Comments on: The power of hard deadlines to get things done http://www.escapefromcubiclenation.com/2007/09/12/the-power-of-hard-deadlines-to-get-things-done/ Fri, 10 Feb 2012 00:48:48 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v= By: Paula Gregorowicz http://www.escapefromcubiclenation.com/2007/09/12/the-power-of-hard-deadlines-to-get-things-done/comment-page-1/#comment-1905 Paula Gregorowicz Mon, 01 Oct 2007 02:02:21 +0000 http://www.escapefromcubiclenation.com/?p=183#comment-1905 I wholeheartedly agree with getting accountability from a group. While I continue to have my own 1 on 1 coach, I recently joined Heather Dominick's Energy Rich Boot Camp (www.energyrichbootcamp.com) to coincide with my transition from day job. After just one week I am being kept on task & forced to move much more quickly than I would left to my doubt ridden self. With my first cube freedom in 17 years, I just want to ride my bike, veg out, etc. And, while I am doing some of that to care for myself, I need to do some serious heads down business work. Structure helps me get a little of the best of both worlds. I wholeheartedly agree with getting accountability from a group. While I continue to have my own 1 on 1 coach, I recently joined Heather Dominick’s Energy Rich Boot Camp (www.energyrichbootcamp.com) to coincide with my transition from day job. After just one week I am being kept on task & forced to move much more quickly than I would left to my doubt ridden self. With my first cube freedom in 17 years, I just want to ride my bike, veg out, etc. And, while I am doing some of that to care for myself, I need to do some serious heads down business work. Structure helps me get a little of the best of both worlds.

]]> By: Christine Choquel http://www.escapefromcubiclenation.com/2007/09/12/the-power-of-hard-deadlines-to-get-things-done/comment-page-1/#comment-1906 Christine Choquel Thu, 27 Sep 2007 11:52:45 +0000 http://www.escapefromcubiclenation.com/?p=183#comment-1906 Hi Pam, I would add one basic, yet efficient trick: build a project plan. It might seem obvious for control freaks like me, obsessed with deadlines, todo lists ans schedules (I'm a project management so my job is basically to get things done). But for many people, lacking a project plan implies no deadline, no pressure, no methods... and in the end no result. So I guess this is all the more important for people who are not naturally driven by deadlines. I've seen it many times with friends or colleagues around me: if you do not start with putting dates before your tasks, or worse, if you do not start with building a todo list of everything that needs to be done, nothing gets done in the end. And in order to build your project plan, do not hesitate to use whatever tool that might help (Basecamp projects, MS project, iCal, even a paper sheet), anything to confront you with what you have to do, in which order, and for what date. NB: I've tryed the baby method too, you're right, it works (only gets a little harder to get things done once the baby has arrived...). Cheers, Christine Hi Pam,

I would add one basic, yet efficient trick: build a project plan.

It might seem obvious for control freaks like me, obsessed with deadlines, todo lists ans schedules (I’m a project management so my job is basically to get things done).

But for many people, lacking a project plan implies no deadline, no pressure, no methods… and in the end no result.
So I guess this is all the more important for people who are not naturally driven by deadlines.

I’ve seen it many times with friends or colleagues around me: if you do not start with putting dates before your tasks, or worse, if you do not start with building a todo list of everything that needs to be done, nothing gets done in the end.

And in order to build your project plan, do not hesitate to use whatever tool that might help (Basecamp projects, MS project, iCal, even a paper sheet), anything to confront you with what you have to do, in which order, and for what date.

NB: I’ve tryed the baby method too, you’re right, it works (only gets a little harder to get things done once the baby has arrived…).

Cheers,
Christine

]]> By: David Jackson http://www.escapefromcubiclenation.com/2007/09/12/the-power-of-hard-deadlines-to-get-things-done/comment-page-1/#comment-1907 David Jackson Mon, 24 Sep 2007 20:56:26 +0000 http://www.escapefromcubiclenation.com/?p=183#comment-1907 Congrats on the baby! Procrastination can be a creative way of dropping projects as well. I find if I am bothered by putting things off it's because I didn't do a good job up front in deciding whether or not the project is a definite YES. You can't say yes to projects unless you are effective at saying no. Taking on too many projects can lead to churn when all you do is manage projects and not work on them. So, when a new project comes along don't attach "Oh, they really LIKE me!" to it, think about your health and energy and only say YES when you can mean YES! ...of course babies usually come from screaming YES, YES, YES ... sorry, couldn't resist :) Congrats on the baby!

