Kelly Yu, Period 2, 12/3/20, Day A

Kelly Yu

Period 2 Modern Mythology

12/3/20

Day A

At this current point in time, what specific goal(s) do you have for yourself? Why?

Only after hours of browsing through countless TikTok videos, do I realize how fast time flies. Only when there are minutes left until the deadline passes, do I create a new document. I knew I was not producing my best work because of this. I vowed to stop procrastinating. Starting with the root of the problem, my phone became strictly for work, the beginning of my battle with Sloth. 

It is so tempting to snooze the alarm clock and bundle up in the warm pile of blankets, letting the upcoming deadlines fade away. However, regret always follows after giving into temptation. Regretting not being productive does not stop me from repeating this, eventually becoming a vicious cycle of regret and procrastination. But finally, reality breaks through my thick skull and reawakens Diligence.

It’s holiday season, but also college application season, the culmination of our four years in high school. I have to present the best work I can to colleges, and this means spending the time necessary to write stellar essays. The stakes are raised high in these brief months, so instead of grinding Candy Crush levels, I will ensure the essays I submit reflect who I am. This is the perfect time to finally stop procrastinating, something I said I would do two years ago. 

How do you demonstrate resilience towards achieving this goal? (or these goals?)

It is resilience to even acknowledge when you are not at your best because of your actions. It is resilience to even attempt to stop habitual behaviors. While I contradict myself right now, as I am up late doing schoolwork, I prefer this over spending hours speed running the latest maps. I smile, delighted when my weekly phone report tells me I used my phone for only 3 hours a day, knowing that change is happening. 

I became more strict with myself. I enforced a bedtime for 12AM and a period of time where I cannot touch my phone for any reason. The harshness paid off when I completed a cycle's worth of work in one sitting and I felt amazing.

It is the self-awareness that is the first step in overcoming this “New Year Resolution” goal, where midway through, the goal is dropped. I have friends who are in the same boat and we created a sleeping pact, where we would not stay up past 3AM. There are sessions where we just get onto a voice channel, listen to music, and work on schoolwork. I doubt I would have self-improved this much had I been alone. I would have allowed myself one cheat day, which eventually becomes every day. I am on the path to finding that balance between work and play, something I lost, and making sure I hold on to it. Friends who scream at you to go to sleep are the ones you should keep. 

How does the world around you affect your perception of this goal? (or these goals?)

The world continues when you stop. It’s the worldwide revelations that motivates me to stick to my goal. Missing a deadline won’t bring upon the apocalypse, but it will affect me directly. Procrastination only hinders every party, but being early doesn’t. My small impact will be doing everything on time since maybe, just maybe, it can lead to world peace. Of course, that is a big stretch, but the Butterfly Effect gives that a chance of happening. 

I remember to think beyond myself and my troubles and thank the frontline workers, thank my mother for going to her hospital every day. As I save time with my newfound productivity, I find the time to give my sincere thanks to everyone who has been a positive influence, even to friends who text “Hi” since that’s all it takes to brighten my day.  

Procrastination I can change and have control over. I can’t reverse the time to before the pandemic, but I can wear a mask and stay home. Same thing with my chronic procrastination, I can stop procrastinating with enough effort and determination. It won’t take place overnight, but I am noticing the slight changes in how I work. I seldom calculate the seconds I have until submission now.