Really appreciate this piece. Deadlines can be tough—especially when you're just starting out—but they’re also one of the best ways to learn the business and improve the quality if your work. In my experience, deadlines bring focus, build confidence, and help you develop the muscle to keep going.
When I was leading teams, I’d often tell early-career reporters: it’s not about being fast just to be fast. It’s about trusting your instincts, getting the story out cleanly, and moving forward. The goal isn’t perfection—it’s progress, accuracy, and service to the audience.
Thanks for putting words to both the discomfort and the growth. It matters.
I hate it when a client or editor says "oh, take all the time you need." My usual response is "I'm sorry, I didn't hear you; by what date do you need good proof copy in hand?" Most get it.
Never tell me take all the time you need. Ask my wife about that.
"Longer deadlines are also a breeding ground for writer’s block: more time to think about the story also means more time to overthink the story. Plus, there’s always a chance that a piece with a later deadline might be scooped by a reporter at a rival publication or be overtaken by events and become old news."
Couldn't count how many times this has happened to me. (I operate my own website so I have only internally imposed deadlines.)
Longer deadlines are also a breeding ground for writer’s block: absolutely, if I've been writing this piece for three days, I will spend three more just getting my point across, dreading the topic more and more with each passing hour. Having a mix of deadlines works best for my brain and writing, too. I find it also helps with cross-sectionality.
Really appreciate this piece. Deadlines can be tough—especially when you're just starting out—but they’re also one of the best ways to learn the business and improve the quality if your work. In my experience, deadlines bring focus, build confidence, and help you develop the muscle to keep going.
When I was leading teams, I’d often tell early-career reporters: it’s not about being fast just to be fast. It’s about trusting your instincts, getting the story out cleanly, and moving forward. The goal isn’t perfection—it’s progress, accuracy, and service to the audience.
Thanks for putting words to both the discomfort and the growth. It matters.
I hate it when a client or editor says "oh, take all the time you need." My usual response is "I'm sorry, I didn't hear you; by what date do you need good proof copy in hand?" Most get it.
Never tell me take all the time you need. Ask my wife about that.
"Longer deadlines are also a breeding ground for writer’s block: more time to think about the story also means more time to overthink the story. Plus, there’s always a chance that a piece with a later deadline might be scooped by a reporter at a rival publication or be overtaken by events and become old news."
Couldn't count how many times this has happened to me. (I operate my own website so I have only internally imposed deadlines.)
Longer deadlines are also a breeding ground for writer’s block: absolutely, if I've been writing this piece for three days, I will spend three more just getting my point across, dreading the topic more and more with each passing hour. Having a mix of deadlines works best for my brain and writing, too. I find it also helps with cross-sectionality.