And it makes success all the sweeter when it comes. You have to take some of the pressure out the situation when people are working as hard as they can and facing deadlines. You have to show them that you are confident and composed. You must assure them that they have nothing to worry about. You must do just the opposite is true when the pressure is off.
People tend to slack off when they think that they have plenty of time until a deadline.
In this situation, you must increase the pressure. You make them seem behind. You must make them worry about the time. You should find a way to leverage their emotions. You should try to counter their emotions.