Addicted to Busyness? Just Say No.

"Addicted to Busyness? Just Say No." Busyness Word Art Clock Background Graphic
May 6, 2018
74 / 100

~by Rebecca Schaeffer~

In our faced paced, 24/7 culture, Addicted to Busyness Syndrome (ATBS) has become an unspoken epidemic, most commonly among women. Women, especially those of us in business for ourselves, are expected to have it all – to be successful entrepreneurs, to raise a family, maintain a beautiful home, keep a robust social calendar, and somehow find time to exercise daily and fix healthy, wholesome meals. Not only does our society put these expectations on us, but we also set unreasonably high expectations for ourselves. How are we expected to achieve all of this? By doing more. By sleeping less. And, possibly, by putting ourselves and our health at risk.

What’s Driving this Cultural Addiction to Busyness?

Perhaps it’s a need to accomplish tasks in order to feel worthy, or an insatiable desire to always be one step ahead of where we are. It could be a coping mechanism to keep ourselves from thinking or feeling things we don’t want to acknowledge, or an attempt to live up to the expectations of others. If you identify yourself as someone who’s constantly “busy,” sit down and ask yourself: In all of your busyness, are you living the life you truly want to live? Does your busyness fulfill you, or are you living up to the goals and expectations of what others want for you? If your current busy schedule feels more like a burden than a blessing, chances are you’ve taken on too much than is healthy for you – or perhaps you’ve simply taken on too much of the wrong things. It may be time for you to let some of your busyness go.

Is it hard for you to say no, either in your personal or professional life?

Do you move through your day, scheduled so tightly from activity to activity, always thinking about the next task, but never fully able to relax and live in the moment?  Do you constantly feel that the best way to get something done is to do it yourself?  Do you only allow yourself to take time “off” after you’ve accomplished everything on your to-do list, or when you’ve pushed yourself to the point that you’re too sick not to take a step back?

Coping Strategy:  Say NO!  The easiest way to cross items off your to-do list and eliminate tasks from your daily routine is simply to decide NOT to do them!

Yes, this will likely entail giving up some of the activities and responsibilities that you’ve become accustomed to doing, and it will likely be hard for you to let these go, initially. But ultimately, you’ll have more time for the things you truly care about.  For example, that goal of brushing up on your college Spanish and becoming fluent? It may not be as important as spending quality time with friends and family each week. Cross it off! Like those obligatory social conventions that cause you to accept an invitation when you’d rather be at home relaxing after a long workweek? Excuse yourself politely, and decline to participate!

Whatever these particular activities are for you, you’ll know them when you come across them. When an item has been on your to-do list for months, or even years, with no visible progress, it may be time to think about crossing it off. If, when you examine an activity, you’re truly reluctant to give it up, it may instead be time to reevaluate your priorities and move it higher up on your list. You’ll know. When you get that sinking feeling in the pit of your stomach, imagining yourself fulfilling a specific task or accepting a certain social obligation, simply don’t do it! Give yourself permission to say no, for yourself and for your business. Find what energizes you, and eliminate the activities and commitments that drain you. For more on knowing when to say no, check out our recent Leadership Girl post here.

If you run your own business, consider what you could be doing to promote your business if you let go of a few draining tasks to make time for others. Perhaps you can outsource the tasks that bring you down, to make more time for the ones you truly enjoy. If you find yourself keeping busy but not making progress on your long-term goals, it may be time to change how you operate. Ironically, when you consciously schedule time for those nagging long-standing but hard to define goals, you may actually find yourself feeling less wrapped up in the minutia of day-to-day tasks. Making progress on the goals that are important to you can give you motivation to accomplish more than you think.

If you have children, consider the implications that your current level of busyness has on them, especially if their time is scheduled down to the minute, with classes and extracurricular activities galore. Build some down time into your children’s schedules now, so that they can hopefully learn good habits from you for the future!  Allowing your children the space to choose how to spend their free time can be extremely rewarding for them, especially when it comes to choosing a career field down the road. Likewise, observing how you choose to spend your free time can also help you identify what sparks your inner joy. Start observing how you spend your free time, and see what insights this brings.

Stay tuned for more strategies on overcoming our cultural Addiction to Busyness, and post your own ideas in the comments below!


Addicted to Busyness? Just Say No. 1

Rebecca Schaeffer

Meet the Author: Rebecca R Schaeffer

As a contributing guest blogger and local leader in the field of non-profit management, Rebecca offers personal organizing and business consulting services.  She works with individuals seeking to simplify and remove clutter from their lives, and also business owners looking to optimize their organizational capacity and efficiency.

To learn more about how Rebecca can help you or your business get organized, please email her at: Rebecca@leadershipgirl.com


Categories

More Posts:

10 Ways AI is Transforming the Way We Care for Our Skin

From analyzing skin conditions to recommending personalized skincare routines, AI is revolutionizing the beauty industry. With the help of machine learning algorithms, beauty brands are now able to offer tailored solutions that address specific concerns, such as acne, wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation. Thanks to AI-powered tools like facial recognition and augmented reality, we can even visualize how different products will look on our skin before making a purchase.

