How to Finish Your Tasks Faster
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Hi Friend,
Ever put off something really important, only to tackle it in a last-minute frenzy, finishing in half the time you thought it would take?
Like still catching your breath when someone casually says, “Wow, you’re so on top of things!” while completely unaware of the chaos that unfolded.
I wish I could say I never procrastinate, but the truth is, I do.
My presentation at the ADHD Conference went smoothly on the surface, but behind the scenes was a different story…
I had known about this presentation for months, yet 'create presentation' sat untouched on my to-do list week after week.
“I have plenty of time!” turned into…
“I’ll get to it next week” which became…
“The presentation is due in 5 days! How am I going to get this done?!”
Finally, fueled by anxiety, I completed the entire presentation in less than three hours.
Here’s the thing…I predicted it would take me weeks.
How was I capable of completing it so quickly? Parkinson’s Law.
Today, we're learning how you can use Parkinson’s Law to finish email, cleaning, or that project for work faster than imaginable.
Let’s dive in.
What is Parkinson’s Law?
Parkinson’s Law states that work expands to fill the time available. My experience is a perfect example of this.
When I gave myself a month to finish my presentation, it took a month to complete because my brain didn’t feel the urgency to start.
→ If you give yourself all day to get through email, you’ll spend all day on them.
→ If you schedule a week to finish a project, you’ll likely take the full week.
→ If you don't set a date for applying to a new job, you'll never do it.
But, if you set a clear, shorter deadline, you’ll often complete the task faster than you imagine.
The Link Between Parkinson's Law and Executive Function
Our executive function skills aren’t designed to manage unlimited time.
People with ADHD often experience Parkinson’s Law in action because they struggle with executive function skills like task initiation, time management, prioritization, and planning.
Organizing the garage has been a goal for years.
Taxes are avoided until hours before the due date.
Weekly reports are put off until Thursday evening.
But, we can flip Parkinson’s Law on its head and use it to finish tasks faster.
How to Finish Your Tasks Faster
Rather than letting tasks drag on, you can flip Parkinson’s Law in your favor and get things done quickly. This can work well for people with ADHD because our brains thrive when tasks are urgent.
And here’s the best part: the quality of your work will improve because you’re focusing on one task instead of multiple.
How?
Setting short time constraints and using the framework in my no-cost mini course.
Here’s how to apply it in the real world:
1. Finish Email in One Hour
Without a time limit, checking email turns into an all-day distraction. Instead:
Set two email triage blocks: one before noon and one at the end of the day.
Close your inbox outside of those blocks.
Give yourself 30 minutes per time block. You’ll be surprised how quickly you get through it.
2. Clean or Organize in 15 minutes
Instead of saying, I need to clean my whole house today, try:
Setting a 15-minute timer and tackling one area.
Using the “one-song method” and clean until one song finishes.
Batching small tasks like wiping counters while waiting for coffee to brew.
3. Meal Plan and Grocery Shop in 60 Minutes
If meal planning or grocery shopping takes hours, try:
Setting a 20 minute timer to plan meals and make a list.
Challenging yourself to finish grocery shopping in 45 minutes. Set a timer and stick to your list.
4. Complete Work Projects in Days, Not Weeks
Many people assume they need hours or even days to write a report or create a presentation, so they stretch the process out unnecessarily. Instead try:
A 60 minute sprint to create a rough draft, knowing you can refine it later.
Define what "good enough" looks like and aim for that, not perfection.
Summary
Parkinson's Law states a task will expand to take as much time as you give it. For neurodivergent adults who struggle to start and finish open ended to-dos, Parkinson's Law can hold them back.
But, you can use Parkinson's Law to finish tasks faster:
Look at your to-do list and choose one task.
Instead of giving yourself unlimited time, set a short, specific time limit.
Then, race the clock.
Whether it be email, meal planning, or a report at work, I challenge you to use this strategy once this week.
In service,
Eric
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About the Author
Eric Kaufmann is a Professional Educational Therapist and Certified Executive Function Coach. He is the Co-founder of UpSkill Specialists, an online adult executive function coaching company that guides adults in overcoming disorganization, procrastination, and productivity roadblocks so they can unlock their potential. He is also the founder of Elevate Learning Solutions, an Educational Therapy practice located in San Clemente, CA, that supports neurodivergent students in becoming independent and confident.