Douglas Adams, author of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, famously said

“I love deadlines. I love the whooshing noise they make as they go by.”

Here’s a simple way to handle a writing deadline this week:

1. Shrink the task

Don’t think “finish everything.”

Think: one small section at a time.

2. Set a short writing block

Try 25 to 45 minutes.

Just move forward.

3. Decide your “done for today” point

Pick a clear stopping line before you start.

That helps you stop on time and protect your sleep which is a non-negotiable for me after decades of working til 2am or so

4. Leave a messy draft

Good enough beats perfect. You can clean it later.