What is your excuse this time?

I finally completed marking your narrative essays. I wanted to keep my word to you that I shall have them graded and returned to you tomorrow during our lesson. But you know what? I counted only 26 scripts turned in. This means that 15 of you either didn't bother to write the essays or could not be bothered to hand them in. What excuse did you give yourself this time? You were too tired? Too distracted by your other subject revisions? Nothing to write about? . . .
You did promise me that if I let you off that Tuesday afternoon, you would exercise self-discipline and complete the task at home. What became of that promise?

Let me share with you the thing about refusing to put in that ounce of hard work and sacrifice to meet deadlines and turn in work reflecting your best ability put in. Many amongst us think that when the time comes for us to write that essay to save our lives, we will be able to do it. But you know what? . . . That self-drive and discipline that are not put in practice for too long will fail you in life and be your stumbling blocks. Procastination is a terrible thing; it will become your bad habit and a difficult thing to shed.

Like I've told you many times in jest in class: how we would shudder when that surgeon who is supposed to operate on us had flippantly said, "Wait . . ." while he attends to some other unimportant whims that distract him? Or if he had not given of his best when he was assigned a case to attend to?

People, take pride in doing your best in all your undertakings! Focus. Exercise self-discipline. You'll be surprised that you can find time to accomplish set tasks and still have time left over to pursue other things.

Try it.