What are the best ways to stay focused when working on a deadline?

I know this may sound strange but I set an alarm for every 30 minutes to get up and walk around and stretch and then immediately get back to work. This process helps me to stay focused longer and helps circulation for my body. This is extremely important when trying to stay focused.

The key to staying focused when on a deadline is to prioritize your time. Set a schedule for each day leading up to the deadline in your planner or calendar. Determine what sections of your piece you will work on first, and set your schedule around that. Make sure you leave yourself time for breaks throughout the day. Keep water, a beverage of choice, and a snack on hand to stay hydrated and fueled. Another good tip is to know what background noise won't distract you. If leaving the TV on in the background pulls your focus away from your writing too much, switch to an audio-only podcast or music. If that's also distracting, try a white noise loop.

When setting goals, it’s important to be mindful of what is your actual bandwidth to contribute to something. Though you have a goal in mind that you want to achieve, it may be a concept that’s more long term than you initially anticipated. In this case, you would want to: ? Evaluate all possible avenues leading up to your goal(s) ? Have a backup plan in place in case the action items you’ve set in place for your goal don’t pan out how you wished ? Utilize resources around you such as people or technological tools to assist you in accountability

The start of any creative endeavor sets the tone for the rest of the process. If you begin thoughtfully, reflecting on the why of your work and deriving first principles for it from that reflection, you will set yourself up for success.

Staying motivated while working on deadlines requires planning and an effective goal- setting approach. Setting realistic goals while working on deadlines is a great way to manage different things at a time. Here are some ways that can work for the same. Dividing large tasks in small chunks, it can make an individual feel less exhausted. Identifying the most important or critical tasks that requires to be completed on a priority, it helps in allocating time and resources effectively. Clearly define what you want to accomplish, how you'll measure access and set realistic deadlines. Developing a daily or weekly schedule, dedicated to working on the tasks. Minimise all the distractions to maximize productivity.

A really fun way to eliminate distractions is to use your focused time to help the environment! My absolute favourite way to eliminate distractions when I'm working is using the forest app in deep focus mode. How it works is you set an amount of time you'd like to focus for, and a little seedling appears on the screen. As you work the seedling grows so long as you don't leave the app to use your phone (because if you do, your tree will die). If you stay focused for the amount of time you committed to, your tree will be fully grown when you're done and you'll receive coins in app. You can then use your in app coins to plant REAL trees, so your focus helps the environment! Seriously, this app is my favourite thing since sliced bread.

It's important to be clear about your goals and have a plan in place when working with a deadline. This allows you to stay on track and avoid getting overwhelmed or distracted. The more organized you are, the easier it will be to stay focused and get the job done!

If you are a morning person, super early wake ups can support a distraction free creative time. I also suggest using a focus app following the Pomodoro method that gives you a 20 minute block to stay on task, and then a 5 minute break to move away from the screen.

It's easy to get distracted as you work toward your goals. While many of my clients tell me they work better at night, I still suggest they do their writing or other goal-oriented work first thing in the morning. Research shows that our willpower drops throughout the day—plus, there are so many distractions in our everyday life. To support your focus, I suggest screen-free mornings. No news, social media, texts, or emails until a designated time, such at 11 a.m. Check email only twice per day. And for goodness sake, turn off your notifications! Your phone should always be in silent mode—you can thank me for this tip later.

To stay focused when working on a deadline, eliminating distractions is key. Start by creating a clean, organized workspace. Turn off unnecessary electronics like TVs and limit phone use. Use apps or settings to block distracting websites during work hours. Inform family or housemates of your work schedule to minimize interruptions. If noise is a distraction, consider noise-canceling headphones or a quiet background playlist. Also, plan breaks to refresh your mind and avoid burnout. By actively removing distractions, you can concentrate better, work more efficiently, and meet your deadlines with less stress.

I personally have used the Pomoduro technique and have found it useful. I am more productive in the mornings and so I start with a longer focus block in the morning using 45 mins before dropping down to 25mins by afternoon.

