So far this morning the power has gone out and with these high winds, I suspect it’ll be more of the same all day. I’m fortunate that my deadlines are Friday. It’s going to be a long day.
It was a long weekend, too. I was on edge – a client had written and expressed some concerns about a small project on Friday, but didn’t go into detail. Per my nature, I let it eat at me all weekend. I think I know the problem and I’m sure I can fix it. But what if it’s something else? Hence, the weekend had a cloud over it.
The prescriptions are finally working and last night I was able to sleep through the night, cough-free. I hope that’s a sign that the week will go well.
I do see a sizable project stalling for lack of client input. So I wait and watch the deadline growing large on the horizon. And it will still need to be completed on time.
But that happens, doesn’t it? Clients get too much going on and deadlines they’ve set have to be moved. Or do they? I’ve faced it more than once – details on the other side delay my ability to get things done, which means I’m facing a time crunch when things are finally ironed out. I let them know that the delay has affected my ability to finish things as planned. Most are understanding. Some are not and still expect you to meet the deadline. It may not be fair, but they have someone leaning on them, as well. But I try to eke out a few more days so that the work I turn in is what was expected.
What do you do when forces beyond your control push your back to the proverbial wall?
In the initial contract, I make it clear that, at any stage of the project, they do not get back to me in a timely fashion with the information needed, either that pushes the deadline back OR a rush fee kicks in.
Good idea.
When unforeseen events threaten my deadlines, it's usually because interviewees or their PR people change plans at the last second, so I do my best to keep my editors up to date on potential delays. I also keep hounding the publicists or contacts, making it clear that I will keep annoying them until they get me my interview. And worst case scenario: I let my editors loose on them.
Of course, when my dad died very suddenly, I couldn't even think about work. One editor took my notes and interviews and finished an article for me, another just pushed the article back an issue or two. Luckily, under those circumstances, most people are very accommodating. I was slated for jury duty the day after my dad died, and even they were sort of understanding – they gave me a new date for jury duty.
Lori, I'm like you. If I hear something without all the details, it eats me up until we work through it. And we always work it out… but that doesn't keep me from letting it bug me. When I can't do anything — I talk to a couple of trusted people or get busy with something else.