Constantly “Busy”? That’s a Problem
“Hey Jim! How’s it going!?”
“Busy, busy. How about yourself?”
“Yeah, I’m pretty busy myself. There aren’t enough hours in the day, am I right?”
Sound familiar? I’m sure you’ve either heard or expressed some version of this conversation countless times in your life. We all have.
These days, the word “busy” elicits a visceral reaction in my brain. I’m so opposed to the word, I consciously try not to use it (it’s hard, but I’m getting better). Why? There are many reasons, but here are two:
It’s un/subconscious virtue signaling: busy = important. But I disagree. Saying you’re busy doesn’t signal virtue, but vice.
It screams dysfunction. If someone is always busy, it says more about their disorganization, lack of clarity, inability to say no, etc. than it does their supposed importance.
Busy isn’t cute. It’s a sign of unhealth. The dangers of constant busyness are myriad, but a clear symptom (and effect) is absence. One of my goals as a consultant is to help people become more present to themselves and others. To help understand the power of presence, let’s look at a famous character from antiquity: Jesus of Nazareth.
Saying you’re busy doesn’t signal virtue, but vice.
It screams dysfunction.
There’s a specific, relevant story about his presence found in the gospels. In Luke 8:40-56, we see Jesus going to heal a sick man’s daughter. However, he was stopped on the way by a woman who - for twelve long years - also wanted to be healed.
Rather than say, “Sorry, but I’m busy,” Jesus stopped what he was doing and “made” time for this woman; he made himself available. He not only healed her, but listened and talked to her (For the uninitiated or curious, check out this video portrayal from S3 E5 of The Chosen).
To borrow language from role-playing games, this woman wasn’t just a side quest. Her situation didn’t appear optional or trivial to the Protagonist. Being available to meet the needs of the hour should always be our main quest.
— - - - Honest Assessment - - - —
How available are you to your family or friends or coworkers?
How responsive are you to texts, calls, emails?
Do you get back to people right away?
Or does it take a few days (or worse: you forget altogether)?
How present are you during in-person conversations?
Are you actively listening?
Or are you going through your calendar / to-do list?
If chronic busyness has dogged you for years, check out my free webinar on the Five Dysfunctions of a Team or set up a Discovery Call to learn how Trellis Consulting can help.