That's really true! Frequent breaks really help. A person who works for 30 minutes and relaxes for 5 minutes can be more productive than the person who works continuously for hours. One of the best results we get from breaks is that our mind gets clear and fresh. It helps to think new, bring new ideas and wide perspectives rather than focusing on a single track.

Taking regular breaks is vital for sustaining productivity and preventing burnout. The Pomodoro technique, alternating 25 minutes of focused work with 5-minute breaks, boosts efficiency and maintains mental freshness. Use breaks for activities like stretching, hydrating, or quick snacks to rejuvenate the body and mind. Engaging in relaxing tasks during breaks refreshes focus and energy, ensuring sustained high-quality work output while preventing fatigue and mental exhaustion. Balancing work intervals with periodic rest enhances overall productivity and well-being.

Try one of my favorite tips: get a visual timer. I have one in nearly every room of the house, which we use to help our kids keep track of their time when eating, cleaning, etc.—and to help me keep track of my time while writing or doing other work. For example, I easily get lost in the email vortex if I'm not careful, so I will set a thirty-minute timer. The added bonus is that brains love deadlines, so this keeps me on track. For writing or other creative projects—such as book writing—I find that it's actually harder to even get started. I suggest lowering your expectations to a point that you're willing to simply begin. Set a 10-minute timer to start then slowly increase your focus time over days and weeks.

Set realistic goals and reward yourself when you achieve them. Also, try to remember that every great work of art had a first draft.

Rewarding yourself for task completion boosts morale and motivation. Celebrating achievements, big or small, enhances satisfaction and mental well-being. Small treats like coffee or a walk suit minor tasks, while significant milestones deserve bigger rewards like movies or a spa day. Set achievable milestones, pair them with appropriate rewards, and promptly indulge upon completion. Balance is key—avoid excessive rewards. This structured approach creates positive reinforcement, motivating continued progress and fostering a fulfilling journey toward accomplishing goals.

Rewards are so important! After you plan for the major milestones within your goal, build in mini celebrations—and major ones. It doesn't have to cost anything. For example, when I finish each draft of a book, I will go on a long run or hike, stand at a high point, put my arms in the air, and celebrate the accomplishment. It might sound silly but it's highly motivating for me and marks that achievement beautifully.

It can be tempting to only relax when we finish for good that book, article, paper or blog article, but I find it necessary to keep reminding yourself of the progress you make each step of the way. Every phrase, page and chapter you write takes you closer to the finish line and it is worth celebrating that, even more, it is necessary. I find writing very personal and effort requiring, and I do it a lot better if I am motivated, my creativity stays alive and I do not feel drained or rushed to finish something I might not feel happy about in the end.

Great tip - reward yourself with something you look forward to at the end of the day. Movie night or having you favourite food or hit the gym. Make sure its something that’s going to add to the productive day you’ve had.

Rewarding yourself is a potent motivator during deadlines. Break tasks into milestones and celebrate achievements. Treat yourself to small rewards after completing specific portions of the work. This positive reinforcement enhances focus, boosts morale, and makes the deadline experience more manageable and enjoyable.

Working deadline is equal to thinking and acting faster than your normal pace. Get at least three colleagues to review your work. Do not consider every advice and also do not ignore every advice. Make sure you go with the tone of client’s brand.

Feedback is critical! But be careful who you're getting feedback from. For the future authors I coach, I find they sometimes invite "too many cooks into the kitchen," as the saying goes. Seek feedback from skilled experts, trusted mentors, and other voices who will be honest and have your best interest at heart.

Writing can be lonely. However, the writing community has lots to offer. Writing partners and critique groups are excellent ways to get early feedback on your writing and stay motivated to keep moving forward. It’s important to understand the knowledge and skill set that critiquers bring to your work. Professional editors add high-quality help and advice and most possess the tact to give to you in a way that provides motivation and a clear path forward. The best thing about getting critical feedback is that it brings confidence in your work as long as you approach it with a growth mindset.

