Deadlines And Creativity

When struggling with too many projects or an overabundance of information, moving forward can seem daunting. With no end in sight, who wants to start?

Those who get ahead have figured out the importance of deadlines. Rather than viewed negatively, they recognize that deadlines help fence in their choices so they know what to prioritize and what can be eliminated.

For perfectionists, deadlines constrict perfectionism. They just don’t have time to be perfect. They realize that good is good enough, and they move on to the next priority. 

For procrastinators, deadlines light the necessary fire to get after the task at hand.

Write a blog in 80 words. Design a workshop in a day. Paint a picture during your lunch hour. Self-imposed deadlines clarify what’s really important and often lead to our best work.

In “Steal Like an Artist,” author Austin Kleon says: "The right constraints can lead to your very best work. Dr. Seuss wrote ‘Green Eggs and Ham’ in only 50 different words and it became one of the best-selling children's books of all time." 

Like a dog’s whistle that only a dog can hear, a firm deadline is the internal whistle that will focus attention. Deadlines and limits are actually the freedom that we crave to unlock production and creativity.