Do Deadlines Drive Your Productivity?
Dear Reader,
“I do my best when my back is up against the wall.”
Sounds familiar? Well you’re not alone. Many rely on looming deadlines as a primary motivator. But is it always the most fulfilling approach?
Depending on deadlines often results in a Force and Fear based system. Here’s what that means: We’re driven not by genuine motivation or interest but by the impending dread of a deadline. Emotions cloud our work, but that ticking clock forces them aside.
Isn’t there a better way?
I’ve explored alternatives in my recent writings:
1. I’m sorry, I can’t do the laundry
2. But, I just don’t wanna
Warm regards,
Kourosh
PS: Give this a shot:
1. Think of a task with a distant deadline.
2. Position it within your sight. Remove distractions.
3. Just sit with it.
4. Breathe.
5. Don’t force action.
6. If you engage, great.
7. If not, return tomorrow.
I’d love to hear your experience! Feel free to reply.
Join the Weekly Wind Down Newsletter
Get a weekly letter about getting to play and meaningful work. Start getting where you want to be with calm focus. You’ll receive free samples of:
- Creating Flow with OmniFocus
- Taking Smart Notes with DEVONthink
- Workflow Mastery
- PDF on beating deadlines with ease using the Touching the Keys Technique
Recent Posts
Piano Player Creativity Event – Saturday March 7th
From the event's own flyer: "I invite you to a truly unique experience in SL. Seven composers, including myself, will present original piano works, elicit your responses to what is evoked by the music, and discuss our creative process. Discussion will be facilitated...
Podcast Series!
After some suggestions from listeners, I've gone ahead and created a podcast. You can subscribe using the image in the right side bar or by visiting the posts on the Life in Music podcast pages. So far there are only two episodes, but I am hoping to create more. If...
How to Use Nothing in 5 Easy Steps
After noticing the considerable benefits from all the "how-to" and lists on all these new-fangled social media sites, I've decided to create one of my own: How to Use Nothing in 5 Easy Steps First, begin a brainstorming session about how you want...
Neat TED Talk on Creativity by Elizabeth Gilbert
Elizabeth Gilbert's website Found at Derek Sivers There are times I've compared creating to the task of tending a fire. Practice becomes a vigilance over something mysterious and powerful. Sitting by the keyboard daily and, in...
What is it about these bad guys?
Why is it that the bad guys in video games get more and more difficult as you fight them? Suddenly they spawn five new limbs, discover an even bigger laser in their back pocket that they forgot about, or reincarnate in an even stronger form. Is it that...
More on the virtual worlds
Caleb Booker has written a couple of thought provoking articles about the psychology behind avatars and the virtual worlds: Anatomy of an avatar Why Webcams Fail
Experiments in Distortion
Village Gamer Reviews Video Game Play and Addiction
Check out this super-duper-mega-awesome review of Video Game Play and Addiction from the Village Gamer. /me doing a dance.
Fluke – Blue Sky
Here's another group I like quite a bit. This is the last track from Fluke's album Puppy - an excellent album that has been played about a zillion times while driving.