Let’s talk about one of my least favorite words: busy.
According to Merriam-Webster.com the definition is:
- a. engaged in action: occupied
b. being in use - full of activity: bustling
- foolishly or intrusively active
- full of distracting detail
The definition I like and strive for is “engaged in action,” although I might change it to “engaged in intentional forward moving action.”
However, usually when I find myself (or clients) using the word busy, what I really mean is “full of distracting detail.”
This isn’t always the case, but in my past I’ve used it in that way so many times that I have some baggage with the word and tend to avoid it all together.
When you’re busy, which definition are you usually using? What definition would you like to be using?
Share below!
Personally I consider myself “busy” when I am not able to attend to the things that I CHOOSE to attend to. For instance yesterday I spent about an hour helping out a friend, I was glad for the opportunity to help her and it’s the type of person I am.
If I am too busy that I can’t help out friends when they need* it then something is seriously wrong and needs to change.
Mind you, in order to make helping out my friend possible I had to shift a few things, but I consider that more of #1 or #2 (occupied or bustling). But sometimes I’m most productive when I need to push just a little harder to fit everything in.
*NOTE: when I say “need” I mean something essential, I’ve got good boundaries and I won’t be taken advantage of