Are We Busy with Busyness?

Time, time, time. We never have enough time. But, let’s dig down deep and really ask ourselves, “Is that really true?” I think COVID-19 has taught us a great deal in the arena of time. Let’s think… if we added up how much time we waste every day, would it amount to anything significant? Or what about the quality of our time? Are we using our time wisely? Or are we busy with busyness?

Priorities

Are we “busy” is a question that can be answered when we compare how we spend our time against what’s important in our lives. First, list your top five priorities in life. I’ll go first: 1 God, 2 the beings in my home (Larry and all future foster kids), 3 my ministry, 4 my job, and 5 family/friends.

Okay, so that sounds good.

Second, go through your day and determine how much of your “activity” relates to your priorities? I’ll start. I got up today and gave Larry some petting (2). Then I had my quiet time for 30 minutes (1) with my coffee. I got ready and watched church (1).

Following church, I finished some work for my leadership class, and then I went for a walk (3). Afterward, I cleaned the kitchen (2) and took a shower and a nap (self-care). I got up, ate, and went to work (4).

So, I sound pretty good, right?

However, I also played Best Fiends (a game on my phone) for probably close to an hour. Mindlessly I scrolled through Instagram and Twitter. I also shopped online. Additionally, I threw in some TV and time on Facebook.

Are we busy with busyness?

In conclusion, how did you fare in the comparison of your time and your priorities? I think I’m about 50-50.

Here’s the thing: the key is not to make sure every second of every day goes to your top five priorities. The key is to understand that, “I don’t have time” isn’t real.

For example, the other day someone asked me to write something. It should be easy for a writer, right? (Ha!). However, it’s not. I know that taking the time to write something else will take away from the personal writing goals that I have. So, I set up a couple of boundaries to protect my priorities. Sometimes that’s what it takes, and I need to get better boundaries with my distractions. The point with this particular story is that I didn’t commit to the extra writing because I “didn’t have time,” it was because I “chose not to.”

See the difference? One gives me ownership.

And, that’s true in your life, too. Look through your busyness and see what you need to keep and what needs to go based on your priorities. Then, choose accordingly. But realize busyness is just one of the choices…it’s not something beyond our control.

Love, K.

Author of Ten Iron Principles, Contributor in The Power to Make a Difference