“It is not enough to be busy. The question is: what are we busy about?”
Henry David Thoreau
Here is the audio version of this post. Thank you for listening. Enjoy. Are You Too Busy?
Yesterday I woke up to one of my favorite blogs on the planet, The Minimalists. Their post was on the topic of the busy addiction, a topic that is on my mind often these days and is part of my Creating Awesome Workshop. I was so inspired by their post I decided to write about it too.
The Habitrail
Once upon a time, I was too busy. Too busy to pay attention, smell the roses, listen to my heart, see my friends, enjoy the little things, and attend important family functions. I was too busy to breathe. The truth is, it was all a lie.
It was not that I was too busy, I was on the Habitrail, you know, the fun little toy that hamsters and mice play on, yea, that one. I was addicted to the race. Anything to keep me from feeling, living, and thinking. In order to feel alive, I needed more. God forbid I choose to sit still for one second, because if I did, the world will pass me by. And I was on a mission, a mission of external acceptance, other esteeiming, loading up my bank account with money and my life with all the joys of material things. Sounds awesome doesn’t it?
If Its Important, We Find A Way
Today, I see a sad and disturbing trend. People are using the word busy as an excuse to not do the things they do not want to do. Instead of retuning a phone call, email or text, or showing up for a friend or team member, it’s just so easy to say…”I’m sorry, I’ve been so busy.” We all do it. But it’s a lie. We have a choice of how we spend our time, and if its important to us, we will always find a way. Sometimes we just create busyness around us to distract ourselves from ourselves. Can you relate? I know I can.
Busy Or Meaningful?
My life today is so very different that when I was on the Habitrail. As a new business owner, I probably spend more time on my work than ever before. It’s not that I am too busy, I choose to spend my time doing meaningful stuff. And no matter how much time or energy I put in, I am almost never too busy to pick up the phone or return that email or text. I choose to make time time for my friends and family. I choose to make time for things that really matter.
You Are In Charge Of Your To-Do List
Yesterday my friend texted and wanted me to join her for a drink at The Abbey. Now, if you are from LA, you know The Abbey on Sundays is pretty awesome. I found myself coming up with the busy excuse, and then came clean, I was in a little bit of a funk, and not in the mood. Honesty, what a concept. Of course, she totally understood, because she is awesome. Thanks G-Unit, I love you.
Next time you find yourself using the “I am so busy” excuse, how about being honest and just saying, “I choose to use my time for other things”, “You are just not that important to me”, “No thanks”, or “I am not interested”, “I just don’t care”, or “I’m in a funk, so I will pass, but thanks so much for thinking of me.”
It takes courage to be honest. Next time you find yourself using the busy excuse, try telling the truth, first to yourself and then to others. You are in charge of your to-do list. Remember that.
