The Busy Trap: Why Looking Productive Might Be Killing Your Career
January 05, 2017
-Karthik Gurumurthy
You know that feeling when you're constantly running around, checking things off your list, and feeling pretty good about how "productive" you are? Well, one of my clients just got a reality check. Instead of the promotion he was expecting, his boss basically told him he was too stuck in the weeds to handle bigger-picture stuff.
Sound familiar? Are you one of those people who wears being busy like a badge of honor? Always rushing from meeting to meeting, sacrificing sleep or downtime because there's just so much to do?
Here's the thing that trips up a lot of smart people: the most important work often looks like you're doing absolutely nothing. Picture this - you're sitting by a window, maybe with a cup of coffee, just... thinking. To anyone walking by, it might look like you're slacking off. But that's actually when the magic happens - when you're processing ideas, connecting dots, or figuring out what really needs your attention.
The problem is, in our go-go-go world, taking time to think feels almost guilty. We're so addicted to the dopamine hit of crossing things off our to-do list that we forget to ask ourselves if we're even working on the right things.
What ends up happening? You get caught in this endless cycle of urgency. You're putting out fires, meeting deadlines by the skin of your teeth, and saying yes to everything that comes your way. Meanwhile, the big opportunities are slipping past because you never pause long enough to notice them. You keep making the same mistakes because there's no time to actually learn from them.
So here's what I'd suggest: take a step back and really look at where your time goes. Is all that busy work actually moving the needle on what matters?
Every time someone asks you to take something on, ask yourself what you'll have to give up to make room for it. And when you do carve out time to just think or plan, notice if you feel uncomfortable about it. That's just your brain trying to trick you into thinking you should be "doing" something instead.
If you manage people, show them it's okay to take thinking time too. Don't just ask what they're working on - ask what they're thinking about.
The bottom line is, when you start treating reflection and strategic thinking as real work (because it is), that's when you'll start making the kind of impact that sets you apart. You'll see the forest instead of just the trees, and you'll spot the obstacles before you trip over them.
If you're tired of being busy but not strategic, maybe it's time we talked about how to create some breathing room in your schedule. Trust me, your future self will be grateful you did.