“Unmasking the Deadline Addiction: Are You Fueling Your Stress or Igniting Your Success?”
Have you ever felt the exhilarating rush of meeting a tight deadline, only to stare blankly at your screen when left to your own devices? You’re not alone! Many writers find themselves thriving under the pressure of a ticking clock, yet when that structure vanishes, so does their productivity. In this insightful article, we’ll explore the allure of relying on external pressures like deadlines and the unexpected pitfalls that come with it. More importantly, we’ll delve into how you can reclaim control over your writing process, unlocking the long-term habits that pave the way for sustained creativity and output. Ready to break free from the cycle of procrastination and doubt? Let’s dive in! LEARN MORE

Why relying on external pressure could be holding you back — and how to take control of your writing in a new way instead.
Do deadlines drive your writing process? You’re not alone.
Yesterday, I spoke with a writer who told me she could write 20,000 words in a month or two — when she had a strict deadline. But her novel? It’s been stuck for two years. There’s no contract, no urgency, and her frustration was clear.
I could feel it because I’ve been there too.
When I was a journalist, I thrived on daily deadlines. Every afternoon, I had to submit an article at 2pm, and the adrenaline rush pushed me to hit “submit” no matter what.
But then I transitioned into academia. I left Berlin, moved to Cambridge to start my PhD, and thought, “I’m such a regular writer — this thesis will write itself!” Spoiler alert: It didn’t. Without those daily deadlines, everything changed. My PhD dragged on for years, and worse, I started questioning my abilities as a writer.
I thought, “Why can’t I just write?”
This is the drawback of external deadlines. When you rely on them, you give away a lot of power. The moment that structure disappears, procrastination sneaks in. And let’s be honest, most authors, writers or academics don’t have a regular “hard” deadline to work towards.
Does this resonate with you? How often have you told yourself, “If only someone would give me a deadline, I’d finally finish this project”? (This is the number one thing I hear as a writer’s coach.)
Why Deadlines Are Addictive
Deadlines are great motivators — they push you to act. But here’s the problem:
- When you depend on deadlines, you hand over control of your writing to someone else.
- Without a deadline, procrastination creeps in, and your progress grinds to a halt.
- You’re actively training your brain to work only under pressure, leaving you stuck when that pressure isn’t there.
Deadlines can drive short-term results, but they don’t help you build the long-term habits you need to write…
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