Watch out for emergencies. They are your big chance! - Fritz Reiner

We all hate rush jobs, but in today's workplace they seem to be more and more common. With our cultural bias towards the fast, the quick, the instant -- most of us are routinely faced with the reality of short deadlines. Here are several tips for performing well under pressure.

Clarify your goals
Make sure you clearly understand what you are supposed to do. Keep asking questions until you have all of the information you need to do the job well.

Take time to plan and gather resources
The typical response is to dive into a rush job. To ensure you perform well, pause to think the job through carefully. A good plan will save time, help avoid mistakes and prevent you from rushing off in the wrong direction. Gather everything you need to do the job - including the support of others if appropriate.

Isolate yourself
Close your door. Turn off the phone. Consider headphones if you work in an open environment. Side-step routine interruptions so you can stay focused on the rush job. Let you team members - and even clients know that you will be concentrating on an important project with a tight deadline. They will understand, because they have rush jobs to complete too! Set an automatic email response and voice mail message to let people know when you will reply - and follow through. If you have the luxury, ask a support person to answer your calls, reschedule appointments and intercept drop-in visitors.

Do not procrastinate
The sooner you get started, the sooner you will finish. Don't waste time complaining about the assignment. Don't watch the clock. Avoid self-interruptions like getting up for coffee or supplies every few minutes.
And, don't waste time with trivial issues like trying to clear your desk before getting started.

Psych yourself up
If you are feeling overwhelmed, don't waste time with worry. Lack of confidence can slow you down. Boost your self-assurance by remembering past successes. Set other issues on the back burner and focus only on the job at hand.

EXPECT SUCCESS!
Your expectations are critical, because we usually get what we expect. Expect to make your deadline and produce under pressure!

Adapted from Dr. Merrill Douglass, Time Management Center.

About the Expert: Olivia Thomas, CEO & Creative Director of Quicksilver Creative, has been a Christian for 38 years. She believes Jesus when he said, "Feed my sheep." and takes that literally, by supporting Christian outreaches that feed the hungry including Second Harvest, the Mississippi Food Network, and The Gleaners. Olivia has been married to Louis Thomas for more than 25 years and they are the proud parents of two children, Jonathan Drew and Sara Kathleen. Olivia is gifted to provide counsel, practical support and guidance in helping others develop and realize their dreams and achieve their visions. Her company Quicksilver Creative Inc., works successfully with a variety of businesses, but has a special affinity for community-based service organizations. For more info contact othomas@qcreativeinc.com or visit www.qcreativeinc.com.