Parkinson’s law is the adage that “work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion.”
I have a large volume of cases, it feels never ending. often, we think its different elsewhere (where the grass is greener). I had a fellow colleague leave the firm recently to find this greener pasture. The first week I asked how the new gig was. 6 motions for summary judgment (HUGE projects) were due the next week.
A colleague said “volume is relative. whether its 1 case with 100 to-do’s or 100 cases with 1 to-do.” This is correct: busy people fill the day with completing tasks. the next day when the next step of the task is due, we are overwhelmed and stressed. by the very progress we created.
If you want something done, give it to a busy person with not enough time. if you are stressed, you would be the same way making widgets. You trade your volume, you dont extinguish it.