Deadlines
I’ve been quiet for a few days, and with good reason. I worked on the backstage crew of a show that ran last weekend, and the hours were crazy. So yesterday morning, I knew I had my work cut out for me. I had a deadline: 20 pages of my novel due at noon to the others in my novel critique group.
I had been working steadily at my pages, though I had less time than I would have liked last week because of the show. I was painting sets, both at the theater and at home, transporting materials, selecting paint colors, etc. Not to mention working during all the shows, helping performers with quick changes, switching head-set microphones from one performer to another as needed, handing out props and collecting them again.
And then, after the Sunday matinee, striking the set and getting everything out of the theater. You get the picture.
So yesterday, though I’d been working on my pages, I still had a fair amount to do. And noon kept getting closer.
My focus was exceptional–I had a deadline, and I wasn’t going to miss it. But when noon came, I had a few things left to do. And since the other two writers who shared my deadline hadn’t sent their pages yet, I kept working, figuring I’d let myself have an extra half hour. I was getting so much done!
Finally, when mid-afternoon rolled around and no one else had sent their pages, I started checking my calendar. Then digging for the e-mail, sent in December, with this semester’s deadlines.
To my great surprise and delight, I was a week ahead of schedule. My deadline is next Monday. But I have to say, I need more deadlines. The focus I get from rising to the challenge of meeting them is unparalleled.
How many of you set self-imposed deadlines? How good are you at meeting them? What incentives do you have in place to ensure that you do? Leave your deadline strategies in comments.