I try to overestimate, but then I worry that I may be seen as wasting time or being grossly inefficient. Obviously there is a balance. This is something I worry about much.
My problem is that if I say it would take me 2 weeks and my colleague says he can do it in just one - though I am overestimating, he will most likely seem a better, more efficient employee.
If they consistently estimate less effort than you do AND they consistently delivers on those estimates, then they ARE more efficient. However, you will find in most cases that the people who give lower estimates, tend to miss deadlines more often too.
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I try to overestimate, but then I worry that I may be seen as wasting time or being grossly inefficient. Obviously there is a balance. This is something I worry about much.
If you get work done before the due date, how could it be seen as inefficient?
My problem is that if I say it would take me 2 weeks and my colleague says he can do it in just one - though I am overestimating, he will most likely seem a better, more efficient employee.
If they consistently estimate less effort than you do AND they consistently delivers on those estimates, then they ARE more efficient. However, you will find in most cases that the people who give lower estimates, tend to miss deadlines more often too.