Staying Composed Under Deadlines

Let me paint you a picture of a night I'll never forget: It was 11 PM. My deadline? 9 AM the next morning. The project? A crucial sales letter for a fintech client that could make or break our relationship. And there I was, staring at a blank screen, my mind as empty as the document before me. Panic doesn't begin to describe it. But guess what? By 8:30 AM, I had a polished piece that made my client beam. How? Well, that's what I'm here to share with you today. As someone who helps brands find their voice and guides aspiring copywriters, I've developed a toolkit of "panic button" techniques for when deadlines loom and words refuse to flow. Here are my battle-tested strategies: 1. The 5-Minute Zen Zone → Set a timer for 5 minutes. → Close your eyes, take deep breaths, and visualize your finished piece. → This mindfulness exercise can kickstart your creativity. 2. The Character Switch → Write a brief persona of your client's ideal customer. → Then, write your piece from their perspective. → This shift in viewpoint can unlock fresh ideas. 3. The Voice Note Hack → Use your phone to record yourself talking about the topic casually for 5-10 minutes. → Transcribe it (or use a transcription app) to get raw material to refine. 4. The Outline Overdrive → Create an extremely detailed outline, breaking your piece into tiny sections. → Aim for at least 20 bullet points. → This makes the task less daunting and more manageable. 5. The Playlist Power-Up → Create a writing playlist with instrumental music or songs that put you in a productive mood. → Play it every time you write to condition your brain for focus. 6. The Pomodoro Push → Set a timer for 25 minutes of focused work, followed by a 5-minute break. → Repeat this cycle to maintain productivity without burnout. 7. Go analogue → Keep a notebook and pen handy. → When digital isn't working, switch to handwriting. →This change in medium can often spark new ideas. That’s it. Incorporate these tips into your regular writing routine to boost your productivity and creativity. Now, I'm curious - what's your go-to technique when you're stuck on a writing project? Drop your favorite tip in the comments. ♻️Found these tips helpful?⚡ Share this post with your fellow writers. You never know which struggling writer you might help out of a jam. P.S. If you're struggling with writer's block or looking to level up your copywriting game, I offer one-on-one mentoring sessions. Let's chat about how we can unlock your full potential! P.P.S. Stay tuned, folks! In my next post, I'll be sharing the 5 copywriting formulas that have consistently delivered results for my clients

𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐢-𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬 – 𝐀 𝐌𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐜 𝐓𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐤 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐆𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 The worst time to plan your work? When the clock’s already ticking. I learnt that the hard way. Back then, I was always bouncing between research, drafting, and last-minute tweaks — sprinting toward the finish line. I hit some deadlines. Missed plenty too. It all felt messy. Disconnected. Exhausting. Then I tried something different. I split the work into smaller chunks. And gave each one its own deadline – not just the final one. Say you’re writing a report. Don’t only focus on the submission date. Pin down when your research ends. Block out when drafting begins. Fix a date for your first draft. Schedule time to polish and refine. Diarise them all. Each one keeps the wheels turning. The trick? Start from the end. Then space out your mini-deadlines in twos and threes. Each step makes the next one easier. It’s a simple move. But it takes intent. And the result is clear. You feel calmer. You stay on top of things. You produce better work. More flow. More thought. Less panic. This isn’t just for lawyers. Or for rookies. It works if you’re building a business plan, reviewing a policy, creating content or drafting legal work. The best people don’t chase deadlines. They stay ahead – one mini-deadline at a time. What’s your go-to move for staying ahead on big tasks?

Unlike many other fields in pharmacovigilance, such as ICSR management or clinical trials, aggregate safety reporting (ASR) often offers more manageable timelines. However, the challenge arises with those unexpected ad hoc requests- situations where time crunch becomes inevitable. Over time, I’ve developed some strategies to handle these tight deadlines without compromising on quality. 1️⃣ Prioritize and Adjust Timelines 👉 When faced with an ad hoc request, I evaluate all ongoing tasks and adjust the timelines of reports or deliverables that are later due. Regulators are often open to justified extensions for less critical submissions, allowing us to allocate resources where they're needed most. 👉 Clear communication with stakeholders about the reprioritization ensures transparency and avoids downstream delays. 2️⃣ Plan, Plan and Plan 👉 I break down the report into smaller deliverables and prioritize high-impact sections (e.g., safety concrens, case analysis, benefit-risk analysis). 👉 Not only for ad hoc reports, I always try to create a reverse timeline- starting from the submission date and mapping key milestones backward, accounting for dependencies like cross-functional reviews. 👉 Not to mention, I always allocate buffer time to keep enough room for any inevitable last-minute changes. 3️⃣ I Leverage Templates 👉 I always use standardized templates that save time on formatting and ensure consistency across reports. 4️⃣ The most important- Stay Calm Under Pressure 👉 When deadlines tighten, I remind myself to stay calm and focused. Rushing can lead to errors, so maintaining a steady approach is key. 👉 I believe it’s better to submit a complete and accurate report slightly later if needed (with proper justification) than a flawed one on time. Regulators consistently value quality over speed. A Recent Example- In one of my tightest timelines for a PSUR submission, reprioritizing timelines for another report allowed me to focus on the immediate deadline. By using automated functions in MS excel, I made the data extraction, seggregation of sections, easier. In turn, I freed up time for in-depth case analysis and safety discussions. Well, guess what! The submission was on time, and the feedback from client highlighted the clarity of the well authored safety sections including benefit-risk assessment! We all know that managing ad hoc deadlines is an art. Balancing speed while delivering quality takes experience, teamwork, and the right decision making. How do you tackle time crunches in aggregate report submissions? I’d love to hear your strategies! #Pharmacovigilance #AggregateReports #PSUR #DSUR #PADER #RiskManagement #DrugSafety #ProductivityTips #Pharmacist #LinkedInCommunity #LinkedIn

