It is a typical hectic Monday morning meeting. As usual, I have arrived five minutes ahead of the scheduled time. One by one, people enter the room and before the meeting actually begins, I take the opportunity to connect with people and exchange courtesies. Interestingly, in those few minutes everyone frets and fumes over his/her "genuinely alarming busy life", claiming to be much more important than the rest hence leading much worthwhile life. I am tempted to shout at top of my voice, "You claim to be insanely busy? Get a grip. You think the universe really gives a damn?"
Have you observed the responses to a simple, courteous question, "how are you"? In all likelihood, the answers are going to resonate with typical contemporary anthem of rushed, whiny refrains;
"I have been so busy! I am up to my neck."
"Oh, it is crazy. I am burned."
"I am always on the run. Phew!"
"No time to breath."
"There is too much on my plate. Just can't take it!"
"There is too much on my plate. Just can't take it!"
"I am invisible even to myself. Forget others!"
"No time to stop now. I am riding the wave I have created."
"No time to stop now. I am riding the wave I have created."
I am not at all trying to belittle anyone's work or underestimate pressures it entails. Everyone is busy these days in different ways. Right from a nursery going toddler to corporate honchos, everyone's schedules are becoming hectic by the day. With limited time and unlimited demands, commitments, expectations and compulsions; for some people, it really becomes painfully tough to find the right balance.
Some of the most successful people I know, (and I am fortunate to be surrounded by so many!) somehow always have time for everything they wish to do in life despite their insanely busy schedules! They invariably always go out of their way to find time and make meaningful connections with family, friends, are free for holidays, social work and are also devoted to their passions! The best part is, I have never heard about their busy life from any of them! Is it because time is a scarce commodity in their life, they use it effectively?
I am amused by the ridiculous lengths people go to flaunt their "busyness" by endlessly bragging, tweeting or ranting on social media as if it is some badge of honour! In my observation, people who always bemoan "being busy" suffer from self inflicted choices. The present day obsession of busy life is not always inevitable condition but result of the choice by our conformity to it. Unfortunately, being busy is perceived as being important, productive, effective or successful!
The notion of busyness ensures validity of a life worth something. It saves the social embarrassment of one's life being perceived as irrelevant. There is need to work smart, not hard. We are all entitled to make choices in life and when we choose to live life that is demanding, why complain?
The next time, you are tempted to use that boastful line "I am too busy" or listen to it coming from someone, it would help to check if it is disguised to cover up some inadequacy or used as an excuse to avoid something. (Believe me, we all have done it, knowingly or unknowingly!) The findings would surprise you and compel you to assess your life and realign it.
It helps to understand and accept a simple truth that sometimes, less is more.
