How to Break Free from the Busy Trap

Hi I'm Liv!??I use human centred models and evidence based theories to improve the chances of success for leaders and teams. ?? My mission is to improve our experience of work and leadership... And I want to share my learnings and tips with YOU! Enjoy! ??

In the world of business, where the phrase “time is money” is practically a mantra, there’s an insidious phobia creeping in: the fear of slowing down.

There's a Surprising Link Between Psychological Safety and the Fear of Slowing Down.

But we’ve all been here. Caught in the headlights of the "busy" badge. It's as if being busy has become a status symbol, a sign that we're important, successful, and in-demand.

Think about your response at a networking function to ‘how are you’? Is the response, "great, but busy"?

We're afraid that if we're not seen as constantly occupied, we might be deemed irrelevant or worse, replaceable.

Is our desperation to been seen as successful really that strong?

Turns out yes, it is and there’s a term for it.

Impression management, or the art of curating a desirable image. We worry about what others think, so we keep up appearances and maintain the illusion of being perpetually busy.

“Beware the barrenness of a busy life.” Socrates

We're like swans, seemingly serene on the surface but paddling like mad underneath, worried that if we stop, we might sink.

The problem with being in a constant state of busyness and trying to manage others impressions of us is that often is pushes us into unideal performance zones.

Performance zones can be broken down into four categories: the comfort zone, the apathy zone, the anxiety zone, and the learning zone.

1. The Comfort Zone:

This is where we're most at ease, doing tasks that are familiar and routine. It's like being wrapped in a cosy blanket, sipping hot cocoa by a fireplace.

Comfortable? Yes. Productive? Not so much.

2. The Apathy Zone:

Here, we're disengaged and unchallenged or maybe just plain exhausted. The apathy zone is a productivity black hole, sucking in time and energy without any meaningful output. It can also be a place for restoration where we just need to check out before we can check back in.

3. The Anxiety Zone:

This is where the fear of slowing down hits hardest. In this zone, we're overwhelmed, stressed, and anxious. It's like trying to juggle flaming swords while riding a unicycle on a tightrope. It's not just unproductive; it's downright dangerous. Burnout isn’t too far away if we stay within the zone too long.

4. The Learning Zone:

This is the sweet spot, where we're challenged but not overwhelmed. It's like learning to ride a bike – a bit wobbly at first, but exhilarating once we get the hang of it. This is where real growth and productivity happen. Now, you might be thinking, "Great, I'll just stay in the learning zone forever." That’s probably unrealistic but we can certainly optimise our time here.

Especially if we start treating the work we do as a learning experience.

For more info on performance zones see my full article here.

Performance zones have a strong link to results that are achieved through effective team collaboration, which is reliant on a strong state of psychological safety.

Psychological safety is the belief that one can take risks, make mistakes, and voice opinions without fear of punishment or judgement. It's like having a safety net when you're learning to trapeze.

You're more likely to take the leap if you know there's something there to catch you. For teams, psychological safety can be a game-changer.

It allows team members to slow down, reflect, and engage in meaningful dialogue.

It encourages innovation, as people are more likely to share and implement new ideas when they feel safe to do so.

It reduces the need for impression management, as people are valued for their contributions, not their busyness.

“Psychological safety is the key to creating a workplace where people can be confident enough to act without undue fear of being ridiculed, punished, or fired – and be humble enough to openly doubt what is believed and done.” – Robert I. Sutton

Time to face the fear!

Let's trade in our 'busy' badges for 'effective' ones. I work with many teams who are stuck in the busyness trap but don’t stop to really examine the value of the work they’re doing.

Here's 3 ways to get started:

1. Time to Reflect

Who are your customers and what really matters to them? Then re-examine what you’re working on. What isn’t lining up?

What are your team working on? Are they spending their time and focus in the areas that are core op your business and works towards delivering value to clients?

1. Leaders are instrumental in creating environments were slowing down is not seen as a sign of weakness but as an opportunity for growth.

The learning zone demands a more considered pace.

If you want to upskill your team, drive their engagement and keep them on board for longer then we need to expand the amount of time and opportunity they have in the learning zone.

Being in the learning zone doesn’t mean tools down or making your out of office live.?

1. Learning doesn’t have to be over and above workload.

I help teams make their work more effective by embracing a ‘learn by doing’ model. I break down concepts and then adapt it businesses biggest challenges.

That way the learning is relevant, applied instantly and delivers outcomes. ?

Teams get tactical, practical takeaways that create an instant shift towards being more connected and more effective.

It also means the experience of day-to-day work is improved and more purposeful.

Remember, even the fastest cars need pit stops to refuel and perform at their best.

So do we.

Let's invest in the moments for learning and developing our teams and emerging leaders.

If you’ve got challenges in your business around retention or effective team work. Reach out!

I'm a skilled expert in helping teams work more effectively together to achieve success.

Now could be the perfect opportunity to engage, inspire and retain your top talent!

Cheers,

Liv