A conversation from Casa Grundy last night:
“How long do you spend writing your emails?” my girlfriend Lauren asked.
“It depends. Sometimes an email takes 30 minutes. Other times it might take me a couple of hours. Or even longer…”
“Here’s an idea” Lauren
proffered. “You’re promoting your time management challenge this week right?”
“I might promote it. It’s going on sale next week."
“Cool. Why not set yourself a target to write each of your daily emails in less than an hour. It will free up time for other things. And it could help you promote your challenge too."
I let the suggestion sink in for a few moments. Then I looked back at Lauren.
“That’s a great idea”.
So that’s what I’m doing right now. And as I glance at the time on my laptop, I see I have 52 minutes left.
52 minutes to finish writing, editing and re-reading this email for typos. Then lock
and load into the system for sending.
I'm tapping my fingers on the keyboard and I can feel my energy surge. I’m up against the clock and the deadline is looming large.
As I type, I realise that Lauren’s suggestion is a great example of Parkinson’s Law (now to be renamed Lauren’s Law).
Parkinson’s Law (sorry – Lauren’s Law) says this:
Work expands to fill the time available.
This law is the reason you get so much work done the last day before a holiday.
It explains why starting a project a month before a deadline can be a recipe for procrastination, prevarication and distraction.
And it underlines why Benjamin Franklin once said “if you want something done, ask a busy person."
Because according to Lauren's Law, the less time that person has, the more quickly they'll get that task done.
The straight truth is:
you can get more done if you give yourself less time to do it.
If ever there was a Holy Grail of time management techniques, this must be it.
And it seems to be working.
Sure, this email might’ve had a few more bells and whistles if I’d had an extra hour to jazz it up.
But I think
it will do just fine.
And there's 32 minutes left to edit the email and read it back through.
Gotta dash.
That’s all for today.
- Tom
p.s. Whenever you're ready, here are the ways I can support you