{"id":917,"date":"2015-02-09T13:48:23","date_gmt":"2015-02-09T18:48:23","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ellismorning.com\/blog\/?p=917"},"modified":"2015-02-09T13:50:10","modified_gmt":"2015-02-09T18:50:10","slug":"the-ups-and-downs-of-deadlines","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ellismorning.com\/blog\/2015\/02\/the-ups-and-downs-of-deadlines\/","title":{"rendered":"The Ups And Downs Of Deadlines"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"february-calendar\"<\/a>I mentioned word count goals<\/a> a while back, the advantages and disadvantages of working with them. Now I’ll do the same with another go-to progress and motivation method: deadlines.<\/p>\n

Deadlines Are Great<\/strong><\/p>\n

Deadlines can help you break down a huge, impossible-seeming goal- like novel-writing- into manageable chunks, and provide a timeframe for getting it done. They also give you that kick in the rear you need to stop procrastinating and start writing.<\/p>\n

We tend to prioritize tasks with due dates and deadlines over tasks that can be done “whenever.” Deadlines are a commitment toward taking your writing seriously.<\/p>\n

It’s surprising what you get done while holding yourself accountable to a deadline, versus writing when you feel like it, without any time limit at all.<\/p>\n

Deadlines can also help you move past sections where you’re spinning your wheels and getting nowhere. Maybe you just can’t get a scene right, or you’re obsessing over details. No worries! Move on and come back to it later, when you’ll have a fresh outlook that will hopefully help you get un-stuck.<\/p>\n

Deadlines Suck<\/strong><\/p>\n

Poorly wielded, deadlines can suck all the fun out of writing. What was once your happy leisure activity may as well be a chore or work project. High achievers may find themselves stressing out over these deadlines as much as any other deadlines they face.<\/p>\n

Like the word count goal, there’s also the temptation to sacrifice quality. It’s easier, and “looks” better, to leave bad scenes as they are, rather than fix them and potentially miss the deadline.<\/p>\n

The importance attached to writing deadlines may make you neglect other hobbies or chores that need to be done, in service of meeting the deadline.<\/p>\n

How To Use A Deadline<\/strong><\/p>\n

In the right hands, with the right mindset, a deadline can be really useful- but first, it’s crucial to figure out:<\/p>\n