---
title: The Parkinson’s Law
modified: 2026-07-27
---

![](https://media.huam.ing/image/3cae3b161fe3ae13dcc2ba6fadeceb34.webp)

![](https://media.huam.ing/image/c5858ead999f8dee04986db697ff2ffd.webp)

![](https://media.huam.ing/image/7fc3f3e4733564ea43dfed18131d141b.webp)

# How To Overcome It?

* Give yourself just _a little less time_ than you think you need for every task
* Fixed Schedule

	> [“Always demand a deadline. A deadline weeds out the extraneous and the ordinary. It prevents you from trying to make it perfect, so you have to make it different. Different is better.” — Kevin Kelly](https://kk.org/thetechnium/68-bits-of-unsolicited-advice) [^1] [^2]

# **Why It works?**

Enforcing constraint such as time limits, creates a sense of urgency that helps to concentrate efforts

# [Related](https://sketchplanations.com/laws-of-expansion)

* Stuff expands to fill the available space
* Cost expands to fill the available budget

[^1]: If failing to do a task by a certain date has serious repercussions, then it should have a “_due date (hard deadline)_”. Otherwise, it shouldn’t.
[^2]: _“You’re more likely to unlock a big leap in performance by trying differently than by trying harder. You might be able to work 10% harder, but a different approach might work 10x better. Remain focused on the core problem, but explore a new line of attack. Persistence is not just about effort, but also strategy. Don’t merely try harder, try differently.” — James Clear_