Being a busy bee does not equal productive

The least productive people are usually the ones who are most in favour of holding meetings. — Thomas Sowell

Are you having trouble getting out of your own way? Many of us need a lifestyle overhaul and a new perspective of the difference between being busy versus being productive. If you have too many priorities in a day, you are not being productive just being a busy bee. To be productive, you need to have few priorities so you are able to focus and follow through. The Pareto principle does seem to hold true in many things in life –  that 80% of your desired results come from 20% of your activity.  Not carved in stone. But have seen the pattern repeat itself in my efforts.

There is wisdom in Warren Buffet’s definition of integrity is: “You say no to most things”. Busy people seem to struggle with saying “No” lest they disappoint or miss out. We have to develop the backbone and courage to say “No” and not take on more than we have the capacity, time and energy to do. The little devil that rears it’s head over and over that makes a planner and organised person come across as busy, unreliable and chaotic is how other people’s lack of planning can become your cross to bear. Especially if you treasure yourself as a person of your word, when you commit,  you commit. Then these commitments keep being shifted by others. In business, most times you have no control over clients changing timelines. So don’t bring the same chaos into your personal life as well. Commit to less to give yourself slack to shifting timelines beyond your control. But at times, be brave enough to walk away and say ” Enough is enough. I can miss this opportunity”.

Remember

“If you commit to giving more time than you have to spend, you will constantly be running from time debt collectors”. — Elizabeth Grace Saunders