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The Hidden Cost of Always Being Busy
Legacy is about withstanding shifts and trends, yet staying present in people's minds
In today's society, being busy almost all the time has become a normal lifestyle to live. When a business has a full inbox or back-to-back meetings, the company may see it as signs of success. When we are busy we feel needed, and when we are needed we feel valuable to others. But as time has gone on, many entrepreneurs have associated productivity with the wrong meaning.
Being active doesn't always mean that you are making progress. When you are trying to do so many activities all the time, your attention is spread too thin and you end up being distracted. In the pursuit of doing more, you lose the ability to distinguish what truly matters for your business.
It's normal for entrepreneurs to be busy because it feels necessary. We can track how many hours we spend in a day on our business. We share our productivity with the world as an act of approval. But being disciplined and taking the time to reflect is undervalued in our society. But this is necessary for your business and for your own wellbeing.
When you don't give yourself the opportunity to think and reflect, you end up making choices out of fear or desperation. When this happens, any opportunity you take won't align with your long-term business goals. Projects can multiply without taking the time to prioritise each task. Every strategy becomes fragmented because we want results immediately and our intentions are not in the right place. Over time, this deterioration shows up in the brand, such as through unclear messaging and the brand chasing whatever is popular.
If you want to be focused, you need to give yourself the opportunity to think. You need to make time for editing, for reflecting, and for choosing wisely. You should notice not just what could be done, but what should be done. Taking the time to stay focused doesn't always require you to be busy. From the outside, it may appear slow. But only when you take time to build your business, you are able create a meaningful and impactful brand.
Many people aim to be busy because they are comfortable with being active. Doing more feels safer than doing less, especially in uncertain times. But the purpose of your brand often requires you to practice self-control. Your brand purpose can sometimes require you to say no to projects that take away your focus. Sometimes you need to let silence and patience influence your decisions. Self-control doesn't mean you are unambitious. It means you have built the discipline and the ability to protect your brand's vision from crumbling.
Look at the brands that have existed for decades. They don't always have to stretch themselves in every direction. They repeat what is effective and then improve where they can. Their brand is clear and their reputation is strong because it was built on discipline and patience. These kind of brands understand that doing everything is not the same as doing what matters.
For entrepreneurs, the consequences of being busy all the time is often hidden until it is too late. You can be burnt out, but as time goes on, you've lost the understanding of where your brand is going. When you can't understand where your brand is going you can't build trust and can't create a routine. Being busy can make you feel relevant but it can also dilute your brand.
Resisting the urge to be busy all the time requires you to know what aligns with your vision and what doesn't. You need to choose fewer priorities and give the right tasks more attention. You need to value reflection and rest when necessary.
We invite you to slow down and ask yourself 'What deserves my time? What reflects my values? What actually builds trust and goes towards my business legacy?'. When answering these questions, allow yourself the opportunity to remain still. When you are able to do this your vision becomes clear.
Being busy may give you more tasks to complete, but intention gives your brand meaning. When you are intentional, you allow your business to stand apart..
So if your constantly trying to be productive, remember that building discipline in your business and giving your time and attention towards the right tasks, will help your business grow in the right direction.
Sentinel is Orvellei's journal of essays, practices and reflections. A written companion for entrepreneurs and brands across every stage of business.
Our journal is dedicated to the deeper side of business and entrepreneurship. New entries are added from time to time. You can use it as a moment to slow down and reflect on your brand.
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