Everyone is busier than you
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Everyone is busier than you are. Did that catch you off guard? When I interact with someone I do my best (and it doesn’t always happen) to think this (changing “you” to “I”). It helps to keep me from saying, “I’m so busy…”
Part of the reason is because I dislike the glorification of busy. It’s easy to say you’re busy or to convey busy, but what are you DOING?
Regardless, to acknowledge that others are busier than you changes the way you interact with them. Try it and see what you think.
I’ve thought about putting an “I’m busy” jar in my office and add a $1 for every mention.
50 Comments on this post
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used tires said:
Yeah people always do seem to be busy, I know alot of people who do say it but in reality they aren’t all that busy, but they just let their mind think that they are.
Till then,
Jean
January 20th, 2010 at 4:06 pm -
Jacqueline said:
Great reminder – everyone IS busy and saying it doesn’t make it better in any way. I figure that people are as busy as they think they need to be to feel good/special/right with their work/world.
January 20th, 2010 at 5:01 pm -
Stephanie said:
I agree as well. I always use the “I’m so busy” excuse for things, but sometimes forget that everyone else is probably just as busy. Its so easy to get caught up in everything we’re doing, that we forget about what everyone else might be doing. When we are able to acknowledge that we aren’t the only people with things to do, I agree that everything runs more smoothly.
January 20th, 2010 at 5:25 pm -
Jane said:
No one has a monopoly over being busy.
January 20th, 2010 at 5:38 pm -
Ben LaMothe said:
I agree. It will make you more thoughtful about what you choose to say to someone. Every time you try to stop your boss, or a co-worker, or even a busy friend, to talk to them, you’re stopping them from completing their work. Is what you have to say so important that it requires that you to stop then and there and ask them? Or can it wait for a less frantic time? Great advice, Sarah.
January 20th, 2010 at 5:58 pm -
Jamie Favreau said:
Very good point. Plus, it is also a good reason to procrastinate which is NOT a good idea EVER. If you keep saying you are so busy and you fill your day with things that you enjoy but are NOT doing the hard stuff than you get distracted which isn’t good either.
January 20th, 2010 at 5:59 pm -
Liz said:
The best phrasing of this I read recently was something like: “We all have exactly the same number of hours each day… and we’re all filling them somehow.”
I think the culture of many organizations has led people to believe very, very strongly that “busy” people = important people. If you’re not “busy,” you’re not useful, or you’re not highly in-demand.
It takes a really different mindset to see a “busy” person as just someone who doesn’t have a good handle on their time or their priorities.
January 20th, 2010 at 6:01 pm -
Angela Daffron @DaffronMkt said:
Well said, Sarah! I am always thankful to be busy! It sure beats the alternative!
January 20th, 2010 at 7:58 pm -
Taylor said:
I find most of the people claiming to be “soooo busy” usually are the ones that can’t prioritize and aren’t being all that productive after all. People who are actually that busy don’t wait the time broadcasting it, right?
I think you should definitely put a jar in your office…
January 20th, 2010 at 10:12 pm -
Net Age Web Design said:
Being busy is quite often an illusion we uphold in order to assure ourselves of our own self worth. Effective time and resource management, along with learning to let go and have other people do some of the work is key to being less “busy”.
January 21st, 2010 at 7:08 am -
Cavan Reagan Reichmann said:
That’s one of my pet peeves too! Telling someone you’re busy is nearly the same as telling them you don’t think they’re busy enough, or couldn’t possibly relate to how busy you are. Everyone’s busy. That’s life. Be thankful for the time you get from others.
January 21st, 2010 at 10:05 am -
Kate said:
I love this post and the comments. It’s interesting to think about how often someone has said they are too busy to help and the chain reaction of negativity a comment like that can spur.
January 21st, 2010 at 1:54 pm -
Aluminum Laptop Cases said:
This really reminds me of one of my girlfriend’s coworkers. She always come and chats complaining about how busy she is. The ironic thing is that if she wasn’t spending so much time complaining about her busyness, she probably wouldn’t be so busy.
January 21st, 2010 at 3:50 pm -
Tim Jahn said:
Agreed. Saying you’re busier than someone is basically saying that person isn’t important to you. And that’s not going to lead anywhere good!
January 21st, 2010 at 11:06 pm -
Catering said:
Lol…. laughed because you very right i often listened from people they were so busy, but as you told me i would like to say now ‘i m very busy’
January 22nd, 2010 at 6:21 am -
Bidet said:
Haha thats a good idea, putting money every time you say “Im busy”. I agree with you, not many people are actually as busy as they say are.
January 23rd, 2010 at 4:02 pm -
Cetvn said:
Have a good idea, I agree with you.
January 24th, 2010 at 1:35 am -
won said:
The person its so easy to get caught up in everything we’re doing if your really busy.
