Home · Plan & organise · Plan a deadline backwards so you know when to start
Plan a deadline backwards so you know when to start
A deadline is coming and you're not sure when to start. Get a dated countdown with a last safe start for each task.
The prompt · ChatGPT
Help me plan backwards from a deadline. Deadline: [date and time] What has to be handed in or ready: [e.g. a report, a house sale move, an event] Tasks I know about: [list them, with rough times if you know] Hours I can give it each week: [e.g. 5 hours, evenings only] Things I'm waiting on from other people: [e.g. figures from a colleague, a quote] Other big things in my diary: [e.g. holiday 12 to 19 May] Before you start, ask me up to 3 short questions if anything important is missing. Wait for my answers. Then: 1. My tasks in order, each with a time estimate (mark any you've guessed). 2. A backwards timeline with real dates, from the deadline to today. 3. For each task, the "last safe start" date. 4. Three checkpoints where I check I'm on track, and what "on track" looks like. 5. If it doesn't fit, say so plainly and give me three options: cut something, get help, or ask for more time, with a short polite message asking for an extension. Use only the tasks and hours I've given you. UK English. Stay in this ChatGPT chat. Do not turn on apps or connectors, and do not use memory from another chat.
A short example
Fill the blanks, then paste. date and time: a short note you already have. e.g. a report, a house sale move, an event: a short note you already have. Leave the rest of the prompt as written.
The prompt · Grok
Help me plan backwards from a deadline. Deadline: [date and time] What has to be handed in or ready: [e.g. a report, a house sale move, an event] Tasks I know about: [list them, with rough times if you know] Hours I can give it each week: [e.g. 5 hours, evenings only] Things I'm waiting on from other people: [e.g. figures from a colleague, a quote] Other big things in my diary: [e.g. holiday 12 to 19 May] Before you start, ask me up to 3 short questions if anything important is missing. Wait for my answers. Then: 1. My tasks in order, each with a time estimate (mark any you've guessed). 2. A backwards timeline with real dates, from the deadline to today. 3. For each task, the "last safe start" date. 4. Three checkpoints where I check I'm on track, and what "on track" looks like. 5. If it doesn't fit, say so plainly and give me three options: cut something, get help, or ask for more time, with a short polite message asking for an extension. Use only the tasks and hours I've given you. UK English. Stay in this Grok chat. Do not connect an inbox or another app.
A short example
Fill the blanks, then paste. date and time: a short note you already have. e.g. a report, a house sale move, an event: a short note you already have. Leave the rest of the prompt as written.
You type the deadline, the tasks you know about and the hours you really have.
The assistant asks what you're waiting on from others and what usually takes longer than planned.
You get a dated countdown, checkpoints and, if it doesn't fit, three honest options.
What happens
Use Grok Bot to plan a deadline backwards so you know when to start
A deadline is coming and you're not sure when to start. Get a dated countdown with a last safe start for each task.
Tools
Paste the prompt, fill the blanks, copy the draft.
- Grok Bot — required. Drafts from the text you paste. Nothing is sent.
The prompt is on this page. A free account saves it.
Create a free account