“You are taking too much time to complete this.” I was once told when I was washing dishes. I was brushed away and the job was taken over immediately. Although I was happy to be excused from doing the work, it didn’t feel pleasant to be brushed away.
It wasn’t the only time I was told that I was slow. It went on like this as I was growing up. Most of the things I do, I do take a longer time if there was time to spare.
It came to a point that I would be left alone to complete the work because it was known. For those who were in a hurry, they usually can’t stand to watch me work. They prefer to rush things through, complete them quickly, regardless of the outcome.
I admit that I am slow but I think I am not that slow, maybe half time more? When I wash dishes, I like to sponge every surface with the dish washing liquid, front and back, every corner if there are corners, and I would wash the dishes until there are no traces of oil. It takes a longer time, sure, but at least I know they are clean.
One may call this as an obsessive-compulsive behaviour. Maybe. But I much prefer to take the extra time to make sure that things are done right, rather than haphazardly for the sake of having it done. Taking dish washing as an example, if the dishes still feel oily after wash, then what is the point of washing them in the first place? It is possible that I am a little more paranoid about it or that I am more sensitive. But if my fingers still feel traces of oil, I would keep washing until it feels squeaky-clean.
When it comes to house chores, when I have the time to spare, I would spare the time to make sure it is properly cleaned and not just cleaning for the sake of cleaning. What is the point of cleaning if it is not going to be clean at the end of it? It is a much greater waste of time. If we choose to do it, then we’d better do it right, isn’t it? If we choose to just simply do it, then, might as well not do it. If I scrub a surface that has turned black or green, I would scrub until I see the original color appears, if it is possible.
It is the same with many other things, not just house chores. When I am writing an important email, or when I am editing a document, or when I am working on reports or presentation charts. I would sometimes be told to do a quick one. Just a simple one, nothing too fancy, they would say. But the thing is, when I am tasked to do something, or when I choose to do something, I would prefer to do it right, given the time that I have.
I don’t quite comprehend how something can be simply done when it comes to things like these. A simple action of tying shoelace can be done simply too but a simply done action may result in a half baked result. The shoelace may untie after a short while of usage. I would prefer to take the time to tie the shoelace properly and not worry about it coming loose.
If indeed I do not have the luxury of time, then, I would do the best possible with the time that I have. I guess I can’t get over my conscience to do a simply kind of job. It doesn’t make sense. Could this be a behaviour of a perfectionist? Maybe but I would prefer to think of it as taking the time to do it right.
I have had too many problems with my wifi. I am trying to find a satellite signal to affiliate with it. Too many posts happen and my connection does not help me, it freezes in full, the translation goes away. I lose publications and a lot of headaches. So I take it easy. When I can, I can and when I can't, it's no. I like discipline in doing something and I agree with you.