We live in a culture that celebrates being busy. It seems everyone is stretched thin with jam-packed schedules and not enough time to get to everything. For many people, being “busy” has become a status symbol. The busier you are, the more people need you and the more successful you are.
However, this belief simply isn’t true. Ben Brearley, the founder of Thoughtful Leader, says this “Cult of Busyness” may not seem like a big deal, but it can dramatically impact your workplace. Whether you work for yourself or you work on a team with many people, it’s important to understand when you are being busy and when you are being productive by working on high-value tasks.
In this issue of Promotional Consultant Today, we share some tips from Brearley on how to move past the glorification of being busy.
Stop talking about being busy all the time. The first step to overcoming being busy is to eliminate language surrounding it. Stop telling your co-workers you’re swamped. Even if you have a packed day, don’t make a big show of it. When clients or colleagues ask how you’re doing, don’t just say “busy.” According to Brearley, this strengthens the perception that this is what you value. And don’t call people out for leaving work on time, he adds. You might think you’re only making a friendly joke, but you are still reinforcing a negative culture.
Embrace flexible working. Another way you can stop being busy and get more meaningful work done is to allow for as much flexibility as possible. If your workplace is stuck on a 9-to-5 schedule, this can create a culture where people watch the clock until they can leave, notes Brearley. People may fill their time being busy just so they’re at work for the required hours. It’s better to allow people to work when it works for them. As long as professionals are completing their work on time and on budget, it shouldn’t matter where or when they do it. By offering flexibility in the workplace, you often benefit with more motivated and less stressed employees, Brearley says.
Examine the workload. Some people pretend to be busy because they want to feel like they are contributing to the team. One way to combat this, according to Brearley, is to understand your team’s workload. Look at systems and processes. Talk with your sales reps about their work. Do they feel overloaded with client projects, or do they feel bored in their role? Remember that everyone’s schedule fluctuates and there will never be a way to be perfectly busy. That’s where flexibility comes in. If someone has completed their important tasks and they want to leave an hour early, let them.
Uncover motivations. If you manage a team of people, it always helps to understand what motivates them. When you know what they want to accomplish in their career, you can help provide opportunities that can get them there. Instead of giving people boring work to fill their time, consider creating development opportunities that allow them to contribute to the team in a way that inspires them, says Brearley.
Model what you want to see. To stop being so busy all the time, make sure you are reinforcing a culture of value and effectiveness rather than busyness. Brearley says this means looking out for your own workload and ensuring you aren’t overwhelmed. It also means taking breaks so they become a normal part of your workday.
If you’re used to being “busy” all the time, it may take some extra effort to adjust your mindset. You can start by following the guidance above, from modeling the right behaviors to bringing more flexibility into your workplace.
Compiled by Audrey Sellers
Source: Ben Brearley is the founder of Thoughtful Leader and is an experienced leader, AIPC and PRINT® certified coach and MBA passionate about developing thoughtful and effective leaders.