“I’m a bit disorganized but I do well with deadlines.” Sound familiar?

Our culture of busy-ness and overwork makes it easy to put so much on our plates that we just run from due date to deadline and back again. When this becomes “the way things are” we don’t have to think about what to do next. We don’t need to strategically plan our time, work and attention. We can let go of self-care, family time and other non-work obligations. We just keep plowing through work and deadlines until we face real consequences or can’t do it anymore.

When deadlines lighten up, we may take on new clients and projects in an unconscious attempt to feel “normal” again. This also lets us avoid taking responsibility for all the work piling up when deadlines steal our attention.

When we rely on deadlines to tell us what to do next we are not in control of our work. But how do we square that with ethical and professional responsibilities to decide what gets done next and also make progress on important work that is not “on fire”? Letting deadlines organize and dictate our work and life can also be a way to avoid managing expectations and using boundaries with clients and colleagues.

There is another way. We can create structure and practices to manage our workload and time so that we are in charge instead of the deadlines.

  • Implement AM/PM Structure. Start by implementing daily calendar structure. In general on most days, do uninterrupted work in the morning and then take meetings, return phone calls and muck around in email in the afternoon. (AM Billable Work; PM Interrupted Work)
  • Use a Day Plan. Preview your calendar for the next day and create a short prioritized task list (3-5 items). Prepare for meetings and other events. Identify blocks of time to work on important tasks or projects and calendar it so that time is not taken up with minutia.
  • Assess Workload. If you are running from deadline to deadline, you probably have too much on your plate. To improve productivity and quality of life, consider ways to reduce the volume (and see this blog post). Review your entire case load. Consider what can be delegated, deferred, declined or referred out. Do the same for volunteer roles and personal obligations. Consider hiring staff at work or help at home.
  • Have Boundaries and Manage Expectations. Every lawyer I know wants produce excellent work product and be an excellent advocate. These are great goals, but let’s be real: You can’t produce excellent work product when you regularly pull all-nighters. You can’t be an excellent advocate when you are exhausted and overworked. Instead, have and use healthy boundaries in your work and life. (For more on healthy boundaries, read this book by Nedra Glover Tawwab MSW, LCSW.) Actively manage the expectations of others regarding how and when work will get done, and how and when to reach you with questions or needs.

The cure for deadline-driven motivation to notice and assess your deeper intentions. Take a break and ask yourself:

  • Why am I running from deadline to deadline?
  • Am I living to work or working to live?
  • What do I want from work and life?
  • How do I define success?

When we are overwhelmed it can be hard to assess and make changes on our own. Look for role models who do things differently. Carve out a little bit of time and space early in the day to reflect. Consider reaching out to a colleague, friend, therapist or coach for support.

I help clients go from deadlines to life-giving motivation aligned with their values, priorities and intentions. Contact me for a free 30 minute consultation: 503-734-7232 or heather@tcbcoaching.com