So how do you create irresponsible people? Very simple…
Push back the deadline to accommodate their laziness.
The reason I say that is because I’ve seen some situations lately where this principle is true.
In school, students will find out on Day 1 that there is a major project due in 3 months, and yet they will still wait till the last minute to get it done and then complain when they don’t have enough time to complete it. They know if they gripe enough, the teacher will probably move the deadline and give them an extension.
Recently, it was announced that the switch to digital TV would be postponed for another few months. There have been commercials and announcements about this change for as long as I can remember and people still aren’t ready? So what does the government do? Push back the deadline.
On April 15 this year, your taxes will be due. And yet a lot of people will still file for an extension. But guess what? Your taxes were due last year on April 15. And they will be due next year on April 15. The IRS doesn’t move the date, so it shouldn’t be a shock each year when April 15 arrives. And yet people still need more time.
So how do you create responsible people? When people have a deadline, hold them accountable to it.
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One Comment
I see this, even in myself! I had a college class where the weekly assignments could be turned in online, and they didn’t have to be turned in until midnight the day of class. So I would put it off, and plan to do it after class. But the professor also accepted late papers…
But if there’s a hard deadline, and I have to turn in a paper in person, in class, right to the professor? Then it gets done, on time.