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Deadline Survival: How to Finish Work at the Last Minute (and Still Look Smart)
Alvin Pratama••2 min read
ProductivityHumorWorkDeadlines

Deadlines are like horror movies: you always think you’re safe until the monster shows up at midnight. But don’t panic — here’s your funny-yet-effective guide to surviving deadlines like a pro.
⏰ 1. Procrastinate Strategically Let’s be real — you’re going to procrastinate anyway. The trick is *controlled procrastination*. - Do small easy tasks first (so you feel productive). - Pretend you’re “researching” while actually scrolling memes. - When panic hits, your brain magically unlocks *superhuman focus mode*.
☕ 2. Coffee = Cheat Code Caffeine is basically a productivity potion. - 1 cup = “I’ll start soon.” - 2 cups = “I’m in the zone.” - 3 cups = “I can see through time.”
🎵 3. The Right Music Forget chill playlists. Deadlines require *battle mode*. - Movie soundtracks → feel like a hero. - EDM → type like a hacker. - Random Lo-Fi → at least you’ll cry in rhythm.
📋 4. The 80/20 Rule Remember: 80% of the results come from 20% of the effort. Translation: Write the important parts first, and fill the fluff later. Professors, bosses, and clients usually won’t notice… unless your fluff is just “lorem ipsum.”
🛏️ 5. Accept Imperfection Perfectionists miss deadlines. Survivors submit “good enough” and fix later. At 11:59 PM, ugly but done > beautiful but late.
🧠 TL;DR - Procrastinate (but make it look intentional) - Fuel yourself with coffee and music - Do the 20% that matters - Hit send before midnight
Finishing before the deadline isn’t about being perfect. It’s about looking calm while panicking internally — like a true professional.