By Brendan Clementz

It’s said that there are two certainties in life — death and taxes — and part of what makes them so certain are that they are deadlines, in one way or another. Deadlines exist in practically every area of work, and yet many people, myself included, struggle with keeping up with them despite experience with them. Here are some ways that you can stay one step ahead of deadlines.

Avoid Distractions

One of the biggest obstacles to getting work done on time is the existence of outside distractions. From phones to fun events, there are many more things that we’d rather do than the work right in front of us. 

Phones in particular are a major problem for staying on-task. “Most people are so attached to their phones that they don’t even consider putting them out of reach,” business teacher Josh Craig said. “But even having a phone nearby—without using it—can reduce our cognitive capacity, as we subconsciously anticipate notifications and dopamine hits.” 

Of course, that’s not the only type of distraction out there. Other work can get in the way of what needs to be done right now. That’s not to say that those things don’t need to be done, but that it’s important to have a list of priorities. This list can be physically written down or typed up, but it can also be mental if you take special care to remember it. Regardless, if something has a deadline, then do it before work (or fun) without deadlines. 

Keep Track of What You Need to Do

With an abundance of things to do, some work is bound to slip through the cracks and be forgotten, so to prevent such a thing from happening, you can keep track of what you should do. 

For example, physical planners to write things down are sold in office supply stores, or can be formatted within a normal notebook. However, if writing deadlines down in a notebook isn’t your style, there are digital techniques for planning out deadlines and work as well. 

Many online systems and apps exist that allow you to jot down notes for yourself later, impending work included. “I have a spreadsheet where I have each class, and I just write in what I need to do, so when I finish it I can go back and cross it out,” senior Ezra Bozzuto said.

Apps built into your phone, such as the Calendar and Reminders apps for Apple iPhones, can also be used to give notifications reminding you what you need to do. “I usually keep a ‘To-Do’ list on a post-it note or my phone to stay on track,” Craig said.

Set Deadlines Before the Deadline

Naturally, a deadline marks the actual end of your ability to do any work on something before it’s late. However, creating another personal deadline for it before the real deadline takes place can help ensure that things get done early. 

How Not to Procrastinate

Procrastination is the greatest roadblock to getting work done on time. Nearly everybody has had that feeling of not wanting to do something that day, then the next, then the next.

“There have been projects that I just don’t start, and because of that they become a ton of work right at the end,” Bozzuto said. Reminders such as alarms or scheduling a day around getting that work done can stave off procrastination, but ultimately, it’s up to you to ensure you complete work before the deadline.

Another good way to stay on-task and motivated to keep working is the formation of a group work session with other people that also need to work. Do keep in mind that some people may be more focused on work than others, and don’t be afraid to remind anybody off-task to keep going.