Just was we paying for our groceries tonight, the checker told us,
"If you have a small job to do, or a large job to do, it will take all day."
I asked, "Really? Why is that?"
She said it's Parkinsons Law. I googled it and sure enough, here it is:
"WORK EXPANDS SO AS TO FILL THE TIME AVAILABLE FOR ITS COMPLETION."
I told the checker I would have to think about this theory for awhile before I decide if I agree with it or not.
She said, "Oh no, it's not a theory. It's a LAW."
So does this make sense to you?
11 comments:
Parkinson's Law? Doesn't she mean Murphy's Law? I've never heard of the former. Depends on the task, I would think. Another "Law" is "If it weren't for the last minute, nothing would ever get done." Love, Dad and Susan
I've known of this law for many years (decades). While I've disproved it as a "law" on a few occasions, completing a small task in a short time and then walking away from it, I find that most of the time it's human nature to make this law true.
Did you ever start on a small task in the kitchen, then find you need to take an item into the bedroom, where you see that magazine article you meant to read, then on your way back to the kitchen you see that bill you need to pay, and while you're writing the check you notice the dust on the TV and figure it'd take just a few minutes to quickly dust, and before you know it your availabe time is gone as you finally complete that small task you started with? I think that's what Parkinson's Law refers to. Happens to me all the time!
Susan~ Yes, I AM a believer in the law of the last minute.
Mary~ Well since you put it that way, Yes, I guess that would be me!
I agree with Mary and you...I start something small and then get distracted by something else and my small job turns into something that can take all day. I've never heard of Parkinson's Law.
For me, it depends on whether I like the job I'm doing or not. I have no problem keeping an undesirable job small. I do what needs to be done, and I'm out. But a creative project...or something else I enjoy...can be stretched out to fill a day easily.
=)
I like Susan's law.
How about, "If you need to get something done, ask someone who is very busy."
Thanks everyone for explaining this to me. I didn't quite get it when I first read this. Makes sense now.
Well, I really don't know if this law is true one hundred percent of the time. Perhaps it is true some of the time.
For example, today. Earlier today, I read this entry. I have been thinking about how I would respond to it all day. Now that I am responding, I still don't have an answer...
but it filled my day just thinking about it!
Ha! HA!
Thanks Jill, you always have an adventure it seems.
P.S.
I will share with you MY law...
"PLAY expands so as to fill the time available!"
never heard of such a thing. i too must give it some thought. xox
They seem to have very well educated people working at Trader Joe's
Oh MAR....hahahaha......lol. FUNNEEEE lady. I had a good laugh after reading all the posts & then getting to hers.
This reminds me of some similar law for space. For instance....we have a closet....he occupies 3/4's of the closet space while my shoe & clothes fills the 1/4 left. The garage....98% his stuff. I occupie 1 section for food storage & files. The bedroom....
We've been here for 10 years now....I'm still looking at unpacking boxes in my bedroom that lines a whole wall. Go figure. I believe in all the laws just cuz they came up for a good reason.
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