Do you have a spare moment? Maybe a moment is all you have to spare!

There are two types of tasks that you participate in, things that I have what to do and the things that you want do. As a responsible individual, you would like to complete the things you I have what to do before starting with the things that want do. However, if all your time is stuck on things you have to do, where will you find time for the things you want to do?

If you only do the things you have to do, you just exist. Only when you do the things you want to do, do you really live. What can you do about it?

One solution, championed by David Allen, is the “Four D” approach to narrowing down the tasks on your list:

  1. Delete unnecessary tasks;
  2. Delegate what others can do;
  3. Of iron less urgent tasks;
  4. Do the rest.

Here’s my solution: If you can complete your “must-do” tasks in less time than expected, you can use the time you save on the things you want to get done. In other words, estimate how much time you need for any task, complete the task quickly, and use the time you save on something you love.

The biggest problem with this solution is Parkinson’s law. Parkinson’s Law states that “work expands to fill the time available for completion.” As soon as you set an expectation, an estimate of the duration of the task, the estimate becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. Homework Will take your time.

I have put together four techniques to overcome Parkinson’s law.

1. Use the “wait” time effectively

You spend a great deal of time waiting: in doctor / dentist offices, in queues at the post office, bank, supermarket or airport security, waiting for a meeting to start or to be served in a restaurant, etc. On your to-do list or appointment list, identify potential waiting opportunities. Also, identify the tasks on your list that you can complete during any waiting time. Put these elements together and you can effectively do two things at the same time.

2. Effectively multitask

Multitasking, that is, trying to do more than one thing at a time, is considered counterproductive. On the other hand, the human animal has learned to walk and speak at the same time. When some action has been performed over and over again and has been relegated to the “automatic” section of the brain (the cerebellum), it can be combined with other tasks. In other words, “thoughtless” tasks can be combined. Tasks that require thinking cannot be combined. As you build your to-do list, identify tasks that can be performed mechanically and plan the combination of supported tasks. This “two for one” offer will narrow down the items on your list.

3. Front-end Load the task

“Front loading” is my term for getting the heaviest (most significant, riskiest, most complex) part of your task done in advance. This reduces the load and the momentum you will achieve will sustain you during the task. Success begets success, and early successes create the environment for greater achievement.

4. Set an artificial deadline

Test yourself carefully to achieve more. Set a cap between 65% and 85% of the original estimate as the new deadline, and so that you don’t treat this artificial deadline lightly, put about 25% more items on your list and challenge yourself to complete everything. . Parkinson’s law works in reverse: if less time is spent on any task, it will shrink to fit the time available. Of course, like anything else, overdoing this will hurt you in the long run. Know your capacity and slowly push your limits.

Some of my clients have achieved significant productivity improvements by controlling Parkinson’s Law. It works, but it requires a secret ingredient: you must to believe in your ability to complete tasks in less time than expected.

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