Busyness is bad for business, because busyness is bad for you.
In response to the question: “How are you?” we often answer: “Busy” as if it was a virtue, a badge of honour.
It’s not. This is what busy is:
Busy = breathless
Busy = distracted
Busy = time-wasting
Busy = loss of control
Busy = flapping around
Busy = I can’t prioritise
Busy = frantic and furious
Busy = active, but not effective
Busy = acting to impress others
Busy = doing a lot, but not finishing enough
Busy = doing the urgent, but not the important
Busy = taking more time to do less
Busy = always in a rush
Busy = pleasing others
Busy = multi-tasking
Busy = lack of focus
Busy = presenteeism
Busy = exhaustion
Busy = struggle
Busy = noise
Busy = bullshit
Stop being busy. Stop saying you’re busy. Slow down.
Say “no” more often. Create spaces in your calendar and defend them.
Productive, not busy.
Deep work, not lots of work.
In control, not in a rush.