Neil Desai

I started thinking about yesterday’s post called The Deadline Dilemma after I published it and I realized the ultimate deadline is death. Everything before then is a long marathon trying to get the most out of every step. No one knows when they’ll die but they do know it’s coming. Death is the greatest equalizer among all people. We are all going to experience it and each and every one of us faces that deadline. Why waste a moment doing something you don’t love when that deadline could come at any time? So throw out your preconceived notions of what you have to do and don’t have to do and start doing what you love to do.

Image by wallyg via Flickr

A problem I’ve recently run into is having to explain to my friends and family that I have other things to do that I have to take care of in the day when I can’t do whatever it is that they want me to do. For example, I may have to make some progress on some projects I’ve decided to try out for myself or blog a little bit. When they ask what I have to do, I explain and then usually the response goes something like, “That’s not required though right?” or “You don’t actually have to do that.” It’s very frustrating to say the least. I’ve noticed that many people I know believe in deadlines. If there isn’t a deadline then it’s not important or it can just be put off. 

I feel many people are wrapped around deadlines. Their whole life revolves around them and it causes them a lot of stress. Don’t get me wrong. Deadlines can be great and force you to do something you really don’t want to but everything in your life doesn’t have to be a deadline. If you are surrounded by deadlines take a step back and find out what really needs a deadline and what doesn’t. Do what you want to do and you’ll be much happier. So when someone questions what you’re doing what should you do?

Explain it’s important to you. I usually try to explain to whoever it is that what I’m doing is important to me and I’m sorry if I can’t do what they want me to.

Stay calm. It’s unnerving hearing someone else tell you what you’re doing doesn’t matter. Accept that other people don’t understand and it’s alright. Realize that the only person you answer to is yourself.

Don’t Break Commitments with Yourself. If you make a commitment you should honor it all costs (within reason of course). Most importantly, you must honor those commitments you make to yourself. If you need to make progress on your goals then don’t let anything stop you. Make yourself a priority.