Work less + produce more with this one simple strategy

This productivity tip is one of my favorites. This strategy has helped me:

• Get work done faster
• Plan my days better
• Enjoy my work more
• Enjoy my free time (no homework hanging over my head feeling!)

The Big Mistake

When it comes to time and productivity, the big mistake is giving yourself too much time to complete a task.

Have you ever overslept, jumped out of bed, and managed to get yourself together and out the door in under 15 minutes when it usually takes you an hour? This is Parkinson’s law at work.

Parkinson’s law states that work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion.

So, if you need to write your next speech for your business luncheon and you give yourself three days, it will take you three days to complete it. However, if you give yourself only two hours on day one to write the draft and one hour on day two to edit, it will take you only three hours to complete it.

Which option sounds better?

While it might feel good to give yourself a generous three days to write the speech, it’s really not necessary. Chances are, you’ll spend time doing helpful, but unnecessary work such as research, watching other speeches, and taking walks to clear your head, and so on.

In other words, you’ll procrastinate.

Our best work is often created under pressure and tight timelines. It’s not always comfortable, but it’s like ripping off the band-aid, saving you time and the agony of procrastination.

The Simple Strategy

By setting a tight time limit on your work, you’ll create more results in less time than leaving it open-ended or giving yourself too much time. Working against the clock will enable you to focus and get things done.

Part of you won’t want to do this because it feels, well, limiting. But, if you’re looking to get things done more quickly, this strategy works wonders.

Think of this as a game, or a hard deadline you are working against. You can even set a reward or consequence to up the ante! You’ll love the feeling of having completed the task and knowing you can get things done quickly.

Here’s how to do this:

Step 1: Plan your time

1. Make a list of your tasks and assign time frames to your tasks with the desired result. Example – Finalize draft speech for business luncheon (60 minutes).
2. Schedule the time in your calendar for a specific time block. Example – Tuesday, October 9th from 7:30AM – 8:30AM.

Step 2: Execute your plan

1. When it’s time to do the work, set your timer for the time allocated. I recommend a digital kitchen timer or installing a simple timer app on your computer. Phones are notorious for disrupting focus, therefore not the best option. Use it if you’re in a pinch and set it to airplane mode.
2. Start the timer and get to work!

Step 3: Pat yourself on the back and determine what to do with all the extra time 🙂

Be unstoppable