Deadlines are not deadly

Unconfirmed statistics indicate that nearly fifty out of every hundred people postpone for tomorrow what can be done today and amongst them, twenty are chronic defaulters. The remainder is either disinterested and shirks or fails to complete tasks otherwise. Whatever be the case, they are all cases of default, whether deliberate, circumstantial or inadvertent.

Since productivity and efficiency is invariably everybody’s aim, the fear of not being able to perform well looms over them. But they seem to have a dawdling attitude towards their work and assignments, which is definitely not desirable.

So it is all about deadlines – setting them, meeting them, working with them and beating the stress that comes with them.

SETTING DEADLINES

The process of setting deadlines comprises several steps, more common ones are:

·   Skill upgrading: Escapist behaviour can be got rid of and self-trouncing actions overcome by attending a course on soft skills. It also facilitates realization of the importance of setting deadlines, besides helping acknowledge the damaging nature of such tendencies.

·   Exercising control: Deadlines are useful when they are utilized for ventures and assignments over which complete domination and jurisdiction exists. For example, a person can exercise control over the time required to complete a task involving writing work with relative ease. But if they have to follow an exercise regimen and be required to shed flab within a given period of time, it would be a difficult proposition.

·   Pledge:  When beating any idea of setting a deadline, a sort of promise is required to be made. It ought to be an obligation imposed on oneself that this work will be completed in time and to precision.

The nitty-gritty of the procedure is to comprehend that formulating objectives and goals and sticking by them are the secret to setting one’s deadline and adhering to them.

Meeting deadlines

Living up to deadlines and dispensing good quality performance are concurrent actions. If a person is short of time, his or her career can be made or blemished.

Some actions that facilitate meeting deadlines are amplified below:

·   Clarification:  Whenever an assignment is being given, all doubts should be clarified. Questions should be asked, ideas given and elucidations sought. It will be better for the boss and the employee alike if all ambiguous issues are made clear ab initio. The boss would appreciate the employee’s concern and will not regard queries as a pretext for evading the project.

·   Jotting down:  Upon a task being assigned, the same should be reduced to writing. The human brain too has limitations as there is a tendency to disregard minute details which, contribute to perfection. Excessive dependence on memory therefore is not recommended. Reference material at hand, be it in a diary or on the computer will always stand in good stead.

·   Collation:  Only one file or folder should be maintained for a particular assignment. If a computer is being used for making downloads and collation, its inherent benefits and drawbacks should be considered in general and specific terms.. 

·   Cushion:  Whatever deadline is given by the boss, a one that precedes it should be set as a matter of practice. It will be imprudent to presume that the deadline will be extended. Setting own deadline will provide cushion time in the eventuality of amendments and alterations being introduced later on.

·   Evaluation:  If there is any pre-assignment action required to be initiated, the same should be discerned precisely. For that, the instructions should be perused in detail and evaluated for any outside support, including the persons who need to be contacted. This will ensure that the project takes off in time.

·   Preparation:  It should be made certain that all items being made use of are in a serviceable state. Advance planning for items of stationery, transport and other equipment is inescapable.

·   Sincerity:  And lastly but most importantly, a sense of involvement should be displayed. The calendar of work drawn earlier should be adhered to in letter and spirit. The possibility of unavoidable delays cannot be discounted; under such circumstances seeking help from or a session with the boss is justifiable. The boss may dole out an extension of the deadline or an admonishment, but the good point is that he stands informed of likely quandaries.

The above guiding principles can assist in meeting deadlines, but it is important to be unbiased and independent too. This will smooth the progress of work and facilitate its timely completion.

WORKING WITH DEADLINES

Quite a few people regard deadlines as the endpoint of a project. Some perceive them as extra time to identify various prerequisites. There are others who take deadlines as periods of relaxation and get into action mode only towards the final stages. For many, deadlines are a source of mental strain, particularly when they fall within the hour or day.

How can one work with deadlines? Here are some tips:

·   Introspection:  Will you be able to meet deadlines? Is your work schedule and method appropriate for meeting them? Do you get sidetracked? Do you procrastinate? The answers to these questions will give a fair amount of an idea about individual ability and demonstrated attributes that need to be altered.

·   Cognizance: One should recognize the fact that deadlines are an integral and inescapable component of daily life. They should not serve any stifling purpose but aid good performance.

·   Forecasting:  One should always stay on top of deadlines. And this can be best achieved by maintaining a calendar of events and actions.

·   Priority:   Actions envisaged should be categorized in order of precedence. Ones that have immediate deadlines should be done first and if time is available, sub-tasks of the future can also be undertaken. This will preclude possible rush when the actual deadline approaches.

