How To Do More With Less Effort
Laborit’s Law
Also known as the Law of Least Effort
Laborit’s Law is the principle that states people prefer to complete easy tasks first to gain immediate gratification, while delaying more difficult tasks. This delay results in levels of procrastination. Laborit’s Law is also known as the Law of Least Effort.
Additional productivity and personal development laws
Looking at the two laws which focused on productivity and personal development that were been discussed previously: Parkinson’s Law and Law of Intentionality – I continue to stand by the fact that business and leadership laws can be used in your home setting to make you more productive and be more satisfied with where you are in life. These laws can also assist you in professional development no matter what setting you are in.
About Henri Laborit
Henri Laborit was a neurobiologist and a French surgeon. He performed significant medical research and developed other theories for the ways humans process tasks mentally.
Laborit did extensive research on the human brain and ways humans interact with their environment. One theory he developed was based on the ways humans think about performing a task to completion or choosing not to complete a task.
A closer look at Laborit’s Law
Laborit’s Law does have a component of self preservation within it. Most individuals do not perform optimally when they have a significant amount of stress. Completing easy tasks decreases perceived stress as you are performing a task because you are equipped to perform the task. Completion of tasks also aids in decreasing stress, because you have less to do. Less tasks create less stress which creates a level of satisfaction; however more difficult tasks are still left to complete. These difficult tasks are more complex in the mental demand they create, but they may also take more time to complete as well as require more energy than the easier tasks.
Can you relate to Laborit’s law? When I was looking at it, I reflected on my own daily behavior. It becomes very comfortable to do the easy tasks. You are accomplishing things; getting things completed. Your list of things to complete is getting shorter. BUT when do those more difficult tasks get addressed? In an hour? Tomorrow? The challenge with this is that there will be more easy tasks that have to be completed tomorrow as well. If you keep completing the easy tasks, other difficult tasks will continue to be delayed.
Fixes for Laborit’s Law
Create a priority list
Making a plan for what is next and what you need to accomplish is an excellent way to actually get things done. I am not a fan of a to-do list; however I do create a priority list as part of my daily routine. Priorities assist you in focusing on what needs to be done, while eliminating those tasks that can be delegated or deleted all together. Using this priority list can assist you in creating the steps you need to accomplish projects as well as allows you to create timelines for your tasks.
Do shorter tasks immediately
Look at what you need to accomplish. Will it take 10 minutes or less? These items do not need to be added to your priority list or your to-do list. You should immediately do those tasks. Usually there are only a few of these and if you get them out of the way, more complex tasks can be performed without having to come back to the most easy ones.
Go ahead and do those tasks now. Like right now. You can group these tasks together as to perform in one time block and get them all out of the way at once.
10 minute or less tasks
- Sending that reply email
- Writing grocery list
- Meal planning for the week
- Checking planner for week
- Do a zone clean of picking up toys
- Mail sorting
- Paying bills
- Taking out the trash
- Load the dishwasher
- Wash a load of clothes
- Read and comment on a blog post
Perform tasks using time blocks
Using time blocks can really increase your productivity level during the day. Time blocks allows you to be able to do several things with your schedule. It allows you to visually see where you spend your time and what tasks take the most for you to accomplish. Time blocks also set limits on how long you focus on one task. You have to stay within the block and then change activities when the time is up. Time blocking does not allow for multitasking, which has actually been shown to decrease productivity in some. You use your total focus on one activity at a given time.
Time blocking has also helped me to be able to determine how long it takes me to complete certain weekly tasks which actually aids me in planning my days.
Create realistic timelines
Knowing your own ability to complete tasks allows you to plan things appropriately. When you have to accomplish large projects or even short tasks, time blocking can allow for your total attention to be placed on a task. This allows you to be able to perform at the optimal level and use your time better. Having realistic timelines prevents undue stress on yourself. This also allows you to know what to expect as you move forward with task completion. Does someone want you to participate in something? If you know when a task will be completed, you can decide if you can participate in this activity. It assists you in not overextending yourself. It also aids in burnout prevention.
Provide yourself with rewards
We are quick to reward others in our lives when they do something well. We find their favorite thing; do something nice for them; go out of our way to let them know we are proud of them. We should do the same for ourselves. When you complete tasks, you should be celebrate yourself and your accomplishment. Have you had a personal challenge that you finally decided to meet? Reward yourself. These rewards do not have to be expensive or resource draining. It can be as simple as reading that favorite novel on a Saturday morning. It can be reflecting on your accomplishment and documenting it so you can go back to reminisce on it when you are having difficulty.
Take Action Today
Look at your list of tasks that you have in your planner, calendar, notebook…..do that one task that you have been avoiding. See how it makes you feel. Repeat again tomorrow. Get those challenging tasks completed by addressing them immediately.
More resources about Laborit’s Law
https://ehorus.com/decision-making/
I am so glad you decide to take your time and read this post. Please leave a comment below with your thoughts. Share this post on your social media because there are others that can benefit from this information as well.
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I am passionate about optimal work life balance and I can help women excel in both areas without compromising in either area because I have found systems of planning, organization, and personal development that help achieve goals. Come along on this journey to find your own flourish in all the areas of your life.
Be you, be well, be focused! Find Your Flourish! |Shanna|
[…] Parkinson’s Law: How to Stop this Productivity Barrier from Restricting You How To Do More With Less Effort […]
It’s so easy to tell yourself that you are getting things done by completing the easier tasks while putting off the bigger ones. But it actually makes you more stressed in the long run because you are not prioritising the bigger more important task. In the end you wind up with big projects and the little ones that pile up.
Making a priority list is a great idea. Also instead of a to-do list, say a get to do list.
AmethystAP- Thank you so much for reading and commenting on this post. I definitely agree with you about putting off tasks and how that creates stress that is not needed.Getting a handle on everything that needs to be completed daily is definitely a skill. |Shanna|