Busy vs. Productive

In my line of work, I often have the “busy vs productive” conversation with clients.

They’re 𝑎𝑑𝑑𝑖𝑐𝑡𝑒𝑑 to “busy.”
They 𝑛𝑒𝑒𝑑 “busy.”
They 𝑐𝑟𝑎𝑣𝑒 “busy.”

Because “busy” takes the focus off the work that needs to be done on and for themselves.

Too many folks wear “busy” like a great badge of honor, but here’s the thing: You don’t get a trophy for packing your schedules with more projects, more errands, more chores, more volunteering or charitable work, more accomplishments and more meetings.

All you get is a bigger load of busy.

And if you’re over-fat and keep hiding behind “busy,” all YOU get is . . . B I G G E R!

Busy is harried.

Busy is overwhelmed.

It’s fast.

It’s careless.

It’s a hamster wheel that never ends and a sprint up the ladder without ever asking where it leads.

Being busy is about working harder.
Being productive is about working smarter.

Being busy is frantic.
Being productive is focused.

Being busy is fueled by perfectionism.
Being productive is fueled by purpose.

Being busy is about being good at everything.
Being productive is about being great at a few important things.

And your health IS important.

Your self-care IS important.

There are moments, of course, when life does get busy but, speaking for myself, I never want busy to be the new normal. I never want to look back at my life and say, “Wow, I was really good at being busy.”

How ’bout you?