I pulled this from the latest newsletter by Sahil Bloom called The Most Powerful Paradoxes of Life.
Work longer, get less done.
Parkinson’s Law says that work expands to fill the time allotted for its completion. When you establish fixed hours to your work, you find unproductive ways to fill it.
Work like a lion instead—sprint, rest, repeat.
I find this to be true in my life, especially in meetings. If I am done with the contents for a meeting I end the meeting. I don’t find the need to fill the full time slot. Many others don’t and the meeting seems to drone on with no real objective. Keep this in mind for your own workday and meetings. If you don’t need use the full time slot …then don’t. Give yourself the freedom to use only the time you need.
I also have a spin on this paradox . As you become more productive you can finish the same work in a shorter time. As this is recognized by your boss they tend to continue assigning more and more work to fill your day. This can become highly stressful as the priorities stack up and you feel pressure to deliver on all of them. It is a tough spot to be and starts to eliminate any “work time” or “free thinking time” you had previously. Be cautious on taking more and more work to fill your schedule as it can lead to burn out.
Take advantage of your increased productivity …but don’t be taken advantage of.
douglas adams 