Our Gemara on the top of Amud Beis tells us about the third shift of the paschal sacrifice, and that it was a “light shift”, in that it was completed even before Hallel reached “Ahavti”. The Gemara in Pesachim 65a fills us in on more details:

The Paschal Sacrifice was brought in the Bais HaMikdash via three shifts, by halakhic mandate. That is, the entire population of Jews who came to bring the sacrifice would be divided into three shifts in the courtyard of the Temple, presumably on a first come, first serve basis. The Gemara on amud beis comments that the last shift was known as the “Shift of the Lazy people”.

The Gemara raises a logical objection: Since It was halakhically mandated that the sacrifice be brought in three shifts, someone had to be in the third shift, so why blame those who “volunteered” to be in the last shift? The last shift was as necessary as the first! The Gemara responds with a profound existential truth about free-will and determinism:

The Gemara answers: Nonetheless, the members of the third group should have hurried themselves so that they would not be in the last group. As it was taught in a baraita that Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi says: The world cannot function without a perfume merchant or without a tanner [bursi], who processes bad-smelling hides. While both of these occupations are necessary, fortunate is he whose profession is that of a perfume merchant, and woe to him whose profession is that of a tanner.

The Gemara Yerushalmi Pesachim says a different observation: 

If people who fulfill a mitzvah are called lazy, can you imagine the criticism due to those who do not fulfill Commandments?

The Bavli and Yerushalmi are not arguing with each other; they are just discussing two different lessons. Even when one makes a positive choice and accomplishes something worthwhile, one is still judged based on what he or she could have done. And if it could have been done better or sooner, it is still an act of dereliction.

Because there are so many perfectionists out there who could read this and fall into despair, I hesitate to emphasize this point. However, while this level of accountability is not for everybody, it must be considered seriously for those who can thrive under the pressure. Doing the mitzvah just on time isn’t always good enough.