Why is "busy" still the answer we give when someone asks how we're doing?

"How are you doing?"

"Oh, I'm busy."

This is one of the most common exchanges in any workplace. But is "busy" really the badge of honor we think it is?

Busy can feel important, but more often it means we are letting our calendars fill up with urgent things instead of what truly matters. When "busy" becomes our default, we might be missing the chance to focus, to create, and to connect. If we're always busy, are we actually being effective, or just letting noise drown out the work and relationships that matter most?

Choosing what matters is a conscious decision. It means saying no to meetings that are not essential, finding ways to automate routine tasks, and letting good enough be enough when perfection is not needed. It's also about utilizing new tools such as ChatGPT in a way that frees us up for deep thinking, not making us even more busy. This focus helps us protect our time and energy for the people and work that make a real difference.

Filling your calendar with meetings and busywork is not the path to happiness or to helping customers. It only leads to exhaustion.

How would your work and your team change if you answered honestly, "I'm focused," or, "I'm making space for what matters," instead of just "busy?"

If this resonates with you, please share it with your network to encourage others to move beyond busy.