The Rational Decision Maker sets out on a voyage to the Island of the Blue Sea. Suddenly, the Instant Gratification Monkey appears and snatches the wheel. The Instant Gratification Monkey has only two interests: fun and ease. The Instant Gratification Monkey hold the wheel and turns to the Dark Playground. It is a place where people always play with feelings of guilt, anxiety, and self-hatred. There is, however, a Panic Monster on board. When this Monster wakes up, the Monkey hides quickly and the Reasonable Decision Maker can head to the Island of the Blue Sea. The Island of the Blue Sea is less fun than the Dark Playground, but it is a place where important things happen.
The Reasonable Decision Maker, Instant Gratification Monkey, and the Panic Monster are all in our heads. It is a symbolic expression of the psychology of procrastination and getting things done only when the deadline is imminent. When the deadline is near, the Monster wakes up and meets the deadline, but the real problem is when there is no deadline. It’s because the Monster doesn’t even think to wake up and help.
Giving the Monkey the wheel and procrastinating the work indefinitely can lead to misfortune and regret. Everything has a deadline whether you notice it or not. Everything in this world and in life has a time limit. If you do not want to be a spectator of life, act right away and live in the moment.
*This article is based on a lecture by blogger Tim Urban.