Do You Suffer from Busyness Sickness?

“Busyness is an illness of the spirit." ~Eugene Peterson

Last week I got on my soapbox about how multitasking or task switching, as it really is, doesn’t work and is just a lie we believe, which ends up sabotaging our productivity because it makes even the simplest tasks take longer to complete.

So now before we go on to the last concept that I’m going to cover for organizing your time for maximum efficiency (which I’ll talk about next week) I want to jump back on my soapbox and address a bigger issue. One that perhaps is the underlying cause of all this need to get more done.

You see, I believe that habits like multitasking are just a “symptom” of a bigger issue, which is that many people are simply busy being busy because they suffer from busyness sickness. When and if they do get caught up, they add more to their list and cause themselves to become even busier. Busyness sickness is often caused by being afraid of not being enough and failing because of it. But unfortunately, much of what you may be spending your time doing, isn’t getting you any closer to achieving your goals and making your dreams a reality. Instead, it’s just causing you to become more stressed and overwhelmed.

Sound familiar? Let’s see how busy you are…

Rate yourself on the following “symptoms” and see if you have a case of busyness sickness too. Give yourself one point for each statement that is true for you. Then check your results on the scale below.

• I always seem to be running just a little late.
• I rely on my ability to multitask (i.e., checking emails, talking on the phone, eating lunch, and directing your child in their online school assignment… all at the same time).
• I overbook and over-commit myself.
• I prefer to be first in line at a red light and will change lanes to be so.
• When I’m in the express lane at the grocery store, I count the number of items in the basket ahead of me.
• I find myself rushing even when I have no need to rush.
• I have a difficult time saying no when people ask me to do things.
• I would be lost without my cell phone by my side. And I check it at least 10x a day for missed texts, emails or social media messages.
• I feel guilty or lazy if I take a break.
• I find myself wishing the microwave would hurry up.
• I have been known to complain about the service at a fast-food restaurant being too slow.
• I check my email at least twice a day (including the weekend).

Your score: ______

Busyness Scale:
1 to 3:  You have a healthy pace in life.
4 to 6:  You have a mild case of busyness sickness.
7 to 9:  You have a full-blown case of busyness sickness
10 to 12:  You have a terminal case of busyness sickness (just kidding, but you get the point)

Which symptom did you identify with the most?  Why?

What might be the driving force behind your busyness sickness? Is it a need to people please? A sign could be that you want to make everyone happy or you just “hate saying no” to anyone. Or maybe it’s an old belief that if you aren’t keeping busy then you aren’t of value. If you had a workaholic parent, this could be you. Maybe as I stated above, it stems from a feeling that you aren’t enough if you aren’t doing more to prove yourself. It could even be that you are constantly on the run because you are running from the fear of failure that you feel is always chasing you. Or did it “just happen”? (HINT: It can happen before you know it, but it doesn’t usually “just happen”. It occurs because of choices and decisions you’ve made that have allowed you to get to this point. And those choices and decisions stem from your beliefs.) So if you think it just happened, then think again.

Whatever the case, it’s time to overcome this “busyness sickness” so you can get your life back. Knowing where it comes from is only part of the battle. Knowing how to overcome it… that’s the real remedy.

All of the concepts I’ve been sharing with you over the last month are a wonderful way to begin to get your life back and become more efficient in the process. So, before I break down the last concept next week, go back and read the article on how to organize your day for maximum efficiency. This time, really commit to the simple but profound concepts I’ve given you. Making certain that you have prioritized your tasks by breaking down your to-do lists and delegating or dumping the tasks that are just keeping you busy. It's time to heal yourself from busyness sickness so you can truly live a happy and successful life.

***Need help changing some of your habits so you can be more effective and efficient in your life? Don't miss the opportunity to schedule your FREE 30-Minute KickStart Call before the end of the month. (There are only a few spaces still available.)