I admit, I am the most productive when I have looming deadlines and am panicking over trying to get things accomplished. When I have extra time, I am not nearly so productive. I get antsy, impatient, and my attention wavers.

Or at least it did today.

But the truth is, the stress and deadlines are not good for me. Yes, I get more done because I have no choice. But I do other things – eat without thinking, drink high-calorie, highly-caffeinated drinks in order to stay awake, and don’t get enough sleep.

So it’s not good for me. The stress, the deadlines, the panic.

Finding a way to be driven without being pressured is hard. Aggressive accomplishment without the threat of penalty doesn’t come naturally to me. I need to practice, without hurting myself.