No, You Don't Need Deadlines to Boost Productivity

I was stuck all weekend. And to be honest, the only way out of it was the threat of an upcoming deadline. I usually get most of my work done under stress, but I wouldn't say I like it.

My employers give me unrealistic deadlines to get the most out of me in the least amount of time, like a cloth full of water they can ring out.

Some people call this "Useful Urgency," but it is not as valuable as it may seem. Most importantly, it is not a reliable method to get things done.
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More often than not, when I am unprepared for a deadline or face unrealistic expectations, I am more likely to hear the whooshing sound, as Douglas Adams says, of a deadline passing than applause at a job well done.

"Deadlines just aren't real to me until I'm staring one in the face." - Rick Riordan

All Things Take Time

​Imagine trying to ring water out of a dry cloth. It would help if you were full before you can produce anything, and that takes advanced preparation, study, and resources.

Burnout

If you burn yourself out on the first deadline, you might set yourself up to miss subsequent deadlines.
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For example, you might make a goal to exercise for one hour every day. But if you find yourself only exercising once per week, then you would do better to scale back to 15 minutes a day to avoid burning out and missing your goal.

Cutting Corners

When things get stressful, it is common to cut corners. As a result, you may sacrifice quality, quantity, or worse, you may plagiarise someone else's work.

Stress Hurts

Everyone knows that stress is bad for your health. Your body tells you that it is unhealthy by the way you feel during the process.

Unsustainable Habits

Relying on deadlines for inspiration and productivity is unsustainable for the reasons listed above, and I can't imagine that you would want to make it a habit. So why not try to break away from it and create positive habits? Practices without as many negative impacts on you and the project?
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If you are in a creative rut:

1. Step away
2. Do something routine
3. Exercise
4. Go out in nature
5. Try something new

Let's Recap:

You Don't Need Deadlines to Boost Your Productivity:

1. All Things Take Time
2. Beware of Burnout
3. Avoid Cutting Corners
4. Remember That Stress Hurts
5. Don't Make Unsustainable Habits

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xx Cory

This post was proofread by Grammarly