Getting down to business.
I had a mild epiphany recently. I say mild because it wasn’t necessarily one of those oh-my-god lightning bolt moments. Rather it was a small thought that passed through my head. It quietly resonated. Then it stayed with me.
It was simply this – “I’m not busy”.
Since then, when my monkey mind revs into gear and thunderously roars something along the lines of “Oh dear. (big sigh) I’m just so busy. I have too much to do and not enough time to do it all” (replete with a good dose of self pity), this other simpler thought pops up and quietly reminds me that “No. I’m NOT busy.”
Rather than fostering busyness I’ve decided to focus on getting down to business. And choosing to actually enjoy whatever activity I’m engaged with in that moment.
Quite simply;
I AM going to be focused on whatever I’m doing and enjoy it.
I AM NOT going to tell people that I’m busy.
I’m experimenting with this in all aspects of my life – whether that be meeting with clients, teaching teenagers, facilitating workshops, building a team, doing my taxes, or preparing my daughter for school.
Interestingly, what it’s creating is an opportunity to tell people something else like;
I’m focused on …
I’m excited about …
I’m engaged in …
What this does is materially change the conversation. Instead of exchanging small talk about how busy we both are and how everyone these days is just so busy – which contains an inherent inference of negativity, negation, absence or distraction – we start off on a different foot, one full of energy, positivity and engagement. The conversation is rich, meaningful and fulfilling.
I leave feeling more focussed. More energised. More connected.
Not to mention, it’s a load more fun.
The business of busyness is terribly time consuming and really rather unproductive.
Can you take the word busy out of your lexicon for a day?
Try it and let me know how you go.
If you’re interested to find out how you can help your team shift from busyness to business, contact us at M.A.D. Mindworks.
Katherine Mair, M.A.D. Creator
www.madmindworks.com
For more interesting articles that relate to busyness and productivity see:
11 Differences between busy people & productive people
The busier you are the more you need mindfulness