Deadlines and Your Personal Preferences
Yesterday, I visited Anne Wayman’s The Golden Pencil blog and read her entry titled, “Nix Monday Writing Deadlines?” Her article discussed the reasons why Monday is not a good day for setting deadlines and I voiced my agreement. Clearly, Mondays are best used for catching up on weekend emails and establishing the week’s schedule. Besides, if a project is due on a Monday then that means only one thing — you’ll probably have to work through the weekend to finish it up.
The Pitfalls of Friday Deadlines
Fridays aren’t my favorite days either for the simple reason that projects seem to be due in the morning and not in the afternoon as people prepare for the weekend or leave work early, especially in the summer. True, if I work my schedule right I’ll get the job done on a Thursday making the Friday deadline moot. There is something to be said about not only beating a deadline but completing and submitting the work early — you can come across as being a hero in the eyes of your client.
Multi-part Deadlines
Sometimes deadlines involve a two-part process, the first being the submission of draft copies, the second being the submission of the final work. Depending on how extensive the changes are of the draft copy could determine when your final deadline will take place. I almost always like to finish my final work once I receive the changes recommended by the client — there is something to be said for turning around a project quickly, if possible.
Family Time — Not Willing to Give That Up
As far as weekend work goes, I almost always turn these projects down. For me, weekends is family time and if a special project involves me having to do anything more than two hours of work on a Saturday morning then it isn’t for me. I need my down time and my family needs me; I’m just not the type of guy who relishes giving up his personal time no matter how pressing the project may be.
Yeah, scheduling is crucial for managing your time, and optimizing it could save you alot of time/money.
hmmm - but the point is if there is a deadline so you have to set it on a day.
Oh… friday is a bed day - ok thursday - …. what to less time ?
Why should I care about id. If you donīt like mondeys no problem be ready on friday
ok monday
Excellent post. Now that I consult full time, I’ve learned that hitting your deadlines on time and scheduling clients correctly can truly mean the difference between success and failure.
I will however in no way compromise my time spent with friends and family. At the end of the day, nothing is more important to me than them :). It’s also important to be able to keep that business/personal balance that most successful, happy people seem to have all figured out.
Paul, some people will chide us for guarding our personal time so passionately. Friends and family members will be there while business opportunities will always come and go — that choice is a “no brainer” pure and simple!
Great post Matt!
I think a midweek deadline is best, don’t you?
I do sometimes work Saturday mornings, but I take the rest of the weekend off.
Now that the kids are back in school, I’m trying to guard my evenings so that I can spend that time with them.
(They’re in bed now, though.)
Laura, Tuesdays through Thursdays are ideal for me as I can get the work done with the least amount of pressure.
I use a few hours on Saturday morning to do “clean up” for the week and like you I take the rest of the weekend off.
Juggling parental and work responsibilities is tough, but it sounds like you have a good balance going for you.
I am very lazy in doing work.So its better to make a deadline.