The thing about deadlines it that they’re just so motivating.

Not the false deadlines we give ourselves in the belief that ALL deadlines, however trumped up and underwhelming, come with a free can of get-up-and-go. Not the phoney deadlines that come with neither upside nor jeopardy, just … timey-wimeyness.

Real deadlines have the power to garner efforts, to bring threads together and drag focus and performance out of people and places that never normally knowingly put themselves out.

What is it that makes the difference? Meaningful benefits, a hint of endangerment, the thrill of action and the warmth of a job done together and that job done well.

Don’t use false-deadlines to chivvy things along. It’s an empty (and losing) tactic … and everyone knows it.

Do use real deadlines so everyone gets to love the joy of completion and the feel of performance.

Skippy strategy: Lay out the real deadlines.