Are you a chronic non-finisher? Got a ton of great ideas? Lots of potential but nothing to show for it?
I know the feeling. I lived there most of my life. But I have recently entered my personal season of productivity. I am on track to finish my first book, and have it published by March 2nd. This is something I have talked about for YEARS. Yet, only became a reality when I began to set audacious deadlines along the way.
In the process, deadlines have been essential. Crucial. In fact, I am amazed that I have ever accomplished a single thing in my life without them.
Here’s a few reasons why you must set a deadline TODAY for that very important unfinished project you are dying to get done.
1. Deadlines enhance productivity. Deadlines have this amazing quality to them that forces you to get stuff done. I know, sounds simple. That’s the point of a deadline after all, isn’t it?
Don’t you hate when you have something hanging over your head that you need to get done? The reason you hate it is because usually it’s something you don’t want to do. When you set deadlines to accomplish things you are passionate about, it’s a blast to work on it, and the deadline ensures that you make progress, which fuels the desire to keep working, which ensures you make progress, and so on.
This is also why a good deadline should be publicly announced. The more people who know about it, the better. Tell the world, even if they don’t care, what your goals are and it increases the likelihood of meeting them. Or at least forces you to come up with a great excuse why you didn’t.
2. Deadlines encourage accountability. Deadlines keep you accountable, like this pair of eyes looking over your shoulder, or an annoying voice in your head saying “You Must Get This Done.”
Filing taxes? No problem. April 15th. Done.
Weekly TPS Report filed every Friday to make the boss happy? Done.
Box of chocolates, red roses, and expensive gift for significant other? February 14th. No Problem.
To ensure productivity, it’s best to have a deadline that is externally imposed. Have someone else set the deadline for you. Externally imposed deadlines are the easiest to meet because it involves someone else. Someone else we respect, don’t want to let down, or must satisfy to keep our jobs.
Externally imposed deadlines work.
Internal, self-imposed deadlines, on the other hand, do not.
Unless you are that .01% of the Type-A population, and then you aren’t reading my blog anyway, are you?
3. Deadlines establish priorities. To-Do’s that have deadlines take priority over To-Do’s that don’t. When it comes to getting things done that we really care about, or that could really move us forward on our path toward finding and fulfilling our vocation, deadlines are hard to come by. Like the completion of Chapter One of yet unnamed book that has been stirring for two years inside of your soul.
Well, there’s always next weekend, right?
If it’s am important project, then make the deadline audacious. Don’t set a deadline unless you will have a real sense of satisfaction if you actually meet it. It must be just on the boundary of out-of-reach and within the realm of possibilities.
That’s also why first we have to make sure they are the right goals, on the right path, that fits our Core Identity. My goal to make a three pointer with 2 seconds left on the clock to win the game for the Cleveland Cavs is NOT going to happen. But to sell 1,000 copies of a self-published book? Hmmm…
See the difference?
4. Deadlines develop consistency. The 90% of people who never realize their dreams fail because they don’t have staying power. They putter out, and lose steam after 7-10 days. The balance sheets of fitness centers nationwide depend upon this fact, along with their non-cancelable annual contracts.
Woody Allen once said the key to his success was to “show up.” Attendance is 90% of the battle. Do something, every day, no matter how small, to move toward the goal. For me, that means I have to write, every day, no exceptions, end of story.
What does that mean for you?
Planning to run a sub 3:30 marathon? What will you do today that makes that goal possible?
5. Deadlines give you something to celebrate. Who isn’t looking for a good reason to splurge or throw a party? Reaching a goal is a big deal. I can count the number of times I have done it on one hand.
Seriously. Congrats are in order, bro.
So, make plans now for how you are going to celebrate then. Buy the concert tickets, make the resort reservation, pre-order the everything, deep-dish pizza (yeah, can you make sure that’s ready for pick-up 364 days from now, at 5 p.m.?)
Whatever it is. Plan your celebration party now. It’s just one more thing out on the horizon motivating you to continue to plodding along when you feel like quitting.
By the way, don’t forget to send me an invite!
This is Day 28 of the 100 Day Challenge.
Post your comments if you thought this article was lame, or it helped you out in some way. Or Tweet it, link to it, or forward it to a friend. Or email me at me@jasonrink.com. I would love to hear what you think!
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