We all think we are doing important things says Emma Grey but sometimes we’re not...

Seven types of busy

   By Emma Grey*

Everyone’s busy, but that doesn’t always equate to being productive.
   Identifying which kind of busy you are – and implementing some simple changes to your approach – can help stop the cycle of going nowhere, fast.

 “Badge of honour” Busy
   You believe that being busy equals being significant.
   Keeping your schedule jam-packed makes you as important as everyone else – it’s how you create your worth. 
   This can be a trap. Don’t fall for it.
   Instead, stand back and ask “what is the purpose of this task?” before taking it on.
   Be ruthless and only commit to activities that will propel your business (or family) forward.

 “Nobody does this as well as I do” Busy
   You’d like to cut things out of your schedule, but you’d probably end up doing them anyway, because nobody else does things “properly”.
“Be
ruthless”
   You believe you’re the only one who can complete everything to your exacting standards.
   One of your most-used phrases is, “Here – let me do it!”
   Delegating parts of your business is vital to success.
   If someone else can do it more easily than you, better than you or in a shorter time frame than you can, let them.
   Free your time for the aspects of your work and family that really matter.

 “Running away” Busy
   There is something big that you really should attend to: something tricky in your work or personal life that you’ve been avoiding.
   Instead of tackling what should be first on your list, you fill your diary with less necessary tasks so that you “don’t have time”‘ to face the important stuff.
   It’s a trap!
   Stop running and start slashing through your top priorities. 

 “Comfort zone” Busy
   You want to launch something ultra exciting in your area – but it’s a big step and you’re scared.
   What if it doesn’t work out?
   Staying busy keeps you in your comfort zone and protects you from taking risks.
   The busier you are, the longer you’re “off the hook” and safe from potential failure.
   The discomfort zone is where the action happens.
   It’s where you’ll meet success.
   It’s where your competitors hang out.
   So go and get uncomfortable.

 “People pleaser” Busy
   You have a need to be liked.
   “Yes” comes out of your mouth before you even consider an alternative response.
   What if you say “no” and they don’t like you as much?
   What if there’s conflict?
   It’s easier and safer just to take the request on and say yes, you’ll do it, even if you’re exhausted.
   Whether it’s networking, advertising, “coffee chats” or meetings with potential affiliates, business owners need to become savvy with the invitations they do and don’t accept.
   Be polite, honest and assertive in saying, “this is not for me right now”.

 “Flapping” Busy
   You’re disorganised.
   You spend a huge amount of time looking for things that you’ve misplaced.
   You’re regularly late for appointments.
   You leave everything till the last minute.
“Free your time”
   The first thing you do when you’re overwhelmed is write a Facebook status about it.
   Your lack of organisation creates chaos and manufactures extra work.
   It takes you much longer to accomplish things than it could, because you’re focused almost entirely on flapping.
   What is one task that you can do today to move you further ahead than you are now?
   Starting small is preferable to not starting at all.

 “Scared to ask” Busy
   You feel like a fraud.
   You’re not sure you understand what you’re really doing.
   Rather than seek clarification from a mentor or friend, you go to enormous lengths to try to work it out yourself.
   You’re scared of asking “silly questions” and choose to complicate your life in an effort to avoid these.
   You’ll send emails rather than call, then waste time waiting for a response.
   Time. Is. Money.
   Successful business people dive into vulnerability and splash around in it, asking silly question after silly question.
   So strip off and jump in! 
   Make 2013 the year of the “right” kind of busy.
   Do you recognise yourself in any (or all) of the seven types of busy? 

* Emma Grey is the Australian author of ‘Wits’ End Before Breakfast! Confessions of a Working Mum’ and director of the life-balance consultancy – WorkLifeBliss. She specialises in workplace flexibility, working parenthood, time- management and work-life balance.
   This article first appeared at www.flyingsolo.com.au
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