Deadlines and Time Management

Author: Jojo Varona

There is always stress and anxiety when you are bound to a deadline for submission be it in the workplace or everyday life.  Time management for many people is a hard concept to grasp. Deadlines act as a disciplinary force for humans as it gives them an adrenaline rush to finish the task on time or there could be dire consequences

Some people can work under such conditions, but others succumb to stress and anxiety which can further lead to heart problems, breathing issues, anxiety or panic attacks or sense of failure.

Here are some insights that have helped me throughout my career and dealing with day-to-day deadlines. I hope you find it useful too.

• Make a to-do list that helps you by taking notes and assigning goals in the future. This gives you a small visual peak of all that has to be done.

• Look at the list of tasks and prioritize what needs to be done in order of importance/urgency. (Completing the toughest or most valuable tasks first creates a great sense of satisfaction and accomplishment, so everything else after that will usually feel easier.)

• Don’t take on huge tasks that are impossible to complete in one day rather break the activities into units. Break big tasks down into manageable chunks, and the results will likely astound you.

• Think of a deadline as a goal that you have to achieve than loathing it. An optimistic view helps you achieve your goals easily.

• Assign a realistic timeframe to each task.

• Make a proper routine and follow it, a routine can pave a simpler path for any individual to work in the discipline.

• Don’t work continuously without a break. Give yourself some time to rejuvenate and process the information and then start working again.

• Try getting a timer and use it to avoid losing track of time. Make the time visible to you. Seeing a clock on your desk counting down the minutes and seconds really makes you conscious of how you’re using your time while working and keeps you on task.

The most important tip is to factor rest and recuperation into your schedule. This is an absolute must.