1MW No. 222: Busy vs. Effective, Integrity in High-Stakes Moments, and Reclaiming Our Time
Stop Being Busy, Start Being Effective
Busy fills your time. Effective fills your life.
We often wear busyness like a badge of honor. But being busy rarely correlates with being effective.?
Busyness is focused on the short term—managing immediate demands, deadlines, and distractions. Effectiveness, however, is tied to a long-term vision. When we’re effective, every action contributes to meaningful outcomes. We think about how today’s work fits into our larger goals for the future. If you feel caught in the busyness trap, ask yourself:
Being busy is about doing more things; being effective is about doing the right things.
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Listen
How do you uphold your values when the stakes are high? Join me in this conversation with Saad Mohseni as we explore how he navigates the ethical challenges of running Afghanistan’s largest media company.?Discover practical insights for staying true to your values, even in high-pressure situations.
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Learn
Are we too busy to enjoy life?
Are we wired to stay busy? Research suggests we might be, as many of us prefer even meaningless tasks over idleness. But that doesn’t mean we’re powerless against the busyness trap. In this Ness Labs article, learn how to escape a packed schedule and create a purpose-driven, fulfilling life.
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Weekly Wisdom
“There is surely nothing quite so useless as doing with great efficiency what?should not be done at all.”?– Peter Drucker
OK Bo?tjan Dolin?ek
?space est un cabinet spécialisé en organisation d'espace.
1 个月Such a great image and way to understand human limits and capacities.
I free up 30% of your time from bad busy work | Productivity & Leadership Coach for mid-senior leaders & teams | Save your spot for my free goal-setting workshop ↓ "Visit Website" ??
1 个月Hannah Wilson ??? saw your illustration and stoped to read the newsletter :) I like the quote of Michelle Obama on this: "We can have everything, just not at the same time." We have to be selective.
I co-create & deliver communication strategies that help customers trust brands
1 个月Spot on Greg McKeown. Thank you. I just more companies would reward staff for effective behaviour, including both words and actions. If this is not done or even recognised, then it's easy for staff to fall into a default mode of overly using "busy" or even using it as an excuse. To successfully change this kind of situation, courageous, responsible, determined and consultative leaders need to set a clear vision, discuss and define desired workplace behaviours and develop effective incentives to encourage effective behaviour rather than just busyness.
President at Hibernian Home Care | Healthcare Professional | Wellness Strategist | Educator | Speaker | Author | Consultant | Business Development & Operations | Project Management
1 个月Greg McKeown, this insight resonates deeply. I’ve seen it firsthand—in healthcare, business, and life—where we often equate busyness with progress. However, actual growth comes from being intentional with our time and focusing on long-term results rather than immediate demands. The question, 'Am I being effective?' is one I ask myself regularly. It’s not about doing more but doing what truly matters. It’s a powerful reminder to step back and realign with the bigger picture. Thank you for sharing this wisdom—it’s a lesson I strive to live by and help others understand.