How to reverse and overcome the obsession with busyness

7 May, 2023 ∙ By Vidhi Kapoor ∙ 2 Comments

In the last blog, we learnt about the culture of busyness. Busyness refers to the pressure society places on individuals to constantly be active and productive, frequently at the price of their relationships and personal well-being. Because of the various adverse effects of busyness, organisations are looking for ways to combat the scourge.

According to psychologists’ findings, people tend to value something more when they work harder to achieve it. This tendency is popularly known as ‘effort justification’, and people feel more committed to a task when more effort is involved, even when the task is meaningless. While the employees go into an ‘automatic mode’, managers tend to make decisions based on institutional knowledge and culture, which are just bad habits.

*It’s easy to become overwhelmed with the constant stream of responsibilities and tasks that we have to manage*

In today’s fast-paced world, it’s easy to become overwhelmed with the constant stream of responsibilities and tasks we must manage. With the rise of technology and the increasing demands of work and personal life, it can feel like we are always busy and never have enough time to get everything done. However, there are ways to overcome this feeling of busyness and regain control of our lives.

Here are some tips to help you manage your time more effectively and achieve a more balanced and fulfilling life:

Prioritise your tasks and eliminate low-value work

One of the most effective ways to overcome busyness is prioritising tasks. Many organisations dump shallow work on the employees, such as reporting, unnecessary meetings, data work etc. This does not allow them to do deep work reducing productivity. Organisations should focus on employee-engaging activities rather than just keeping them on the clock. Make lists of everything you need to do and rank them in order of importance. This will help you focus on the most critical tasks and ensure you are not wasting time on less important activities.

*A lot of organisations dump shallow work on the employees, such as unnecessary meetings*

Learn to say no and delegate tasks

Often, busyness is a result of taking on too many commitments. Learn to say no to requests that are not essential or do not align with your priorities. This will help you free up time to focus on the tasks that are most important to you. If you have too many tasks to manage, consider delegating some of them to others. This can help you free up time and focus on the tasks that are most important to you. Delegating can also help you develop your team members’ skills and build trust in your relationships.

*If you have too many tasks to manage, consider delegating some of them to others.*

Set the right behaviour and take breaks

Companies can overcome busyness by setting the correct examples. Leaders should neither themselves nor let the employees burn the midnight oil. Taking regular breaks throughout the day can help you recharge and refocus.

*Schedule short breaks throughout your day to stretch, take a walk, or simply relax*

Schedule short breaks throughout your day to stretch, walk, or relax. This can help reduce stress and increase productivity.

Set boundaries by rewarding output, not just activity.

It is essential to set boundaries to manage your time effectively. This means saying no to distractions and interruptions that can derail your work.

Communicate your boundaries clearly to others and set expectations about when and how you will be available. Employees are at risk of overwork and burnout by not setting boundaries and encouraging performance-based pay. Instead, output quality should be the measure for assessing compensation and rewards.

Practice self-care

Finally, taking care of yourself is critical to overcoming busyness. This means getting enough rest, eating well, and engaging in activities that help you relax and recharge. Prioritising self-care amongst employees can help you reduce stress, improve your focus, and increase your overall well-being. Organisations should follow a generous vacation allowance. Research shows that employees who are offered unlimited vacation end up taking less time off. And most of employees work during their vacation. Such incentives should not only be responsibility of the government but on the companies.

In conclusion, busyness is a common issue that many of us face in today’s fast-paced world. However, by prioritising your tasks, learning to say no, taking breaks, using technology to your advantage, delegating tasks, setting boundaries, and practising self-care, you can overcome this feeling and achieve a more balanced and fulfilling life.

What are your views? Let us know in the comments below.

The culture of busyness – Is a mere activity an accurate measure of success?

21 April, 2023 ∙ By Vidhi Kapoor ∙ 2 Comments

We are constantly inundated with messages about staying active and productive in today’s environment. We are advised to work on something continually and that how much we can do in a day will determine our success. However, this attitude is not only incorrect but also unsustainable. In actuality, busyness is not a measure of success.

What does an activity mean?

We must first clarify what activity means to see why this is the case. Attending meetings, returning emails, working on projects, and performing chores are just a few examples of what is referred to as activity. Although they could be crucial, these factors are not always a sign of success.

Activity and Success

Success, in its simplest form, is about achieving a desired outcome. It’s about setting goals and working towards them in an effective and efficient way. We lose sight of the bigger picture when we focus solely on activity. We become so consumed with being busy that we forget why we’re doing what we’re doing in the first place.

The issue with using activity as a success indicator is that it encourages us to place a higher value on quantity than quality. Instead of focusing on how well we perform the tasks on our to-do list, we judge our worth by how many we can cross off. Concentrating on the activity might cause burnout because we become so preoccupied with getting things done that we neglect our needs and well-being.

To indeed be successful, we need to be intentional about our actions. We need to set clear goals and have a plan for achieving them. We must prioritise our time and energy on the things that matter most rather than getting bogged down in busy work. And most importantly, we need to remember that success is not a one-size-fits-all metric. What works for one person may not work for another, and that’s okay.

We need to remember that success is not a one-size-fits-all metric

The culture of busyness

The culture of busyness refers to the pressure society places on individuals to constantly be active and productive, frequently at the price of their relationships and personal well-being. It is characterised by the idea that being busy is an accomplishment and that those who aren’t always working or succeeding are somehow less than or unmotivated.

Several factors contribute to the culture of busyness. One is the rise of technology and the expectation of constant availability. With smartphones and other devices, people are now expected to be reachable and responsive 24/7, making it difficult to disconnect and take time for oneself.

The proliferation of social media and the temptation to exhibit a perfect online persona are further factors. Many people believe that to keep up with their friends and project an impressive image of themselves, and they must continually document their activities and accomplishments.

Consequences of busyness

The culture of busyness can have several negative consequences. For one, it can lead to burnout and chronic stress, which can have severe physical and mental health implications. It can also make forming meaningful relationships or engaging in hobbies or leisure activities challenging. People may feel guilty for taking time away from work or other obligations.

Furthermore, the culture of busyness can lead to a sense of superficiality and dissatisfaction. When people constantly rush from one task to another, they may not have the time or energy to engage in deeper thinking or reflection or pursue activities that truly bring them joy and fulfilment. As people may feel guilty for taking time away from work or other duties, it can also be challenging to establish lasting relationships or participate in hobbies or other leisure activities.

Overall, the culture of busyness is a complex phenomenon deeply ingrained in our society. While there is value in hard work and productivity, it is essential to remember that personal well-being and relationships are equally important. We can cultivate a more balanced and fulfilling life by prioritising rest, leisure, and connection.

Results as a measure of success

Furthermore, activity does not necessarily equate to progress. We can be busy all day long, but if we’re not making any headway towards our goals, then what’s the point? It’s important to remember that success is not just about doing “things” but the “right things”.

So how else can we gauge success besides activity? The solution is in the results. Instead of counting the number of things we complete, we should focus on the outcomes we achieve. Success ought to be judged by the difference we’re making, either in our lives or the world.

In conclusion, activity is not a metric for success. While being productive and efficient with our time is essential, we should not measure our worth solely by how much we can get done in a day. Success should be about achieving outcomes and making an impact, not just doing things for the sake of being busy. We can live more fulfilling and successful lives by focusing on what truly matters.