Addicted to Busyness

Hey everyone, Merry Christmas!  Can you believe how fast this year went by?  Time flies when you are having fun, also when you are very busy.

Do you ever find yourself being too busy?  Do you sometimes feel stressed because your ‘To Do’ list is a mile long and nothing ever seems to get done?  Someone once told me “Chewing gum is proof that motion is not always progress.”  Very simple truth, yet profound.  Especially this time of year.

We all have stuff to do, places to go and people to meet.  There are always going to be deadlines to get something done.  But I have discovered that some people are addicted to busyness, and some even enjoy it.  They have a never ending task list and there is always something to do.  They feel productive because they are busy, but that is not necessarily the case.  It is easy to get caught up taking care of all the little details and busy work, but never really making any progress.  I have been there myself.  Have you ever felt like that?

Well guess what?  We can change that.  It’s up to us.  I have learned something from Jeff Usner (ABC’s Secret Millionaire and Internet Millionaire).  He shared the story of Ivy Lee’s advice to Charles Schwab (which you can read here).  The bottom line is to really focus on what is most important to get done each day that will truly produce results.

That story relates to business, but you can also apply the principle to your daily life.  Do you want a better marriage?  How about a better relationship with your kids?  Would you like healthy relationships with your friends?  Then simply focus on the most important things you can do each day to make it happen.

You can also use it for chores around the house, grocery shopping and errands around town.  I cannot emphasize planning and focus enough.  Choose to not run around any longer like a chicken with your head cut off.  God gave you a brain, use it.

With the holidays upon us, it is very easy to get busy with all the activities, parties, shopping and whatever else you may do during this time.  So if I may suggest to you to take a few moments and focus on what truly matters to you.  You don’t have be caught up in the busyness like most everyone else is.  Rise above it and be at peace.  You could also help someone else to do the same.

I want to wish all of you a Merry Christmas!  God bless.