A 5-Step Process to Turn a Deadline Into a Walk in the Park

Do you dread deadlines? If so, that feeling could be sending you into a tailspin of procrastination or even total inaction, causing you to miss your deadlines, which then increases your stress about them. It’s a vicious, self-perpetuating circle. Fortunately, there are things you can do to make it easier to meet those deadlines.

Try this process to turn missed deadlines into things of the past:

Prioritize your workload. Determine which tasks are the most important. When you have deadlines, they usually speak for themselves on what tasks need to be done first.

If you’re having trouble with setting up your priorities, you may need to ask your supervisor which tasks are more important than others. But I caution you to not do this too often. Asking your supervisor may make you appear inept and place risk on your employment. Pay close attention to the reasons your supervisor prioritizes tasks the way she does, and make note so you can do the same. Moving forward, strive towards making these types of decisions for yourself.

Design your schedule around your priorities. When you streamline your schedule, you’ll ensure you are able to complete projects on time. Divide larger projects into steps and include adequate time in your schedule for each step. Then, all you have to is stick to your plan. There's no point in planning if you intend to go all willy-nilly on them anyway.

Limit your obligations. To keep from becoming overwhelmed or overcrowding your schedule, you may need to turn down invitations for coffee or long lunches from well-intentioned co-workers in order to keep to your deadline schedule. There might also be times in which you need to call on family, friends, or coworkers to ensure that you have the time free from other responsibilities in order to get the job duties completed. Don’t be afraid to ask for help or delegate some tasks when you need to.

Make a daily to-do list of what tasks need to be done each day and at what time. Compile your list either the night before or at the beginning of your day. Use a notebook or pad that you can fit conveniently next to your keyboard on your desk.

Follow your list religiously and check off items when they’re completed. This will give you a feeling of accomplishment and motivate you to continue to be productive throughout each day.

Take breaks and stay nourished. You might feel that you don’t have time for breaks, but breaks in your workday are refreshing and enable you to get more done, which helps you to stay on schedule. Get up and stretch or take a walk to keep your blood circulating. A short break rejuvenates both your mind and body so you can make renewed headway on your tasks.

Take the time to eat a healthy meal, and snacks so you have the energy to do your work effectively. However, a heavy meal will make you feel tired and lethargic, so keep it light and nutritious for best results.

Rely on your dedication and determination. Dedication and determination are key factors in performing any duty that you undertake. Work on developing these traits in order to move through your day at a practical pace. Finish the tasks that need to be completed before you call it a day so you don’t have to start out the next day already behind. Make a list for the next day so you don't waste time the next morning trying to figure out what to do first.

Meeting your deadlines is important to your success at work and in business. Practice this process to make meeting your deadlines easy and you’ll never have to worry about missing them again.

About the author:

Morganne Gervais created CareerspressoⓇ to help people re-enter the workforce after an extended break in employment by teaching them how to create an achievement-based resume, negotiate salary, and ace their interview using 3 unique principles she developed.

She is an expert on the topic of Advancing Women to Leadership, and a highly sought-after speaker and consultant specializing on the topics of job searching, career advancement, business building, and developing a winning mindset to succeed in today’s job market. She launched her coaching career by conducting an online webinar for The Magic Johnson Foundation; Taylor Michael's Scholarship Program.

Morganne has over 20 years of experience in Training, Recruiting, and Human Resources. The knowledge she has acquired through work, and personal work experiences early in her career are invaluable to both new and seasoned professionals. Ms. Gervais’ business acumen and expertise enabled her to successfully place 98% of her candidates with corporate clients during the last two recessions.

Ms. Gervais holds a Bachelor of Arts from San Jose State University and a Master of Arts in Psychology and Organizational Leadership from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology.

You can learn more about maximizing your job search, advancing your career or starting a business by visiting her YouTube channel.