Busy is the new lazy

This is very interesting. Have you ever met people who keep on telling you they’re busy?

I knew a group of people who always said they’re busy, yet people see them wandering in the malls and watching movies all the time. When confronted as to why they have the time to watch movies while they don’t have the time to help people, they reasoned with conviction that they’re “doing research.” The funny thing is the same group of people would never dare tell me to my face that “they’re busy” when they know for a fact that I load my days with trainings, talks and seminars, but would rarely say, “I’m busy.”

“I’m working.” “I have engagements.” Those are words I’d use, but rarely would I use “I am busy.”

Fast Company came up with a very interesting article entitled “Busy is the New Lazy”. Let me share parts of it.

“Going on about how busy you are isn’t conversation and doesn’t lead anywhere,” wrote iDoneThis CCO Janet Choi on her company blog, “Except making your conversation partner bored, or worse, peeved.” Choi observed that people who are “legitimately occupied” with work or family rarely play the “too busy” card. Choi supplied some translations:

I’m busy = I’m important.

Being busy gives people a sense they’re needed and significant, and it could well be someone’s ego trip.

I’m busy = I’m giving you an excuse.

Saying that you’re busy is a handy way to outsource your responsibility to your irresponsibility. Since you’re always distracted, you don’t have to do anything for anybody.

I’m busy = I’m afraid.

Look above at the “I’m important” part. Whether the speaker knows it or not, complaining of “busyness” is a subtle cry for help, one that reassures us that yes, we are in demand.

“Busyness” has become a virtue. Working hard is an ideal. But as I constantly say in my talks, activity shouldn’t be confused with results. There are people who are working hard, but aren’t producing good results. And there are some people who aren’t working hard, but are working long.

Hard work isn’t as important as meaningful work. Some people don’t seem to be working so hard, but they’re effective in what they do and how they deliver.

You and I need to fill our time with meaningful work. Meaningful work is rooted in thinking long and hard on what matters most. It would require getting out of your comfort zone, acquiring new skills, adding more knowledge to your arsenal, expanding your network and streamlining the work process so you improve the quality of the work output, not just the volume.

Being “busy” may just mean being “lazy” if there are no results to show for it.

Work harder on yourself than on your job. Develop yourself – read, learn, attend seminars on increasing your productivity and do work that matters. This way, you’re no longer just busy – you may actually be productive.

(Spend two whole days with Francis Kong as he facilitates the well-acclaimed Dr. John C. Maxwell Program “Developing The Leader Within You” on June 18-19 at the EDSA Shangri-La Hotel. For further inquiries, contact Lylee at 09158055910, or call 632-6310658 or 6310660 for details.)