#4 - The Busyness Myth: Why More Work ≠ More Success
Have you ever caught yourself saying, “I’m so busy,” as if it’s proof you’re working hard? I used to think that being busy meant I was being successful—that if I wasn’t constantly working, I wasn’t doing enough. But over time, I realised that busyness isn’t the same as productivity. In fact, it can hold us back.
Why We Equate Busyness with Success
Society tells us that being busy is a badge of honour. When someone asks, “How’s business going?” the natural response is, “Really busy!”—as if that proves we’re doing well. But the truth is, filling your schedule with endless work doesn’t always mean you’re making progress.
The Trap of ‘Looking Busy’
Ever spent hours tweaking your website or organising files when you should have been focusing on clients or marketing? That’s the difference between being busy and being productive.
Here’s a hard truth: success isn’t about working more—it’s about working smarter.
The Hidden Cost of Always Being Busy
Being constantly busy has consequences:
❌ It leads to burnout
❌ It keeps you from focusing on high-impact tasks
❌ It makes you seem overwhelmed to potential clients
Plus, it can lead to what’s called Parkinson’s Law—where work expands to fill the time you give it. If you allow a task to take all day, it will. That’s why setting time limits and boundaries is essential for efficiency.
How to Shift Your Mindset
If you’ve ever felt guilty for finishing your work quickly, remind yourself:
✅ You’ve put in years of experience to get to this point
✅ Your efficiency is a strength, not a weakness
✅ You don’t have to prove your worth by overworking
And next time someone asks, “How’s business?” instead of defaulting to “Really busy!” try saying, “It’s going really well, thanks!” It’s a small mindset shift, but a powerful one.
Focus Assignment of the Week:
For the next three days, track your time. Write down everything you do during work hours and highlight the tasks that actually move your business forward. Once you see where your time is going, cut back on the low-value tasks and focus on what truly matters.