Sometimes life feels like a hamster wheel. Every now and then, life (aka, the hamster wheel) spins too fast, deadlines approach too quickly, and we know we will disappoint someone. We aim to please, especially in the workplace. Perhaps we shouldn’t have said “yes” to all 87 people (an exaggeration?er…nope). Thus, here we are… juggling, sprinting, and painfully realizing that we are about to miss a deadline promised. It’s. just. not. going. to. happen. How do we share the news?

Use your Words, People…sooner rather than later.

Maybe no one will notice? Maybe the deadline will slip by quietly and your boss will be none-the-wiser. Not likely and why risk the chance? You may feel irresponsible for coming up short but communicating it ensures that you aren’t being irresponsible. In case you didn’t catch that double negative, saying nothing isn’t just dropping the ball - it’s lighting the ball on fire and kicking it directly onto your well-manicured career.

“Deadline? What deadline?”

“How much of an extension can you give me?”

“I have more work than time. It’s not my fault that I missed it…”

Hoping the deadline is forgotten, putting the responsibility back on your boss, vaguely asking for more time, and making excuses are all excellent tactics to show that you are less than skilled at managing your workload. This will not bode well for your reputation, or your next performance eval.

“Josie, after assessing the work involved, I won’t be able to have that report to you by Wednesday. Would 5pm on Friday meet your needs?”

“Punej, I’m juggling a few projects this week and need to rework the deadlines. I think my top five priorities are [state: project title, effort needed, estimated completion date]. Does that align with your expectations and meet your needs?”

The Words formula:

1. “I need more time because ___. State the reason for the miss.

2. ”I think I can get this to you by ___. State a reasonable and doable timeframe.

3. ”I will also ___ . Explain why this new deadline is THE deadline.

4. ”Any concern with that plan?” Check (and maybe brace) for impact.

Owning the situation, taking accountability, and suggesting at least one reasonable solution are gold-star worthy actions. Missing a deadline is not an advisable move, but if you must, approach the expector well before the deadline, with confidence, and a plan to minimize impact. The best strategy is to right your wrongs and show that you are reliable, proactive, and capable of managing the expectations of others. Be honest, be specific, and meet the newest deadline, no matter what.