Mastering Time Management: Break Free from Parkinson’s Law

As a coach working with professionals at all stages of their careers, I often hear a familiar frustration: “I had loads of time to prepare, but I still didn’t feel ready—or worse, I overcooked it and missed the point.” Sound familiar?

If it does, you’re not alone—and you’re probably experiencing Parkinson’s Law in action. First coined by Cyril Parkinson in The Economist in 1955, the principle is simple but powerful:

“Work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion.”

Put another way: the more time you give a task, the more time it will take—often unnecessarily.

A Lesson I Learned the Hard Way

Several years ago, I had an interview for a senior role—the first time I’d aimed at that level. I had just over a week to prepare, and the brief included a 10-minute presentation on a big, complex issue. I was confident in my experience and the business context. But the task still loomed large. I gave myself a lot of time to get it right.

And what happened?

• I overthought it.
• I got lost in drafts, redrafts, and PowerPoint perfectionism.
• I layered in everything I knew, rather than focusing on what they needed to know.

By the time I delivered the presentation, it was dense, rushed, and so content-heavy the panel tuned out. I skimmed through sections. I missed the mark—not because I lacked knowledge, but because I didn’t prioritise. And ironically, I felt less confident because of how long I’d spent on it.

The real kicker? In hindsight, I didn’t even want the job.

Why This Happens

When we start with how much time we have rather than what the task needs, we risk:

• Overengineering a simple output
• Burning out before the real moment of impact
• Focusing on impressing, not serving the goal or audience

This isn’t just inefficient—it’s demoralising. It can feed perfectionism, imposter syndrome, and decision paralysis.

Coaching Perspective: How to Flip It

As a coach, one of the simplest and most effective mindset shifts I work on with clients is this:

Don’t start with the time available. Start with the outcome required.

Here’s a quick task planning framework you can use straight away:

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🔧 Task Focus Reset: Six Coaching Questions

1. What’s the minimum acceptable standard for this task?
   What must be included for this to do its job?
2. What’s the outcome I want to achieve—and for whom?
   Be specific: who is this for, what do they need, and what will success look like?
3. How much time do I really need for the essentials?
   Not the nice-to-haves, just the core.
4. What would “good enough” look and feel like?
   Create a stopping point—you can always enhance it later.
5. What might get in my way—and how will I navigate that?
   Think ahead: perfectionism, distractions, spiralling scope.
6. What could I do with any spare time if I finish early?
   Bonus tasks should never come first.

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Tiny Habit, Big Impact

Time management isn’t about cramming more into your day. It’s about developing habits that protect your energy, clarify your priorities, and let you make consistent progress—even when life is messy.

The next time you’re facing a task—whether it’s preparing for a meeting, writing a report, or applying for a role—try this:

✅ Set a short, focused time limit
✅ Define the essential outcome
✅ Deliver it without over-polishing

You might just be surprised how freeing (and effective) “good enough” can be.

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Over to you:
Have you noticed Parkinson’s Law at work in your day? What helps you keep focused and avoid overcomplicating your tasks? I’d love to hear your thoughts.