Deadlines Suck, Rule, Depress and Kick Ass

I'm on a deadline. I'm always on a deadline. And the very thought of deadlines sends pheromones out into the world, inviting friends and strangers to defeat me. These anti work pheromones waft past friends who then feel a sudden urge to call me "just to talk." They pressure acquaintances to text or just drop by for a visit. Deadlines have the amazing power to ensure I don't meet them.

I'm staring down three big deadlines right now. I'm wondering how the heck I'm going to hit any of them. Here's how:

Prioritize:
Along with the three books I'm working on, I have groceries, laundry, appointments, and an apartment to declutter. It's amazing how attractive all those things become the more the deadline approaches. So, I write EVERYTHING down on sticky notes to get it out of my head where it carooms around like a steel ball in a game of pinball, hitting alarms and bells and setting off flashing lights to make me freeze with anxiety. Once my sticky notes are done I paste them on a white board above and behind my computer. I can see them there - all color coded and everything and out of my head. The urgent, must do notes (like whose book to finish first) are in neon pink. Appointments (doctor and dental) are orange, and everything else is in neon green. As I finish each task I cross it off with a Sharpie, but leave it up so I can see what I've done and feel motivated to do more and cross off more. I prioritize according to most important and urgent.

Set a Timer:
If I had my druthers I'd just work until I drop with exhaustion. But I work better and faster if I set a timer for 1.5 hours and then get up and walk around, eat, pet the cats, or take a 20-minute nap. Yes. I nap often throughout the day. It's wonderful. You should try it! The exercise gets my blood flowing and also revives me. Every three hours I do something simple - like load or unload the washer/dryer/dishwasher. That way I don't panic that "life" isn't getting done. 

Turn off Distractions:
I only answer email three times a day, and never first thing in the morning. Looking at email first thing means I'll be sucked into it and never get a jump on the day. Email will define your day if you let it. I check it only after my first 1.5 hours of work. And I have a process for checking it:

• Anything that can be dealt with or responded to in two minutes or less is dealt with. I answer the email, or whatever needs doing, but ONLY if it will take less than two minutes.
• If the thing(s) I need to do take two-to-ten minutes I put them on my daily to-do list and then do them as I have a break. If I can't get to them that day I move them to the next day's list. If I haven't done them by the end of the week I schedule a time to do them.
• If it will take longer than two to ten minutes, or I haven't finished it after a week, I put the item on my calendar task list and schedule a time to deal with it. For instance, a friend sent me a link to a writer's conference in DC. To read the information, register, find and reserve a hotel etc. would take me about 30-60 minutes. So I scheduled an hour on my calendar much like I would a doctor's appointment. At 5 a.m. when I first wake up and am waiting for coffee to brew, I go online and sign up for the conference, print off all the details (time, address, etc.) and reserve a hotel. It's not until November, so I'll hold off on deciding whether to take the train, drive, and/or rent a car until later - after the more pressing deadlines are met. Why delay? Because that level of decision making will require time, and energy, neither of which I want to squander right now.
• Facebook, Twitter, Instagram etc. are all "break time" distractions. The websites are closed while I'm working. 

Stock up on Snacks and Drinks:

• I like to graze while I work. So, the night before or the morning before I prepare fruit and veggies, nuts, and snacking items and have them at my desk. It keeps me from getting the munchies and wandering into the kitchen for hours while I fix a meal or make some bacon etc. Seeing bottles of water lined up on the desk reminds me to stay hydrated too.

Those are three things that help me "git 'er done." I still procrastinate, but I'm getting better. How about you? What are your deadline killing tips?