You're working too hard

Hi Reader,

Did you hear the one about Parkinson’s Law?

Here’s how it works:

Work expands to fill all the time available.

Give yourself a day to write a 1,000-word article at 10 cents per word, and it will take 24 hours.

I let you work on the math on what that means for your rate per hour…

Give yourself a month for a writing project, and you’ll be swearing at Microsoft Word on the 31st.

Give yourself three months to write a book, and getting to The END will take four.

(If you’re anything like me, that last one will take at least six.)

Anyway, I’m a productivity nerd.

So, here’s how I use Parkinson’s Law for my writing projects.

I focus on the 20% of activities moving my business forward.

(Hint: for most writers and business owners, that 20% is writing emails and newsletters.)

I outsource, delay, or DON’T DO the rest.

I get high-strike projects on my To-do list.

Here’s a fun list of things I stopped over the past few months:

• Recording short-form reels for Insta even though an overpriced social media guru said it’d grow my account faster
• Writing mega X threads and posts because the reach and politics suck
• Repurposing content on TikTok… because it rots my brain
• Recording a weekly podcast because I did it for five years, and sometimes projects end

I could go on, but we’re both busy.

I’ve more emails to write.

You’ve more clients to get.

So, here’s the 20% of the email that will get you the most results.

Give yourself a deadline to finish that 20%… today.

You don’t need to craft immaculate emails, LinkedIn or X posts.

(You don’t need X… at all)

Instead, hit publish early and often.

Then, make more offers.

Remember…

You don’t need more likes and followers.

You need readers, clients, and customers.

Get paid to create.

Don’t create to get paid.

If that sounds like your bag, I can help. I’ve 2 spots open in Pro Writers Only. Reply to this email to learn more.

Write on

Bryan Collins