7 Steps To Overcoming Parkinson’s Law

If you’ve ever set aside a whole day for a task but still wonder where the time went, you’ve experienced Parkinson’s law. This principle suggests that work expands to fill the time allotted, with simple tasks dragging on and slowing your momentum. 

Once you understand Parkinson’s law, you can take steps to overcome it. This article explains how to recognize it, break the cycle, and build a smarter workflow that helps you do more in less time.

What Is Parkinson’s Law?

Parkinson’s law states that work increases to occupy the time available for completion. The concept explains why even straightforward tasks can take much longer than necessary, particularly when deadlines are vague or far off.

You’ve likely seen it firsthand: You have all week to complete a report but don’t end up finishing it until Friday. The more time we believe we have, the more time we tend to take — often by overthinking, over-editing, or procrastinating. Parkinson’s law can have an impact on whole teams, too, with extended timelines leading to drawn-out meetings and delayed execution.

Understanding Parkinson’s law lets you spot when time enables inefficiency instead of focus. With proper boundaries, you can keep tasks in proportion and reclaim your schedule.

The Story Behind Parkinson’s Law

The term “Parkinson’s law” was inspired by British historian Cyril Northcote Parkinson, who wrote an essay for The Economist about bloated bureaucracies. He noted that as organizations grew, so did the time and effort required to complete even the simplest tasks, regardless of the workload.

His core insight was that people don’t use the time they need — they use the time they have. That observation became Parkinson’s law. While it started as a critique of government inefficiency, it has since become a widely recognized truth about how we manage our time.

Is It True That Work Expands To Fill The Time Allowed?

When there’s too much time available, we unconsciously adjust the scope of a task to match it. That could mean over-researching, second-guessing decisions, or adding unnecessary steps. The task feels bigger — not because it is, but because the timeline invites expansion.

Longer deadlines often reduce our sense of urgency. We rarely need all the time we’re given, but we use it simply because it’s there. Acknowledging this pattern is the first step toward working with intention and protecting your productivity from unnecessary drag.

The Modern Workplace And Parkinson’s Law

Flexible schedules, distributed teams, communication tools — on the surface, today’s work environment feels like a productivity upgrade. But in reality, it creates the perfect conditions for Parkinson’s law to sneak in.

Working remotely makes it even easier for Parkinson’s law to take hold. Without a commute or fixed office hours, you may feel like you have endless time. Pair that with digital distractions — emails, Slack messages, calendar invites — and it becomes even harder to manage your time.

How To Overcome Parkinson’s Law: 7 Tips

When you control the time, you control the outcome. Combating Parkinson’s law starts with setting intentional limits. To counter its effects, you need to create structure around your time and attention. These seven tips can help.

1. Make A Clear Plan

Planning your day in advance ensures that you have a clear roadmap for what needs doing and when. This preparation prevents tasks from ballooning and keeps you on course. 

For example, before you start work, plan to spend two hours writing social content and 30 minutes scheduling posts before lunchtime.

2. Document Your Goals For Clarity

When goals are vague, it’s easy for tasks to stretch. Defining exactly what you want to accomplish provides a benchmark for completion. Being specific about what success looks like also reduces the temptation to overcomplicate tasks or overprepare.

For example, if you’re working on a proposal, define “done” as a two-page overview with pricing details. This will stop you from continually editing or adding unnecessary sections. 

3. Rank Tasks By Priority 

Not all tasks need to be completed immediately. Parkinson’s law thrives when all tasks feel urgent and equally worthy of your time. Use techniques like the Ivy Lee or the ABC methods to prioritize your assignments and resist the pull of low-impact work. This means the most urgent and impactful work will be allocated more time and finished first. 

For example, when you’re preparing a presentation, instead of tackling the most straightforward task, such as formatting the slides, start with formulating the messaging.

4. Set Tighter, Realistic Deadlines

Setting shorter deadlines forces you to be more focused and reduces procrastination. Time boxing — allocating a specific timeframe for each task — helps create a sense of urgency and decreases the temptation to linger unnecessarily on one thing. 

For example, if you need to write a report, block out 90 minutes rather than keeping your afternoon open-ended. A clear window of time prevents endless edits. 

5. Track With A Timer

Using a timer introduces structure and makes you more aware of how long things take. Knowing the clock is running makes it easier to resist distraction and commit fully to a task. Techniques like the Pomodoro method, which breaks work into 25-minutes sprints, are especially effective for maintaining pace without burning out.

For example, if you’re putting off finishing a blog post, set 25 minutes on the clock. This helps you stay engaged and able to knock out a draft in two focused sprints.

6. Divide Tasks Into Small Steps

Large tasks can feel daunting, leading to procrastination. Breaking them into smaller, more manageable steps can make them feel achievable and easier to complete in set time blocks. This ensures steady progress without feeling overwhelmed and builds momentum as each smaller task gets ticked off. 

For example, “update website” is too broad and would take longer than needed. Instead, break it down into “rewrite homepage headline,” “replace team photo,” and “test mobile view.” This provides a clear, actionable roadmap. 

7. Pause Regularly To Reset

Taking short breaks throughout the day can significantly boost productivity. Without regular pauses, your brain can become fatigued, leading to decreased focus and slower progress. Intentional breaks give your mind a chance to reset, renewing your energy levels and preventing work from dragging on unnecessarily. 

For example, after editing a 10-page document, take a 10-minute walk. When you return, your focus is refreshed and you can proofread the document more efficiently than you would have without a break.

Get Started With An Athena Assistant

Parkinson’s law takes hold when time lacks structure. This is where an Athena Assistant makes a real difference. They can help you plan your day, set boundaries, and reduce distractions, creating a workflow that keeps you focused and productive. 

Athena’s assistants work alongside high-performing leaders to maintain productivity and build momentum. Instead of letting tasks expand, they maximize the potential of every hour. 

If you’re ready to reclaim your time, get started with an Athena Assistant today.