Jun 22, 2022
Flexible Submission is a Scam
Recently, at my school, a new policy was implemented. This policy is known as the “7 day flexible submission”, that is up until seven days you can turn in any project for any class 7 days after the due date. So if a project/assignment is due on 12/1 you have until 12/8 to turn it in and still get full credit. The majority of people of my school love the flexible submission policy, and say they would “die” without it, but I think it actually is doing more harm than good. Here’s why.
Work usually takes up the time available. In the productivity world, this is known as Parkinson’s law. Let’s say you have a work item due in a month, but it will only take 3 days of time to complete. You are likely to put off the task because you know you have excess time. Then, with three days left, you will be under immense pressure/stress and finish the task within the time constraint. By creating this additional, 7 day policy, work now has the potential to extend for another 7 days. There are now 7 more available days to waste because that is how our brain works.
If you have some extremely busy days, you know exactly what I’m talking about. Some days your schedule is packed and some days your schedule is light. I’m willing to bet money that you are more productive the days you are crunched for time, rather than when you have excess time. Don’t get your hopes high, I don’t bet. I saw this with myself when I was playing 3 sports at a time. When you have commitment after commitment, you tend to make the most out of your time. Personally, I was often making the most out of my pockets, and generally was wasting less time, resulting in the best and happiest version of myself.
Well Krish, if you are such a genius, why don’t you tell us how to avoid falling into this hole. Essentially, you want to set hard deadlines. Setting hard deadlines is the 🔑 key. This is why people encounter tons of friction when doing personal projects. No one is setting the deadlines for them. Think about projects you’ve given up on. Was it writing a blog? Learning to code? Starting a business? Understanding and investing in crypto? Go set deadlines for that specific project. Break it down and have a specific action plan.
You are in control of your deadlines, and frankly your life. I think we need to be reminded of this that you are the key to your success. There is no magic potion, it’s a series of decisions and actions which will eventually lead you to your spot in life. If you want a more detailed framework on how to make better decisions check out my notes on **Atomic Habits**.