Why BUSY is a "Four-Letter" Word In Terms of Productivity and Stress

 

 

Yes sir! Busy is clearly a word comprised of four letters. And I believe it is a word that we should banish from our vocabulary – just like many other four-letter words our moms wanted us to suppress. Mom told us not to use those four-letter cuss words because they weren’t helpful or polite in public, and she didn’t really want us thinking about those ideas either. That is why I think busy should be on that list. 

I realize that most people today must contend with proliferating priorities not to mention the challenge of competing priorities. However, before you dismiss this post out of hand, let me tell you what I mean and how eliminating the word busy from your vocabulary can help you feel more in control of your day.

Busy Elicits Sympathy

Think about this exchange that you have had or observed hundreds of times:

“How are you doing?”

“Man, I have been crazy-busy!”

“Oh, I know what you mean!”

We all like it when people understand our plight – and saying we are busy is like a direct line to sympathy! Most everyone will respond like the exchange above. Even if that is all they said, we get a little dopamine surge because we know that others understand our situation.

When something feels good, we do it again. Unfortunately, that sympathy, while it feels good, doesn’t help us get past being busy. In fact, it allows us to settle into that mental state.

Busy Can Be An Excuse

Here is another exchange you will recognize.

“How is that project going?”

“Well, I’m not as far as I wanted to be, because I have been so insanely busy.”

“Ok, thanks for the update.”

Busy can be an excuse, and often a pretty effective one. When we say we are busy, others often don’t ask a follow-up question. They take our “busy” at face value, and at least for now, we avoid any further, potentially unpleasant conversation.

Busy Can Be a Justification

We look at our too long to-do list and justify why more things aren’t crossed off the list, because, well, look how long the list is! That circular argument is weak, but appealing. And when you build a list and continue to put things on it that you never seem to get to, you build your ongoing justification for not getting things done.

Think of the justification as your internal excuse and rationalization for your lack of productivity. And that really helps you get more accomplished, right?

Busy Focuses on The Wrong Thing

Merriam Webster’s second definition of busy is: full of activity. If we remain focused on activity, we can use busy as a justification or excuse with no problem. Except that activity isn’t really what we want. We want accomplishment.

When we focus on activity, we can be busy. But when we focus on accomplishment, activity matters far less. Busy doesn't necessarily mean productive.

Permit Me to Be Blunt:

Busy is a four-letter word because it can be a seductive way to keep us from being accountable for accomplishing the things we want and need to do. 

Busy Can Be a Barrier to Achievement

If you want to get more done, you have to take away the excuses and be accountable for your choices. It is a choice to focus on activity and allow busy to be a barrier. It is also a choice to focus on accomplishment and judge yourself on that measure, rather than on the “busy” one.

It’s Your Choice

It is your choice. You can stay with “busy” and likely get less done, be stressed and frustrated by that fact, and achieve fewer of your goals. Or you can work to banish busy from your vocabulary and change your focus. The second choice will lead to less frustration and stress, more accomplishment, more recognition (if you want it), and more goals achieved.

Regardless of the choice you make,  busy is still a four-letter word.

Click here to read a related post: 7 Ways to Boost Your Focus in a Culture of Distraction  (2 min read)

To your greater success and fulfillment

Peter Mclees, Leadership Coach, Trainer and Performance Consultant
SMART DEVELOPMENT

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