Take time out of your busy schedule to read this article…. When was the last time you called into question the continued rushing and asked why you were so ‘busy’? It might be the first week back after a good holiday or feeling you are letting important people down because you can’t seem to fit in those moments you need with them. You will be surprised how many have never called it into question. In fact quite the opposite – BUSY – seems to be all the craze, not just a status update but a desired status symbol. How important we are seems to be linked somehow to how busy we are….. This leads to a competition of the busiest person must therefore be the most important. The trouble is that being constantly busy leads to stress and burnout. Here are reasons to question your busyness:
- Busy Disconnects us from those we love because we rush everything and do not allow time for partners, family, friends.
- Busy Numbs our real sense of enjoyment and instead of enjoying the present we overlook it focussed on the task.
- Busy Cheats us to thinking we are being productive. ‘Look busy the boss is coming’. How many offices are caught in this trap of looking busy…busy desk….
- Busy Catches us in a trap not relaxing and not being able to rest our mind and body. Depriving us of the needed rest.
- Busy Excuses us for not eating properly, exercising or taking care of ourselves some other way.
- Busy Distracts us from our life vision and goals. Not taking the time and space to see the wood from the trees.
- Busy Leads to Exhaustion unless we keep it in check. Unchecked it leads to burnout and depression- physiological ways our body clocks off and asks for a break.
Here are 5 important things you can do to challenge being busy all the time:
- Say No more often and plan your calendar in advance. By taking some time to schedule your week carefully, you can ensure your time is planned around those things most important to you. Remember those new years goals – well if you don’t plan the time for them, you’re unlikely to do them. Often this starts by saying no to things that are not accomplishing our true goals.
- Be realistic around your time allocation. Give yourself gaps so you are not rushing between responsibilities and your body has a chance to breath. Unless you rest and recuperate you actually become less effective.
- Throw away the badge of busyness. It is not a badge worth wearing and probably pushes the most important people away from you. Opportunities are missed, new ideas are never thought and you are not getting any younger.
- Delegate and involve others in your projects. By mentoring and helping others we share our responsibilities and help others to grow. This is important for parents as well as leaders. If we take it all on ourselves we miss precious opportunities to work with others and collaborate.
- Develop Habits each day that build you and recharge your batteries. It only takes a few minutes to ‘sharpen the saw’ and then you are going to be much more effective and healthy too. What is it that truly recharges you? If you are habitually doing this for a short time each day – your daily life will be much more fulfilled.
