Is busyness all it's cracked up to be?

 

Do you ask yourself some of the big questions about being busy and balance? Why is busyness glorified? Why do so many insist on wearing busyness as a badge of honour?  Why do we hold ourselves to such impossibly high standards?  

I recently listened to a podcast hosted by Mia Freedman of Mama Mia fame, where she mentioned that she has amazing low standards for her life.  Things like having friends over for dinner and having burgers on the menu.  Not a homemade extravaganza, but take away burgers.  I have to state now - I love this woman!

Now, for us mere mortals, we too can take the pressure off ourselves.  If you're keen to ditch the overwhelm and get off that busyness hamster wheel, try these tips:

• Firstly, ban the “busy”.  When you’re asked how your day is going, don’t automatically reply with “busy”.  Using words like “busy”, “hectic and “crazy” can actually make you feel more overwhelmed!  Change your language and watch what happens!
• Get your to-do list out of your head.  Write things down then put them in a diary or task management system.  Make sure you have a date for when each task needs to be completed. 
• Prioritise.  What is really important to you? Do you have things on your list that could be done by someone else, or even better, crossed off?  Just because you can do everything, doesn’t mean you should.  Delegation is your friend.
• Automate your processes.  Systems like IFTTT (If This Then That) and Zapier work a charm. 

I’m a great believer in being kind to yourself and taking the pressure off whenever and wherever you can.  After all, done is better than perfect.