The Siege Mentality
1. Clients "Isabella" and "Marco" ATTACK their workload with detail-driven intensity. It’s wild.
Here's an example quote from Isabella:
““I just need to do it. Personally, I don’t want to leave room for excuses. I’ve got way too much going on, and even though I don’t feel great, I can’t let that be a reason not to get ahead. I’ve mapped out every single task—at 5:00 I’m starting. Biology first—quick, straightforward, just knock it out. Then history. Then algebra. Twenty minutes, twenty-five minutes, thirty minutes—stacking them up like dominoes. If I push through tonight, it clears the deck for tomorrow. Maybe I can even squeeze in part of my Spanish translation to open up space on Tuesday. The schedule’s tight, but it’s doable if I execute. I’m not getting caught up in feeling tired.””
But these students often struggle to prioritize or see the big picture clearly.
2. This siege mentality is often leaving many things unsaid.
Both Isabella and Marco are constantly busy, deeply involved, “alive.”
It's not even a terrible strategy - you're always moving forward, right?
It’s basically like adults running through their emails: bang, bang, bang. They're reducing the numerator on their to-do list.
But I hate saying this (because it sounds exactly like something people say who avoid doing actual work): it could be a lot more strategic.
3. Some of this is about avoidance.
Isabella, in the quote above, was totally avoiding geometry.
She hates geometry. She doesn't want to study it, but ... she doesn't want to scroll on her phone either!
So, instead, she puts meaningless extra effort into Spanish translations.
Marco doesn't want to think about his big AP Euro paper. So what does he do? He obsessively grinds out corrections on a Chemistry test he already aced with a 92.
4. Suggestion: do a nightly 15-minute meeting to "take stock."
Take 10–15 minutes, daily, for about three weeks. Find someone to talk to that you trust.
Prioritize your tasks. What is most important? Why? What are you avoiding? Why?
Make an actual plan, stick to it, and then gradually reduce how often you need to do this.
A coach can help here, but this could be done (in theory) by anyone. Probably not mom or dad, though.
