Have you felt you are working hard, so busy, with too many things on your desk, keeping all the balls in the air? Do you think you got nothing accomplished? I know I have. Busyness is harmful to our business and ourselves.

We all know it is no fun to be stuck in the busyness quagmire, nor does it foster our professional success. So how do we escape the busyness trap? In this newsletter, I will explain why we get stuck in busyness, discuss some of its problems, and give you eight tangible tools to escape the prison of busyness.

HOW DO WE GET STUCK IN BUSYNESS?

Why is it we always feel a compulsion to be so busy? Why is it that when we get our desks somewhat cleaned up and do not have such an overwhelming pile of things to do, we begin to feel anxious? Why is being too busy the new normal?

See, we all want to be successful. We want to be viewed as someone highly regarded by so many. We have started considering being “busy” a sign of success. We begin to see busyness as a validation mark for our professional achievement. Sometimes we connect our self-worth to our level of busyness. We may see our being so busy as a sign that we are professionally successful. What do you think of someone when you ask how he is doing in his profession, and he says he is doing well but is not so busy?

Sometimes our overwhelming busyness is our own choice. Our ambition fuels our desire to be busy. If we are so busy, we must be doing something meaningful and have achieved high success, right? Sadly this is not the case.

WHAT ARE THE PROBLEMS WITH BUSYNESS

Busyness can be an indication of our need for more success and fulfillment. On the other hand, busyness causes us problems because it shows we need more choices in what we do. We are not acting with purpose. Our being mired in busyness causes us a lot of issues, including the following:

1. Physical health issues. These can include fatigue, loss of appetite, loss of interest in sex, digestive problems, poor sleep, immune issues, muscular tension, and many others.

2. Mental health issues. Our busyness can create feelings of stress, depression, anxiety, inadequacy, sadness, loneliness, overwhelm, and so many others.

3. Loss of productivity When we are flitting from one task to the next, trying to manage too many things simultaneously, we are far less productive and less effective.

4. Burnout. We cannot handle being in a state of busyness all the time. Burnout is a typical result. We harm our work-life balance when we are so busy, We are frustrated at how little we accomplish, so we bring our work home causing further stress and creating burnout.

5. Damage to our relationships. When overwhelmed with being so busy, it can directly impact our relationships, professionally in our office and at home with our family and friends.

THE CURE FOR BUSYNESS

We all agree, in our hearts, that being stuck in busyness is not really what we choose for ourselves, is it? Our sense of self-worth should not come from being too busy. So how can we break out of the prison of busyness? The key is to be purposeful in how we spend our time and what we choose to do. Here are some handy tools:

1. Evaluate how you spend your time. Begin tracking how you spend your time during the day and what you do. For example, what tasks are you working on? What time do you find for yourself? Is that how you want to spend your time?

2. Start time blocking. Instead of simply going to your office and flitting from one task to the next without stopping, plan your day. Calendar your activities and what you’re going to work on and when. Prioritize your most important projects to work on. Save particular time for putting out fires or unexpected emergencies. Schedule your lunch, time for yourself, and rest. Start each day with a plan of how you will spend your time. Set time limits on how much time you will spend on such things as email.

3. Set your goals. What do you want to accomplish in your business? Is how you choose to use your time productive? Does it help you achieve your goals? Be purposeful in how you spend your time, and see if it is consistent with your long-range plan for your life.

4. Act with purpose. Now that you have evaluated how you spend your time and set your goals, it is time to act purposefully. Plan your day. Choose your activities with an intention that furthers your goals. 

5. Make your priorities transparent. Let those around you know your preferences and how you will spend your time that day. Eliminate interruptions that are not consistent with your priorities and goals for the day.

5. Limits. Set limits on how much you can reasonably take on. Choose what tasks and new matters you will accept, consistent with your goals and priorities. Refrain from saying yes to every new issue presented to you when it is more than you can handle or incompatible with your priorities. 

6.  Establish your boundaries. At home and work, learn how to say no. For example, if you focus on an important task at work, keep yourself from being interrupted by a staff member about something much less important. Let the person know respectfully that your priority is to complete a particular project, and you will get back to them later. Avoid letting your work overwhelm your home life as well. Understand that it is wonderful to learn to say “no.” As long as those around you know what your goals are and you are transparent about your priorities, they will become more accepting of your boundaries.

7. Practice self-care. Understand that you matter. Find time for yourself. Engage in a hobby. Eat well and sleep well.

8. Practice mindfulness. Be aware of your thoughts. Choose to believe that your self-worth does not come from being too busy. When you begin to feel overwhelmed or stressed, take a break, and determine the cause of it. Choose how you want to spend your time. 

CONCLUSION

It's time to take control of your life and address the issues holding you back. Our busyness is not in any way a sign of our success. On the contrary, it can create significant physical and emotional problems. It causes us to feel depressed and unfulfilled. Don't let feelings of depression and unfulfillment control your destiny. 

You have the power to create the life you want, starting with setting clear goals for yourself. With a solid plan, you can prioritize your time and eliminate distractions and interruptions that prevent you from achieving your goals. It's important to set boundaries at work to ensure that you use your time productively and to establish a clear separation between work and home. Remember to take care of yourself and prioritize your physical and emotional health. Finally, be mindful of how you spend your time, and ensure it aligns with your vision for your life. With these steps, you can achieve greater freedom and live the life you deserve.

Do you need help with being overwhelmed with busyness? If so, I can help! Reach out for a complimentary chat here: https://calendly.com/garymiles-successcoach/one-one-discovery-call