Working with Deadlines: Tips you might never think of!

“If it weren’t for the last minute, nothing would get done.”

This quote is inevitably true, don’t you think? Most of the time, people have problems managing their tasks which eventually increase the stress level. The reason is simply because they wait for the last minute to get the work done. But do you want to be the last-minute man that’s always in a rush for the rest of your life?

Befriend with sticky note and calendar 

Deadline is something to do with dates. Make sure you highlight those dates in different colors so that you won’t miss anything.

Via Pixabay

Sticky note is one of the useful reminders you can count on. Stick it on your laptop, in front of the door, or anywhere you like. Let say you have a deadline tomorrow, trick your brain by thinking that your deadline is tonight. Mark today’s date and put the sticky note somewhere visible.

Strike out your list each time you finish on something
People are so busy making to-do lists when the real problem is that they don’t strike out the already-done lists.

It makes a perception that you still have a pile of lists to do. Striking out your lists one by one tells your brain that you have accomplished the work. The idea is to manipulate your brain to think that you are almost done.

Multitasking? A Big NO
Avoid doing multiple activities at once. Zheng Wang, a study researcher from Ohio State University said that multitasking does not make a person more productive, it only makes you feel emotionally satisfied.

Via Pixabay

Working on many things at a time forces you to split your focus. It is not effective and it doesn’t bring a better result. Hence, what you need to do is to work on one thing at a time according to your list.

And once it's done, don't forget to reward yourself with a treat!

Be more present
One of the reasons why some people fail to meet deadlines is because they can’t focus on one thing at a time. We've all been there. We sit in a cubicle space, our eyes are staring at the screen while our fingers are dancing on top of the keyboards and suddenly they stop doing what they do because Mr. Mind - who's supposed to help you finish off- still wanders around Hawaii.

A research surveyed iPhone users and found that when they were paying full attention to what they were doing, they were more likely to report feeling happy.

So, the next time you have to finish something, put your smart phone in the drawer, close those tabs that try to ruin your deadlines and turn up the music if it makes you calm.

Don't forget to pay attention to the reward you're going to give yourself once you make it. No matter what job you have, deadline can become a pressure if you don’t know how to manage it. But really, it is not something to be scared of.

Gotta go, my 3-scoop Chocochips, RumRaisins, Greentea ice cream is waiting! :P