Deadlines: Love 'Em or Hate 'Em?

I work in an industry that has constant deadlines looming over one’s head. And when millions of dollars are on the line (television show budgets), these deadlines are nonnegotiable.

I used to thrive on deadlines. I was never big on studying in college and would always have to pull all-nighters, cramming before exams. And for the most part, it worked. I happen to have a fantastic memory and have always been a great test-taker.

But it wasn’t just in college that I felt the need for a deadline to get things done. As long as I can remember, I’ve always put off school projects until the last minute before rallying. I actually enjoyed the rush of the deadline… and I always made them. Was it my best work? Nope. Did I get a good grade? Yup.

And for the last few years, the unending work deadlines did nothing more than motivate me to combine creativity with efficiency.

But after the last few weeks of trying to keep multiple plates spinning, I’ve realized I am tired of deadlines. I would like my boss to say, “Hey Monica, whenever you get a chance, could you make these changes?  No hurry.”

Instead, I will be here late tonight, ensuring I make tomorrow morning’s deadline. And so it goes…

How do spirited women deal with deadlines? Do they cause you stress or are they the motivation you need to get the job done? Do they bring out your best or your worst?

Unfortunately, those are all the questions I have time for… I need to get this post in before the deadline!

- Monica Regal
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Comments

[Shanikwa Anderson]

This spirited woman views "dead"lines as "life"lines -- They are little kicks in the pants that make me more productive. They are a lot less stressful when viewed this way -- and also a lot less stressful when followed by a stiff drink and/or a roll in the hay with my man.

Now please excuse me, as I have a deadline that I've been working on for 22 years. (MmmHmm . . . Thank you!)