Arbitrary deadlines and Asperger's

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Do other people with Asperger's find it difficult to focus on a task if there is an arbitrary deadline for that task's completion? Personally, when I do something I want to do it to the best of my ability. With a deadline attached to it one of two things usually happen: I either focus on how to get something done within that period of time rather than just getting to it, or I put it off until the deadline and rush to get it done just prior. Neither of those are things I care for happening. So, when doing something like a chore or studying, I prefer just to keep working until I'm through with it rather than going by an unnecessary schedule. If I go by a schedule, then the work often sits. Without a schedule, the work is easier to do and is usually done faster and more thoroughly than when dictated by a chronometer.

I find that without a deadline, I get locked into intertia and because I have forever to do something, I usually never start.
A deadline offers motivation to start, and after that everything's a lot easier (for me, anyway). So deadlines are useful in that sense.
They are a hindrance when I wish to learn about something in-depth; in that case all the time in the world is far preferable.

For me, it matters what is involved.

Let us suppose that X - be it submission of a report, construction of a birdhouse, changing bedlinen or a completed lesson - is sue at 3:00 PM Friday. The tzask is reasonable, the time more than adequate.

BECAUSE of the deadline, I will start at the last minute that will ensure meeting the deadline. I will complete the work and announce success at or near 2:50 PM Friday. Without the deadline, it would wait till I forgot it or until the Greek Calends.

BUT-

recently in my work a deadline was announced - completion of a massive project by a totally arbitrary date - leaving far too little time. I protested, they set the deadline. I worked hard, others failed to do their part in a timely way [one of the reasons the timeline was unreasonable], other bad choices dragged it out. Almost two years after the set date, we released a product not really up to standard.

This was a very bad taste.

So - if the deadline is REASONABLE, I use it and generally make it.

If UNREASONABLE, I often panic, freeze, accomplish nothing.

If COLOSSALLY unreasponable as in the case cited, I wash my hands of it amd give them what can be, prpoclaiming I TOLD you.