Parkinson’s Law: The Expansion of Tasks

Parkinson’s Law states that “Work expands to fill the time available for its completion.”

For example:

On Relaxed Days: When you have tasks like dishes, laundry, and miscellaneous chores, they seem to take all day.

On Busy Days: When you have calls to make, writing to do, tasks to complete, reading, meetings, trainings, you somehow still manage to fit it all in.

Key Takeaway: Understanding this principle can help you manage your time better by setting tighter deadlines and focusing on efficiency.

Mark Twain said “If you have to eat a frog today, it is best to do it first thing in the morning”. This means, whatever our most challenging task is, do it first.

Because stress and anxiety grow the more we put things off: the magic you are working for is often in the work you are avoiding.

Responses

  1. ambikajambikaj410 Avatar

    Yes

    Like

  2. Aimee Avatar

    So true that tasks can expand to fill whatever time we give them, and setting tighter deadlines really does help keep things moving. I’m Aimee btw, Community Manager at Rise. Thanks for the insightful post Pete!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Pete Macke Avatar

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