Over-the-Shoulder Check: A Panic Button Primer

1. The Classic "I'm Dying!" Check

Stare intensely into the void, and if you still have pupils, you're good.

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2. The "I've Got a Meeting" Check

Cram as much work as possible onto a single, crumpled Post-It note, and if it's still legible, you're in the clear.

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3. The "I've Got a Plan" Check

Write a 5,000-word essay justifying why you can't actually do it, and if it's still 5,000 words long, you might be in trouble.

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