·   Take time off:   A wise utilization of time is recommended. One should balance between the project schedule and personal life. Leisure and recreational activities are recommended, but in moderation so that the work output is not adversely affected.

·   Self-reward:   If a deadline has been met, it calls for a self-reward. Doing so, particularly at the end of a hard day’s toil serves as one way to impel one to work harder still.

Good time management contributes to better adaptation with deadlines. It is of equal advantage to every member of a team involved in a project.

BEATING DEADLINE STRESS

Stress sets in when a workload is regarded as difficult to accomplish in time. There are times when, in order to get away from it, one starts yelling at each and every person or thing. This is improper because it creates more stress.

The only way to beat deadline stress is to have more time available to complete a given assignment. To be able to have that, one has to understand what deadlines are all about, that is, setting them, meeting them and working with them.

 Procrastination is thief of time and as a habit, it is a learned conduct. Hence it should be addressed in a systematic manner. Dragging feet or letting things hang fire is a dull and unscrupulous activity that should be shed – the earlier the better.

Look young – a job-hunt style alteration

This piece comes from experience. The world knows that armed forces personnel retire relatively young. After donning an army officer’s uniform for thirty three years, I had little problem in settling down with a new career and at a new job. On the other hand, quite a few of my comrades-at-arms had to suffer relative delay in getting a suitable placement. Like me, they too were not looking for money, but simply a gainful employment.

Initial and early impacts always have a bearing. This is specifically relevant when the job market is plagued with ardently severe contests and struggles. It is your attitude, disposition and expression together with deportment that could be going in your favour. On the contrary, it could even be preventing you from getting an interview call-letter or a job offer.

It is quite justifiable to feel agitated if your job hunt is not bearing fruit. And if it is because you look more than your age, it is high time to alter your job-style hunt. How do you do that? A simple three-step effort will be of great help.

Pep up your resume

Being conservative may be trendy in the world of fashion design and ramp shows. But the same does not hold good for your curriculum vitae. An apparently old-fashioned resume portrays an image redolent of antiquity.

 If employers show bias against age, it is not related to the number of years that you have lived on this planet. In actuality, it pertains to issues that are mistakenly presupposed to acquiesce with being elderly. These issues are not being in contact with modern developments, an absence of a technological perception and relatively reduced physical and mental robustness.     

A resume affords an opportunity to preclude any of the above impressions from shaping up. How can you do this? Here are some guidelines:

·   There is no requirement to elucidate occurrences or aspects that are more than ten years old.

·   Links to social networking websites like Facebook, Linkedin or Twitter should be incorporated.

·   Information about sports-related leisure pursuits should be included.

·   Do not mention dates of initial academic qualifications. 

·   Draft your resume in consonance with latest formats, layouts and designs.

A resume need not include each and every thing that you have done. But what requires to be rendered definitely is the verity that you are yet to reach the zenith of your career. That you have made continual efforts to upgrade your skills is an important aspect that needs to be highlighted. The foregoing can be done by listing various certification programmes that you attended or are currently attending. In addition, details of voluntary work and membership of professional groups should be brought to light.

The key lies in making certain that one is always in conformity with prevalent times. More importantly, the other person should not form an impression to the contrary. It is recommended that the resume emphasize possession of various criterion and prerequisites that are pertinent to the job being applied for. There is no point in underscoring experiences that are from the erstwhile years because they would have lost relevance in the current times.     

Be tech-savvy

If you intend sending your resume through Indiapost or even any of the several courier services, chances are that you may never get a phone call. Your job-hunt will stand extended indefinitely. Older individuals ought to comprehend that job-hunt procedures have changed. Your resume should always be ready to be sent in an email format.

Recruiters and HR staff make use of online job portals like Timesjobs or Naukri.com and various social networking sites to talent spot and shortlist candidates. In the light of the foregoing, job seekers need to establish a potent online presence. And that also includes being on social networking sites, which also enables remaining connected with many likeminded people. For example, if you happen to be a prolific writer, you may start a blog or author pieces concerning your proficiency. The same holds true for people interested in music, outdoor or adventure activities and social service, etc. Therefore, being well-versed with the use of internet needs no emphasis.

Use of modern job-hunt techniques help you get spotted. In the bargain, they get to acknowledge that you are in the swing with newest expertise and implements. 

Improve your appearance

The D Day has finally come and you are all set to proceed for the so-called interview. But, hold on! It is also time for flair and style checks. It is best to stand in front of a mirror and see yourself. What is your image suggesting?

