| Countdown to D-Day: Five Tips for Meeting Deadlines |
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| By Wilson Jones |
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| Sometimes there's nothing more daunting than a deadline. As the final date gets closer, your days get longer as you try to get everything done on time. But with a few simple steps, you can countdown to D-Day and keep your cool. |
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| 5. Work backward. Get out a calendar and mark when your project absolutely has to be completed. Many times the date of a conference, proposal due date, or some other externally set deadline will determine this for you. Next, consult with each person who will have a part in the project to determine their time requirements. If you are waiting for some important information from someone else, build some time into your schedule so you aren't held up because you are waiting for that information. Work backward on your calendar to set the interim deadlines needed to get the project done on time. |
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| 4. Know what people want. A lot of time is saved when you know beforehand what the final product should be. This may require pinning down everyone who needs to approve the project. If you have the information up front, your project will move along much more smoothly. |
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| 3. Be like honey, not vinegar. As the saying goes, honey attracts flies better than vinegar. If you maintain good relations with others in your office and with your vendors, they will help you when the crunch comes. IT people who are overloaded will find the hour to stop by your desk and troubleshoot a problem. A colleague will stay late with you to finish that report. They will want you to succeed. |
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| 2. Keep your eye on the goal. If this project is your top priority, make it a priority. Shut out distractions. Let voicemail get it. Put those other projects on hold. Don't attend that meeting in which you'll really just be doodling on your notepad. Shut your door. Focus. |
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| 1. Breathe. You made it! But before you move on to the next project, take a few minutes to think about your countdown. What worked for you, what didn't? What helped you meet your deadline? What would you do differently? Keep all this in mind as you move on to tackle the next challenge. |
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| Be sure to take advantage of these excellent Wilson Jones products, which will help you manage your projects and stay on top of deadlines.
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