January 25th, 2010 at 2:42 am -
won said:
By the way you have a good idea to get the attention of the reader. Thanks for post.
January 25th, 2010 at 2:43 am -
Cartoon Bears said:
All im going to say is i know how she feels. She is probably really insecure with the lack of social life she has. Maybe she doesnt have many friends, i would think its really eating her up inside.
January 25th, 2010 at 5:28 am -
Scott Scanlon said:
Busy… a few years ago I wrote down for a few weeks what I did, hour by hour. After that the word busy left because I realized what was important and what was not.
January 29th, 2010 at 2:02 pm -
calivita said:
thanks you post you show how we are busy
January 31st, 2010 at 2:53 pm -
calivita said:
I think one thing everyone is busy at any time, any time something is free itself
January 31st, 2010 at 2:57 pm -
calivita.com said:
thanks again everything
January 31st, 2010 at 3:08 pm -
Catering Tampa said:
Now i wanna started my month with busyness with lots of work, hope i’ll get success to make my self buys as others.
February 1st, 2010 at 2:23 am -
Payroll Outsourcing said:
‘I m busy’ this is very common dialogue for people and best excuse to avoid people or work.
February 1st, 2010 at 4:05 am -
used tires said:
Today I came across this situation again. A colleague tried to use it as an excuse to put off something he was supposed to finish days before.
Till then,
Jean
February 1st, 2010 at 4:55 am -
Tricia said:
oh. gosh. I DO this…”how are things” i say “oh the usual. busy”. But everyone’s busy, right? Thank you for putting this into perspective. I am going to watch myself with this phrase, because it IS distracting. HELLO? shouldn’t I come up with something more intelligent to say, than “oh. busy.” most of the time I use this response to have a quick conversation with someone, because I have some other thing-to-do on my mind! Ha.
February 1st, 2010 at 5:09 pm -
Catering Tampa said:
@Used. Sometimes even happens when we really busy in our work people takes it as a excuse, Such situation creates question on our genuine.
February 4th, 2010 at 6:47 am -
Turkey said:
Busy…
I agree with you.
February 5th, 2010 at 11:27 am -
used tires said:
That’s true also, Cat. I guess the best thing to do is to interact with people when you’re not busy so they know when you really are busy and when you’re not.
Till then,
Jean
February 7th, 2010 at 7:18 am -
Catering Tampa said:
@Used. Yep its nice idea, such ways help us to build trust with friends and family members.
February 8th, 2010 at 1:35 am -
Hair Salons said:
Yes, it’s common dialogue i m busy to avoid to talk unnecessary persons. But this not applicable to all people.
February 9th, 2010 at 5:24 am -
Porno said:
People who are actually that busy don’t wait the time broadcasting it
February 11th, 2010 at 10:29 am -
youtube gir said:
great idea, thanks for sharing.
February 16th, 2010 at 8:36 am -
Cartoon Bears said:
Planning on going to Elveden or Sherwood Forest in the summer, and just wondering whether it’s busier in the summer or winter?
February 16th, 2010 at 10:54 am -
Hair Salons said:
Yes, everyone busy in their own tasks, but you can tell them we’ll talk later whatever your free time.
February 19th, 2010 at 7:21 am -
how to start a blog said:
How much in your “I’m busy” jar now?
February 23rd, 2010 at 3:08 pm -
Jacob Babcock said:
This is a great way too look at it. I often feel like I am so busy trying to get everything organized online, but isn’t everyone out there? Thanks sarah.
March 2nd, 2010 at 8:06 pm -
youtube gir said:
I agree with you.
March 4th, 2010 at 2:20 am -
Writing Jobs said:
@youtube – me too
March 11th, 2010 at 12:31 am -
wholesale handbags said:
I’m no more busy! Working for 10 hours/day is good for me and don’t even expect more than that. I need to spend my life with people around me, my mom, dad, and friends. I wouldn’t say them I’m busy all the time. But I’m very much busy for worthless people.
March 12th, 2010 at 4:43 am -
Porno said:
oh its so bad for us. my gf hurt me always for this..
April 4th, 2010 at 12:09 pm -
Round Picture Frames said:
Unfortunately I also use the “I’m too busy” line way too much. We should try to always make some time for friends and family.
April 6th, 2010 at 6:03 pm -
dizi lig tv izle said:
Everyone is busier than you are. Did that catch you off guard? When I interact with someone I do my best (and it doesn’t always happen) to think this (changing “you” to “I”). It helps to keep me from saying, “I’m so busy…”
You say that.And I aggree to you.
April 7th, 2010 at 10:16 am -
dizi lig tv izle said:
And add to my comment, if I busy (for WEB) what can I do?
April 7th, 2010 at 10:20 am
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