by Bethany Jett, @BetJett

I love deadlines. I love the whooshing noise they make as they go by.” ― Douglas Adams, The Salmon of Doubt

Meeting deadlines can set you apart in the publishing world, because just as a lot of people don’t turn in proposals that are requested at conferences, a lot of people miss deadlines. *Raises hand. I’ve been there, but it’s not what I want to be known for. I want a reputation like DiAnn Mills has earned for not only turning her work in on time, but early.

However, I’m afraid I’ve been on the wrong end of a deadline date.

I was honored when a high-profile editor asked me to send.

Honored, thrilled, and scared. Horrified, really. I worked super hard on the article, revising and editing. The day before the deadline, I stayed up until midnight, then got cold feet.

I emailed it to a friend for feedback, urging her to reply soon. That next morning, I sat at my computer, ready to send in the article, when I saw that the editor had already followed up, asking if I had it ready.

Wanted. To. Die.

My need for affirmation ruined a perfectly good chance to have that article timestamped with the deadline date. Forgive me, editor-not-to-be-named! I’ll never do it again!!!

A deadline gets a writer’s work done done better and faster than any inspiration, if only because inspirations don’t always come, but the deadline is always there. ― A.A. Patawaran, Write Here Write Now: Standing at Attention Before My Imaginary Style Dictator

I’ve learned in this crazy world to always under-promise and over-deliver. I’ve also learned that much like water fills the space it’s in, I too, will take all the time I’m allowed on a project. Therefore, I must control my schedule so I can never be late on an assignment again.

Currently, I’m in the last week of a deadline. Six days away, actually. The publisher is eager for the manuscript, which adds a ton of pressure. I want to do my very best, which means a lot of revising and rewriting. A lot.

So in celebration of my approaching deadline, I’d like to offer 5 Ways Procrastinators Survive the Last Week of a Deadline.

1. Clear your Schedule.

There will always be surprises added to your calendar (like moving across the country #military), so get rid of every commitment you possibly can. Do you normally meet a friend for coffee in the mornings? Are you a volunteer at the local animal shelter? Reschedule. Reschedule Reschedule.

Time is of the essence! Your friends will forgive you. Your publisher may not.

2. Run.

Literally. We need some oxygen in our brains or we’ll fizzle out. Do squats in your office. Take a walk in the evening. Set your watch so that you stand up and stretch every hour. It’s beyond tempting to become a slave to the chair, but we’ll write better if our bodies feel better.

3. Fuel.

Snack up. This is the time for caffeine, people. Get the keurig ready and be prepared to start a Cup-a-Joe-IV if necessary. While I’m giving permission for you to drink all the coffee in the world, we should set restrictions on sugar. The last thing we need is a crash mid-day. Plus, cavities. Gross.

Noshing Approved Foods: Apples and peanut butter. Carrots and bell peppers with greek yogurt dip. Protein shakes (with almond milk, yum!). Larabars are incredible, too.

Pizza and candy will make us sluggish, so in moderation only. (Please disregard the fact that I slammed some thin crust Mediterranean DiGiorno at 11 o’clock last night.)

4. Delegate.

Use the people who live in your house for everything. Billy, start the dishwasher. Margaret, vacuum the floors. Even if you’re living the single life, almost every restaurant has a to-go menu. They were made for moments like this.

Do not be afraid to ask for help. Having a deadline means you’re doing something amazing, and your friends and family love to be part of awesome things. Let someone else grab the milk or walk the dog. You can return the favor later.

5. Write.

Above all else, write. And edit. And revise. And read out loud. Finish the task strong. Finish proud. Ask God for the wisdom to pen the right words in the right order, for that is how books are sold.

I’ll leave you with this, since the sun is setting as I type and a manuscript waits on the screen–give the fear of writing to God, for obedience is often scary.

I’m convinced that fear is at the root of most bad writing. If one is writing for one’s own pleasure, that fear may be mild — timidity is the word I’ve used here. If, however, one is working under deadline — a school paper, a newspaper article, the SAT writing sample — that fear may be intense.” ― Stephen King, On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft

[reminder]How do you survive the last week of a deadline? [/reminder]

Bethany Jett is an award-winning author of The Cinderella Rule, speaker, ghostwriter, and founder of JETTsetter Ink, a consulting and editing company. She has written for numerous publications, created the My Moments Planner, Serious Writer Companion, and is the founder of Serious Writer Academy and the Build Your Brand Program.

Bethany is a military wife and all-boys-mama who is addicted to suspense novels and all things girly. She writes on living a brilliant life at BethanyJett.com. Connect with her on Facebook, Pinterest,  Instagram, and Twitter.