I have a full time job. Two blogs. Pets. Friends. I’m active in several committees and groups. I work out. My inbox is rarely at zero. You know, the norm.
I definitely don’t have a lot of down time, but I don’t know that I’d describe myself as busy.
But others would and do describe me that way, so I often find it easier just to nod and smile because the opposite of busy seems to be lazy. Busy, people get. Busy, people respect. But “on top of tasks and occupied but not overwhelmed?” That doesn’t seem to get the same reverent reaction.
I’m not alone:
- The Busy Trap (via The New York Times)
- 80 Percent of Americans Spend An Extra Day a Week Working After Hours (via The Huffington Post)
- Why Bosses No Longer Care if You’re Late for Work (via Mashable)
Many of us have shifted our work days from 9-5 to wakeup-lay down. I’m in that group. I check my email before I get out of bed and on the hour at night, just in case. I often work on weekends — just quick email responses or Web updates — and don’t clock in or out.
(I should also mention that I’m blessed with an extremely flexible schedule and understanding boss — I may work at off hours but I also go to the gym on my lunch break, come in later due to doctor’s appointments, leave early on Fridays, etc.)
But I also watch TV. Read books. Go to bed early whenever possible. Spend Sunday afternoons lounging by the pool or napping on the couch. I work hard but efficiently and very rarely have to turn down fun opportunities because I have “too much to do.”
The article above called “The Busy Trap” is all about the myth of busyness. The author calls himself the laziest ambitious person he knows, and I love his candor. I think that before The Summer of No I would have rolled my eyes and thought he just didn’t know what busy was. But truthfully, it’s about choice.
If you truly have so much on your to-do list that you have to turn down chances for fun, it’s time to start saying no to the work and yes to the joy. Otherwise, get out of your own way — you are busy, sure, but the second you let yourself be defined by it, I think you’ve let the myth become your reality. Get your work done, find ways to make it easier and more efficient and then go live life.
About Katy
I love the line – “Say no to the work and yes to the joy”. I don’t always live my life this way but I’m trying. LIFE is so much more important to me than just working. I have a friend who works multiple jobs in order to pay off loans, etc faster, but is sick (literally) and tired all the time, but just keeps picking up more work. I don’t want to be so busy that life passes me by…
Thanks for the reminder
I couldn’t agree with you more! Last year I found myself in the rut of always being “too busy” and then realized that nothing was going to stop unless I started to make priorities. It makes all the difference now that we don’t work in offices where a bell rings at 5pm and we leave the whole day behind.
All I can say is thank you. I needed that this morning.
OK, this was enlightening…I have always worried at how “busy” I perceived you were. Now that you mention it, you have always been just incredibly efficient and on top of things. You have always done things that were fun for you, which is a really good thing. This is scary…I am even more impressed by you than I was!
Love this!!! It’s all about time management and priorities!
This was exactly what I needed to hear today! It is so true – I get caught up in the busy and then don’t enjoy life. It should be the other way around!
LOVED that piece in the Times too.
Im the laziest ambitious person I know, too
Amen!
Work hard, play hard is where it’s at. If you can’t get past the busyness and enjoy life — what’s the point?
So funny, I had the new york times article open in my browser and as soon as I saw your title, I knew it was regarding that. I had left it open because I intended to do a post on it as well. I left my full time job a few months ago because it was getting to the point where I stopped hanging out with friends (plus, I decided it was not what I wanted to do long term). I am in transition now…shifting into a new career that is much more flexible. It is so important to find that balance and as you said, find more efficient ways to get your work done.
I used to obsessively check my emails on my day off. Now, I rarely do. Work can survive without me, and I’ve earned my time away from the office.
As for being busy, sure… but I’m busy doing things I love, like running, and training, with people I love (my husband and kids). That’s what it’s all about!
Enlightening post Katy. Everyone’s comments were spot on. I can definitely relate to most.
There are “things” in all our lives that absolutely keep us busy. How can they not? I spend countless hours cleaning this huge old house. Cooking. Cleaning dishes, washing clothes, (up and down basement stairs!!!) the care and feeding of 2 small pets that seem to require an abundance of maintenance fit for triplets. Then there is the meal planning, lunches to be made on a daily basis, etc. Whew. There is a lot to do. So much. Time is time ya know. It has to come from one of those 24 hours …. or else. What I dread the most is: grocery shopping. Ugh. Too awful.
Very common for most of us gals re time ….. early in the morning hours …. I’ll put in a load of clothes. There is always something to launder. Especially in summer. I must plan and focus to have “me time” later in the quiet of evening. I cannot live without TV and movies. Early this a.m. I dropped everything to watch Mildred Pierce on TCM. Just had to do that for the sake of my mental health.
Now … with dinner decided (salad, pizza and watermelon) …… I need a little nap.
What a great post! I love the “say no to work and yes to joy.” Even if you’re busy, you have to find the balance between work and play. In the past I’ve been so concerned with work, and I enjoy my work, but there are more things in life than work. To me, it’s about balance and focusing on the right things for me, both professionally and personally.
I think I consider myself busy but not overwhelmed. And I turn down opportunities in order to not become overwhelmed. Then I complain at how busy I am, and then when I have a day to myself where I can just lounge and not worry about anything…I hate it because I feel useless. Busy makes me feel useful. I like that.
I adore that photo of you and the dogs…and that is one heck of a big dog!! I am not too busy…and I love my life!
I’m super busy (that’s why it’s in my blog title!) but the busy is all stuff I love. Well I don’t exactly loooove work, but I love coaching, blogging, hanging with friends, working out, cooking… it keeps me busy but I wouldn’t want it any other way
Thanks for your clarifying comment on my post, Katy! I really do feel better now that I know you’re not checking your email all night long!