Just One More Thing

I like to try to cram as much as possible in to every day. This has it’s upsides. It’s too early to really remember what those upsides are, but I know they’re out there.

It also has it’s downsides.

I hear it a lot around the office. “Just one more thing.” The call of my people as they try to do just a little more before they head home for the day. Trying to get a leg up on the next day.

The challenge is, there’s always more than one more thing. Parkinson’s Law of Triviality says that your work will always expand to fill the amount of time you have available. (Trying to sound smart there. Did it work? Bwah ha!)

My interpretation of this law is that time needs to be maximized in efficiency. (Ironic side note: I was NOT AT ALL efficient in spelling “efficiency.” Throw me a bone, Siri!) We all have 24 hours in a day, but how we spend them varies greatly.

I try to focus on doing the things that are my version of what I HAVE to do before taking on the things I WANT to do. I say “my version” because a)everyone’s version is different and b)a wise man once told me the only things we really HAVE to do are eat and shit (thanks Dad!).

I screw up a lot when trying to cram in too much. I’d like to say that I was never late to work because I felt the need to empty the dishwasher as a part of my busy morning. Or that I’ve never had Parking Structure Rage when waiting behind everyone else who also is trying to leave and restore their work/life balance. I’d like to say those things, but I’d be a liar.

With varying degrees of success, I try to give myself permission for these blunders. Please share your hacks with me if you’ve figured this out.