How to get it done before the deadline?
Start with the end in mind…
Have you ever had the feeling that the moment you sit down to start your project is the moment you would rather get up and leave? Or maybe you felt like the overwhelming grandiose of it overshadowed the vision and made you rather discouraged to get to it in the first place? Well, if so, then you’re not the only one. Most of us at some point struggle to find the strength of will and character to pursue the goals and projects that seem too much to handle.
That is why you need to first and foremost realise the outcome you’re working towards and set yourself up for success by taking advantage of the ‘deadline’ idea. Yes, you heard me right – use the deadline to work for you, rather than against you. I know it might sound counterintuitive at first, but please bear with me and see for yourself what I actually mean…
Split it up.
Before you make the first step, make sure that the step is small enough for you to make. This does not mean you should strive for less than you’re able to do, rather that you should take care of yourself and use your resources wisely. For example, let’s say you have a writing project to deliver, which requires you to spend at least twenty hours in front of the screen to make the work worthwhile. Obviously, the sound of twenty-hour screen marathon does not appeal to anyone, and trying to achieve such a feat in one go might just leave you strained and frustrated with a bad piece of writing to submit. That’s where the idea of ‘splitting it up’ comes into play. Imagine you take these twenty hours and schedule them across the next twenty days. An hour a day doesn’t sound too bad, right…?
Putting the work into workable pieces will alleviate the stress of overwhelm, put your body’s health in the first place, and enhance your abilities to do the best work you can without the unnecessary strain.
Schedule your time.
It is not without a reason that companies and well-organised professionals take advantage of scheduling tools of any kind. Scheduling is essential if you want the work to be done in an orderly, pleasant, and controlled fashion. It will both boost your productivity and put your mind at ease, as you will not have to constantly think about the process you’re going through. A great piece of advice was drawn from the lessons by Jordan B. Peterson should be mentioned: ‘your schedule is not your prison’. Make sure to create a plan of hours workable for you! The only risk of suffering connected with scheduling comes from letting ourselves become a slave to our own flawed system. It is up to you to make the time work for you.
This means planning the actions, mini-deadlines, and rest times on your own terms! Think about how you could use the day in the best way possible and try to exercise it. It might not be easy to start with, but it will benefit you greatly in the long run!
Research, react, review…
The process of your work should involve a cycle of three activities that aim to deliver the best possible outcome. These are – research, react, and review. By following these three steps, taking them on board, and using their ‘closed circuit’ you will be able to accelerate your work efforts and create the project on time, or even before the deadline!
Preparation is the first, the most obvious, and the most commonly undermined step of your work. Make sure to take time in the early stage of your project to research and analyse the ways, in which the work should be done. Maybe someone already attempted what you’re trying to do and failed. Finding out why did they fail might save you a great deal of time, as you won’t be risking running into that obstacle yourself… Plan what you’re going to do and see if there is a way to do it quicker and better. And then…
Action is a necessity, as the only way to achieve anything is by putting in the work. With the preparations done, take the lessons learned into account, and act. Recognise the strengths and weaknesses of your plan and work with them. Do not hesitate to act, as there won’t be a more efficient way of learning what actually does work. The best ‘deadline’ for action is now.
Revision often comes too late. Both companies and individuals fall into the trap of making the preparatory plan a reality, without the certainty of its appropriateness. We are our own biggest critics, but also the strongest advocates. That is why with your project underway you need to take time to reflect and revise the work you’ve been producing. Make sure to schedule the reflective hours, during which you will revise your actions and adjust accordingly. These will be your control deadlines. Otherwise, you are headed in the direction, but whether it’s the right one no one knows…
Once your reflection is done ensure to research better options and apply the knowledge again. Research, react, review…
Deadline without the ‘dead’…
So, with all the mentioned information, it is safe to say you can take advantage of deadlines without ‘dropping dead’ underway. Setting up deadlines can be empowering, especially if what you work towards excites your heart. Although it might require a little strength of will and self-discipline to keep yourself ‘in the game’, it is essential if you want to deliver work that satisfies your mind and astonishes your peers. Ensure to draw the line where you want it to be and stick with it, otherwise, you will have to face the difficulties of disorganised, stressful, and ultimately rarely excellent work.
Start with the end in mind, split your work into achievable pieces, schedule the time when you’ll work on them, and follow the cycle.
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