In today’s rapidly evolving economic landscape, the age-old adage, “The early bird gets the worm,” often holds sway. But what about the late mouse that skillfully evades the trap? This analogy underscores the critical importance of timing and approach in task execution. In a world driven by productivity, it’s essential to pause and reflect on the complexities of our responsibilities. Are we merely shifting from one task to another without fully considering the timeline and truly understanding our objectives?
The phrase “measure twice, cut once” aptly encapsulates the idea that postponing tasks can be mentally taxing, while rushing to complete them often leads to regret. Consider the scenario of students burning the midnight oil to meet impending deadlines, or potters hastily crafting their wares without allowing them to dry. These examples illustrate that procrastination and precrastination—two sides of the same coin—frequently result in unsatisfactory outcomes.
Enter crastination—a concept that embodies the balance of neither postponing tasks nor rushing to complete them. It is crucial for effective time management and emotional stability. Crastination begins with intrinsic motivation, fostering a proactive mindset that ensures responsibility and clarity in task execution. It sparks the initiative to start promptly and nurtures the habit of addressing priorities efficiently, thereby preventing the pitfalls of unpreparedness and failure.
Are we truly striking while the iron is hot, or merely rubbing leather according to the heat of the sun? The urgency for decisive action extends beyond individual tasks to encompass critical national investments in sectors like cryptocurrency and hydropower. The recent seepage incident at the PHPPA-II powerhouse, resulting in a staggering revenue loss of 3.18 billion, starkly reveals significant shortcomings in our project management frameworks and highlights systemic flaws within our operational structures. Does this catastrophic oversight not necessitate an urgent reevaluation of our operations and the implementation of transformative changes to ensure accountability and resilience?
The government’s proposal to introduce a third telecom operator, first discussed in 2016, remains unrealised, leaving current operators to maintain high rates despite their earlier commitments to enhance service quality. This ongoing inaction, along with the lack of timely regulatory measures, raises questions about whether corporate interests are being prioritised over the needs of the general public. Is it the right time for Bhutan to raise the sales tax on vehicles? While aimed at addressing a trade deficit and declining foreign reserves, will the resulting price hikes not disproportionately impact middle-income and low-income households, threatening economic recovery? What about the TVET curriculum facing setbacks due to its heavy dependence on contract-based instructors? This reliance raises serious concerns about the quality and consistency of vocational education in Bhutan, undermining its potential to equip students with the necessary skills for a competitive workforce. Are we truly prepared to address disruptions promptly?
Timely innovation is crucial; we cannot afford to stagnate or recycle existing solutions. Transitioning projects from 0 to 1 is imperative, as the futile exercise of moving from 0 to n not only squanders vital resources but also undermines our competitive position in the global marketplace. This lack of innovation endangers Bhutan’s economic growth and energy security, jeopardizing our financial stability. As we embark on transformative initiatives like the Digital Drukyul program, it is crucial that we seize the right opportunities and strategically leverage our resources to fortify our national capabilities. Any inaction, haste, or delay in our responses could severely impede our progress and fundamentally undermine our potential for sustainable development. How can Bhutan realistically achieve parity with nations in the second and third waves of AI development? Are we prepared to apply the principles of crastination to drive innovation and mitigate the risk of stagnation in our developmental efforts?
Ultimately, crastination strikes a balance between diligence and patience, embodying the Buddhist principle of Right Effort. This principle advocates for focus and mindfulness while cautioning against both over-exertion and lethargy. By promoting thoughtful engagement with our responsibilities, crastination encourages us to reevaluate productivity, prioritising quality outcomes over rushed efforts. Adopting this mindset fosters a healthier perspective, empowering individuals to navigate the complexities of modern life and effectively achieve their personal and national goals. In this context, Gelephu Mindfulness City has rightly adopted the appropriate approach and resources at the right time under the visionary leadership of His Majesty the King. As we reflect on our transformative journey, we must ask ourselves: how prepared are we to invest the necessary effort and time to effectively market our innovative goods and services to the outside world?
As we shoulder our responsibilities—whether at a national level or in our personal lives—it is crucial to embrace crastination as a tool for thoughtful, strategic action. This principle is essential for addressing the complexities of modern economic challenges, manning a commitment to proactive, timely measures that prioritise innovation over duplication/reproduction. The critical question remains: will we foster original thinking and strategies for sustainable development, or will we yield to the inertia of replication? In our fast-changing world, embracing crastination is not only beneficial; it is essential for bolstering our economic resilience and ensuring timely, proactive, and innovative solutions, especially in light of advancements in artificial intelligence and emerging challenges.
The key to success lies not in haste, but in taking the right steps at the right time.
Contributed by
Sonam Chophel
Samtse College of Education