I never look forward to Mondays because not only is it the end of the weekend and the beginning of the work week, but it’s also the most stressful day of my work week — deadline day at my weekly newspaper.
Don’t be fooled. Working at a weekly newspaper takes more discipline, self control and ability to handle large spikes in pressure than working at a daily or a wire service. I’ve done all three and this fact has been confirmed for me. Other types of media outlets are steadier in their stress. To relate it metaphorically to drinking alcohol — a necessary pastime of so many print journalists — it’s easier to just stay drunk most of the time than it is to drink a lot, have a bad hangover and then drink a lot again — repeat.
Our minds and bodies are good at dealing with things in a habitual manner. Constant change in stress levels and activity, as is the case with weekly newspapers, is tougher on a person over the long haul.
OK, I have to get back to my deadline work.
Print This Article
Email This Article
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Monday is the worst day to have as a weekly deadline – I know because I’ve been there too.
Weekly papers have a momentum, with adrenaline and stress all peaking on deadline day. In my experience the night before deadline is the most restless.
When the deadline falls on Monday, there’s a whole weekend to stress. And Tuesday is a hard day to start all over again.
Friday would be the best deadline day. I did two years as the editor of a weekly section in a daily paper with a Friday deadline and found it is the best rhythm.
I agree, Bill. Friday’s would be the most perfect day for a deadline.