How can you manage stress while meeting tight deadlines?

We started with a Rambo process - we delivered within deadlines but there were too many near misses or there was a lot of stress. Than we applied the KISS model (reference in the What Else part) and started the setup of a process of: - setting the core team in advance - having master deadlines - always have a buffer in till the final delivery time - be aware of the major constraint (theory of constraints approach) and actively manage it in the project and improve it for future projects

Communication, communication, and more communication. With any project, especially those that require a quick turn-around, over-communication at every phase of the project is crucial. The formula: clearly outlining the scope of the project, setting expectations with everyone involved, setting hard deadlines, and creating a consistent meeting cadence to use as a catch all.

Identify and focus on high-priority tasks, ensuring the most critical aspects are addressed first. Divide the workload into smaller, more manageable tasks to prevent feeling overwhelmed. Allocate specific time slots for different tasks, promoting better organization and time management. Schedule short breaks to recharge and maintain focus. If applicable, delegate tasks to team members so they can share the workload. Keep the bigger picture in mind and understand that perfection may not always be achievable within tight deadlines. Prioritize sleep, exercise, and a balanced diet to support overall well-being.

Managing stress during tight deadlines is about balance and perspective. I prioritize tasks, focusing on what's critical, and break them down into manageable chunks. This helps me avoid feeling overwhelmed. I also set realistic expectations for what can be achieved within the given timeframe. It's important to maintain a healthy work-life balance, so I schedule short breaks to clear my mind and recharge. Staying organized and using tools to track progress keeps me on course. I remind myself that perfection isn't the goal; delivering quality work on time is. Lastly, I practice mindfulness and deep breathing exercises to stay calm and collected, ensuring I can tackle challenges with a clear head.

We always plan the process of delegation, after we participated in 4 pitches, won 2 of them. But we were not proud of the 2 we lost ??. It took us more than a year to set all processes for master planning, templates and team delegation and collaboration: - we have a core team, and a lead (a partner at the agency - we are three partners) - we cascade the research, findings, master strategy, and then decompose - every team member can state that a task shall be altered in order to add more value / to result in an applicable and scalable format - collaboration is ensured via Google Workspace

There may be times when we're so focused on work, that we neglect the warning signs of stress and anxiety. Listen to your body.

While working in real estate, we organized sales events at 4 to 5 locations worldwide. Everything had to be timely organized, and there were many people to handle. When things got hectic and everyone was calling me, I would stop, take a break, re-prioritize, and then focus on the most important tasks.

One of the best quotes I've ever heard is, "You can't find time to meditate —?you need to make time." I've found that the more mindfulness breaks I take throughout the day, the more productivity I have. It's also a more ease-filled process, because the clarity that comes with clearing the clutter of your mind is profound.

Working in a marketing agency, tight deadlines are a key stressor in the system. As a stress prevention coach I teach most junior consultants different methods of prioritizing tasks. An evergreen here is the Eisenhower method that can easily help to structure your day and prioritize tasks accordingly. Clear communication with clients also is key. Most clients operate on unrealistic ideas of timelines. We established a training for timeline management with key stakeholders internally from the creative team to tech implementations. These trainings focus on the main use cases in our field and present various cases and scenarios with timelines and workflows to make it transparent and deliver "blueprints" for junior employees to learn fast.

Procura siempre tener muy claros los objetivos y tu metodología de trabajo, eso te dará el soporte necesario para que el estrés no se escape de las manos y tengas la certeza de que avanzas.