“How are you doing?” you ask your friend or colleague. Even as you ask the question, you already know the answer. It is predictable.
“I am SO busy!”
Many leaders proudly wear the label “busy” as a statement of identity and recognition; seduced into thinking that being busy is tied to their importance & worth as a person, as a leader.
Here are 10 tips to help “slay the busy monster”.
-
Dream Big. Strategize Yearly. Recalibrate Quarterly. Plan Weekly. Refocus Daily.
Most people are running from one day to the next, hoping and yet unsure whether or not they are focused on the right things.
If you aim for nothing you will hit every time! Decide to operate in alignment with what you say is most important to you.
-
Focus on whole life.
Many live compartmentalized lives somehow hoping to survive in all areas, but to actually thrive for many is, well ….. a pipe dream. Thriving in life and business is so very possible and yet not often experienced.
Although work is crucial, as business owners and leaders we are more than our work. Each of us has a life that is to be lived to the full at work, at home and in community. Jesus was clear on this point. With Him at the center we are to engage in living life to the fullest.
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life,and have it to the full. John 10:10
-
Think 168!
We hear it often, “If only there was more time!” or “There are not enough hours in the day.”
These statements lull us into thinking we can pack more and more into our already-over-committed schedules. We hit the wall, run out of energy, frustrated that the things most important have been squeezed out – AGAIN!
Do the math: 24 hours x 7 days = 168 hours / week
168 cannot be changed, flexed or managed. The only option you and I have is to decide how we invest the 168.
-
Quit juggling – be a knife thrower!
We pride ourselves on how many things we can juggle. And yet at some point, no matter how practiced, add one more item and the whole lot will come tumbling down.
The art of living well and accomplishing what is most important is like becoming a knife thrower. You can only hold so many blades; you bring great focus to each throw, and you know that hitting the mark is the objective.
We too, must learn how much we can legitimately do in order to thrive – to “hit the mark”.
-
Good is the enemy of the best! Choose what is best!
There are lots of “good” things we do – not all are best. It is impossible to do all that is on our “to-do” list.
Jesus did not try to “do it all”. He focused on what was best for the life He lived he on earth. John 17:4
What is “best” for you?
-
Handle things once!
Much time is wasted by re-doing tasks that have been done before. Think of documents poorly filed, contact information not saved, and the list goes on.
If you are frequently re-doing tasks then you have decided to get a poor return for your time invested.
-
Limit media!
A prominent Toronto radio station frequently invites listeners to tune in 3, 4, 5 times a day to get the latest news and information. Somehow the lure of “needing to know” compels us to tune in. Our appetite for more and more information is almost insatiable.
Here is the question, “Do you need to know 3, 4, 5 times a day?”
-
Contain your time!
Chip, my business partner, tells the story of cleaning his garage. To clean it like he would really like to clean it would take 2 days. Given other important activities on his plate he sees that he can give it 2 hours. The question becomes, “In that 2 hours, what are the highest value activities for that time?”
Many activities on our list could consume our time well past what is reasonable. Just like the garage, give them only the time they deserve.
-
Be ruthless with distractions – learn to say “No”!
As I was writing this blog, a friend of mine, who I had not seen in some time stopped by. The temptation to alter my blog writing deadline was glaring right at me.
I had a decision to make. I visited with my friend briefly, let him know that I was working on a deadline, and set an appointment for us to enjoy an uninterrupted visit.
-
Chunk it down!
You may have heard of the old saying,
“How do you eat an elephant? ……..One bite at a time.”
Many of our projects are far bigger than what can be accomplished in a day, a week or a month. Feeling overwhelmed we hesitate, telling ourselves we will tackle it when we have more time. The project remains unfinished because that big block of time just doesn’t seem to arrive
Break the project into small, bite sized pieces that can be tackled in one or two hour increments. Over time the whole project will be completed.
Personal Application:
As Mavericks let’s move from being too busy to being busy at the “right things”.
“Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom” Psalm 90:12
By yourself or in a group reflect & pray:
Father,
- What are you teaching me about me, and my “busyness”?
- How aligned am I at work and at home with what is most important?
- Would those at work and at home say that I aligned with what is most important?
- What actions would you have me take to “slay the busy monster, in my life?
- Is there someone you want me to share this with?
Hope your week is a “busy at the right things” one – at work and at home!
I hope our post was helpful. If so, please share it with those you think would also find it of value. Let us know what you think! pete@deliberateu.com
Pete
