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The Sexiness Of Being Busy: NOT

by Tanya April 08, 2014

I used to work in a market research company, where my manager worked 70 hours a week (yep, it’s twice as much as you and me). He cut back on sleep so he can be more productive.

A woman in my current company, who works as an admin in the same office building as me, told me on Friday when I asked her about her weekend plans, that she is planning to work on Sunday (“Need to catch up on everything”).

This is all rather uncomfortable! Going on and on in detail about how stressed out you are isn’t a conversation. It’ll never lead anywhere. No one is going to say: “Wow, Mandy, you really have it bad. I have heard some stories of stress, but this just the cherry on the cake.“

I, personally, hate using the “I’m too busy” line, it’s too neurotic and makes me want to run in the opposite direction, whenever I hear it. Don’t get me wrong, I get busy too, I just prefer to say “It’s not a priority” instead of “I’m too busy!”, ’cause the former sounds like said by somebody who is n control of their work – the real sexy!

Look at the truly effective people in your community. They very rarely talk about being busy. They talk about what they have accomplished or maybe what they are working on. They talk about going on holidays, their kids, adventures, and business challenges or accomplishments. They laugh, because frankly – life is beautiful and has so many joys 🙂

I think people who are always complaining about being busy, and putting in for overtime, are seldom the most productive. The most productive employees are often the ones who are organised enough to get things done on time.

Just because you clocked 15 hours at your office, with likely dry eyeballs and a complete lack of focus, doesn’t mean you’ve accomplished things in a smart way. Think about it – how good is your output after spending 15 hours straight at your desk without brakes?

Unfortunately, some people would rather deal with being too busy than with what is really bothering them. They numb their pain with the workload, which can lead to burnout.

Do you avoid life’s big questions? What is your purpose in life? Or maybe you are afraid of success?

The thing is, when you can focus, plan, and get things done in an orderly manner, you typically succeed. Success happens when people work energetically and avoid burnout. Limiting yourself to what you can work on with enthusiasm and energy is a key factor.

If you are afraid of success, you will be tempted to sabotage yourself by taking on too much or trying to do too much by yourself. Having more to do than you can possibly accomplish keeps you down, perhaps where you feel safer.

One of the key components of effectiveness is to not over-promise.

Humility is a wonderful virtue that lends itself to under-promising and over-delivering.

People stupidly compete over being busy; as if it shows status symbol.

But in reality slowing down and enjoying life is reserved for people who are comfortable with themselves and who they are happy, successful and sexy. (People who get high off of being too busy so they have no time to think or breathe are empty shells. They know that so they need to cover up their emptiness with busyness)

Did you know that contrary to conventional wisdom, research suggests that happiness leads to success, not the other way around, meaning it would benefit us to shift our focus from achieving future happiness to accessing that joy right now.

We need time with the people we love. We need space to do the things we enjoy without any agenda other than having fun. We need opportunities to disconnect our minds and experience the world with childlike curiosity and wonder. All of this requires us to step away from our busyness.

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Tanya

The first Millennial blogger in the UK. Twitter @_luckyattitude

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  • True. Success happens when we bring quality and care to each moment. We allow consciousness to flow into our action so it becomes empowered and touches every being and form. The paradox is that when we stop trying to be successful, we are successful.

    Reply
    • Tanya

      Love this line: when we stop trying to be successful, we are successful.

      Can be applied to anything 🙂

      Thanks x