A Letter to the Deadline Driven

August Deadline: I missed it. Please continue on to my August article, which was published in September.

Deadlines rule our lives, mark the pace of projects, and often loom over us like an approaching storm. Whether you're someone who thrives on the pressure of last-minute pushes or dreads the ticking clock, it's easy to let deadlines control your world. But what if we flipped that narrative? What if, instead of racing against time, we approached deadlines with more intention, reality, and, dare I say, grace?

I’ve been there, staring at a mountain of work, the last few weeks of Summer and the end of Summer camp, with looming deadlines marking the end of the month, transitioning to Fall and the feeling of the end of the quarter, feeling paralyzed by procrastination. And the more I waited, the more overwhelming it all became. So, this is my letter to the deadline-driven: the ones doing everything they can to show up, keep up, and remain upright.

I would never call myself a procrastinator; I've never been one to leave things to the last minute. I've learned that as you grow in levels at work and roles at home, sometimes the job gets done on the flight to the workshop, or the house gets cleaned right before the guests arrive because you're managing your life day by day and minute by minute.

I did a little soul-searching while I was literally bed-ridden with neck tension I let turn into disk issues, so I'm sharing the antidotes for your benefit and my own:

1. Procrastination—A Signal, Not a Weakness

First, let’s tackle the big one: procrastination. Brené Brown, in The Gifts of Imperfection, reminds us that procrastination often stems from perfectionism. Procrastination is not laziness—it signals that something deeper is going on.

When you feel that procrastination is creeping in, ask yourself why. Is it because the task feels too big? Are you afraid that you won’t be able to do it perfectly? Acknowledge that fear, then break the task into smaller, manageable pieces.

She says: Progress, not perfection, is what will move you forward.

Mic. Drop.

2. Pace + Speed = Burnout

We often think that we're not doing enough if we’re not moving at full speed. But that mindset is a fast track to burnout, so I'm told. I am often told that I move at a pace that many cannot relate to and is not sustainable. I have always moved, period. I don't recognize my pace as anything other than mine; however, I am learning that I'm missing the warning signs of spinning all the plates all the time.

"It's me, hi, I'm the problem, it's me.

As a swiftie with time on my hands—I didn't want but apparently needed— I made the personal acknowledgment that I don’t have to be "on" every moment of every day. I need to set realistic expectations for myself.

There will be moments when you need to dig in and hustle hard to meet a deadline—but those moments should be the exception, not the rule.

3. Getting It Right vs. Getting It Done

Here’s a hard truth: not every deadline is created equal. Some deadlines exist because they mark the culmination of something important. Something that needs to be done that people are counting on you for and that you've committed to. Others? Well, they’re just a date on a calendar. The trick is knowing the difference.

I have a Post-it at my desk that I used in this month's article image that says, "2 Weeks." It's there as a reminder to reset expectations for myself and for others. You see, I got in the habit in my early days at MarketDesign as a solo consultant of saying things like, "No problem, I'll get that over shortly," or "I'll take a look tonight," or "I'll review it over the weekend." As a result, I pulled all-nighters nearly every Thursday night (because I only had to get through Friday), and my kids knew they could always find me if they checked the desk in my office first.

While the deadlines we set for ourselves are important, they are often the first ones we let slide to appease the other items on the list and people in our lives. I have realized that being done and being done right just sit differently. So now I pay close attention to what I need to get done and what others are asking for my help on, and often, my answer is in some form of... two weeks.

4. Know When to Push + When to Rest

Did I mention I'm a work in progress? It’s tempting to equate constant hustle with success, but success is a marathon, not a sprint. While there will be times when I need to push through and meet a hard deadline, I need to be better at recognizing when my body and mind need a break.

In this deadline-driven world, balance is not possible (there, I said it). Work and life is not a balance. You have one life, and during it, you work. Where did the term Work/Life Balance even come from? I think the scale always dips somewhere. I am realizing that the ebb and flow are the most important. Deadlines vs. due dates, parenting vs. policing—you can't be everything to everyone all the time.

On Mondays, I try to stick to my routine. First, I do a data dump of everything for every client, company, and colleague that needs action or addressing. Then, I look at my calendar and review all the requests for myself and my time. Lastly, I shuffle, postpone, or decline 10% of the asks on all three calendars. I take a step back, assess the situation, and determine where my energy is best spent. I have come to terms with not being able to help everyone, comment on everything, or engage on every topic.

Say it with me: "I am happy to help, but I can't make this a priority right now."

Demands, Deadlines, and Due Dates

When my mentor asked me to complete my self-evaluation last year, I reflected on the year and quickly jotted down all the proud professional moments. Then I got to the last question, which caused me to pause and reflect: What is the one thing you will be disappointed if you don't achieve next year? Without hesitation, I thought, "I'll be disappointed if the only accomplishments I can point to next year are at work."

We live in a culture that often equates busyness with worth. But you are more than your productivity. Your value isn’t determined by how many deadlines you hit—it’s determined by the impact of the work and your ability to protect your well-being.

Let's create more due dates and less deadlines. Let's stop giving ourselves ultimatums and unrealistic expectations. Let's not say tonight, or tomorrow, or even this weekend.

Your contributions matter: those who recognize them will wait.

You've got this—on your terms.