Being ‘busy’ as a fashion statement

It’s difficult to give up the amusement of listening to elevator conversations.  Over the years, I have noticed that “Too Busy” is probably the most natural response to “How is it going?”. 

Sure, this brilliant insight built up from my racked-up hours of elevator rides may not be destined to win me a PhD, but once I became cognisant of the idea that we’re surrounded by busy people everywhere, I started noticing it in even the shortest of pleasantries, no matter where.

I often wondered why it’s so rare to hear replies along the lines of “going great”, “very balanced”, “productive day” or “not the best productive day...” or anything that means ‘things are/are not as they are supposed to be and I am comfortable with that.’

Not that I am looking for ‘unhappy’ responses but definitely something that is closer to truth. Being busy is almost considered to be a hygiene factor in most organisations to the extent if you’re not too busy, you aren’t doing enough.  It is also due to invisible influencers in corporate culture, where being more busy is considered to be ‘doing well’ or at the least, ‘working hard, will get there eventually’.

Reflect on it in the privacy of your own thoughts.  Are there times when you can’t really say how productive or content you feel lest you be taken as someone who isn’t stretching enough?  Or are there times when you feel you say it just because it helps you fit?  It is difficult to admit it but I have also been there and done that, unfortunately.

You might be thinking, “Yes, I have noticed it, but what difference does it make?  Is it really that big a deal if people end up pretending a bit at times?”

Sure, when compared with some other issues or dilemmas, it’s not – but it is important enough to reflect on for the simple reason that it subconsciously impacts your behaviour.  And if you’re someone who likes cohesiveness of thoughts, introspection and being honest to yourself, saying such a thing can result in minor changes in behaviour, which can lead to you working only to satisfy others – trivial?  Think again.

I believe that our thoughts and words have meanings.  Saying anything and not meaning it is self-damaging, forget about how it impacts others for the time being.  Every time we let an opportunity for authenticity slip away, a subtle shift is created in terms of how we relate to work, the people we interact with and just how we generally feel about ourselves.

There are no physically drawn lines in real life that people cross to suddenly become dissatisfied, dishonest or disengaged.  It takes time and continued contradictory behaviour.  These negative affirmations, small as they might seem, begin to take root in and affect your daily life and accompanying attitude.

One might ask, If I put an end to my own personal pattern of repeating this and become more authentic about my responses to “how’s it going”, what about my work environment?  What about organisation expectations that I’m supposed to be 150% loaded 100% of the time? What about the prospects of people respecting me as the force that I know myself to be?

I would ask you to consider how much of that concern is real and how much of it is perceived?  If you seriously think that you work for an organisation that needs you to be 150% loaded 100% of the time, it is really time to switch jobs, because let’s face it – you’re not going to get your intended objective in an environment like this, no matter how ‘okay’ or ‘great’ it’s going for you at the moment. 

I’ve often seen that when people get promoted, they’re on top of their game immediately before and more importantly, after.  You too have been there.  One key distinguishing point at those times is that people just promoted do not have any doubts about how the organisation perceives their contributions.  This freedom from being judged and evaluated allows them to let go of the unnecessary worries and comparisons, resulting in optimal performance. I bet you won’t hear them making ‘too busy’ as a fashion statement at those time!  Wouldn’t it be great if we can feel such freedom most of the time?

And to handle this dilemma, I suggest you take a step back and ask yourself, “Am I really too busy today”, “If yes, am I just too busy or am I being extremely productive today”.  It doesn’t hurt to ask the question, “if I am too busy but I don’t feel particularly productive, may be it means I am satisfying myself in mindless action without a direction”.

Further, consider your goals in short to medium term.  Knowing what your goals are and how things are progressing in terms of these goals then will make your responses to, “How is it going”, authentic as any associated fear of being perceived as a slacker will go away.

Being the real you at your workplace will be far more rewarding than feeling compelled to fake it.  So next time, when you feel compelled to say “too busy”, wouldn’t you rather say “one of those busy days” or “busy but manageable” or “a very productive day”? Watch out!