| Deadlines are a fact of life. We all have them, but if | | | | accomplish things is in the early morning. Ascertain |
| you are a procrastinator like me they jump up | | | | your optimum time and put your most serious |
| without warning. I've learned a trick that seems to | | | | thinking cap on during this time period. |
| keep deadline from appearing when I least expected | | | | So let's look at a little advance planning for the well |
| them. I put them on my email calendar at a minimum | | | | organized professional. Consider deadlines outside of |
| of two weeks out and then send myself a repeat | | | | job and personal obligations. Think about those |
| reminder weekly. But let's be honest here, do any of | | | | deadlines that are important to your career and your |
| us do our best job when we are scrambling to meet | | | | professional development. Take stock of your |
| a deadline? I know I don't. The more time I can | | | | commitments for the year. Determine if the |
| devote to serious thought pertaining to a project the | | | | commitment is an obligation required of you AND will |
| better the outcome. | | | | it give you personal satisfaction and fulfillment? |
| I want to enjoy the project too. If I rush through it, | | | | I constantly see people who are buried with |
| chances are I won't have fun with it. The undo | | | | commitments but never make a commitment to |
| stress makes it unpleasant. The amount of time we | | | | themselves. What is important to you personally that |
| actually spend at work consumes so much of a day | | | | you would like to accomplish this year? |
| that it's important to really like what it is that we do. | | | | Set a plan in motion. Face it. We all want to make |
| What other deadline tips can one procrastinator offer | | | | more money so outside of the obvious plans that |
| another?o Don't accept an assignment or a project | | | | involve getting a raise, what other steps can you |
| you can't deliver. I know we are multitasking | | | | take to make personal commitment? |
| ourselves to death, but get real. Some stuff simply | | | | Are you an expert? |
| isn't going to get done so pick those tasks you can | | | | Do you want to become one? |
| accomplish well or enjoy doing. Prioritize the others | | | | Want to write a book or get your articles published? |
| into the trash (just kidding). Think of it like cleaning. | | | | Want to be more comfortable in public speaking? |
| Who really cares if the nightstands are dusty? Did | | | | Have an invention or an idea for a business that you |
| you know 80% of us only clean when company | | | | want to get started? |
| comes? Utilize this mind set when looking at your | | | | What is standing in your way? |
| upcoming projects. Is it really necessary? Does it | | | | Take it a small step at a time, but activate a plan |
| have a deadline, a firm one?o Work when you are | | | | that will do something for yourself and ward off the |
| fresh, especially when your mind is not cluttered with | | | | looming deadlines that make your life miserable. |
| other responsibilities. For me the best time to | | | | |