Every self storage Manager, Operator or Owner wants their team to be as productive as possible, people want their team to be as motivated as possible with productivity always being a desired outcome. One way to help increase productivity is to understand and conquer Parkinson's law.
Parkinson's law is the adage that "work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion". In other words, if you have a full day to complete a certain task, that is all you will achieve in that specific day.
There are a few ways to conquer Parkinson's law:
If setting a task for your team, explain why this particular task is important and why you need it doing. Doing this ensures the team members understand the value and importance associated with the task. This will help them to focus on the task at hand and feel of value to the business.
The second way is by setting realistic deadlines. If you know that a task will take two hours, don't give yourself four hours to do it. This will only lead to procrastination. Set out a job or task to do for when you have finished the first task, this will keep you motivated to complete the first task.
Breaking down tasks into smaller chunks. If you have a large project that will take several days or weeks to complete, break it down into smaller tasks that you can complete in a day or two. This will make the project seem less daunting and will help you to stay on track. Also by breaking down the project, you can delegate different tasks to different team members.
On delegating tasks, if you have a team of people working for you, delegate tasks so that everyone has something to do. This will prevent work from piling up on one person's plate and will keep everyone within the team motivated as they feel they are contributing to the goal.
The fifth way is by taking breaks. If you feel like you're stuck in a rut, take a five-minute break to clear your head. This will help you come back to the task refreshed and ready to tackle it meaning you are more likely to complete the task in a timely manner.
All of these tips can help you and your team to be more productive by conquering Parkinson's law. Try implementing some of these tips into your everyday work life and see how it can help you and your team to get more done in less time!
