Being busy has become a way of life for many of us. So much so that we begin to feel guilty if we find ourselves not being busy or we feel uncomfortable if we find we have nothing to keep ourselves busy. If we see someone who is not being busy then we think they may be lazy or unwell. If we are not busy, we try to think of ways to look busy!
In our work, in our office, in our home, we like to be busy. We may complain that we have not got a moment to ourselves and yet, when we find that time, we feel guilty and feel we should be doing something!
In our minds we seem to be confusing being busy with achieving. Our efforts to keep busy seem to be replacing our drive to be successful. Perhaps we feel that if we keep busy, at some point our efforts will magically bring success. Or perhaps we keep ourselves busy to take our minds off thinking about other things.
Yet, if you were to ask people what sort of life that would love to lead, how many would say they dreamt of a 'busy' life? Most of us would dream of a calm, peaceful and successful life, which is quite the opposite of a busy life.
Being busy is not a virtue, it is not a goal. Being busy is what happens when we find ourselves adrift from what really matters in our life. Being busy is what happens when we find ourselves working to the values and goals of others in our lives; our boss, our line manager, the company, even our parents, partners, children and, yes, even the other people living in our street.
Someone who looks busy may have the appearance of being successful, powerful, and influential but do they really feel that way? Usually not. Usually, the person feels flustered, annoyed, pressured and stressed. They feel as if they are not in control of their own time or their own lives and feel they are working to the demands of others.
Keeping busy takes people away from their own thoughts and visions. It takes them away from working toward their own success or their own purpose. Busy people have little time to consider 'the big picture', they are busy working on a little piece of a puzzle without knowing where or whether it fits.
People will say that they go to work and keep busy to earn money. This may sound fair enough but earning money is only a 'reason' for going to work. Having a 'reason' is not the same as having a 'purpose'. How many people would say that their purpose in life is to earn money? You may need to earn money, maybe lots of money, to achieve your purpose or live the life you want for yourself and your family but earning the money is not the purpose of life.
Being busy has effects upon ourselves that we do not realise. We stop talking to people; I mean really talking to them. Sure, we may talk about whatever thing we are each busy doing but do we really talk about anything else? How many of these people do we really know? We may know a bit about the work they do but do we really know anything about them as people? Do they know anything about us? Being busy takes time away from other things and from other people. How many of us have heard our partner complain that they do not see enough of us? How many of us would like to spend more time with our children or more time for ourselves?
Being busy has effects upon our health, how many of us have felt stressed as a result of being too busy? How many of us know we are under strain but fear to slow down in case we are seen as lazy or not pulling our weight? How many of us can find the time to book that urgent doctor's that we know we need but are just too busy to fit it in?
So, now, ask yourself these questions;
1) When I am being busy, whose purpose am I working for? Mine? My family's? The company's?
2) When I am not being busy, do I ever feel guilty, lazy or devious?
3) When I am being busy, how many people do I talk to? What do we talk about? Do I really know the people I talk to?
4) If I were not being so busy, what else could I be doing?
5) In the last week, how many successes have I had?
6) Could I become more successful without being so busy?
7) What benefits could it bring me and those close to me if I stopped being so busy?
Douglas Woods is a fully accredited Life Coach, teacher and counsellor. You can find out more about his work from his website, http://www.dougwoods.com
family-safe home cleaners Morton Grove ..They 'do it' by sharpening their FOCUS on the task... Read More
A couple days ago I was listening to a CD... Read More
One of my absolute favorite quotes is from Dwight D.... Read More
Have you ever wondered why some people seem to be... Read More
You have a choice today?You can remain in the same... Read More
I recently was made aware of two comparative statistics that... Read More
I spoke recently with the owner of a large clothing... Read More
(Excepted from the book The Five Major Pieces to the... Read More
Too often we wait for the 'right time' or 'the... Read More
As a golfer and coach, I've been thrilled to watch... Read More
Choose a personal theme song and soundtrack that stirs you... Read More
Frederick W. Smith attended Yale University and wrote a paper... Read More
"The more you hate, the more you love."What an ironic... Read More
Be weary and leery when it comes to standardized tests... Read More
Since December 1st 2004, I have written one article or... Read More
As a work-life and career coach, I regularly work with... Read More
How many times have people asked you what you really... Read More
There is a disquieting trend emerging among women particularly -... Read More
1. Clearly define what you want and what is most... Read More
To be clear about what success is must be the... Read More
Anytime you are making ground and moving toward success, there... Read More
Success is not something that only a chosen few can... Read More
Hi, Jim Rohn here. This month we focus on accelerating... Read More
Have you ever had this feeling? You're standing in front... Read More
I received an advanced copy of a book called How... Read More
home cleaning services Wilmette ..What is Optimum Performance? This question raises different responses from... Read More
No one becomes successful by accident. Success requires making a... Read More
In the film 'The Rock', Sean Connery takes a dim... Read More
I've long been a student of those who have achieved... Read More
The best way to predict your future is to create... Read More
What do you need to do to be successful? If... Read More
One of the inevitabilities of University life is the examination.... Read More
When you analyze the traits of successful people, you will... Read More
Success is creating what you want the way you want... Read More
Material or physical success is often measured by the level... Read More
What is success? As author and speaker Earl Nightingale said,... Read More
I have been studying several books lately that deal with... Read More
We all strive for a 'balanced life'. Although we may... Read More
Visualize success, and what you'll do to reward yourself A... Read More
I'll be the first to admit that everyone has his... Read More
Of all the things that can have an effect on... Read More
* Perfectionism is a time waster.Strive for excellence on important... Read More
In my audio program Book Yourself Solid, The 7 Keys... Read More
Your personal image: It's the most important YOU asset you... Read More
Anytime you are making ground and moving toward success, there... Read More
Lots of people network but few reap the rewards of... Read More
Study hard, get good grades and you will have a... Read More
Have you failed before and wished the earth could open... Read More
There are twelve necessary elements involved in achieving success:1. Spend... Read More
We all want success. You do. So do I. Some... Read More
Success |