Even if you aren’t familiar with Parkinson’s Law by name, you’ve probably experienced it.
According to Parkinson’s Law, work expands to fill the time available for its completion. We’ve all been there – – we’ve worked on something for days or weeks and then scramble at the end to make the filing or service deadline. No matter how impossible it seems to get things done in the allotted time, we always do. Whew! But is it always necessary to spend as long as we do completing projects? Maybe not.
Sometimes, getting things done quickly serves us (and our clients). All of the half-finished projects and loose ends you’ve been meaning to wrap up take up valuable real estate in your brain. They add up, and it gets like a crowded subway car. It’s hard to have the focus and clarity we need to do great work when we’re carrying such a heavy load. Also, always working down to the wire adds more stress to our days. Here’s one way around that:
1. Make a list of all of the things that are hanging in limbo. You know, the cases you keep meaning to read, the article in that Law Journal that you’ve been carrying back and forth to the office, the emails you’ve yet to return, the files sitting on your credenza, those kinds of things. Spend 5 minutes and list as many items as you can.
2. Take a look at your list. What can you delegate or discard? Cross these items out. They’re off your plate now.
3. Declare a deadline. Stick to it. Schedule out as many of the other items as you can, and honor the schedule as a fixed deadline.
Before long, this will create greater ease and flow (and less stress) in your work and your life. Give it a try and share your verdict with us in the comments below.
Amicus Curious? Have a question about your health or lifestyle? Send it our way: partner@legallyhealthy.com
