The Law of Delay
“Delay is the deadliest form of denial.”
~ C. Northcote Parkinson
From: The Times (London), 15 September 1966,
“Parkinson’s Law of Delay” by C. Northcote Parkinson
There is nothing static in our changing world and recent research has tended to show that the Abominable No-man is being replaced by the Prohibitive Procrastinator. Instead of saying “No” the Prohibitive Procrastinator says “In due course,” foreshadowing Negation by Delay.
The theory of Negation by Delay depends upon establishing a rough idea of what amount of delay will equal negation. If we suppose that a drowning man calls for help, evoking the reply “In due course,” a judicious pause of five minutes may constitute for all practical purposes, a negative response. Why? Because the delay is greater than the non swimmer’s expectation of life.
The same principle holds good in a case at law. Delays are thus deliberately designed as a form of denial and are extended to cover the life expectation of the person whose proposal is being pigeon-holed. Where the urgent matter requires remedial legislation, delay takes on a new dimension. The judicious pause will correspond, nevertheless, to the life expectation of the man from whom the proposal originates. DELAY IS THE DEADLIEST FORM OF DENIAL.’
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I love the cartoon… it perfectly describes me getting that faucet replaced! LOL…
Bull-headed Inaction… definitely my MO
But……but…..I have the best of intentions to get this stuff done.