Help, There's a Deadline!

Deadlines can be stressful. They can be even more problematic if the work is difficult and the timeline is short. Most deadlines are out of our control, so a trick to handling them is to take back the control and create a comfortable plan. Here's a good way to triumph over the "DEAD" in deadline.

D: Decide. Decide if the time-frame is reasonable. The first thing to ask yourself is, Does this have to be done on this day?. If the answer is yes, go to the next step. If the answer is no, think about what would be a more reasonable date and offer it as an alternative. Remember, the rationale for a deadline is to accomplish something in a timely manner, so if you ask for an extension be prepared with your reasoning.

E: Evaluate. There's no time to waste, but do a quick evaluation of what it will take to reach your goal. If you are preparaing your book for publication—ask yourself what is the editor asking of you this round. Think about what you must do to finish on time.

A: Act! As you evaluate what needs to be done, formulate an action plan. List the specific actions you must perform within the timeframe given. In the example of editing, be specific about how many pages must be worked on per day to submit the book on time.

D: Dates. When you're working with deadlines set your own milestone dates. This gives you more control and lets you know you're working in a timely manner. When possible, I imagine my deadline is sooner than it actually is. This gives me extra time to perfect my work and reach my goal.

Deadlines are often imposed on us. Anything out of our control can cause us stress. Taking back control by establishing your own action plan will decrease anxiety and help you reach your goal.