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

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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.

To indeed be successful, we need to be intentional about our actions.

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.

The culture of busyness can lead to a sense of superficiality and dissatisfaction


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.

Fear of Failure

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In life, on several occasions, the real-world situation unfolds in an entirely different manner than what we are advised or we envision it would. We are taught to be leaders, be confident and be certain of every action we take. Of the several traits and qualities of being a competent leader, we are taught to be fearless. However, the fear of failure is an all-pervasive part of the human psyche. Failure is defined as the ‘lack of success’. Lack of which induces a feeling of paucity, in turn further inducing the ‘fear of failure’ in the future endeavours.

“Failure is so important. We speak about success all the time. It is the ability to resist failure or use failure that often leads to greater success. I’ve met people who don’t want to try for fear of failing.” – J.K. Rowling

Fear can adversely affect one’s ability to do things, confidence  and willingness to face any challenges that arise. We are afraid of deploying any ingenious methods, stemming out of the reluctance of taking even minor risks. We fear not only of the outcomes, but also of the deemed image; especially when one is at a leadership position.

“Failure isn’t fatal, but failure to change might be” – John Wooden

Fear cripples the progress and creativity. Change is inevitable and one must embrace the change and advance with valour. First, we must create an environment in which failure is not ridiculed or shamed but encouraged. Teams should strive for a culture rooted in trust because it grants the members a greater capacity for innovation

 “It’s failure that gives you the proper perspective on success.” – Ellen DeGeneres

 

Second, we must not be risk-aversive. Once we are surrounded by those who are more accepting of failure, we can encourage and pursue taking risks early. Fail hard, and fail fast.

 “When you take risks you learn that there will be times when you succeed and there will be times when you fail, and both are equally important.” – Ellen DeGeneres

By taking risks early on, we contrive plans to embrace larger repercussions, and the confidence bolstered in those unconventional decisions, results in greater achievement.

Reflection session

Reflection session

Now taking risk not always commensurates to the need of the hour. Planning the ‘next step’ and thinking ahead is vital. Risks come with only a chance of success, and sometimes the odds are not in our favor.

 “You build on failure. You use it as a stepping stone. Close the door on the past. You don’t try to forget the mistakes, but you don’t dwell on it. You don’t let it have any of your energy, or any of your time, or any of your space.” – Johnny Cash

We can instead redirect our efforts on what to do next. We encourage this outlook to prevent plateauing personal growth with negative emotion, which also has a high chance of affecting the team’s performance and our future level of contribution.

Finally,

“Failure should be our teacher, not our undertaker. Failure is delay, not defeat. It is a temporary detour, not a dead end. Failure is something we can avoid only by saying nothing, doing nothing, and being nothing.” – Denis Waitley

 

Do not let fear come in your way to advance your studies. Talk to our advisor today about the courses offered online and get your customised study-plan.