Feedback is an important tool in writing, but remember you are seeking perspective from others, not necessarily perfection. Feedback is really just a fancy word for opinion, after all.

One of the best ways to stay focused is to NOT stay focused. Allow your work to flow in the chunks the creative process demands (even true for “less creative” works). I find having other tasks running parallel to a writing task — ones that are non-writing — into which I can dive to get out of the writing mindset is helpful.

When it comes to establishing a healthy routine for your workflow, I’ve found that incorporating a “Done List” into your day helps much better than the traditional “To Do List”. The “Done List” has one winning feature: ? It allows you to see what you’ve already accomplished in the day, versus reminding you of how much you haven’t done. It’s like the “glass half full” vs “glass half empty” psychological approach. The “Done List” is a simple routine accent. However, whatever your routine is, remember your routine is a key defense for mitigating work stress. That said, if you have client work that demands an adjustment (or expediting) of your “routine”, consider charging a premium rate for this demand. -Let’s connect further!

L'établissement d'une routine quotidienne structurée peut améliorer significativement la gestion du temps et aider à respecter les délais. En concentrant les moments les plus productifs de la journée sur les taches essentielles et en réservant le reste de la journée pour des activités moins urgentes, on optimise l'efficacité et la productivité. Cela permet de consacrer une attention maximale aux taches cruciales et de maintenir un équilibre dans la gestion du temps.

Interestingly, math teachers will often tell their students to get a good night's sleep the night before a math class or exam. "You can't do math when you're tired", the same teachers will say. The same goes for writing - look after yourself, eat well, and go to bed if your eyes are getting heavy!

Consistency is always the hardest to maintain. In weight loss , in your job, relationships . The real key to success or getting where you wany is being consistent and disciplined . That's all you need and you will eventually make it your routine and ta da...you are on your way to the finish line

Don't let perfect get in the way of good – especially when it comes to your first draft. There's nothing more intimidating than a blank sheet of paper, so set out a strawman of your key points and don't waste any time putting meat on the bones. It's far easier to correct and edit than it is to start from scratch. The sooner you get your first draft done, the sooner you can get to this point and then make the refinements required to reach your polished final product. But don't be too precious, nothing is ever perfect and there are always more improvements to make, so use your judgement when it comes to quality vs quantity and managing your impending deadline as well as other priorities vying for your attention.

Unofficially: 1. 8 gallons of coffee. 2. Scream into a pillow once every three hours. 3. Continue to vow to never put yourself in such a bind ever again. 4. Question your life choices once every 15 minutes. 5. Hand in a pristine final product and forget numbers 1 to 4 to repeat it all over again.

Time management. Set aside small sections of time to get pieces of work done. Put it down on a calendar, or phone reminder so make sure you’re staying true to actually putting the time in. Make sure the time set aside is realistic. Maybe 40 minutes is more realistic than a 2 hour block.

Maximise focus during deadlines by setting specific, achievable goals. Break tasks into smaller steps, creating a roadmap. Eliminate distractions, create a dedicated workspace, and utilise time management techniques. Prioritise self-care, take short breaks, and maintain a healthy balance to sustain concentration successfully and meet deadlines.

Working toward a deadline requires a timeline, and a plan. Here's what I did when working with Tracy Otsuka on her debut book ADHD for Smart Ass Women: How to Fall in Love with Your Neurodivergent Brain - which she had 4 months to write. 1. Reverse engineer your activities and be realistic about your other obligations. 2. Batch your work into sprints of 45 minutes or 2 hours maximum. 3. Track your progress using a shared project management tool like Trello or Asana or Monday. 4. Enlist an accountability partner or a co-writer or an editor, who can also work within your Trello board. 5. Celebrate every milestone. Even a walk or quick Facetime with your mom can be a reward. You can do it. Tracy did, her book comes out next week.