on my standards than some other last minute submissions I have done.
I guess it could rhyme with some other last minute workers out there but I know we have been trying to find a solution to our procrastinations and the repercussions therein for all eternity. We do try to convince ourselves by stating that we work better while under pressure (or the classic hard work Vs smart work paradigm), but we all know it’s the justification of the lazy boy inside of us. We know we are better than this and the day we decide to get off our recliners and work the night we will rule the world. This one might not be the best medicine out there but has surely given me some relief.
Hope you all survive through the high tide!
“You are said to have
mastered the art of procrastination, if and only if
- you do not feel guilty any more for just thinking what to do and what not to do throughout the week
- before whatever you start doing, determine if you do not do that work now, what would be the big deal
- you would continually remain under the inertia of "nothing important to
do" unless and otherwise a powerful external force is applied”
http://www.cs.purdue.edu/homes/ashishk/Procrastination.html
All the best!
