Why Negligence is Good For You
***disclaimer, what I have to say may not pertain to everyone based on where they are at in life..."if the shoe fits, wear it"
Up until the last "real" workload semester of my college career I had NEVER failed a class in my life...Corporate Finance broke that streak.
The crazy thing about it is that this class wasn't the toughest class that I faced during my undergrad...actually I really enjoyed it as a whole! The course curriculum was well structured and comprehensive, the overall rigor pushed one to digest every financial concept and understand how to practically apply it, and the professor was strict and demanding but also engaging and relatable.
So why did I fail? Regardless of the excuses I could make to justify the earth-shattering result, it obviously was self-induced. Often called "procrastination," for the purposes of my entry I'll refer to it as negligence. Academic negligence in this sense.
First, I'd like to say that while everyone would like to avoid failing something (especially if you are fully capable of succeeding at that specific thing), it is OK to fail! Yup...I said it...that goes for you too, recent freshman in college who has never seen a grade below a 99 on an assignment.
Failing is only a problem when it keeps you from moving forward or trying again. I also see messing up or failing typically not an indication of a lack of inability but the outcome of your circumstance not meeting the standard of expectation (set by yourself or something external). So keep moving forward! Your life's problems can either give you a "boost" or give you "the boot!" But I digress...
Second (mainly), this idea of negligence can be viewed through two perspectives:
The typical take on it is negative...and rightfully so. Neglecting something that needs to be taken care of can produce serious consequences. Whether it is neglecting to take care of a child, a personal health issue, your bills, a pet, general hygiene (y'all know who you are lol), what results from a lack of care where care is needed is negative consequences.
The not so typical view point on negligence is positive...you may ask, "What do you mean?" (***Justin Bieber voice), let me explain:
Just as by neglecting something that you should do will give you something you don't want, by neglecting something you shouldn't do, you can gain something that you desire.
aka PLANNED NEGLECT
Mind you, this is no new topic or idea, but this is what I mean by "positive neglect."
There are a million illustrations that can made with this concept, but simply, have you ever wondered, "How did Micheal Jordan become as great of a basketball player as he was, Or Muhammad Ali become such a prolific boxer, Or Johann Sebastian Bach become one of the greatest composers of all time, Or even Jesus Christ become so spiritual?"
Disregarding the clear factors of genetic predisposition, specific life opportunities and circumstances, and being the Son of God, I find all of these historically impactful individuals (and the million others) to have practiced the same foundational action...this being: Focusing more on what you want to become more than on what may distract you from becoming just that.
Sooo for athletes like Jordan and Ali they focused more on what developed their skills in their sports (consistent training, performance study, personal nutrition, etc.) and NEGLECTED that which would hamper their abilities (undisciplined training, poor nutrition, etc.). For Jesus, he spent more time doing that which enhanced his spirituality (prayer, personal time with God, teaching and preaching, and restoring others- physically and spiritually) and NEGLECTED the things that would inhibit his growth (struggling with sin, not spending time with God, unpurposeful association). The bottom line....
DEFINE WHAT YOU WANT TO BECOME IN YOUR LIFE THEN START DOING THE THINGS THAT THAT KIND OF PERSON DOES!
If you want to be a professional athlete, start doing the things that the MOST successful pro athlete do (train consistently and HARD, study the game, eat healthy, play and practice the SAME way, etc.). If you want to be a famous musician or actor/actress, look at the habits of the most successful people in their "field" and mimic those same habits...all the while NEGLECTING the habits that are converse to those "success" habits.
If you are lacking spiritually and drifting in your relationship with God, look at the people who are prospering spiritually! Actually just look at what Jesus did! Read your Bible, spend time in prayer, associate with a group of believers that will hold you accountable and help you grow...#WWJD
IN CONCLUSION,
Start living the life that you desire to become and that is what you will become (all things considered)!! Too often we expect to be given or become something that we don't put the time and effort to become! Which is widely known as entitlement.
(Don't expect to become a professor of mathematics or head chef at your very own restaurant when you spend more time on social media and watching TV then you do studying and perfecting your craft. The reality is, if you spent as much time productively working toward your life goals as you do watching "Tik Toks" or binge watching Netflix, then you'd actually be getting somewhere (keepin’ it real)....you know what I mean, it's cool to take a break and watch your favorite shows...just don't get so crazy with it…)
So what do you want to currently be or eventually become?
Plan to neglect the daily actions that distract from your dreams and over time your dreams will become a part of your daily actions.
