There’s something strange about deadlines.
They scare me.
They stress me.
But somehow, they save me too.
I’ve always thought I needed more time. “If only I had one more day, I’d make it better.”
But most times, that “one more day” just meant more procrastination, more overthinking, and less actual work.
It took me a while to realise — deadlines are not my enemy. They’re actually my creative push.
The Day Everything Changed
I remember this one week when I had three things due. A blog post, a freelance project, and a training session to prepare. No way I could do all three well, right?
But I had no choice.
I shut off Netflix.
I muted WhatsApp.
I even forgot lunch one day.
Not proud of that — but wow, I got everything done. Not perfect, but done.
And honestly? Better than when I had all the time in the world.
That week changed how I look at pressure. Not the toxic kind, but the kind that says,
“Hey, you’ve got 24 hours. Let’s go.”
Why Deadlines Work
- They kill perfectionism – You don’t have time to polish forever. You just do.
- They build momentum – Small wins pile up. One task leads to the next.
- They make priorities clear – What truly matters becomes obvious.
- They create trust – When you meet your own deadlines, you start believing in yourself again.
How I Use Deadlines Now
I set fake deadlines. Early ones. Just to see what I can do.
Sometimes I miss them. But most times, I surprise myself.
I also keep them visible. A sticky note. A calendar reminder. Something to remind me:
“This matters. Do it.”
Deadlines won’t make your work magical. But they’ll make it real.
And real is always better than perfect.
So next time you feel stuck or lazy or tired —
Set a deadline.
A small one.
Then start.
You’ll feel the difference.
