Imagine this.
You're walking down the hallway and someone asks you how you're doing. You reply without even thinking, "I'm busy."Stop it. Stop it right now.
When you say you're busy here's what you're really saying...
I'm working really hard. I have too much on my plate right now. I planned poorly and can't stop to talk to you. I'm prioritizing what I'm going to over building a relationship with you. I'm also REALLY important and you should think about that when you say "Hi" to me in the hallway.
Imagine this too.
You get a phone call from a colleague/friend asking you if you can do this task to help them out. You reply, "I could but I'm really busy right now."When you say you're busy here's what you're really saying...
I poorly planned my own projects or I don't even like you enough to help you out. I'l help you with your task but I'll reach back out after all of my other work is complete.
Finally, imagine this...
You're on the phone checking you're voicemail and your get one from your grandmother. She just wants to check in and she says it, "I know you're busy."
When she says you're busy here's what she's really saying...
I haven't heard from you in a while, I miss you, I don't feel like a priority.
Stop it, Just Stop it. Stop it this instance.
How to combat "Busy"
Saying your busy implies you're misguided, frantic, walking hard, but not towards a goal. You have a lot to do, we all do. But you know what successful people do? They do this:
- Set yearly goals in all aspects of their life. (See seeking balance)
- Prioritize tasks
When a new "to do" list item is presented.
Successful people check:
1. Does this get me closer to my goals? If Yes, it goes on the list, if no, it gets omitted/deleted. NOTE: some things like going to the grocery store or folding laundry do make it on the list of "life maintenance."
2. How will it get prioritized? Will it become more important or less important than the tasks that are already there? NOTE: If the item takes less than 2 minutes to complete, do it now.
When you're doing busy work, you're working on things that are misaligned with your mission. The items are NOT moving you closer to your professional or personal goals. Keep focused.
Stop saying you're busy, focus on your goals and work to achieve them.
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