The Burden of Busy

With kids on summer break and more backyard BBQs, the summer season is often considered a time of vacation and relaxation. But in reality, it presents us with a different kind of being "busy." Longer days and warmer weather means more time to do things - we shift priorities and become busy in different ways.

It's easy to get caught up in all the things we need to "do" and sometimes the more we squeeze into a day or check off our list and accomplish becomes a badge of honor. However, this pursuit of busyness can come at a cost - why we're even doing these things in the first place. As purpose-driven leaders, it’s crucial to remember our "why" - both for our organization and ourselves - and let that be the distinction between being busy and being productive.

The Illusion of Productivity

Busyness is frequently mistaken for productivity. On the surface, being busy may feel like you're achieving more, but this is often an illusion. A study by Harvard Business Review found that about 41% of tasks don't add value, indicating that busyness does not necessarily equate to productivity. It can be easier to hold onto these ineffective discretionary tasks because delegating or reworking processes can feel more complicated, and our society tends to equate busyness with more responsibility, and thus more importance. However, true productivity is about achieving meaningful outcomes, not simply filling up time with tasks.

Impact on Leadership

Effective leadership requires clarity, vision, and the ability to inspire and support others. Being perpetually busy can unknowingly undermine your ability as a leader to do these things. When you have have less time to be fully present with your team, this can negatively impact an employee's productivity, including their level of engagement and trust within the organization, according to research by Gallup. On top of this, chronic stress that can result from constant busyness, impairs cognitive functions such as decision-making and problem-solving. Leaders who are always busy may struggle with decision fatigue, reducing their ability to make sound, thoughtful decisions.

Back to the Basics: Your Purpose-Driven Mindset

Small Giants lead with purpose, so let this be the driver of what really matters. Break free from cycles of busyness and prioritize doing what aligns with your purpose, mission, and values, both personally and professionally. How can you do this? Here are 3 ways to make sure your purpose is driving your priorities:

1. Schedule time to reflect. A study from the University of Texas at Austin found that structured reflection boosts your brain functionality and increases future learning and performance. Find time to reflect on your work, your schedule, and what you're doing to revaluate your level of busyness.
2. Empower others. Delegating responsibilities and giving your team a sense of ownership over responsibilities is not only beneficial for your workload, but it can help foster a culture of trust and help others build the skills and confidence to grow and perform at higher levels. Dedicate the time needed to prioritize passing along responsibilities to others.
3. Find balance. Full equilibrium may not be realistic, but work-life harmony is! As Beck Sydow ?? shared during their 2025 Summit presentation with the metaphor of a rubber band, if you are constantly stretched to your max, it gets harder and harder to get the flexibility back to a manageable pace. As demands of your time and talents ebb and flow, use your "why" as the north star to help you designate the time and space needed to maintain the conscientious balance that both your personal and professional sides need to be sustainable.

The most impactful leaders are those who know how to balance doing with being. So this summer, take a step back to enjoy the longer days and consider how you can make lasting shifts from busyness to meaningful productivity.

Follow your purpose,

The Small Giants Community Team

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