Ever feel unproductive, even with so much time? Sounds ironic, but this happens more commonly than you think.
You might be experiencing the detrimental effects of Parkinson’s Law.
First published by Cyril Northcote Parkinson in The Economist in 1955, Parkinson’s Law states that “Work expands to fill the time available for its completion.”
What does that mean?
For example, it typically takes you 2 hours to complete a task in your online job.
Even with 8 work hours, people often consume all the time available to finish the same amount of work. This can lead to inefficiency, wasting valuable time.
How can you combat this? Here are tips on how to take advantage of Parkinson’s Law to make you more productive.
Set Tighter Deadlines
To combat Parkinson’s Law, you can set realistically tighter deadlines.
When you have less time to work on a project, you’re more likely to focus and work efficiently to meet that deadline.
Thus, productively “filling the time for its completion” with less time.
So using the same example above, let’s say you give yourself a deadline of 1 hour and 30 minutes to finish your task.
It’s a little shorter than the original two hours, but you’ll be surprised at how quickly you meet this deadline.
Use Time Blocking
Allocate specific time blocks for different tasks throughout your day.
By assigning a fixed amount of time to each task, you’re less likely to let them drag on indefinitely.
You can check this guide on how to make your time blocking more effective.
Break Tasks into Smaller Chunks
Sometimes, we procrastinate on our tasks because they seem too overwhelming.
It also helps to divide larger projects into smaller, more manageable tasks with their own deadlines.
This allows you to make steady progress and nips procrastination in the bud.
Try the Pomodoro Technique
You can create artificial deadlines with the Pomodoro technique.
The Pomodoro technique allows you to work in short bursts of focused activity, typically 25 minutes, followed by a short break.
This can also help you maintain your concentration and prevent burnout.
Hold Yourself Accountable
You should hold yourself accountable to the deadlines you’ve set.
You can do this by creating to-do lists, using project management tools, or even assigning accountability partners (this can be a colleague or your direct supervisor).
This accountability ensures that you stay on track and meet your goals effectively.
Do Not Overcommit
It’s great to use Parkinson’s Law to maximize your time. However, resist the temptation to overcommit.
Be realistic about how much you can accomplish within a given timeframe. Overloading yourself with tasks can lead to stress and decreased productivity.
So with the tips above, you can use your time more efficiently to finish your remote working tasks.
However, if you’re still looking for home-based jobs in the Philippines, you can sign up with Remote Staff for the best remote working opportunities for Filipinos.
Remote Staff offers long-term part-time or full-time online jobs, depending on your expertise.
Register today.
