Estimated reading time: 2 minutes 10 seconds

Edited: 19 July, 2024

Subtitle: Get the most out of the time you spend on “work”

I’ve been in diminishing returns limbo as of late. This is quite contradictory to my main Chief of Staff OKR, which is GTD (Getting Things Done).

A quick internet search lets you know that diminishing returns are the proportionally smaller profit or benefit derived from something as more investment is added.

I’ve found myself in the following situation recently: Exec let’s me know he wants X to be done. I’m not well-versed in X but it’s my job to become versed enough, so I get cracking.

Two hours in, and I’m still scratching my head. Three hours in and I realize that at this rate, the returns are definitely negative. This realization was three hours late.

But…but what if there’s a graph that looks like this:

Are there cases where having a “diminishing/negative return” phase (in this case, one can not make a great end product within a reasonable time frame as they’re learning, will be blocked by individuals or projects, etc.) makes sense when performing tasks and duties?

Exhibit A below supports the argument that there are such cases:

Exhibit A: It’s a recurring task that will be your responsibility in the future. In this case, you can afford to take the long, winding roads to arrive at proficiency and then a more linear path to arrive at efficiency. The goal here is context rather than product.

But when faced with Exhibit B or C, choose wisely:

Exhibit B: Public Visibility. Here excellence matters more than ever, so it’s better to deliver the best product, whether it is via your own hands, a collaboration with other teammates or passed on to more capable individuals.