Judy Wajcman is Emeritus Professor at the London School of Economics and Political Science coined the phrase “time-pressure paradox“. The time-pressure paradox is the idea that the more rushed and busy you feel, the less effectively you actually use your time. In simple terms, when you’re under constant time pressure, your decisions get worse, your focus drops, and tasks often take longer or come out poorly—so you end up losing the very time you’re trying to save.The professor argues that despite labour-saving technologies, people feel more rushed than ever because digital devices increase the speed of life and raise expectations for productivity. In several interviews, and her book, Pressed for Timeshe explains that technology does not create more free time. It was supposed to. That was the promise. Instead what we got was an accelerated pace of work, leading to a constant, frantic state of feeling “busy”. Let’s explain this better.
The time-pressure paradox explains why we are always so frantic:
Technology does not save time: Wajcman highlighted that appliances like washing machines did not reduce household labor; instead, they raised expectations for cleanliness, resulting in more laundry, on a daily basis.Constant connectivity: Email and smartphones, removed boundaries between work and personal life, creating an “always-on” culture.Speeding up: Technology enables us to do things faster, but this speed has caused a corresponding increase in our social expectations of speed, keeping us constantly in the “fast lane” that’s detrimental to our physical and mental health.
The time-pressure paradox is the idea that the more rushed and busy you feel, the less effectively you actually use your time. In simple terms, when you’re under constant time pressure, your decisions get worse, your focus drops, and tasks often take longer.
Change in social habits: Increased efficiency in transportation or shopping often results in living further from work (longer commutes) or spending more time managing logistics rather than enjoying free time.Wajcman suggests that feeling “harried” is not an inevitable consequence of technology, but rather a result of how we integrate digital devices into our social lives, allowing for “acceleration of the pace of life”.
Here’s how to get out of this paradox and still your mind
- We all know what this frantic pace of life is doing to us. Say “enough” instead of chasing perfection. Redefine a successful day. It’s not a ticked-off to-do list. It’s one where you have chosen, maybe 3 priorities, and accomplished two. That’s a perfect day.
- Accept that time is scarce, finite. You cannot change this. No one can. Not unless it comes at the cost of their health. This simple acceptance reduces the mental pressure spent on resistance, guilt, and all the “what-ifs”. Actually, throw out that thought of “what-ifs” as far as you can.
Practice single tasking, and stop taking pride in how much you can multitask. It destroys your biology. The body listens and reacts to whatever you say. Don’t judge yourself harshly. Don’t let anyone else do it either.
- Reframe anxiety as calmness. Sounds like an oxymoron. But it does help, every time you feel deadlines are here and start to get anxious, take 10 deep breaths. Give yourself a break for five minutes to still your mind. Don’t judge yourself harshly. Don’t let anyone else do it either. But the other person can be tacked in the long run. For now, just concentrate on the job at hand, and finish it. There’s no such thing as “I must do more”. You are doing what you can. Stick to it.
- Audit and structure your day. Use a notebook for this one. Don’t use a device. Science shows writing on notepads clears your memory than writing on some tracking app. In fact, gadgets add more anxiety. Note down every hour where your time is actually going. Then consciously structure your day to prioritize high-impact tasks.
- Please practice single taskingand stop taking pride in how much you can multitask. It destroys your biology. The body listens and reacts to whatever you say. Chemicals in the bodies work that way. The moment you start thinking and using words that are achievable and simple, your mind takes a break, and prepares itself to give you a lot of energy. Focus entirely on one task, finish it, and then move to the next. Don’t overwhelm your mind.
- Double your time estimates. For any given project, estimate the time it will take, and then double it. This creates a buffer that reduces panic when interruptions occur. At the end of each week, review what worked, what drained you, and what distracted you. Plan the following week’s top priorities to start with clarity, not in reaction mode.
For any given project, estimate the time it will take, and then double it. This creates a buffer that reduces panic when interruptions occur.
- Realign with your fundamental values. Savor moments with gratitude: Actively appreciate small moments, like a morning coffee or watering an indoor plant. Let your thoughts be linear and think more and deeply about them. That’s how we sharpen our critical thinking powers. Think about this: the route to find peace and develop critical thinking power is the same. Just save time for yourself when you wake up, or right before hitting bed – whenever you can. And while you are at it, could you please learn to say “No”?
Perfect. That’s about it for now.
