Battle Against Busy

Many of us say this all the time. “It is so busy!” This used to feel like a badge of honor, to show that you had so many responsibilities that you were just that ‘busy’!

I used to say it myself but I have started to catch myself when I am about to comment this way and ensure I am taking a proactive and positive approach to reinforce where I can. There are some critical implications of being ‘so busy’:

• Diminished Productivity and Results: Being busy does not necessarily mean you are productive and delivering on your objectives. As a leader, you must have a strong understanding of priorities and ensure that you and your team are most efficient and effective and drive the needed results. If you continue to press through the busyness, you may get locked into reaction mode. There certainly can be times when there are too many things on your plate when just your number one priority can take up more time than you have. Or, a lack of resources or external inefficiencies cause barriers that take up more time than planned. Try to be aware of the challenges that cause ineffectiveness to help solve where you can or limit the time burden.

  
  

• Reduced Creativity and Innovation: If you feel too busy, you are typically not taking the time to think critically. This can stifle creativity and innovation if you do not give yourself the time to question things and be more solution-oriented. Therefore, you may get through the immediate needs, but the long-term results and overall growth will certainly suffer. I personally find this to be the greatest challenge, the burden of being busy.

  
  

  To reinforce this point, research published in the journal Psychological Science suggests that when individuals are preoccupied with their workloads, they may be less likely to engage in creative thinking or explore new ideas.

• Stress and Burnout: Frequent references to being busy can perpetuate a culture of overwork, which is linked to increased stress and burnout. It can reinforce a lack of work-life balance and a continuous crusade that does not lead to real progress. You can neglect exercise and healthy eating because you just focus on work. According to a study by the American Psychological Association, chronic stress can lead to significant health issues, including anxiety, depression, and cardiovascular problems.

• Impact on Relationships: Regularly discussing your busyness can strain relationships, as it may come off as dismissive or self-centered. A study from the University of California found that individuals who frequently mention their busy schedules may alienate friends and colleagues, leading to weaker social connections.

In summary, while being busy can sometimes be a badge of honor, overemphasizing it can lead to inefficiencies, stress, weakened relationships, and a lack of creativity, ultimately impacting both personal health and professional success. Of course, these considerations and solutions are easier said than done.