Coping with Work Deadlines
For conscientious people, work deadlines can be inspiring or frightening, and very often both. Working with a tight schedule offers the reward of an inspiring accomplishment. Traditionally, when newspapers were the quickest way to get current information out to the public, reporters vied with each other to meet and exceed deadlines. Then, it was the task of the editors and printers to get the newspapers produced and delivered to homes and street corners as promptly as possible.Deadlines will always be the ultimate work challengeTo some extent, newspapers may be on their way to becoming extinct in their present form. Today those exciting deadline news events are almost instantaneously flashed on everyone’s computer and SmartPhone screens. However, even in today’s updated information media, it still requires reporters, photographers and video staffs to compete.They’re involved in the deadline-driven, ever-changing business of information gathering and production. Many of the same situations apply to work and business requirements. No matter what the media or the method of getting information and/or goods out to customers, deadlines are critical.Be prepared to realize that all business is deadline-drivenDeadlines rarely just happen by surprise. In every workplace, studio, office or factory, there is the daily routine of meeting the clearly-defined and expected requirements. For example, when a television news program is scheduled to be broadcast live at six p.m., all the work of that day is to come together when the camera first goes live on the face of the on-air newscaster.Throughout the hours before that moment, many responsible and talented people must do their utmost to gather, edit and prepare the video and written material that will ultimately go out as a professional-quality effort.The same requirements apply to all businesses. Products and services, whether grocery items, restaurant meals, new cars or daily newspapers, are all deadline-driven. Each company’s financial survival ultimately depends on preparing for and meeting deadlines.Coping with potential deadline disastersOnly in glorified company annual reports and some political campaigns are all deadlines reported to be attained as planned. The human factor and other influences too often kick in to cause problems in meeting requirements. In the TV studio, the electrical system could fail at the last minute. At the restaurant, a kitchen fire can destroy the day’s supplies.The only way to overcome such deadline disasters is to prepare for them. The TV studio must have an in-house emergency electrical system in case the local city service fails. The restaurant needs to have emergency supplies stored away nearby in case of this unforeseen problem happening.Do your homeworkIf your job is deadline-driven, prepare yourself to be able to cope with it. As a quarterback or race driver hone their very special skills, they must be able to cope with the unexpected to happen at any time. They improve their performances through many hours of practice, as well as learn constantly through the heavy pressures of actual performances.For the responsible person in the workplace, the learning and actual experience processes are similar. After each deadline is met, whether successfully or not, go back over the recent process thoroughly with everyone involved while it is fresh in mind. Then, determine how you can do it better the next time.
