“It takes less time to do a thing right than it does to explain why you did it wrong.” - Henry Wadsworth LongfellowYou mentioned recently, “If it wasn’t for the last minute, nothing would get done.”
That may be correct in today's culture, but I disagree completely. You’re simply doing it wrong.
I despise being late and last minute, too. Rushing things through to the finished product is not what quality is all about. Late and frantic is not in the chosen vocabulary. So it is avoided altogether. No, I'd rather be early, thourough, and bored.
Most people at least attempt to reach deadlines on time, which is good about humans. Most people wait until the last possible minute because that is THE time given. We all have until that last possible minute.
But why? What do you really get out of the last minute?
Think of it this way. In business, UPS and FedEx have made a killing off of last minute and frantic people. And we pay for that too. We have become a culture of pushing the deadline, on-the-go convenience. Do we plan out the weekly dinners or do we pick up fast food on the way home? Do we casually fill the gas tank when it gets down to about a quarter a tank or do we wait until the light comes on and hysterically GPS to look for the next station, no matter the price? Do we shop for gifts at the last minute (it is the Christmas season, you know) succumbing to desperation trends or do we take the time to find something appropriate and personal and tuck it away months in advance?
And here is the thing.... I believe there is a subtle difference between urgent (last minute) and important (planned). Urgent is a cop out. It is simply too easy and justified in the minds of the foolish. Everyone can agree when something is urgent. Urgent trumps important every time. Everyone gets heated over a crisis. Mistakes happen. People miss things. Urgent is easy because everyone agrees about Urgent. Urgent is vital. It is pressing ... Urgent sucks.
No, I’d rather languish in Important. One can study what is right and correct with the appropriate amount of time. Important is weighty. It is central and valuable. Nothing about Important says late and frantic. Important deserves your time and energy. Urgent just drains it.
