Lately, I’ve found myself quoting a lot of "laws" in coaching sessions, especially "Parkinson’s Law," which always gets knowing nods. That got me thinking: what other rules quietly shape how we work, think, and get stuck?

So I pulled together seven that show up again and again. Not just for me, but in nearly every coaching / mentoring conversation I’ve had. These are the laws we follow without realizing it. Time to call them out.

Tip of the Week: There are invisible rules shaping your workday. The moment you notice them, they stop being traps and starting becoming tools.

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The Theory Behind

7 Laws That Quietly Run the Show:

1. Kidlin’s Law: If you write the problem clearly, you’re halfway to solving it. When things feel chaotic, we often try to solve everything in our head. Kidlin reminds us that clarity comes from externalizing our thoughts.

2. Zeno’s Paradox Law: The closer you get, the more you realize how far you still are. This shows up in every big goal. At first, the path looks simple, but as we move forward, complexity reveals itself. This might be misinterpreted as failure, but it’s actually the natural cost of growth. Understanding this can turn despair into insight (read more about the "Valley of Despair").

3. Raitman’s Law: If you’re avoiding it, it’s probably the most important thing. Avoidance usually doesn't come from laziness, it comes from fear of the uncertain. That one task that keeps getting bumped? That uncomfortable conversation you keep rescheduling? They might be the gateway to actual progress.

4. Parkinson’s Law: Work expands to fill the time available for its completion. If you give yourself five days, it’ll take five. Give yourself four, and priorities magically rise to the top. Parkinson helps us see that most of our busyness is optional - urgency is a choice.(I mean, the way we structure our workweek was originally designed by a guy almost 100 years ago, to begin with.)

5. Falkland’s Law: If it’s not necessary to make a decision, then don't make it. We feel pressure to decide early (especially in ambiguity). But sometimes the smartest move is to wait. Jeff Bezos calls this the “last responsible moment.” If you don’t need to decide today, don’t. Let more data arrive and find the last possible moment to decide.

6. Illich’s Law: Beyond a certain point, more effort becomes counterproductive. This reminds me of something I learned at Amazon - Trying to push a task from 70% to 100% often takes as much energy as it did to get from 0 to 70%. Jeff Bezos calls this the 70% rule. Why? Because perfection comes at the cost of progress.

7. Hanlon’s Razor Law: Never attribute to malice what can be explained by ignorance or error. Someone didn’t reply. A teammate dropped the ball. A manager missed the nuance. At work, it's rarely personal. Hanlon’s Razor is a simple but powerful lens to defuse tension before it grows.

What I’ve Learned

Kidlin’s Law: Even without deadlines, I write things down. I hate to admit it (as I initially opposed Amazon's writing culture) but writing does truly bring clarity. And if writing isn’t your thing, talk it out. Use AI or voice notes. Just get it out of your head.

Parkinson’s Law: I’ve seen it over and over... most people can actually do five days of work in four and a half - and then dedicate half a day to additional projects (the ones that get you promoted or independent). Force yourself. Compress your time, and you’ll find the space you’ve been missing.

Raitman’s Law: In every weekly review, I ask: What are you avoiding? That question usually points to the real work. [I actually posted about this topic today!]

Make It Happen

1. Apply Kidlin’s Law: Don’t think it through, write it (or talk it) through. Externalize the problem to find the solution faster.

2. Remember Zeno’s Law: Expect progress to reveal more complexity. Don’t let that discourage you.

3. Use Raitman’s Law: In your weekly review, ask: What am I avoiding? That’s likely your highest-leverage task.

4. Leverage Parkinson’s Law: Shrink the time you give yourself. Finish your week by Friday at Noon... see what happens.

5. Practice Falkland’s Law: Don’t force decisions. Ask: When is the latest I can make this? Wait until then.

6. Live by Illich’s Law: Stop at 70%. Use the time saved to move something else from 0 to 70%.

7. Apply Hanlon’s Law: Default to understanding. Most mistakes at work aren’t personal, but related to miscommunication.

Lawfully yours,

Jorge Luis Pando

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