How do you deal with impossible tasks and deadlines?

Answer 1

Sounds like a common problem I have too.

I just move on. This is probably very apparent if one's work is in information technology-related or project-related areas, where the team is always too optimistic of the completion time frame.

There are days where I literally work more than 10 hours a day, but there comes a time where the brain hits a ceiling, and no matter how I force myself, it is usually unproductive.

When I do feel that the task or deadline is impossible (which almost always is), I just try to take a 1-2 day break. Sounds costly but it does a lot of good for the mind and body.

Answer 2

By "impossible," I take it you mean tasks and deadlines that you *know* are not at all possible. I say that because something's "impossiblity" may be a misevaluation on your part, and the task or deadline may by possible.

But assuming that your task or deadline is in fact not completeable within the confines, there are many ways to approach dealing with it.

The natural inclination might be to give up completely. This may suffice for some tasks or deadlines, but for others, an effort in the direction of the completion of the task or the finishing by the deadline has much more merit than complete neglect of the task or deadline.

If we didn't have impossible tasks and deadlines, i.e., if we didn't have *ideals*, we might not feel motivated to do much of anything. It is ideals that keep us motivated to a large extent, powering us toward pushing ourselves further and further each attempt to achieve them.

So, my advice to the person kept in the impossible task or under the most impossible deadline is to give it your best try. Your effort is better than your resistance.

Answer 3

Very few tasks are 'impossible'. We just get to feeling overwhelmed. Make a list, set priorities toward those deadlines, RELAX and concentrate only on the task at hand. If it doesn't get done you will find it really wasn't that important or you will be given the opportunity again. DON'T SWEAT THE SMALL STUFF!

Answer 4

Depends on your personality. Tasks become impossible if you are of the mindset that you have to do everything yourself...learn to delegate and share responsibility. Do the most important things like the organization and ground work of the plan, set realistic goals and expectations for those around you and follow up on what you ask of your subordinates. Be generous with praise, share in the credit, and accept all failures as your own. As they say... thank the team for all that went right, blame me for all that went wrong. Work on your leadership skills, when you are a good solid leader, people go out of their way to assist you, they want to be part of a winning team and know their contributions are recognized and rewarded. Works for me every time.-rob

Answer 5

By breaking down the task into mini or partial tasks....and each level gets us closer to our goal!!! Don't look at the big picture...focus on smaller parts of the big issue.....and as others posted time management is crucial....devote a lot of time up front to these matters...and this will do several things.

1. It will get you to the completion faster.
2. You will not feel as rushed as the deadline approaches.

And set goals...for example....by 4PM today, I want to have this and this completed.....reward yourself for each goal met.

Answer 6

If they are actually 'impossible' then you can't! If they are difficult, but do-able, I recommend making lists and a timetable and then sticking to it as much as possible, just to at least give yourself a framework and a way to see how the task breaks down. Good luck.

Answer 7

I don't worry about them if someone puts a deadline on something i am do-in then i just wont do it. And as far as something that is in-possible why even try if its in-possible

Answer 8

time management and get well organized ...

even the IMPOSSIBLE says I M POSSIBLE

Answer 9

if it's impossible, it's impossible

so why waste your time?

Answer 10

O~R~G~A~N~I~S~A~T~I~O~N