In my work, I've often found myself having trouble to be punctual. Which isn't quite a big deal. Though, I need to be.
Last week, I failed to deliver a project, a TOEFL iBT test clone program.
This is my problem. I tend to promise a tough project which I was sure I could deliver if I put my full effort into it in an obsessive manner which is how I see myself ahead of the competition in this line of work (plus asking for lower rates than others), but I seemed to fail all the time.
Though at the same time, I was wondering why I didn't even bother to reject this kind of project in the first place. I've told the teacher in charge, that I'm not a professional programmer, yet she'd always either overestimated me or just wanting things done the easy way (without having to go through channels of budget and discussions with the manager herself) like a spoilt brat. At times I thought:" You've asked for it".
Nonetheless, despite my constraint from blaming on others, I have learned to look at my own fault first. I do need to be sober. Did she purposely pick the time while I was busy so as to easily "sign the contract/promise" of what she wants, since I would be eager to get rid of her annoying request. So I should learn to reject.
As for productivity and efficiency, I should also learn to outsource my work, which is something I've begun to do. This way, my business will expand and hopefully I will learn enough to have a new direction of working with others instead of just on my own.
This incident should bear deep impression on my decision on keeping promises, even minor ones. At the same time, I should also refrain myself form using terms like "maybe", "perhaps", etc. in the goal towards efficiency.