Procrastination can be a creative way of dropping projects as well. I find if I am bothered by putting things off it’s because I didn’t do a good job up front in deciding whether or not the project is a definite YES. You can’t say yes to projects unless you are effective at saying no. Taking on too many projects can lead to churn when all you do is manage projects and not work on them.
So, when a new project comes along don’t attach “Oh, they really LIKE me!” to it, think about your health and energy and only say YES when you can mean YES!

…of course babies usually come from screaming YES, YES, YES …

sorry, couldn’t resist :)

]]> By: elizabeth cassidy http://www.escapefromcubiclenation.com/2007/09/12/the-power-of-hard-deadlines-to-get-things-done/comment-page-1/#comment-1908 elizabeth cassidy Wed, 19 Sep 2007 13:15:39 +0000 http://www.escapefromcubiclenation.com/?p=183#comment-1908 Hi Pam, As someone who worked full time and made the time to get everything done because people depended on me this post hit home big time. Literally, I am now working at home as a life coach and when I look at my to do list I think, "it's 5, do you know where your day went?" Your words reminded me that I will get to where I need to go by imposing and sticking to deadlines. Right now I have to finish my class plan so I must sign off See. it's already working. ;-) All the best with your new addition. Take care. elizabeth Hi Pam,
As someone who worked full time and made the time to get everything done because people depended on me this post hit home big time. Literally, I am now working at home as a life coach and when I look at my to do list I think, “it’s 5, do you know where your day went?”
Your words reminded me that I will get to where I need to go by imposing and sticking to deadlines.
Right now I have to finish my class plan so I must sign off See. it’s already working. ;-)

All the best with your new addition. Take care.
elizabeth

]]> By: Erica Ross-Krieger http://www.escapefromcubiclenation.com/2007/09/12/the-power-of-hard-deadlines-to-get-things-done/comment-page-1/#comment-1909 Erica Ross-Krieger Tue, 18 Sep 2007 20:41:09 +0000 http://www.escapefromcubiclenation.com/?p=183#comment-1909 Pam, I love your suggestions for keeping on track (though I think I will pass on the pregnancy idea for now:) One of the tools I use to trick myself and create a false sense of a deadline is to use a wind-up kitchen timer. Yup, one of those inexpensive timers that look like a small clock. I sit myself down at my desk when I have something that needs doing - the bills, an article, my passport renewal form -- and I say, Okay, I just have to do this for, say, 20 minutes. Then I set the timer and race against the clock to get it done. Invariably the timer goes off and I am well into the projec t, and I happily go about finishing it. It's my secret weapon and it works for me every time. Wishing you an easy labor, a healthy baby and a chance to put aside all worries about deadlines for now. Warmly, Erica Pam, I love your suggestions for keeping on track (though I think I will pass on the pregnancy idea for now:) One of the tools I use to trick myself and create a false sense of a deadline is to use a wind-up kitchen timer. Yup, one of those inexpensive timers that look like a small clock. I sit myself down at my desk when I have something that needs doing – the bills, an article, my passport renewal form — and I say, Okay, I just have to do this for, say, 20 minutes. Then I set the timer and race against the clock to get it done. Invariably the timer goes off and I am well into the projec t, and I happily go about finishing it. It’s my secret weapon and it works for me every time.

Wishing you an easy labor, a healthy baby and a chance to put aside all worries about deadlines for now. Warmly, Erica

]]> By: Shama Hyder http://www.escapefromcubiclenation.com/2007/09/12/the-power-of-hard-deadlines-to-get-things-done/comment-page-1/#comment-1910 Shama Hyder Mon, 17 Sep 2007 17:23:47 +0000 http://www.escapefromcubiclenation.com/?p=183#comment-1910 1) Best of luck with the baby Pam! (I hope we can see some pictures here on the site). 2) I love this article because I am all about the deadlines. Crossing things off a to-do list is one of the best feelings in the world. Deadlines really help us work smart. 1) Best of luck with the baby Pam! (I hope we can see some pictures here on the site).

2) I love this article because I am all about the deadlines. Crossing things off a to-do list is one of the best feelings in the world. Deadlines really help us work smart.

]]> By: Tom's blog http://www.escapefromcubiclenation.com/2007/09/12/the-power-of-hard-deadlines-to-get-things-done/comment-page-1/#comment-1917 Tom's blog Fri, 14 Sep 2007 19:53:53 +0000 http://www.escapefromcubiclenation.com/?p=183#comment-1917 <strong>Nothing happens until there's a deadline</strong> I have long been under the supposition that most things can be accomplished in a reasonable timeframe. The challenge comes in the determination of what is the reasonable timeframe. Within the software industry (and many others of course) we suffer Nothing happens until there’s a deadline

I have long been under the supposition that most things can be accomplished in a reasonable timeframe. The challenge comes in the determination of what is the reasonable timeframe. Within the software industry (and many others of course) we suffer

