Busy is not a badge of honour and your professional commitments should never become an end unto themselves.
Selfishness is not justified through the accomplishments you might achieve along the way. I learnt this lesson in 1996 when my entire being, at the behest of all else, was to win a medal at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta.
Whilst the result was outstanding, what was left behind and around it, wasn’t.
The ability to work hard and focus on an outcome is admirable, but we are human beings, not human “doings”. Nothing can justify the neglect of your family or the excuse of antisocial behaviour, or selfishness at the mercy of an outcome. These are the results of a fixed mindset and a selfish need for perfection.
It’s better to strive for excellence with a realisation that the path is a journey, allowing moments of perfection along the way, in all areas of your life.
I’m not suggesting that hard work and huge effort isn’t what we should commit to, but we should strive for a balanced approach. It’s important to recognise how your work ethic impacts you and those around you.
As fully functioning adults and leaders, we need to ensure we have solid goals and sufficient energy levels available to us across all areas of our lives.
In your professional life, your title, position and financial outcomes, all come at a cost and in many cases, as an expense to your life. It’s important you understand and appreciate that life has an interest rate far higher than any bank and as such, you can pay a heavy price for neglecting your health and relationships. Therefore, expenses to your life should be considered carefully, as time spent with your children and loved ones is priceless.
This is why it’s important you constantly discuss and define your commitment limits with your loved ones. This gives clarity around what and for how long you are prepared to commit the effort required to reach your professional goals.
Defining your limits, promotes an environment for you to commit 100% to your work and therefore fulfilment, through your efforts. It also forms a framework which supports and allows other parts of your life to exist.
Busy is not a badge of honour, so don’t wear it as one.
Where in your life are you paying the price for “doing” busy?
