![]() ![]() I should know: I write A LOT about productivity and optimization. Optimization culture told you that unless you are making the most of every second of every day, you're missing out on growth. More work, more to-dos, more meetings, more pings-less ownership, less accountability, less connection.Ĭonstant connectedness means we feel busier, but find less meaning in the noise. But while we have more connectedness, we feel less connected. ![]() We're constantly connected, bombarded by notifications and dopamine hits. In many ways, connectedness is a paradox: With no fixed hours to a workday, we are free to remain connected 24/7, and our "bosses" feel we can be reached on that same schedule. The COVID-19 pandemic and remote/hybrid work have arguably exacerbated the problem. Our digital devices are literally attached to our bodies at all times-sending us frantic notifications of the latest breaking news and urgent to-dos. It's no secret that we are living in an era of constant connectedness. Ok, so those are two core reasons we say we are busy, but how about the latter: Why do we feel we are busy? Constant Connectedness It's a staple in the worlds of finance and consulting. If we constantly say we are busy (or show it), our superiors will never question our work ethic or output, and we will continue on a steady, monotonous upward climb through whatever hierarchy we find ourselves in. Self-Protectionīusy is used as a way to protect ourselves from scrutiny in the workforce. If we are busy, it must mean we are extremely valuable and generating prolific output. We have somehow decided that being busy is good, so we take pride in our busyness and wear it as a symbol of our value to society. Let's start with the former: Why do we say we are busy? "Flex" or Status Signalīusy has become the dystopian status symbol of the modern worker. In understanding this problem, I find it makes sense to deconstruct it into two separate parts: It's an interesting trend to observe, especially considering the body of research that is decidedly mixed on whether our actual hours of work and related commitments have increased. If you're at a cocktail party, you're probably going to hear the word "busy" at least 100 times. In recent years, it feels as though everyone has gotten really, really busy. In today's piece, I will deconstruct the trap to develop an understanding of why we're all so damn busy, how it's harming our lives, and provide a set of actions and rules to escape its grasp. ![]() Our growth orientation also means that we are predisposed to fall into a trap-the Busy Trap. Unfortunately, that "mostly" qualifier is very real. That is (mostly) good-it means we are inclined to deploy our resources on activities that compound towards a better future. Progress, improvement, and growth give us energy. While this newsletter community has an extraordinarily diverse breakdown across geographies, ages, occupations, and more, the one common trait is that we are all growth-oriented. The number is probably high-probably much higher than you'd like to admit. In the last month, how many times have you said some variation of "so busy!" or "good, just busy!" when asked how you're doing? I was actually busy, but it also became part of my identity-a weird brag I developed to try to signal my value and improve my own self-worth. If anyone asked how I was doing, I would always respond with some variation of "so busy!" or "good, but really busy!" I spent most of my life as the "busy" guy. ![]()
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