Are You Running A BusIness or Just BusYness?

As I coach clients, and especially at this time of year, I often hear the phrase, “I am so busy.” We’ve all said it. But as a coach, this statement causes me to explore the cause of the busyness. Here’s an illustration of how the conversation often goes:

Me: Would you be willing to tell me why you are so busy?

Client: Yeah, I just have so much on my plate.

Me: Why do you have so much on my plate?

Client: It’s my job.

Me: Why is it your job?

Client: It needs to be done.

Me: Why does it need to be done?

Client: It just does.

Me: Why can’t you tell me why it needs to be done?

Client: [silence]

If you often feel busy, consider these three steps.

1. Identify your priorities.

Have a conversation with your leader or your team to identify your priorities. The most strategic priorities will easily align with your team and organizational goals. Anything that you do that isn’t a priority is considered busyness.

2. Stick to your priorities.

Review your calendar against your strategic priorities. Every activity on your calendar should be connected to a priority. At the beginning of each day, each week, each month, and each quarter, set your priorities and accomplish these tasks first. If you can’t connect a task to a priority, it’s simply busyness.

3. Evaluate your priorities.

Look at how effective you are at meeting your priorities. If you spend too much time on one priority or its chaos causes you to not be able to focus on other priorities, evaluate its effectiveness. Are there ways to automate, streamline or delegate?

Are you running a business or just busYness?

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Susan Rozzi is the president of Rozzi and Associates, a leadership and organizational development company helping good leaders become great! Our programs start with the premise that great leadership skills are a product of time, practice and focused development. Our leadership development, emotional intelligence insight and career management programs can be customized to meet your desired outcomes and needs. Contact Susan at susan@rozziandassociates.com.