Deadline Paralysis

I have noticed over the years that I can easily paralyze myself. When there is a deadline at work, and the ability to meet that deadline is in the hands of people outside of myself- I panic. I end up in a constant circle of checking Facebook, CNN, Chess and Soccernet. This pattern can afflict me for days.

Most likely this affliction stems from knowledge that the company has missed many deadline. I know that a properly functioning executive would address the issue of deadline issue head on, but I won't.

Part of the reason I won't is because the person responsible for meeting these deadlines is a long term employee who is just as much a reason for the success of the company as the failures of the company. In many ways I feel the company is what it is because of this person. I truly am grateful for this person.

When I look at WHY we are missing deadlines, I can easily find a few specific reasons:

• The project wasn't thought through enough in the beginning;
• Communication of what is expected between team members is poor;
• There isn't an ability to effectively estimate work that is required.

The profitability and reputation of the company is at stake. Yet, here I am, paralyzed...again.