The Busy Life
We often take on more than we should. As a result, we are overworked. Being overworked feels the same as being important. People say “it’s good to be busy.” There’s truth to a point, but beyond it being busy results in increased stress, missed deadlines, and poor work quality.
The problem is that we often get away with poor work for too long. We are even applauded for our productivity or ability to work under pressure. This creates an environment that inherently encourages lower quality products and services.
I feel a sense of pride when my boss wants me to take on a responsibility. It satisfies my ego, which primes me to say yes because I believe my boss sees me as the one person who can handle the task. It’s a trap. I say yes. My boss thanks me. I feel valued, and as a result I am more likely to say yes again next time. My calendar fills, pushing out the time I need to plan and organize.
There’s too much to do and not enough time. My work becomes hurried. My mind is constantly partially keeping track of commitments. I can’t focus on one thing because I am constantly remembering the other things. My work becomes messy, deadlines approach, and the pressure builds.
Being too busy limits what I can do, even outside of work. I can’t be fully available for my family. I can’t read a book without thinking involuntarily about something unrelated. I can’t feel relaxed, I can’t rest, and I can’t recover. I become vulnerable to illness, but I have no room for sick time in my schedule.
I can’t sustain this for long. When the ball drops, my mess spills out for my coworkers to clean up. They can be frustrated, but they tend to understand because they are also overworked. This doesn’t make it right.
We have a limited number of weeks in life, yet we look forward for the weeks to end. This is how life passes when we are too busy and tired to enjoy every day. This is not a way to live.