That Pesky Parkinson's Law

Parkinson's Law is a principle in organizational management and time management, which states that "work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion". In other words, the amount of time we allocate to a task will determine how much work we end up doing, regardless of whether the task could have been completed more efficiently in less time.

The concept of Parkinson's Law was first introduced by Cyril Parkinson, a British historian and author. He observed that organizations tend to grow in size and complexity over time, even when there is no increase in the amount of work they are tasked with. So the effect occurs on larger scales as well. As Parkinson’s Law affects one individual, it may affect others and spread until the entire organization is filling the time available. 

Here are some tips for overcoming Parkinson’s Law to work more efficiently as an individual, team, and organization.

• Set deadlines:
  Deadlines are a powerful tool for keeping work focused and efficient. By setting a deadline for a task, you create a sense of urgency and motivate yourself or others to complete the task in the allotted time. You may want to consider a time-management system that can help you keep track of your tasks and deadlines, and ensure that you are using your time effectively.
  
  
• Big-to-Small:
  Large, complex tasks can be overwhelming and difficult to get started on. By breaking them down into smaller, more manageable chunks, progress can be made on the task without you feeling overwhelmed.
  
  
• Prioritize:
  By prioritizing tasks based on their importance, you can ensure that you are working on the most critical tasks first, and that your time is being used effectively.
  
  
• Avoid distractions:
  Distractions can take up valuable time and prevent you from getting work done efficiently. By minimizing distractions, you can stay focused and get more done in less time.
  
  
• Limit meetings:
  Meetings can be a major source of time waste, particularly if they are not well-organized or focused. By limiting the number of meetings you attend and ensuring that they are productive, you can free up more time for other tasks.

Recognize the tendency for work to expand to fill the time available, and we can take steps to keep our work focused and efficient. Avoid getting bogged down in unnecessary tasks and distractions.