Marketing Blueprint - Parkinson's Law

Ever notice how you often wrap up tasks just as the deadline approaches? It might feel like the timing was perfect, but it’s actually a phenomenon known as Parkinson’s Law. British historian Cyril Northcote Parkinson observed that “work expands to fill the time available for its completion.” In other words, if you’re given more time, you’re likely to take more time—even if the task doesn’t actually require it!

Understanding Parkinson’s Law

There are a few reasons why tasks stretch to fit the time we have.

• Procrastination: When we know a deadline is far off, it’s easy to keep pushing the task down the line until it becomes urgent.
• Trust in Deadlines: We often assume that whoever set the deadline knew precisely how much time was needed, even if it’s arbitrary.
• Fear of Finishing Early: Sometimes, if we finish too quickly, we worry that we missed something—like that uneasy feeling you might remember from finishing an exam too soon in school.

Breaking Free from Arbitrary Deadlines

Once you recognize Parkinson’s Law, you see that deadlines aren’t always accurate reflections of how long a task truly requires. Instead of letting these timeframes dictate your work pace, use your own judgment to set goals. Tools like the Eisenhower Box (which helps categorize tasks by urgency and importance) can guide you in prioritizing and managing your time more effectively.

Remember, it’s not about filling the time—it’s about defining the work.

Stay tuned for the next concept on Marketing Blueprint!

Julien Rio.