You may be really busy - but are you getting anything useful done? [Photo: Bigstock]

Change your life: Busy vs. Productive

26 January, 2015

One of the most common complaints I hear from people is that they are just ‘too busy’. There’s too much to do and not enough hours in the day to do it in.

There’s a very clear distinction between being ‘busy’ and being ‘productive’, however.

In some cases we make ourselves busy in order to avoid doing those things that may be more demanding, but really important – or to shield us from having to confront uncomfortable personal issues (see What are you avoiding?)

People who have no time don’t think. The more you think, the more time you have.” — Henry Ford

Over the next week, notice when you are busy and ask your self. Are the things you are doing truly productive? Could you actually delegate some of those tasks, or even drop them all together? Are you caught up in Time Wasters? If so, be ruthless about dropping those activities and concentrate instead on things that are really going to produce a result.

Extra Tip 1

How about coming up with an instant scoring system? Give yourself a mark out of ten on each of the things you find your-self doing throughout the day. If you can’t give it more than a ‘5’ then think seriously about not doing it and moving on to something more productive.

 

  • Annabel Sutton is a Professional Certified Coach and Author.  She has lived in Los Angeles and Indonesia; survived earthquakes and riots, lived with head-hunters and enjoyed a portfolio career.  She now enjoys a somewhat quieter life in Somerset!  Her latest book, 52 Ways to Transform Your Life (Weekly Wisdom for Busy People), contains 52 inspiring, quick-to-read life tips and is available from http://amzn.to/2nSdMb2 . Find more information at  www.annabelsutton.com