Were obsessed with planning when well get work done.
This post originally appeared on theZapier blog.
It happens to us all.
But some of us struggle with deadlines more than others.
The developers fell victim to theplanning fallacyour built-in tendency to underestimate how long a task takes to complete.
As the deadline gets closer, it becomes more realistic and we actually start getting the work done.
Part of why we fall for the planning fallacy over and over is becausewe dont plan for hiccups.
Historically, the word deadline had a more literal meaning.
Now that deadlines are associated with the workplace, were more lax on the penalties.
But the concept stands: deadlines can mean life or death for your productivity, project or job.
Parkinsons lawis an adage that says work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion.
Or, in other words, a task will take up as much time as you allow for it.
This is why were sometimes amazed at how much we can get done in short periods of time.
When you have infinite time to complete a task, it will take you infinite time to get done.
Commit to Public Deadlines
I solemnly swear to finish this article by 5 p.m.
If you make that promise in your head, nobody will know when you fail to honor it.
Say it out loud, though, and accountability comes into play.
The time in advance and message are customizable, too.
Make it motivational, include a quote or, like Waugh, make it a public reminder.
Deadlines are made to be missed.
Image byPolygraphus(Shutterstock).
