What are the most common mistakes when working on a deadline?

The key to battle procrastination is to get to the root cause of it rather than focusing on symptoms only. So ask yourself why am I proscrastinating? A. I do not have clarity on what needs to happen. B. I know what needs to happen but I do not know how to do it. C. I know what and how but I do not believe it is the right thing to do or I do not believe I can do it. D. Anything else?

The key to eradicating procrastination is understanding the impact of you not meeting your deadline. Set short yet realistic deadlines for different pieces of work often. If you don't meet them, who are you letting down? Only yourself. If you let down yourself how can you achieve your vision? You must roll the dice and keep moving forward, it's the only way! If you don't meet your deadline, or you procrastinate, the only guarantee is that you can't move forward, it is impossible! How much do you want to progress?

Identify the most difficult part of the project and complete it first before moving to other tasks. This way procrastination can be avoided. Also, doing the most difficult task first will give room for any changes, correction, feedback, reset, etc. that could be required. This can become a burden when done last minute.

Let's face it, procrastination is more than just a bad habit; it's a telltale sign. It sneaks up on us when we're bogged down, not just by a pile of tasks, but also by the big question: 'Where do I even start?' The sheer number of choices and the uncertainty of beginning can really weigh on our minds. So, what's the trick to beat this? It's about experimenting a bit and coming up with a plan that works for you. Pick the easiest thing on your list and give it a thought. Then, just go for it. Don't forget to take quick breaks. Incorporating brief breaks helps maintain momentum. Remember, it's not about perfection; it's about being active and getting better bit by bit. This way, you'll turn procrastination into a kickstart for productivity.

Procrastination may come from self doubt and/or fear that the result won't be good enough (10 out of 10. If you have a deadline it means you can do it! Sometimes 8 out of 10 is wonderful. So start focusing on the task for minimum 30 minutes and than celebrate your triumph. Small and constant steps will get you to success.

Under promise and over deliver. Words to live by on your career journey! If you do get into a situation where you have overcommitted, then mobilise your ability to manage relationships and this will give you tolerance that will allow you to keep progressing without much of a negative impact. Relationships and communication is key

My top tip is to ALWAYS build in a pause before you say “yes” or “no” to any assignment, task or exciting new project. That will give you time to think about it with less pressure and realistically check in on your capacity. Learning to disappoint people by not saying “yes” to everything can take time and practice - so be kind to yourself if you don’t get it right straight away!

Comprometerse con una fecha límite no debe alterar el correcto desempe?o de otras tareas. Es valorable la sinceridad al momento de asegurar plazos (salvo en entornos tóxicos). La afirmación sobre la factibilidad de una fecha límite debe incluir poder comunicar que pasará con otras tareas asignadas y siempre deberá ser el supervisor quién determine cuáles pueden ser diferidas y cuáles eventualmente deberán ser derivadas a otra persona.

To prevent burnout while meeting deadlines, prioritize tasks by importance, focusing first on those with the greatest impact. Implement time-boxing by setting specific time limits for each task to enhance focus and efficiency. Don’t shy away from asking for help or delegating - it’s a strength, not a weakness. Set firm boundaries by not overcommitting to more tasks than manageable. If asked to take on more, respond tactfully: “Thank you for considering me. I’m on a tight deadline right now. I can start later, or perhaps recommend someone else who's available immediately.” This approach balances productivity and well-being effectively.

This is a massive mistake. Being able to estimate what you can deliver is directly related to your credibility. There might be a lot of “fake it till you make it” mentality out there but results and numbers don’t lie. I believe in underpromising and overdelivering. While hype and hyperbole is not bad, tempering the expectations of outcomes is very important.

Meeting deadlines is crucial in project management, and underestimating time required can lead to issues - 3 key things to consider: * Task Breakdown and Scope Definition: Break down the project into smaller tasks and clearly define the scope of each. * Risk Assessment and Contingency Planning: Identify potential risks that could impact the project timeline. * Past Performance Analysis and Historical Data: Review past projects or similar tasks to gather historical data on how long similar work took in the past.

People often think that careers are a solo game, but this is very far from the truth. Anyone who has ever had a successful career, at some point has relied on someone else. Wether it was a boss who forgave them for a mistake, or wether it was a hiring manager that gave them an opportunity. Individuals just can't do it alone! Remember this when you feel like cutting off colleagues and your supporting cast. Often this is when you should be engaging with them the most. Teams beat individuals, every time!

On-going check-ins avoid going off track and ensure that I don’t disappear down “rabbit holes”. Also, connecting with others to update in the project provides other insights, ideas and perspectives that I may overlook.

There are many ways you can end up isolating. Being closed to ideas or trying to do it all yourself (or with just your direct reports). There are very tangible risks that come with it. My top 3 are: 1. Losing the motivation from your cross-functional partners 2. Overburdened team leading to burn out 3. Poor quality of work by not engaging with available talent

Plan a regular points in time to share your ideas, discuss your progress and seek feedback from stakeholders and peers to also have a buy-in at an early stage.

Multitasking is the enemy of quality work! My Mantra is 'one thing at a time, with intention'. Shit down all other distractions around you like slack, email, social media etc. Use the pomodoro technique to time 25 minutes of focus, followed by 5 mins of rest. Repeat until the task is complete

At times we can neglect to communicate and ask for necessary resources, or perhaps even neglect to request time extensions if absolutely necessary in order to achieve the desired outcomes.

While committing to a project we must always consider the other work our proverbial plate. This doesn’t always come naturally and for enthusiastic people like myself can lead to difficulties balancing priorities

Making time management a priority is crucial. This means wisely allocating time for various tasks, giving precedence to urgent and essential work, and creating a practical schedule that considers possible delays or unforeseen difficulties. Successful time management also involves setting realistic goals and breaking down complex projects into manageable steps, leading to a systematic and organized work process. By keeping a well-organized and balanced workflow, people can enhance their productivity and meet deadlines efficiently, leading to improved overall work performance and fewer delays. Realizing the vital role of time management establishes a robust foundation for effective execution and meeting deadlines successfully.

The most common mistakes when working on deadlines include poor time management, underestimating the required time for tasks, and procrastination. It is important to prioritize tasks, allocate sufficient time, and avoid unnecessary delays to meet deadlines effectively.

We can become so focussed on deadlines and meeting expectations that we no longer act in the best interests of the project, especially as it evolves and requires new or additional workstreams to enable it's delivery. It's ok to take a step back, assess what is best for the project, assess what is best for the client and use your professional judgement to advise whether the deadline is still achievable - communicating this in a professional and fact based way. Whatever the outcome, it's always best to present and discuss all options rather than assume that deadlines should be prioritised over what is best for the project and the client in the long run.