“The top 1% don’t work more hours. They make their hours work harder.”

Today’s Ladder:

How to Accomplish More by Doing Less

What if I told you that working less could actually help you accomplish more?

Sounds impossible, right? 

But the most productive career professionals don’t grind longer hours. They’ve cracked the code on how to get more done—without burnout.

You know the drill.

You start your day with a to-do list longer than a Costco receipt. You push through back-to-back meetings, respond to endless emails, and somehow still feel like you got nothing important done.

Here’s the unfiltered reality:

And the highest achievers have one secret weapon that changes everything:

They protect their time like a fortress.

The world’s most effective professionals don’t just “work harder.” 

They…

• Guard their focus,

• Eliminate distractions,

• Work in high-intensity sprints.

Instead of spreading their energy thin, they prioritize deep work over busywork.

The secret?

Parkinson’s Law.

Instead of letting tasks spill into your entire day, you assign strict time blocks for deep, focused work.

Research shows that when you give yourself less time to complete something, you actually get it done faster—because your brain works harder to meet the deadline.

**Why does this work so well?

Because productivity isn’t about doing more—it’s about doing what matters in the least amount of time.

When you control your schedule instead of letting it control you, you reclaim your focus, energy, and even your free time.

So instead of working late and wondering where the day went, set tight deadlines, work in focused sprints, and watch your efficiency skyrocket.

Want to get more done? 

Shrink your work time, and watch your results grow.

Takeaway:

The Science-Backed Strategy for Working Smarter

I used to think working longer hours meant getting more done. So I stretched my tasks across entire days, filling every available minute.

The result? 

Exhaustion, not efficiency.

Then, I stumbled upon Parkinson’s Law—the idea that work expands to fill the time available for its completion.

I decided to test it.

Instead of giving myself the whole day for a report, I set a hard deadline: two hours, no more.

At first, it felt impossible.

But with the clock ticking, I cut the fluff, focused on what actually mattered, and wrapped up in 90 minutes—with better quality than when I had an entire day.

That’s when it clicked:

The less time I gave myself, the more focused and productive I became.

Kinda like what we used to do in school when we were cramming before a test!

Now, I set tight, intentional deadlines for everything. And instead of drowning in work, I get more done in less time—without burnout.

If you’re feeling stuck, compress your deadlines.

You’ll be amazed at what happens when time stops controlling you.

ICYMI: Links to recent issues

💥 How to Navigate Office Politics… Without Losing Your Integrity

📢 Mastering Feedback: The Do’s and Don'ts Every Leader Must Know

😍 How to Make Your Job Feel More Meaningful (Even If It’s Not Your Dream Job)

I appreciate your feedback! It will help shape the future issues of CAREER LADDER!

If you’re curious why I want you to succeed in half the time, here’s why.

To your success,

Dr. Lex ✍️

Let’s Connect!

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