Top 5 Regrets Small Business Owners Have About Starting Their Business

If you're thinking about starting a small business, it's important to do your research and understand what you're getting into. There are a lot of different aspects to running a successful business, and it's not always easy. With that said, here are the top 5 regrets...

Nyago Michael Emmanuel

We invite many people who can invest in our Akiba Ya umoja community benefit savings and investment group of Uganda to enable us expand our operations in Uganda

Occupational Hazards That Come With an Office Job

Working in an office can be a great way to make a living, but it also comes with certain risks. Sitting at a desk for long hours and staring at screens can lead to physical ailments that not only cause discomfort but could eventually lead to more serious health...

Signs You’re Overexerting Yourself at Work

Work can become stressful and overwhelming for many reasons. Sometimes, issues in your personal life or work environment might cause you to overwork yourself.  If you’re trying to stay healthy as you work and maintain a good work-life balance, you should be aware of...

7 Essential Tips for Maintaining a High Standard of Health and Safety in Your Organization

Workplace health and safety is a legal obligation that all employers must adhere to. But apart from ensuring compliance and avoiding legal issues, maintaining high health and safety standards can come with a number of benefits for your business as well. With the right...

How Work Environment affects Employee Engagement

Various factors affect the effectiveness of your employees, and your work environment is at the top of the list. The atmosphere where your employees spend all their work hours directly and significantly impacts their performance. And it is a no-brainer that the...

Women’s Fitness Tips: How to Make Time for Exercise in Your Super-Busy Schedule

We’ve all gone down the social media rabbit hole during a lazy Sunday afternoon. Among the sea of influencers, we’ve also probably seen one that seems to have everything – the dream job, the perfect home, and, above all, time to fit a workout into her super-busy...

6 Ways to be a SUPER Mom

Mothers are the strongest. They carry a child, bear the pain of birthing, bring children up, fulfill all responsibilities, play several roles, and make it look oh so easy. That’s why we have given mothers the title of super mom. Society expects mothers to be...

Culture and Psychology in the Workplace – How To Manage and Thrive in a Diverse Office

The success of any company begins at its core – the people. And when it comes to employee retention, according to British author, motivational speaker, and business consultant Marcus Buckingham, “People leave managers, not companies.” I work in a small office of...
10 Ways AI is Transforming the Way We Care for Our Skin

10 Ways AI is Transforming the Way We Care for Our Skin

From analyzing skin conditions to recommending personalized skincare routines, AI is revolutionizing the beauty industry. With the help of machine learning algorithms, beauty brands are now able to offer tailored solutions that address specific concerns, such as acne, wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation. Thanks to AI-powered tools like facial recognition and augmented reality, we can even visualize how different products will look on our skin before making a purchase.

Nyago Michael Emmanuel

Nyago Michael Emmanuel

We invite many people who can invest in our Akiba Ya umoja community benefit savings and investment group of Uganda to enable us expand our operations in Uganda

Signs You’re Overexerting Yourself at Work

Signs You’re Overexerting Yourself at Work

Work can become stressful and overwhelming for many reasons. Sometimes, issues in your personal life or work environment might cause you to overwork yourself.  If you’re trying to stay healthy as you work and maintain a good work-life balance, you should be aware of...

All Categories

Business Operations

Entrepreneur Interviews

Marketing, Networking, & Social Media

Self Care & Personal Development

Working Moms

Business Software and Technology

Entrepreneurship & Small Business

Organizing Tips

Sales

Career Building

Family Businesses

Inspiration

Starting Your Own Business

Work-Life Balance

Communication

Hiring Help

Management & Leadership

Time Management & Priorities

Women in Leadership

Recent Posts

How to Expand Your Hiring Pool

How to Expand Your Hiring Pool

A diverse workforce can bring fresh perspectives, increased innovation, and a range of skill sets to your business. To create a more dynamic team, consider expanding your hiring pool in unconventional ways.  Hire From Outside Your Industry Hiring employees with...

Tips for Starting a Dog Park Business

Tips for Starting a Dog Park Business

Conclusion

Starting a dog park business can be very rewarding, but it requires careful planning in areas like design, safety, marketing, and community engagement.

By providing an enjoyable environment for both dogs and their owners and actively involving the community through events and partnerships, you can create a thriving dog park that meets a need for Colorado Springs residents.

With dedication and a focus on safety, maintenance, and the needs of visitors and their canine companions, your dog park can become a treasured community hub for years to come.

Elements That Should Be Part of Your Company Retreat

Elements That Should Be Part of Your Company Retreat

A company retreat is an excellent opportunity for team-building, learning new skills, and fostering relationships between colleagues. Whether your team is large or small, a well-planned retreat can be an invaluable investment in your company's success. We will explore...

How to Make Employee Health a Priority

How to Make Employee Health a Priority

Prioritizing employee health is crucial for creating a healthy and productive work environment. By investing in the health and wellbeing of your employees, you can improve morale, reduce absenteeism, and build a positive company culture. Here are some tips on how to...

Why You Should Run Your Business on the Latest Technology

Why You Should Run Your Business on the Latest Technology

In today's fast-paced business environment, keeping up with technological advancements is essential for success. Implementing the latest technology can offer numerous benefits, such as improved productivity, enhanced data security, and reduced costs.  Improve...