Over the course of the next few weeks, I'm showing you how to apply design thinking and principles to your career planning and development. The series of posts so far is here. 

For the past few weeks, we've been talking about how to use design thinking to create the career you want. One thing that's critical to your success in this endeavor is setting some deadlines for yourself. It's SO easy to be pulled off course by "life", as well as by the creative process itself. We can wander forever in the Discovery phase if we aren't careful. 

Although there's a certain need to give yourself some space to explore, at the same time, this boundlessness can work against you. Procrastination is a problem in any creative project, but I've found it's particularly true for our career projects. The work we have right now, combined with everything else going on in our lives can seem far more pressing than working toward an uncertain future. 

As you go through the entire Design process, it's important to set deadlines for yourself. Be clear about how much time you're going to give yourself in each phase and STICK to those deadlines. The If/Then planning process can help you keep moving. Keeping track of your small wins along the way can also be helpful in motivating you to move forward. 

Don't let procrastination keep you from crafting a sustainable career. Use deadlines to give your career project some helpful boundaries and constraints. Remember--without the "doing" your dreams will go nowhere. Deadlines can help you take action.