Busy Busy Bee

“The attempt to create a complex professional identity most often buries us in layers of insulation through which it is impossible to touch our best gifts…The day may be full, we may be incredibly busy, but we have forgotten who we are and why we are busy.” – David Whyte, Crossing the Unknown Sea: Work as a Pilgrimage of Identity

We all say yes to lots of things that take our time, energy, and attention. If we are honest with ourselves, we know that 25-50% of those commitments are not helping us reach our goals. Every month I assess what I’m saying yes to that I really need to say no to. Maybe not “no forever” but “no for right now.” I then try to focus on the yeses to that I want to attract more of—the activities and relationships that energize me and will more quickly help me reach my goals.

What activities or people are distractions, annoyances, or drains for you? What’s the risk of ignoring them or telling them “no” or “not right now?” What’s the cost of not turning them down? We are so often afraid of making people mad and missing out on an opportunity that we get overwhelmed, have a hard time prioritizing, and end up plain tired.

We all like to be ‘busy’ and feel important. It is so easy to equate activity with productivity. As modern professionals, most of us are addicted to activity and bombarded with requests for our attention. Deep in your gut, you know that 25-50% of your professional activity is a waste of time and energy.

Let go of a few activities, obligations, or relationships that are not a priority for you right now. Focus on the most important and energizing activities and relationships that will get you to your goals. Notice any fear of making others mad or of missing out on something if you say no. Notice any compulsion to be busy and do lots of activities that are probably not the best use of your attention. This struggle always reminds me of a Fedex Commercial —“Busy, busy bee!”

Do more of the right things with your valuable time and energy. Risk saying no to everything else. Try it for two weeks and see what happens.

Onward.

Tom