Three thoughts for the weekend

By Joe Castaneda Are you a procrastinator? Have you ever said, “On Monday I’m going to...” All of us, procrastinators or not, tend to function better when we have deadlines pressing in on us. Gary Ryan Blair says it this way, “You will always work best under a self-determined or externally fixed deadline.”

Often with the Overboard Life we have work that has to be done, projects that need to be tackled and short-term goals that need to be met. Yet, without some kind of “externally fixed deadline,” those things can go undone. We have the “best of intentions” and want to pursue what God is putting out there, but fear, procrastination or just a lack of know-how keeps us from being effective.

A simple fix can found in using a deadline that puts something concrete on the calendar. Just the act of writing the matter on the calendar can create the necessary motivation to get the job done. Here are three thoughts about why deadlines work:

1. Deadlines represent commitment. When you commit to a deadline (whether it’s one you chose or one that was placed upon you by some other external force) you are committing yourself to completing a task or project. 2. Deadlines also enforce accountability. I recently signed up for a 1/2 marathon with my wife Traci. We’ve picked the event, the Sleeping Bear marathon, and chosen the date: October 5th. Having done that, I announced through this blog, through facebook and twitter that I’m running and now a lot of people are tracking my progress as the race moves closer and closer. Announcing the deadline has created accountability. 3. Deadlines help to create urgency. As a college and seminary student, nothing propelled a mid-week all-nighter more than the looming deadline of a mid-term, 10-page paper or some other class project. Deadlines create urgency.

Do you need create some movement in your life? Simply adding a deadline to your activity may be all you need to move out of the boat, and out on the water where God is working!

What do you need to put a deadline on?

Go ahead and take the plunge, life is always better on the water!

Why you need deadlines

On January 4th, Traci and I began another 100 Day Challenge. Each day has an inspiring or compelling video, with powerful thoughts on moving forward. Here’s the zinger quote of the day for today's video: “You will always work best under a self-determined or externally fixed deadline.” Thinking about urgency and the need to get things done, today’s video was about deadlines. Deadlines can be one of the dirty “D-words” in my life, but Gary Ryan Blair gave three good reason why deadlines are an essential part of success:

1. Deadlines represent commitment. When you commit to a deadline (whether it’s one you chose or one that was placed upon you by some other external force) you are committing yourself to completing a task or project.

2. Deadlines also enforce accountability. For example, when I launched this 100-day challenge, I told all my fb friends and my blogging community that my 100-day clock was ticking; y’all know that I have until April 14th to complete this challenge. There is an inherent pressure that comes with this deadline. Along with those who might casually follow and want to see the outcome vicariously, there are also people who are intimately involved in the process and asking questions and reading the blog each day. These people are asking specific question, questions that can only be answered if I stay on task. Definitely another layer of accountability.

3. Deadlines help to create urgency. As a college and seminary student, nothing propelled a mid-week all-nighter more than the looming deadline of a mid-term, a 10-page paper or some other class project. Deadlines create urgency. Of course, don't confuse urgency with frantic energy -- the two don't have to be the same thing!

I know how much I need show my commitment, be externally accountable and work with urgency. Deadlines are huge for me. In fact, there are few professional or personal failures (excluding sin, of course) harder to live with, than missing a deadline.

Do deadlines motivate you?

Living the Overboard Life sometimes means working under time pressures, deadlines and fixed schedules. When those pressures become toughest, it often seems that's when we realize God is working most. Not easy, but always worth it.

Go ahead and take the plunge, life is always better on the water.

PS If you want to start your own 100 Day Challenge, there is still time to sign up and save $50. Learn more by clicking THIS LINK and watching a short video. By using our link and the code on the following page, Traci and I can save you money and offer you coaching as you take on this awesome challenge!