Did you ever notice when you ask some folks how they’re doing, they respond that they’re really busy? I ask myself, “Is that good?” Are they suggesting that being busy shows how popular, in-demand, and successful they are? I guess their answer implies that the more frenzied they act, the better they’re doing. Does that make any sense to you?

Think about it…we pack our day with commitments until we don’t have a second to breathe. Then, when we’re at the end of our rope and can’t possibly do any more, we add one more commitment –– as if we’re trying to drive ourselves crazy. Of course, when the slightest thing goes wrong –– which always happens –– we get anxious and flip out. The house of cards collapses. Right? Rather than learn our lesson, we repeat the same mistake the next day. The truth is, we’re so busy being busy that we fail to see the error of our ways.

Are You Busy to a Fault?

Of course, if we had time to think about it, we’d certainly notice the stress and anxiety that this behavior creates. But there are other shortcomings that may not be as apparent. Consider the following:

If you weren’t so busy, you’d:

Enjoy the moment rather than worrying about your next commitment.

Organize activities in an efficient way rather than doing things haphazardly.

Spend quality time with folks rather than being physically present but mentally absent.

Determine the best way to do something rather than acting first –– thinking later.

Build deep, trusting relationships rather than superficial ones.

Tackle priorities rather than addressing easy items on your to-do list.

Address the root cause of a problem rather than applying a band-aid solution.

Show gratitude rather than worrying about wasting precious seconds.

Do things right the first time rather than doing them over and over.

Start Doing More by Doing Less

Looking for ways to calm your hectic lifestyle? Try these 30 ideas on for size:

Think before you do. Say “no.” (And don’t feel guilty about it.) Fight the BIG battles. Ignore distractions. Avoid the drama. Ask for help. Don’t look back. Never reinvent the wheel. Learn from others. Tell the truth. Combine similar tasks. Keep problems in perspective. Leave work at work. Appreciate what you have. Say, “I’m sorry.” Settle for excellence rather than perfection. Find a shortcut. Let it go. Learn from mistakes –– yours and others. Plan for an emergency. Be honest with yourself. Prioritize. Learn the meaning of enough. Unsubscribe. Know your limits. Think ahead. Delegate. Remember…you’re human. Listen to your conscience. Just relax.

Do You Wear a Frantic Lifestyle as a Badge of Honor?

We’re running, running, running. Did you ever stop…and ask yourself why? Is being really busy all that it’s cracked up to be? Is living a frantic lifestyle making you more productive, helping you to establish stronger relationships, or improving your quality of life?

We should give up the notion that more is always better, quantity is always preferable to quality, and that being busy is always better than having some slack in your day. The truth is that squeezing one more thing into your day doesn’t always make things better. In fact, it can actually make things worse. Do you spend more time looking at your watch than living in the moment? Slow down. Relax. Take some time to think. You may find that’s just what the doctor ordered. Happiness is a result of balance rather than intensity.

Are You Too Busy for Your Own Good?

Please leave a comment and tell us what you think or share it with someone who can benefit from the information.

Additional Reading:

Doing Nothing Is Time Well Spent

Living in the Fast Lane

Moments Lost

You May Regret Not Reading This

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