How to Work With Deadlines

“I know I procrastinate, but it’s for the benefit of my clients. You see, I do my best work under pressure.”

Have you ever said those words?

Working “Under Pressure”

Working “Under Pressure”Let’s look closely at the myth, “I work best under pressure.”

What were you experiencing when you last said that?

What were the results? What would you do differently?

It Really Is a MythHere’s an example.

• You have a presentation partially completed. Each time you try to work on it you feel stuck.

• You have everything you need to finish, but you insist you work best last minute.

• The night before the big event, you cram all night, rushed the handouts to the printer, and felt prepared for your presentation.

It Really Is a MythYAY! It’s done!I did it!It’s a success!

(or is it?)

(Image from Imagery Majestic)

The Rest of the StoryImportant questions….• How would you adapt the

presentation if you gave it again in the future?

• What would you change?• What did you do the rest of the day? • Did you follow-up with attendees as

planned?• What was their feedback?

The Answer Is…“Well, I definitely didn’t have enough time for the group activities. In fact, I spent way to much time at the beginning introduction and wasn’t able to get to one of my big educational concepts.

I forgot to include a handout that would have really helped to clarify one of the concepts.

I just ran out of time to do a run-through. If I only had 24 more hours . . .”

The Answer Is…“After pulling an all-nighter putting together the resource packets, I went home and crashed. In fact, I was so exhausted I overslept the next day and missed one of my kids’ sporting events.

Uh-oh…Maybe... Just maybe … I don’t do my best work under pressure after all.”

Create a false deadline!

A Simple Solution

The False DeadlineBack your deadline up 2 or 3 days. If you project is due on Friday, act as if it is due on Wednesday. Bolt yourself in your office on Tuesday and complete everything you need to complete. Then use the “extra” two days to fine-tune.

The Structure• Now add some structure. • Get someone to participate in a dry-run of the

presentation, or have someone look over the finished project.

• This gives you a REAL deadline to hit, which allows you the opportunity to still “do your best work under pressure.”

• You’ll have time to improve on the finished project AND get sleep!

The StructureYes, you CAN balance that desire to push

yourself with a deadline and the desire for a quality result. Enlisting the aid of a second

(or third) party is that balancing point.

For more ideas to beat procrastination, click here.

Would you like some support with your goals?

With a little coaching, you can easily achieve the perfect balance between your business and personal lives. You can develop a framework and a system that allows you to put first things first -and live a life of purpose, accomplishment, and fun. You can turn ideas into action!www.SystemSavvyConsulting.comLisa@SystemSavvyConsulting.com

Lisa Crilley MallisLisa Crilley Mallis, time strategy visionary, combines her experience in secondary education and her love of schedules, systems, and all things time management to create SystemSavvy Consulting, LLC. She is a master at cutting to the heart of overwhelm to help you regain control of your schedule and experience life. Lisa assists motivated direct sellers implement concrete techniques that can be applied immediately to their daily lives. Her enthusiasm for finding solutions is contagious, and her commitment to empowering clients to find success is transformational.www.SystemSavvyConsulting.comLisa@SystemSavvyConsulting.com