When a CEO needs to align stakeholders and reshape how an organization is perceived, clarity becomes critical.
Clear purpose. Differentiated value. A few focused initiatives. Concrete actions with clear metrics.
That’s exactly where one of my clients finds himself. A key stakeholder meeting is coming up in less than two weeks.
He knows himself well. Especially when the stakes are high, he can get stuck overthinking—spending too much time analyzing, circling around the problem, and losing momentum.
So, I shared two simple, powerful ideas with him.
1. Parkinson’s Law
“Work expands so as to fill the time allotted for its completion.”
Image Source: Learning Loop
C. Northcote Parkinson wrote this decades ago. It’s why a project with a long deadline tends to take a long time—even if it could be done faster. Our brains fill the space we give them.
So, if you shorten the time, you compress the thinking. You get to clarity faster.
2. The Pomodoro Method
The word Pomodoro means tomato in Italian. Francesco Cirillo created this method as a university student
Image Source: shortrecap.co
Here’s how it works:
- Work in 25-minute focused intervals (one pomodoro)
- Take a 5-minute break
- After four pomodoros, rest longer (15–30 minutes)
It sounds simple, but it helps leaders cut through distractions, stay sharp, and avoid burnout.
I gave him one extra tip: Start the first Pomodoro at a high level. Frame the big picture before diving into details. It prevents getting lost in the weeds too early.
Of course, you can do the opposite if procrastination is the challenge—just start anywhere, even with the smallest details, to build momentum.
These two ideas—one a challenge to your assumptions about time, the other a tool to sharpen your focus—can help you create meaningful progress in less time.
How might Parkinson’s Law and the Pomodoro Method help you—or someone you’re coaching—move faster and think clearer?