You may be in your forties or fifties. You may be a person who has retired. There is absolutely nothing wrong with showing off your age. But that age has to be portrayed with dignity so that your experience too is automatically revealed. Older people can also make and adopt a style that is modern. Your clothes ought to be suitable for your age, well-fitting and elegant as distinct from classy or chic. They should compliment your body shape and persona alike.

Other aspects that need to be looked into are hairstyle, accessories being worn and footwear, to name just a few. All of them should be in harmony with your overall self and the post that you are aspiring for.

But the eventual assurance and confidence enhancer is concentrating on physical fitness. When you step inside the interview hall or room, the level of endorphins in you are attributable to your fitness. If you are robust, they would be high and high endorphins radiate a typical liveliness and dynamism that people want to log on to. Physical robustness also stimulates mental perspicacity and in the process multiplies the probability of a triumphant performance at the interview.

Never ever lose sight of the fact that employers always attach importance to your knowledge, skills and understanding. The crucial issue is to get shortlisted and be called for interviews so that you have opportunities to excel. It is your revised appearance and career selling tools that will facilitate it for sure.

The 'how' of a successful career

The days of nine to five jobs are now history. Work and workplace alike are getting increasingly spirited and aggressive; and with them, efforts to build a booming career equally difficult too. There are more than twenty four hours in a day and more is anticipated from workers. Under such circumstances, employees have to really slog to stand out amongst the crowd and if they do not, they do so out of them.

Every body is required to use the principle of output management to derive maximum benefits. But outputs should not be at the cost of excellence. Time will always be running short and hence opportunities to impress will be correspondingly less. Therefore, it will always be apt to focus efforts in the correct direction, simultaneously ensuring that deadlines are met.

There are several methods, systems and procedures, all different from one another that an employee can adopt to chart out a successful career. These are:

·   Gauging the extent of output:

This is a mandatory requirement for career progression and can be used to great benefit and gain. The answer to this vexed essentiality is to not give undertakings or make tall promises; one ought to be modest about capabilities and pledge accordingly about projects and assigned tasks.

To put it in simple words, the technique requires promising less and delivering more. For example, if a project requires three days for completion, there is nothing wrong in seeking five days from the boss. Subsequently, when the work is completed ahead of schedule, the employee image registers a very significant boost in the eyes of the employer.

The lawyer fraternity uses this technique more than anybody else; perceived intricacies, loopholes and weaknesses are invariably highlighted to the clients. But when the judgment is delivered, it speaks volumes of the advocate. This method can immensely help those wanting to excel in a workplace environment. After all, there is nothing wrong in a little bit of self-promotion.

·   Getting into minutiae:

The requirement is to get noticed and acknowledged by the boss. But time will always be at a premium and hence the most vital point is to focus on issues that are his key requirement areas or that are likely to be observed by him.

Some people may assert that this technique smacks of opportunism, but since there is no cut-throat or letting down of others involved or being indulged in, there is no harm adopting it. Some time needs to be spent researching what the boss is generally seeking or on the lookout for. It will be sheer wastage of time concentrating efforts on items that the boss is unlikely to look for or is disinterested in.

It is always better to devote little time in identifying aspects that receive maximum consideration of the boss, prioritize them and then proceed to concentrate on them. Needless to say but very significant is the issue of time management. The foregoing is very important in an atmosphere where rapidity and tempo are key attributes. The magnitude of importance registers an additional boost if employees have the option to choose what they ought to do and decide on the priorities for their accomplishment. Therefore, the need to

·   Avoiding Multitasking:

Inferences drawn from workplace research indicate that if an individual concentrates his or her effort on several projects simultaneously, the results achieved are qualitatively inferior. Such outcomes adversely affect the efficiency and output factors. Therefore, undertaking a number of run-of-the-mill projects at a single point of time is unlikely to facilitate career progression. At best, it will ward off the pink slip.

Individuals who excel or get involved with exceptional assignments invariably get noticed. And individuals who get noticed get recognition. So, when promotions are round the corner, they are likely to reap improved and enhanced benefits. It is of little consequence if the time taken to complete a singular project is relatively more; on the contrary, better output quality is always desirable.

             The truth of the matter is that if one can plan on what work is required to be done and then do that work in accordance with the plan, the workload that is involved will be subjected to better control. And if the load associated with the work gets reduced, stress levels also diminish. It should never be forgotten that a disorganized and overwhelming atmosphere leads to poor performance too.

            People can sweat and toil, work day in and day out and never stop aspiring to better their career prospects. But if they focus on incorrect details, there is the likelihood that they together with their effort will never get noticed. Any body who understands that a specific task may get him or her into limelight is bound to make it to the top. They will cease to be face in the crowd. And lastly, mediocre performance will take none anywhere.