Too Busy? That’s a Good Problem to Have

When people tell me they’re too busy, I tell them they’re lucky—lucky to have a purpose.

Being busy at work means you have responsibilities that matter. Being busy with family means you have people who value your time and presence. Busyness is often a sign of a full, meaningful life.

But even when we understand that being busy can be a good thing, there are moments when the sheer demand for our time leads to stress and anxiety. When that happens, we need to take two important steps:

1️⃣ Recognize it – Acknowledge when busyness turns into overwhelm.
2️⃣ Develop strategies to manage it – Have tools ready to regain control.

How I Handle Stress from Busyness

I’ve gotten better at recognizing when stress starts creeping in. But the real challenge is what to do next.

Here’s my go-to strategy:

Box Breathing – I use a simple breathing technique to reset my mind:

  • Inhale deeply through the nose for 4 seconds
  • Hold for 2 seconds
  • Exhale slowly through the mouth for 4 seconds
  • Hold for 2 seconds
  • Repeat as needed

This quick breathing exercise reduces stress, clears my head, and helps me regain focus.

Singular Focus – Once I feel calmer, I tackle one thing at a time—no multitasking. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when everything demands your attention at once. But by focusing on a single task and completing it before moving on to the next, I simplify my busyness into productivity.

Final Thought

Being busy isn’t the problem—letting it control you is. Recognize it, reset, and take things one step at a time.

What are your strategies for managing busyness? Drop a comment, and let’s share ideas!

#JustBeBetter’

#StayHealthyStayStrong

#IOwnTheMorning

#WWKDD

Front Loading

One of the habits I am continually working on is “Front Loading,” which is the idea that one gets as many things done as possible initially. It is based on the premise I would rather be proactive than reactive. I like it because it allows me to better handle the challenges that confront me each week. It is an excellent accompaniment to being prepared and staying organized, two of my favorite strategies for achieving success.

I make my schedule weekly for each Sunday night. I have a checklist that tracks how many tasks I have completed, how many I have left to do, and my weekly completion percentage. I will be super productive and frontload my tasks on Monday if I am on point. If I do not frontload on Monday, I will have no chance to complete my tasks for the week because no matter how well I plan, “Life happens!” There will be things that I am unprepared (not on my schedule to complete) for that demand my attention over my checklist.

Frontloading will lead to success in so many areas of your life.

Give it a try and let me know.

#Just Be Better

#Stay Healthy, Stay Strong

Effective Team Meetings: Keeping Discussions On Point

At the end of every work cycle, we have too many meetings. Some are important, but most are not. I hate meetings that have no point. Too many people feel they are powerful when holding a meeting. It is true that when someone calls a meeting that I am compelled to attend, the person has power over my time. However, I will only give them the power to use my time effectively. 

Meetings should be on-point and concise. The leaders should encourage discussion and debate but be focused enough to keep the discussions on point. Some teams I am part of have members who cannot stop talking and going off on a tangent because they feel or believe. These time wasters are an issue. If you “feel” or “believe” something is true, take the time to explore it and bring a concise summation of your research to the meeting. Unless it is a brain-storming session, the ramblings do not belong. This is ineffective, gives the unprepared power over my time, and does not belong in an effective team meeting. I’ve seen too many meetings devolve because the leader is either reluctant to address or fails to recognize this issue. It takes a creative participant to redirect the conversation.

Do not waste other people’s time. Come to a meeting prepared and ready to work. Expect your colleagues to do the same.

Just Be Better

Stay Healthy, Stay Strong.

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Be Prepared #3

Do not waste other’s productivity (or allow them to waste yours!).

It goes without saying that you should always be punctual. If you will be late, you must communicate it as soon as you realize it. Be prepared. Prepare your schedule and stick to it. Prepare by knowing who to contact if you are running late. Do not make it a habit. Do not waste other people’s time or productivity.

In meetings, stay on point. I have been in too many meetings where someone feels extra special and decides to take a tangent because they are feeling “smart” for the moment. They are wasting everyone else’s productivity. They are not smart; they are selfish. Don’t be that person, and don’t accept that person’s distraction. Be prepared for what to say and how to say it so the meeting gets back on track. Otherwise, you allow them to have power over your productivity (and future). Do not allow anyone to have power over either, ever.

#Be Prepared

#Just Be Better

#Stay Healthy, Stay Strong

Be Prepared

Nothing is worse than saying no to an opportunity because you didn’t complete everything else that needs to be done. Procrastination will interfere with opportunities and take away your ability to grow. Front-load everything you can so that when “Life Happens” or “Opportunity Knocks,” you are ready to say yes.

#Just Be Better

# Stay Healthy, Stay Strong

Force The Future #4 – Prepare

At this point, we are prepared. We are not letting our past overwhelm our future; our preparation allows us to worry less about the future. Now, what do I do? It is time to build the habits we need to force the future. Building habits today is the most important thing we can do to force the future. By building habits, we adopt the skills and characteristics we want to have in the future. 

Take time today to map out the future you want, determine the habits you need to succeed, and start implementing the habits immediately.

#Just Be Better

# Stay Strong, Stay Healthy