“I am too busy” is a copout that generally means “I have taken on more commitments than I can deliver on” or “I can’t get everything done I want to do”. ”
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“But even if you could magically do twice as much in the same amount of time, you’d still not be able to do _everything_ you want to do, because there will always be the next thing on your list that you didn’t get to. ”
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“So the problem is not that you’re “too busy”, it’s that you aren’t willing to prioritize and say that some things are more important than others. You aren’t willing to admit that your work is more important to you than your family (“Kids, I’ll play with you when I am done with work”), or to admit that you can’t do everything that you said yes to (“I’ll come to bed once I do these things I have to get done”).”
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“It’s understandable, of course. An admission like that would mean recognizing that we could make different choices with potentially uncomfortable consequences. Most people find it easier to believe that they don’t have a choice, than to admit they would rather work all night than ask for help, or they would rather stay quiet rather than risk getting into an argument with their coworkers. ”
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“But these are choices we make. And recognizing that we have these choices is the first step in moving from a mindset where the world is happening “to me” to a mindset where my actions are chosen “by me”. ”
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“Next time you are asked “How are you?” and are tempted to say “I’m so busy”, I suggest pausing, taking a deep breath, and responding with what you are feeling e.g. “I’m scared I’ve taken on too much right now”. I suspect it will lead to a more authentic conversation and connection than “I’m busy”. ”
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“#hustleculture #cultofbusy