If you struggle to get things done on time or follow through with tasks, you are not alone. While it might seem challenging to overcome, there are small things to do that will set you up for success.
Deadlines are a part of everyday life- whether it is school or work assignments, paying bills, or personal goals tasks, deadlines are everywhere, so it is important to be able to meet them. If you struggle to get things done on time or follow through with tasks, you are not alone. While it might seem challenging to overcome, there are small things to do that will set you up for success. Here are 5 tips to help you meet deadlines.
Prioritized Task Lists
Meeting deadlines can be challenging when you have multiple projects or tasks at hand. Make a list of tasks you need to get done and then prioritize the tasks based on importance. Think about when the deadlines are for each project. Also consider if one task relies on another task getting done first. That can help you get your tasks organized. If that still seems unmanageable, you can then break those tasks down into smaller ones.
Deadline List/Calendar
When work gets busy, it can be easy to forget when things are due. Having your deadlines out where you can see them, helps them stay on your mind. It also can help you prioritize tasks if you can see all the dates in front of you. Find a place where they are easily visible for you- Put them on your phone or computer or somewhere in front of you at your desk.
Soft Deadlines
One thing you could try is giving yourself soft deadlines. A soft deadline is a deadline you give yourself prior to when the task is actually due. For example, if your boss gives you a task to have finished by the 15th, you might set a soft deadline for the 10th. That way you stay ahead and if things come up that delay your progress, you have some time to fix it. These soft deadlines are meant to be treated as hard deadlines, so you feel more motivated to take on the task instead of waiting. These only work if you are committed to meeting them.
Communicate
Communication goes a long way with deadlines. For starters, make sure you can communicate with your boss and co-workers about realistic expectations when it comes to deadlines. If you realize they are not, try negotiating a different one. You can also give people updates about your projects. This can help you stay accountable to the task while also getting feedback as you progress. This way, you don’t work hard on something and completely miss what the expectation was. Furthermore, if you are working on a task and need some help – ask for it. Better to ask for help early on than to not deliver on the project. At some point or another, everyone needs some assistance.
Avoid Procrastinating
While easier said than done, by setting yourself up ahead of time, you can ensure you are not scrambling at the last second trying to finish a project. Using the tips from above can help you create a game plan so that you get things done on time. Often times once you start something you have been procrastinating, it actually is not as overwhelming as expected so try to get a jump start on it, even if it is something small, doing one small thing is better than doing nothing.
The foundation for meeting deadlines is time management. Understanding how you spend your time, how long different tasks take to complete, and how you communicate with others will help you succeed in meeting your deadlines. It may take time, but you can get there. If you want assistance applying these tips to your job or have any other employment needs, reach out to a Mary Rigg Employment Coach by calling 317.639.6106 or clicking here.