Tag: deadlines

Last night, I filmed my latest video blog(#2). I discuss my reading habits, and where I think I went wrong with them. It is an easy video in my head, I talk about the material all the time. But, for some reason, it took a lot of mental work to get this one up.

I spent the entire weekend worrying about it. I needed more time to “figure” it out.

“Figure it out” usually means scared.

Procrastination flows through fear. They feed each other. Putting things off and figuring things out makes it easier to hide.

No content no feedback, no feedback no fear, no fear no accomplishment.

Hiding is awesome for comfort, but comfort creates all sorts of traps that leaves you stranded.

When I get stranded, I end up worse for the wear.Truth of it all is, to get things done, you have to do them. Nothing more, nothing less.

What helps me cut through this fear and procrastination are a few tools.

Deadlines – critical part of accountability. The more public the better.
Physical Reminders – Some use paper clips, some use a fit bit, but anything works.
Accountability Partner – Telling someone you didn’t follow through hurts.

And at the end of it all – I end up with this.

Tags accountability, deadlines, video

Blog Post

3 Fun Ideas About Deadlines

Post author By jrlsage
Post date July 14, 2015
No Comments on 3 Fun Ideas About Deadlines

Deadlines are necessary. When it comes to doing creative work, especially the work that is difficult, it is often best to have a date circled in the calendar that puts pressure on. When I used to think of this idea, I used to think it was a necessary “evil”. The truth is, it isn’t evil at all, but one the ways we can take control of our bias and grow into our better selves.

It is tempting to let the idea of setting a deadline lapse, especially for things you’ve done before*. It comes back to an ego thing. “How many times have I done a design brief? it always takes 7 days so ill just do it.” Most of the time it works, and it is out of sight and out of mind. But there is opportunity that happens in just putting a deadline down.

It is on paper, so I can’t mentally change it. It’s easy to “move the goalposts” when there is no deadline. Tomorrow is only a day away, every day.
Metrics are important because you can begin to track wins and losses. Both can teach, especially after some time has passed. Doing a post-mortem, even on successful tasks, can get some serious feedback, especially if you can look at it objectively.
Whenever I look at my calendar, even briefly, old deadlines remind me of work I have done before. Just having something there, even from years past, can bring me back to what I did at that time.

Without deadlines, it’s very easy to get lost. It also makes sure that you understand what you are working on, and have a clear and present mark to judge yourself. If you write it down, then there is no escape. What is on paper is on paper and it can’t magically change.

*Like all things, this could go overboard. You don’t have to set a deadline for getting a drink of water

Tags closing the loop, deadlines, finishing