What we’ve learned about deadlines
This month’s book update is a personal essay from co-author and Women Talk Design CEO, Danielle Barnes.
One of our Present Yourself book contributors pointed out to me that my recent LinkedIn posts have been different. In the past they had been more upbeat and motivational and now they’re more…expressive? Raw? Honestly, I can’t remember the word she used but the underlying tone was “Are you OK?”
I’ve never felt comfortable sharing vulnerably in public. But, I’m writing about the value that can come from sharing your story and your “messy middle” in the Present Yourself book, so these LinkedIn posts are my attempt at taking my own advice.
If I’m being really honest, the answer to the question, “Are you OK?” is that I’ve been panicking–
Panicking (mostly) over deadlines. Deadlines I created.
Two of the biggest lessons that the Women Talk Design team learned throughout the process of funding, writing, and publishing a book are centered around deadlines.
- Figure out your most important deadline and work backwards to create your plan.
- Hold your deadlines gently.
Let’s rewind. When we launched the Kickstarter for the Present Yourself book, we needed to choose a delivery date. Fall 2023 sounded reasonable. We even decided to add “Winter” just to give us a little buffer. (Spoiler: now, we’re not publishing until early 2024.)
We had spent 5 years running the course that would become the book. We’d researched the topics, gotten feedback from participants, and had our contributors signed on. I knew writing and publishing a book would be a big feat, but this felt manageable.
Here’s the problem: while we had a rough idea of our timeline, we didn’t actually map out every stage of publishing–and each relevant deadline–until later. When we did, we realized just how little wiggle room we’d have if our goal was to publish by the end of 2023. *Cue panic*
Doing anything for the first time is hard. My co-author, Christina, has written and published books, and many of the other people supporting this project are experienced in their roles, but *I* have never done any of this before.
I’ve spoken with a lot of authors. I knew this would be hard. But knowing and experiencing are two very different things. It’s not just the vulnerability of putting my words out into the world that’s hard. Or the logistics of coordinating all of the people and pieces to make it a reality. Or all of the decisions–there are so many decisions. It’s also life! And work! And while I’m so grateful to be able to work on this book as part of my job (a luxury many authors don’t have), it’s not my whole job. Not to mention, *gestures broadly* the state of the world.
And so, as we got closer and closer to one deadline or another, I began to panic.
Through it all, so many people have offered me grace. Christina reminded me that she’s backed a lot of Kickstarters, and they just about never deliver on time. Even our designer–who very understandably needed items from me on a deadline–encouraged me to take things one day at a time and to not let the looming launch date consume me.
If someone else was in my shoes, I’d probably tell them the same thing! “It’s OK. You made up this deadline! Your well being is more important. Push it!” But as I shared in my previous update, I’m not great at taking my own advice.
So why am I telling you all of this? Maybe you wouldn’t have even noticed if the deadline we set one year ago had come and gone.
I’m sharing my experience for a reason–in case you’re here too.
Deadlines are excellent motivation and they’re important to keep a project on track, especially with multiple people involved. AND in so many situations, they aren’t the end all. You may have had great reasons for your original deadline and when you have to push it, there may be other great reasons for your new one.
Something significant could even come out of pushing a deadline. We brainstormed what we could do for our supporters as they waited for the book and decided to put together an inspirational quote book. And we are so excited to share it with you.
And so, my advice to you (that I’m now also taking) is that if you’re faced with the pressure of a self-imposed deadline, take a deep breath. Take it one day at a time. Use it as a guide but not as a sanction. Don’t sacrifice your own wellbeing or others’ just to make it. And if and when you do need to adjust it, look for ways it might make your project even better!