🌪️ Boss chasing for deadline ... Child is sick ... Baby-sitter quits ... Feeling Overwhelmed? We can't control external situations but we can control our responses. And how we manage our responses will affect our mental wellbeing. I know it is easier said than done, especially during stressful situations. But perhaps, just perhaps we could learn better ways to deal with these stressors. Would it be worth a try? Here are 5 practical tips that have helped me stay calm, clear-headed, and in control when stress strikes: 1. Pause & Breathe When you feel the emotional surge, take a moment to pause. Deep, slow breaths trigger your body’s relaxation response and help calm your nervous system. Just 30 seconds of mindful breathing can reduce the intensity of your emotions. Then you might be able to think clearer or make better judgements. 2. Label Your Emotions Instead of saying, "I'm stressed," get specific: "I feel frustrated" or "I’m anxious about this deadline." Naming your emotions helps you gain perspective and stops them from spiraling out of control. The more ways you find to name the feelings the better. 3. Shift Your Perspective - Change Your Questions Ask yourself, Will this matter in a month? or What’s the worst that could happen? This simple shift can reduce the emotional weight of the situation and help you respond more rationally. Sometimes you might realise that many things we sweat or lose sleep over will not matter in time to come. This helps you choose the right battle to fight. 4. Practice Gratitude (my FAVORITE) ❤️ It might sound counterintuitive, but even in stressful moments, focusing on something you're grateful for can reduce negative emotions. It changes your brain’s focus from stress to appreciation. And what you focus on becomes your reality. 5. Pause, then Respond. Don’t React When we react, we’re acting on impulse. But when we respond, we take a moment to choose how to act. If possible, walk away, get some fresh air, and return to the situation with a calmer mind. 💡 Remember: Emotions are a natural part of being human, but they don’t have to dictate your actions. By practicing these steps, you can take control of your emotions instead of letting them control you. How do you stay calm under pressure? Share your tips in the comments—I’d love to learn what works for you! 👇 ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ Hi! I am Shirlyn, a Nutrition and Brain Health Coach & Trainer. I share science-based evidence to help boost your productivity, clarity and mental resilience, so that you are equipped to handle life stress and bounce back from adversities with confidence. PM to chat more and explore how I can help boost #productivity, reduce stress and #absenteeism at your work place. #EmotionalManagement #MentalHealth #StressRelief #EmotionalIntelligence #WellbeingAtWork

I’ve seen so many talented people burn out trying to meet deadlines at any cost. They work late into the night, pushing themselves beyond their limits, thinking it’s just part of the job. They think, "If I just finish this, I’ll be okay." But here's the truth: Deadlines are temporary, but burnout lasts much longer. Chasing that next deadline can cost you more than just time; it can take your well-being, your health, and your passion for the work. You don’t need to sacrifice yourself to meet every deadline. Here’s what you can do instead: • Recognize the signs of burnout before it’s too late. • Set realistic boundaries and expectations. • Take breaks—your health is more important than any task. • Speak up when the pressure feels too much—your well-being matters. Work is important, but so are you. Don’t let the pressure of deadlines steal your peace. How do you manage stress and avoid burnout? Let’s share some strategies in the comments.

Are You One of Those People Who Say, "I Work Well Under Pressure? Let’s put that to the test. At one point in my career, I noticed I was always tense, working under immense pressure, and constantly afraid of making mistakes. While re-reading Chapter 4 of Eat That Frog by Brian Tracy, I had a moment of clarity about what was really happening. Many of us claim to work better under pressure, but research consistently shows that this is rarely true. Under deadline pressure—often self-inflicted through procrastination—we experience higher stress levels, make more mistakes, and spend more time redoing tasks. Mistakes made in the rush to meet deadlines often lead to costly defects, missed opportunities, and extended timelines. Ironically, what feels like productivity under pressure can result in long-term inefficiencies and financial losses. So, How Can We Avoid This? 1. Plan your time carefully. 2. Build a buffer for unexpected delays. 3. Avoid last-minute rushes by starting early and aiming to finish ahead of deadlines. If you think a task will take a certain amount of time, add at least 20% more to your estimate. Better yet, challenge yourself to complete it well in advance. The results? Less stress, better outcomes, and greater overall satisfaction. Stop putting yourself under unnecessary pressure. Instead, give yourself the gift of time—it makes all the difference. This is a new week to work smart, will you? Success to all ICAN members writing their exams tomorrow, just be calm and don't be #pressured. #MondayMotivation