Many folks struggle and become nearly paralyzed when facing a deadline on a project, decision, or assignment. What are some ways of dealing with deadlines?

1. Do not let the ‘perfect’ be the enemy of the good or great. – perfectionism will get you stuck and ruin most of your decisions. Anyone can make a decision with unlimited time. Yet most of us have time limits. The report or project is due on a date certain. You need to outline and plan and get on with it and keep moving.

2.   Gather the facts and information and everything that you will need in order to make a decision. Do you have the information you need? Have you gone through all of the information, data numbers, interviews etc.? Speed is of the essence, not haste or recklessness, but steady constant movement forward is necessary.

3.  Avoid procrastination. More dreams lie in the graveyard called procrastination than anywhere else, do not buy your burial plot in the cemetery marked procrastination! There are folks who wait until the last-minute to finish anything. The anxiety level alone in rising blood pressure is not worth taking this path. Make a plan and work your plan, put it on your calendar and make up your mind you’re going to do something every day to move you toward your goal.

4.    Listen to your intuition. Some people describe this as a gut level feeling. While I am not recommending that your gut or intuition be your only guide, yet do not discount your feelings, and your intuition.

5. Take a risk. Too many people are risk averse. Life is risky. Many are trying to manage the status quo and not functioning as the leader the organization desires of them as a leader. In many situations, if you make a decision and it is not quite right, you can tweak it along the way. See how it works and adjust as you gather more data and information.

6.  Find a friend. Discussing your decision with a friend helps to clarify and articulate the best course of action. No one of us is a smart as all of us, someone once said, take your ideas and thoughts and in a casual setting run them by a friend. This should most certainly be a friend you have confidence in, a who friend is confidential in all situations. You also must possess tough hide, for if you do not, your feelings will be hurt continually. That is why you must find a friend that you believe in, who won’t just tell you what you want to hear, but will tell you the truth and what you desperately need to hear..

A few more ideas on meeting deadlines in your work environment and relationships:

  • Be Careful with your words. Speak with integrity. Say only what you mean, and do not speak negatively of anyone. Be wholesome and positive in your speaking.
  • Cultivate a tender heart and develop a tough hide. People are always going to talk and there is always something to take offense over, just learn to tune out the negative. Ask God to give you a tender heart.  A heart that longs for His will.
  • Don’t make assumptions regarding other people. You never know what someone is going through. Whenever I make an assumption nine times out of ten I am wrong. We have no idea what is going on in the hearts and minds of the people around us and some are going through very difficult times, therefore give them a break.
  • Do your best.  Whatever you’re doing, do it to the best of your ability. Shortcuts usually lead to dead ends or leave us on a trail that eventually ends in disaster. You don’t need to copy someone else, you must always be the best you that God created.

 

 

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