Self-Imposed Deadlines
I know that a lot of you believe I have super-human powers that allow me to do more in the 24/7 than the average human. Really, I don’t. I am just good at creating self-imposed deadlines.
I wish I could say that I do this for everything in my life that needs to get done, but the reality is there are many projects I put off doing because I have not given them the priority they deserve. But, I digress, I am talking about how to create self-imposed deadlines that work.
For me, getting stuff done is a bit of a game. If there are any game players out there, you know that as you move from task to task in another world, you are rewarded and this reward gives you a rush of adrenaline which makes you feel good.
I consider my game a variation of “Beat-the-Clock”. Of course, I want to “win” because when I accomplish something I get that little spurt of adrenaline and I’m feeling good as I move onto the next task.
If there is an actual date assigned to a task, most of us will get the task done, even if it means pulling an all-nighter. I did this in college and it was fun hanging with my friends to get the assignments done, but really, I need my beauty sleep. So, the eleventh hour on a project just doesn’t work for me. I like to give myself time to do the project in a calm reasonable manner and then also, still have time to make changes, if necessary. So, if there is a firm deadline, I will have the task done at least 24 hours before.
This blog post is a good example of this. My blog and email servers (separate from each other) are both going to be down for maintenance over the weekend (which is when I would normally get this done); so instead of waiting until Monday (the eleventh hour for the email blast), I am working on it now, the Friday before, in order to have it already done before the servers are down.
I think it is the projects with the ambiguous deadlines that give most people (including me), the most challenge. No deadline is really set; however, the task needs to be done. I tend to tackle these projects first, as I hate when the task lurks in the shadows and then jumps out and bites me. Of course, if you have a mix of deadline types, it does become a bit of a juggling act.
The hurry up and wait deadlines are my least favorite, because there is no time to plan and contemplate the task. Someone needed this yesterday and why haven’t I completed it yet? Of course, they are not responsible for not having told me of the deadline. So, playing “Beat-the-Clock”, I hurry up and do it and then the person requesting the task doesn’t use it for a long period of time. Aarrgh! All that precious time could have been used to do something else.
So, that’s my secret. I turn it into a game and set self-imposed deadlines where I can. Of course, sticking to those deadlines is what gives the illusion that I am getting more done in a day.
© 2011 Heather C. Morrow. All rights reserved
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Heather C. Morrow, owner of Pottery Daily, helps emerging artists express their true value and get paid what they are worth. Her products and services show you how to make more money, save more time while enjoying the freedom in your art. For your FREE audio go to www.marketandsellyourart.com.