The Self-Imposed Deadline
I spent the past two weeks working furiously to hit a deadline. I neglected my boyfriend, my apartment, my DVR, my gym regimen (er, if you call taking a class when I manage to get there on time a regimen). They were all sacrificed to my deadline…
My self-imposed deadline, that is.
That's right – I did it to myself. I didn't have anyone breathing down my neck, no one that had to rush my project into the machine of editing, typesetting, etc, so it would hit it's publication date. Was someone expecting it? Yes, of course. But I'm the one who told him when it would be ready, not the other way around.
Why on earth would I do this? Well, a while back, I discovered I work MUCH better when I'm under a deadline. This trait likely comes from a school teacher mother who instilled early on that the worst possible thing I could do as a human being is not have my work done, and a father so punctual he's 15 minutes early for everything.
When I'm not under deadline, the lethargy of my feline-like natural pace, the siren call of the internet and television, or the little things that build up to everyday life serve as excellent distractions. Oh, I'm always working – as someone in a creative field, I rarely have time off – but perhaps not with the same intensity and direction as when I have something due. So when I really want to get something done, I set myself a deadline.
But be warned – if you are going to attempt a self-imposed deadline, there are some rules you must adhere to:
1. Be Accountable to Someone.
"Hey Kate, how's that project going that we talked about?"
"Great, Alejandro*. I'll have it to you by Friday."
"Excellent, looking forward to reading it."
Because you have someone waiting for it, you are now under a deadline. Self-imposed, yes, but a deadline all the same. Treat it as such. Respect it. Make it a priority.
2. The inmates can run the asylum for a couple days – they'll be fine.
When under a deadline, stuff gets neglected, delegated, or downright forgotten. And that's fine. Your friends, kids, significant other will survive for a little while without you. And as for your shows – God invented DVRs for a reason. (Although, I will admit to occasionally tuning in to the Weather Channel while on my deadline – but there was a hurricane, people!)
While guilt may overwhelm you, this can be turned into an advantage. Think about it: "Honey, can you do the grocery shopping/vacuuming/twitter chat-hosting for me while I'm working? Thanks, love you, bye!"
3. If you do miss your deadline…
Confession: While my original self-imposed deadline was Friday, sometime while writing madly on Thursday, I knew I was going to either turn in something bad, or miss my target. So I made a phone call:
"Judas*, this project is more complicated than previously thought. Instead of Friday, I will turn in a complete draft on Sunday."
"Ok. I'd rather have it late and good, than bad and on time."
If you are going to miss your deadline, own up to it, set a new, reasonable (I extended two days, not two weeks) target, and then HIT IT. If you don't your self-imposed deadlines are arbitrary and worthless, not to mention you'll gain a reputation as someone who flakes on their commitments.
And oh yes, if it's going to be late, it had better be good.
And last but not least:
4. Once it's turned in, give yourself a day off – but only one.
When it's over, turned in, out of your hands, allow yourself to decompress. Clean, go for a bike ride, make brownies, drink a wine cooler. Watch everything on your DVR. But then, after 24 hours, get yourself back on your schedule – your writing/ gym regimen/ fulfilling your regular obligations schedule. Because while the deadline might have juiced your adrenaline for a little while, the work itself never ends, and soon enough, there will be another deadline, so you might as well get a jump on things, right?
That's all for me today, until next week (where I'll be announcing another winner in my website contest), happy reading!
*names changed to Lady Gaga songs to protect the innocent.
