Parkinson´s Law: I Heard This Name Before

The name “Parkinson” is commonly known under a different medical condition. Nevertheless, Parkinson´s law deals with the problem of time waste and optimal efficiency. Let us discuss some strategies how we can overcome time waste and concentrate on the meaningful tasks in life.

Do you ever find yourself delaying a project until the last minute, even though it could be completed in just a few hours? This behavior defines procrastination, but it also exemplifies Parkinson’s Law in action. Whether intentionally stretching out tasks or procrastinating until the deadline looms near, we tend to utilize the available time. However, meeting set deadlines doesn’t always guarantee increased productivity. Understanding Parkinson’s Law and discovering strategies to overcome it can be beneficial. In this guide, we’ll explore how Parkinson’s Law operates and offer tips on accomplishing tasks more efficiently. Cyril Northcote Parkinson, a British naval historian, first introduced Parkinson’s Law in a satirical essay published in 1955 by “The Economist.” He later elaborated on this concept in his book, “Parkinson’s Law: The Pursuit of Progress.” The essay recounts the story of a woman assigned the simple task of sending a postcard. With an entire day allocated, she spends an hour locating the card, thirty minutes searching for her glasses, ninety minutes writing the card, and so forth, until the task consumes her entire day. This anecdote illustrates how work expands to fill the time allotted for its completion. While this example might seem exaggerated, most of us have encountered this phenomenon on a smaller scale. Parkinson’s Law posits that work will expand to fill the time available for its completion, a principle particularly relevant in managing multiple deadlines or overseeing projects. In other words Parkinson´s Law is the idea that your work will expand to fill the time allotted for its completion. Let’s say you have two weeks to prepare a project proposal. Having extra time can provide a sense of relief. However, a distant deadline often leads to the task taking longer than necessary or encourages procrastination until just before the deadline. Essentially, the task stretches out to occupy the entire allotted time. It says that the more time we have to complete a task, the more time it takes from us. What does this actually mean? It means that a given task will take as much time as the person allocates for it. (If someone sets aside 3 hours for a task that can be completed in 3 hours, they will finish it in exactly 3 hours.) However, if a person has a set amount of time to complete a specific task, it will usually be done at the latest possible moment, typically “just in time.”

Research suggests that upon receiving a task, we tend to focus on how much time we have rather than how much time is actually needed to complete it. This mindset often leads to wasted time and inefficiency in work. Consequently, we often feel compelled to use up all the available time, even if the task could be completed more quickly. While there are methods to overcome Parkinson’s Law, successfully addressing it depends on the nature of the work being performed. Explore the following three examples and their respective solutions. By employing specific strategies to combat Parkinson’s Law, you can improve time management. Preventing work from expanding to fill all available time allows for quicker task completion and leaves more time for rest or attending to other matters.

Solutions:

One method to counteract Parkinson´s Law is to strategically plan your time and work using time slots. Planning your work strategically in advance minimizes procrastination risks and enhances the chances of completing tasks efficiently. Developing a detailed plan helps in effective time management, accurately estimating task durations, and arranging them appropriately. Your plan should include setting SMART objectives, compiling a list of tasks and actions, establishing a timeline for task completion, identifying necessary resources and scheduling regular progress checks. Additionally, creating a comprehensive strategy for both short-term and long-term goals within your organization can inspire greater productivity in your work. Another hint: Set yourself deadlines for completing tasks.The initial step in tackling Parkinson’s Law is to establish your own deadlines. Rather than focusing on “how much time do I have,” shift your mindset to consider the actual time necessary for each task and set deadlines accordingly. To accurately determine the time required for task completion there are some requirements that need to be fulfilled. First, one should understand the project requirements. Begin by identifying what is needed to complete the project, which involves compiling a detailed list of all subtasks and activities. After that you should prioritize your tasks. Once you have outlined the project requirements, prioritize your tasks based on their importance and complexity. Ensure that the most time-intensive tasks are given priority. Determine your team involvement. Assess whether specific stages of the project require input from colleagues and identify who should be involved. Early communication with your team can save time later on. Also, estimate the time needed for your tasks. With a clear understanding of the project’s requirements and task priorities, realistically estimate the time needed for completion based on your workload and personal productivity. After that view the tasks as short-term objectives to achieve. Completing them promptly allows for more time to focus on other responsibilities.

Another method is Time Boxing which you should try and align it with Parkinson´s Law. Time Boxing is a strategy for productive work that aids in overcoming procrastination, recovering lost productivity, and directing focus towards essential tasks. It entails setting a goal to finish a task within a defined time period. Planning the duration of tasks before starting them makes your work more deliberate. Time Boxing can be applied to scheduling tasks, assisting teams in organizing their work, or improving the efficiency of meetings. Just like Time Boxing, the Pomodoro technique involves concentrated work sessions with frequent, short breaks aimed at boosting productivity and reducing mental fatigue. Using task management tools is an excellent method for organizing your workday, setting your own deadlines, and ensuring you allocate enough time for prioritization. It also allows you to create task lists to monitor progress on both team projects and personal tasks. Successfully overcoming Parkinson’s Law is essential for regaining control of your time and achieving greater productivity. Completing tasks ahead of schedule enables you to utilize spare time for catching up on other tasks or taking breaks, aiming to enhance efficiency without causing burnout. Once you grasp the concept and implications of Parkinson’s Law, you can harness it effectively. Strategies like proactive planning, establishing personal deadlines, and prioritizing tasks enable you to accomplish more in less time while maintaining a healthier work-life balance. Additionally, utilizing task management software can reinforce these approaches, facilitating goal attainment and organizational efficiency.

There is a question for you now. Which solution is the most useful for you considering Parkinson´s Law?