Who hasn’t struggled with those words? They hover over our shoulders like parents checking homework. We know it’s coming. We smell it in the air. We taste the absence of words. We watch calendar pages flip and murmur, “What will I write? What can I contribute? Why did I even sign on? What if the book deal is a sure thing? What do I really know about ________ anyway? I’m not really an expert on________!”

We berate ourselves in every way possible and eventually write and meet the deadline. Then we wonder why we procrastinated so long. All is good—until the next deadline looms.

We face Christmas the same way. Mention that we are only five months away from December 25, and people groan and complain because you dared bring up the topic. Do we really hate Christmas that much? Why do we make it such a burden?

Well, hate me now because I have been shopping for gifts since January 1. When I see something that a friend would like, I buy it. I am pretty much ready. Why? Because there is a deadline. I know what it is and I want to be ready. It saves all the hurry and scurry of last-minute chaos. It saves on huge charge card bills because I spread the cost throughout the year.

Now friends, lets talk about writing deadlines again. Why should we meet our deadlines?

Well, for one thing, people learn to trust us as folks who get the job done. We never want to be known as people who must be nagged into submitting. We can actually finish more projects and hopefully get more writing gigs. To top it off, we will be more disciplined in other areas.

And by the way, my deadline approaches for this article. So . . . THE END

Brenda J. Wood is a motivational speaker and author of more than 50 books who shares with faith, commonsense wisdom, a sense of humour, and quirky comments. Read her daily devotionals at everydaychristian.com Her favourite things include guest speaking, writing a good book, (and reading one!), a warm fire, and walking on snow-free pavement. Brenda is now a great grandmother, which is amazing since she is only 29!