Too Busy Being Busy

Apr 19, 2016
1 min read

Hard work is a good thing. But sometimes we can allow it to become detrimental to achieving our goals...

I was recently visiting with a friend of mine who is an entrepreneur and an executive. We were discussing the hours many leaders put into their work when he shared this story:

I was working long hours with my head down and my mind on the grind of running a business. An older and more seasoned executive took me aside and said to me, "Jeff, you are too busy being busy to truly be successful."

It challenged my thought process, and consequently, I began to work differently. I began to focus on building strategic relationships, which included investing time with my family.

When I stopped "being busy" and instead focused on how to lead well in every area of my life, I found myself less stressed and more effective as leader.

As leaders, when we inevitably find ourselves stressed out, anxious, and exhausted, it may not be that we are working too hard; but rather, that we are working on the wrong things. Focusing on relationships that matter is the first step in effective leadership. When we find ourselves always tasking and not leading, it may be a sign of poor leadership.

Choose to lead well instead of allowing yourself to always be "busy," and you will make a difference.