The clock is ticking, 10 days to go for the final exam. And as usual, you’re laid back, playing video games. Suddenly, your mom, in a high-pitched voice, yells, “When will you start studying?”
And your usual reply? “There’s still time!”
Sounds familiar? I’m damn sure it does!
Fast forward to the last eight hours before the exam. That’s when you finally feel the urgency, open your book, and somehow manage to complete the entire syllabus.
At that moment, a thought crosses your mind: “Damn, I’m incredibly intelligent! I just finished the whole syllabus in eight hours.”
Ever had this experience? If not, I’d consider you a saint!
Instead of acknowledging your procrastination, you flip the script and embrace it. Well, that’s exactly how Parkinson’s Law works.
You stretch your work based on the time available. You procrastinate, delay, get distracted, and finally, just before the deadline, you rush to complete the task, no matter how simple it is. The work expands to fill the time given. This is the essence of Parkinson’s Law.
Now that you understand the basics, let’s dive deeper and learn how to use this concept to our advantage.
The Science Behind Parkinson’s Law: Why Our Brain Works This Way
As technology has evolved, so have our habits, though not necessarily for the better. We’ve become overly comfortable with instant access to resources, constantly feeding our brains with distractions.
Be honest: Can you survive a day without your phone and the internet?
You might say yes now, but trust me, your brain would go bonkers with that sudden shift. Most people struggle to sit quietly without their phones or internet.
So, when you have a boring task to complete, instead of focusing, you look for entertainment. You listen to music, scroll through reels, or call a friend, anything to stretch the task until the last minute.
Procrastination is our biggest enemy. Distractions are everywhere. Our constant need for engagement leads us to waste time unnecessarily, proving Parkinson’s Law right.
You might wonder, If procrastination is such a problem, why do we still do it?
The answer lies in dopamine, a hormone that makes us feel comfortable and resists pushing us out of our comfort zone. It tries to protect us from stress, but the more we give in to it, the weaker we become, both mentally and physically.
The root cause of unproductiveness is our thought process. When given a task, most people don’t ask themselves, “How much time do I actually need to finish this?” Instead, they ask, “How much time do I have?”
That’s the difference. The only difference.
Many people say, “If I had a little extra time, I could have done better.” But in most cases, if given extra time, the same task just expands to fit the new deadline. And then, the cycle repeats—again saying, “I needed just a little more time.”
The “Fake Deadline” Hack: Trick Parkinson’s Law for Productivity
Before reading this, answer one question:
Do you like finishing your work quickly?
If yes, think of all the instances where you wasted time on tasks that could have been done sooner.
According to Parkinson’s Law, we stretch work based on available time. But relying on available time instead of necessary time leads to inefficiency. That’s why setting fake deadlines is a powerful strategy.
By creating a sense of urgency, you stop overcomplicating things and get straight to work. The moment you start, you’re forced to think and act decisively.
For example, suppose you want to clean your car. This task can easily be stretched out, you might turn on some music, get distracted, take breaks, or clean at a relaxed pace. But this only wastes more time. However, If you set a fake deadline, your brain automatically eliminates unnecessary distractions, making you focus entirely on the task. You enter “urgency mode” and complete it efficiently. Over time, this strengthens your mental pattern, making productivity a habit.
The Pomodoro Technique: A Simple Productivity Hack
I recommend using the Pomodoro Technique, a time management method where you work in 25-minute slots with complete focus.
For example, if you want to finish reading a chapter, instead of setting an overestimated time, you can assign two Pomodoro sessions (50 minutes total).
The goal is to finish tasks with complete focus. If you don’t meet the target, add another Pomodoro session and keep working. This method gradually boosts productivity. Be mindful, you should not encourage distractions in between your pomodoro sessions
The 2-Day Rule: Eliminate Procrastination
Here’s another simple rule to follow:
- Rule 1: Don’t delay any important task for more than two days.
- Rule 2: If a task takes less than two days to complete, start working on it immediately.
This rule eliminates overthinking. Once a task is set, treat it as a priority and get it done.
The Dark Side of Parkinson’s Law: When “Efficiency” Kills Innovation
Does efficiency kill innovation? Well, I see both sides to this argument.
What is Efficiency?
Efficiency is about completing a task without wasting time or energy. It means giving 100% effort to get the job done.
Now, imagine you’re the captain of your college cricket team. You’re chasing a big total with only a few overs left. What do you do?
You play safe, stick to your best shots, and focus on scoring efficiently. You don’t experiment with risky techniques.
That’s what efficiency does, it forces you to optimize work, leaving little room for creativity.
Innovation, on the other hand, requires a free mind.
Great ideas often come when you’re relaxed, walking, showering, or simply observing surroundings. These distractions spark creativity, because around these distractions, you slowly start connecting different thoughts which leads to epic ideas, art, innovations.
So, while Parkinson’s Law is perfect for productivity, when it comes to innovation, the 80/20 rule is a better approach.
According to the 80/20 rule, 80% of results come from 20% of efforts. This balance allows time for creative breakthroughs without compromising efficiency.
Parkinson’s Law and Money: The “Income Expansion” Trap
Parkinson’s Law applies not only to time but also to money.
Think about it, when you receive ₹5,000, do you save it or spend it immediately? Most people exhaust the money quickly.
Similarly, as income increases, expenses increase.
For example, if an employee earns ₹1 lakh per month, they subconsciously find new ways to spend a major portion of it.
I’m explaining this because there’s a psychological aspect to it. When you work hard for something, you naturally deserve to enjoy the rewards, no doubt about that. But sometimes, in the pursuit of living more freely, we stop being mindful and start spending recklessly.
To avoid falling into this trap:
- Set clear financial goals for the month.
- Track expenses and dedicate a portion of earnings to luxury.
- Define a spending limit so that no matter how much you earn, you stay within control.
Conclusion: The Psychology of Parkinson’s Law
Parkinson’s Law isn’t just about time, it’s a mindset.
I believe there are three types of people:
- Achievers – Complete tasks on time because they know falling behind has consequences.
- Drifters – Work when they feel like it, go with the flow without pressure.
- Wanna-be achievers – Want to complete tasks but only act when under extreme pressure.
The last category is where most people fall, and that’s the trap.
If you always wait for pressure to kick in, you’ll never truly meet your potential. Eventually, your body and mind will give up on bouncing back.
The key to overcoming this? Shift your mindset from focusing on available time to required time.
With strict deadlines, your brain functions more efficiently, allowing you to work with laser focus and eliminate distractions.
And that’s how you break free from Parkinson’s Law.
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