(Note: This post was written prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. The message still holds true)
We are often pulled in many directions by competing interests, we juggle responsibilities and we wear many hats. Busyness manifests itself in the lives of everyone I know: women, men, parents, leaders, employees, clients, friends, me. Busyness often does not work out well. It dilutes focus and crowds out opportunities for expanding visions, innovation, initiating new ideas and increasing efficiency. We do not often allow or require ourselves to have downtime. “Me time,” as we refer to it in my house, is a commodity.
As a therapist and leader, I realized early on that if I was going to do something well, I needed to have time for the task as well as time to rejuvenate myself. I worked in child welfare, drug rehabilitation centers, mental health organizations and finally, private practice. The job although a privilege can be emotionally heavy. My role as a coach in the last two years has required passion, strategy, endurance and truth telling to big power. I've learned that if you want to remain whole and work on the issues people do not tell their friends and partners about, you learn to hold space for yourself.
Busyness
Today, busyness is something I often warn my clients and colleagues about. I believe busyness is something we can control. I define busyness as doing things that keep our time filled. These are things that we could delegate but we don’t for one reason or another. It is the meeting (virtual or real) we attend because we always have or because our boss expects us to. It is the conference call that you do attend or do not cancel because you are afraid of what perception that will give to your staff, your boss and your team.
To be effective leaders, we need time to observe and think. We cannot do that if we are in back-to-back meetings, constantly putting out fires or are constantly responding to emails. Being a great leader requires focus and clarity. This concept requires a true mental shift. It requires that we a shift from the idea that “productivity means doing something every minute,” to “time spent on reflection and strategy will make every minute I do something more productive.”
Reaction (Reflection) Response
In a recent podcast for Sway Workplace (www.swayworkplace.com), I explored the difference between reaction and response. A reaction is not usually thoughtful, it is more automatic and reflexive. A response represents a more considered and strategic approach.
I tell my clients that: "The difference between reaction and response, between reflex and strategy, is reflection." We cannot effectively reflect when we do not take time STOP and step out of the cycle of busyness. Reflection is the action of slowing down our bodies and minds and making mental space. Time spent on reflection and thoughtful planning keeps us on the right path to achieving our goals and ensures our goals are meaningful, our priorities are strategic and our actions are fruitful.
Copyrighted with All Rights Reserved - Alexandra Phillips
Editor R. Cavanaugh Barger
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