How often have you used the word 'busy' in the last few weeks? Being busy is something that all managers can understand especially at this time. The danger arises when this empire becomes the norm for us - when it becomes the badge of fame, and when we begin to believe that life is just like this.
I get frustrated every time I hear someone proudly talk about his accomplishments doing a lot of work or the fact that he did a lot of things because of the many production hacks he got. There is a big difference between being busy and being productive - top players understand this.
Numerous studies prove that multitasking impairs our ability to concentrate, remember details, or perform tasks as if we were focusing on one thing at a time. In many areas of work, there is a high expectation that it will always be in touch, to be present at every meeting, and to press as many projects as possible on a person’s plate.
Lots of technical tools add to this pressure. A 2018 Stanford University study found that “more surviving media outlets are showing poor performance in many areas of understanding”. And they had lower accuracy and slower answers than those that focused on one thing at a time.
It also affects our overall behavior and physical activity. While some may not fully understand this word, it also has many negative connotations. Other names that can be used to include busyness include stress, panic, frustration, rushing, and scattering.
At this point, we need to engage in conscious exercise. We need to stop what we are doing, show it, and act on what is most important to us. The process of regularly reviewing and resetting our priorities is key to better managing our time and, after all, our lives.
Three things make top artists stand out when it comes to managing their schedules.
1) They have a clear idea of what is important to them and why
2) They plan ahead and are not distracted by ‘noise’ that could distract them
3) They are not afraid to say no to people or jobs, if necessary, to keep them on track or to keep them mentally healthy.
So, what can you do to move from complexity to production?
Tip 1: Think about your life without work. When you start to see your friends and family as things that get in the way of work, it can be time to pause, draw a line, and rethink your priorities.
Tip 2: Decide if you are busy because you have a lot to do or because you are not productive. Once you have this, you can develop strategies to improve the situation, one thing at a time.
Tip 3: Acknowledge that being busy is not something you're proud of. In fact, it could be a mistake as it suggests that we are probably joining ourselves to avoid something. Try to include the word busy as ‘productive.’ If the angle doesn’t feel right, you may need to rethink where you spend your time.
Nineteenth-century author Henry David Thoreau observed: “It is not enough to be busy. So did the ants. The question is: what are we busy with? ”- it is your job to discover what that is.
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