What do you do when you have a hard deadline looming and absolutely no clue how you are going to make it? It seems like I deal with this scenario at least once a week. Whether it's a big issue or a little issue, limited time can be a stress. That's why I found this article, "10 Innovation Ideas When You Are on a Deadline" such a nice piece.
Author Gwyneth Dwyer works for an interactive branding and design firm so these tips no doubt come from personal experience. I thought these two were particularly useful:
1. Zero in
What, exactly, is the task before you? State it clearly—in one sentence, if possible. This may take time, but it's worth it. "A problem well-stated is half-solved," said American pragmatist John Dewey.
6. Zone out
Ignore whatever needs solving. Immerse yourself in something entirely different. Read a book or browse through a magazine completely unrelated to your task. Listen to your iPod. Visit a different part of town.
Let some time pass. (Yes, even if you're facing a deadline.) If you've done the work in steps one through five above, your subconscious will pick up where you left off. Just make sure you have a notepad handy.
I already use a lot of these, but when you are on deadline and freaking out, it's a good idea to have these printed out for reference. Check out the other eight tips here.
Do you have a tip or standard process for dealing with deadlines. Leave your best idea in the comments.
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