]]> By: Mel http://www.escapefromcubiclenation.com/2007/09/12/the-power-of-hard-deadlines-to-get-things-done/comment-page-1/#comment-1911 Mel Fri, 14 Sep 2007 18:56:19 +0000 http://www.escapefromcubiclenation.com/?p=183#comment-1911 Off topic.......... I believe that by just being a part of “Priscilla Palmer’s Personal Development list” suggests that each of us post this list. You like me (Killeris at “Attitude, the Ultimate Power”) are on this list. If you have already posted it, THANK YOU. If you have not posted it, I am officially putting out a challenge that you add additional sites that fit the theme and post the entire list. This is my opinion only. If you disagree I respectfully understand. If you do agree with me this list can be found at: http://mondaymorningpower.blogspot.com/2007/09/personal-development-list-challenge.html Off topic……….
I believe that by just being a part of “Priscilla Palmer’s Personal Development list” suggests that each of us post this list. You like me (Killeris at “Attitude, the Ultimate Power”) are on this list. If you have already posted it, THANK YOU. If you have not posted it, I am officially putting out a challenge that you add additional sites that fit the theme and post the entire list. This is my opinion only. If you disagree I respectfully understand. If you do agree with me this list can be found at: http://mondaymorningpower.blogspot.com/2007/09/personal-development-list-challenge.html

]]> By: Duane Benson http://www.escapefromcubiclenation.com/2007/09/12/the-power-of-hard-deadlines-to-get-things-done/comment-page-1/#comment-1912 Duane Benson Thu, 13 Sep 2007 21:26:17 +0000 http://www.escapefromcubiclenation.com/?p=183#comment-1912 Hi Pamela; Nice post and pretty appropriate to my work-style. I think I’ve decided that I have some procrastination and over-revise related bugs in my system. I haven’t found out how to fix the bugs, but I have developed a series of work-arounds. (I don’t like to say that I trick myself. I just have work-arounds for my bugs) I’m not sure my specific tools would apply to anyone else, but the real key for me in getting here was to stop trying to use will-power to get though. It’s like good chocolate. If it’s in the house, no matter how much I don’t want to eat it, I will. Absolute. So, I just don’t put it in the house unless I think it’s okay to eat some. The barrier to purchase is higher than the barrier to eat. I approach my work habit challenges in much the same manner. I know that if I wait until the last day, I’ll procrastinate or fiddle with it to the last minute or beyond and get terribly stressed about it. The more stressed I am, the more difficult it is for me to think straight. If, on the other hand, I plan to finish two days early, I don’t feel so pressured and I will usually finish early. If the project goes poorly, I have slack time. I have a number of different tools like that, including your #3, tell a bunch of people. Thanks for another insightful post and good luck with your impending arrival of child. Duane Benson Hi Pamela;

Nice post and pretty appropriate to my work-style. I think I’ve decided that I have some procrastination and over-revise related bugs in my system. I haven’t found out how to fix the bugs, but I have developed a series of work-arounds. (I don’t like to say that I trick myself. I just have work-arounds for my bugs)

I’m not sure my specific tools would apply to anyone else, but the real key for me in getting here was to stop trying to use will-power to get though. It’s like good chocolate. If it’s in the house, no matter how much I don’t want to eat it, I will. Absolute. So, I just don’t put it in the house unless I think it’s okay to eat some. The barrier to purchase is higher than the barrier to eat.

I approach my work habit challenges in much the same manner. I know that if I wait until the last day, I’ll procrastinate or fiddle with it to the last minute or beyond and get terribly stressed about it. The more stressed I am, the more difficult it is for me to think straight.

If, on the other hand, I plan to finish two days early, I don’t feel so pressured and I will usually finish early. If the project goes poorly, I have slack time. I have a number of different tools like that, including your #3, tell a bunch of people.

Thanks for another insightful post and good luck with your impending arrival of child.

Duane Benson

]]> By: Anna Giraldo Kerr http://www.escapefromcubiclenation.com/2007/09/12/the-power-of-hard-deadlines-to-get-things-done/comment-page-1/#comment-1913 Anna Giraldo Kerr Thu, 13 Sep 2007 14:30:04 +0000 http://www.escapefromcubiclenation.com/?p=183#comment-1913 Right on, Pam! Thanks for describing what I've been figuring out (painfully) during the past several months. I am printing this post and putting up on my wall next to my calendar! Best of luck with the little one! Anna :-) (from Extraor. Biz Builder) Right on, Pam!

Thanks for describing what I’ve been figuring out (painfully) during the past several months.

I am printing this post and putting up on my wall next to my calendar!
Best of luck with the little one!
Anna :-)
(from Extraor. Biz Builder)

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