In the creative industry, meeting deadlines is incredibly important, but just because it’s important doesn’t mean it’s easy. Here are some tips to help you learn how to meet those deadlines.
Be serious about it – commit to it
Let’s be honest; if you’re not serious about actually completing this project on time, you’re not going to. Make it your first priority.
Understand specifics and communicate
Make sure you know exactly when the deadline is and what exactly it is you’re expected to deliver. Really study the brief to ensure that you deliver what the client is expecting, and if you’re not sure, ask.
Get organised
Make a to-do list, and have a place where you can make a note of all the projects that you have to do and when for.
Break it down and prioritise
That big project might seem like one huge task, but it’s probably not. Break it up into manageable chunks of work, and do what is most important first.
Work backwards
Work backwards from the deadline to ensure that you know what you have to do and when. How long will each smaller task take you? This should help you to work out when you need to have them done for so that you can move onto other tasks and finish on time.
Plan to finish before the deadline
Work in a safety net into all your to-do lists and plans. Expect it to take longer than you think and then give yourself extra time in case in goes wrong. Then if something really catastrophic happens you still have time to fix it, and if it doesn’t – you’re finished early! The client will be really impressed and you have some extra time.
No distractions
Switch off that phone, log out of facebook and really concentrate. Try and work away from others if you find talking to others distracting, or plug into your headphones and listen to some music that you enjoy or find motivational.
Communicate!
If something is going wrong, make sure you communicate this with your client if you are at risk of missing the deadline. They would prefer that you are honest with them and can probably help to solve your problem.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help/opinions
Sometimes speaking with others is a distraction, but if you’re discussing the project and how it can be improved, especially if you’re a bit stuck, can be invaluable. Having a different perspective on things can bring a fresh outlook and can really make the project fantastic.
