Busyness is a trap. It’s time to Reclaim Your Focus and Time

Last week, I hosted a workshop that started with a simple question: Why are we so busy, and how do we fix it? What started as a conversation about workplace productivity quickly turned into a broader discussion about life and personal values. Every time I hold these sessions, the insights go beyond just work, because you can’t fix one side of the equation without addressing the other.

As someone who works with leaders and professionals seeking balance, I see how easy it is to get trapped in tasks and deadlines. But here’s the truth: busyness is a trap.

Once you recognize that, the way forward becomes much clearer. Let me share some key takeaways.

1. What Keeps Us Busy?

We’re constantly in reactive mode, attending to what feels urgent, but not always what’s important. It’s easy to spend all our time answering emails, putting out fires, attending meetings—and forget about what we truly want. 

Participants shared how this constant chase led them to lose sight of time for themselves, their families, or hobbies they love. These personal priorities often get postponed to an indefinite “later” that never seems to arrive. So, when was the last time you truly paused and asked, What am I using my time for?

2. You Can’t Reclaim Time Without a Purpose

The second key insight hit home for many. You can’t simply free up time if you don’t know what to do with it. Having an empty calendar can feel uncomfortable, even a little scary. When you’re so used to being busy, that space can bring an unsettling feeling of emptiness. It’s why, when we do find ourselves with a spare hour, we fill it with distractions—scrolling on our phones, responding to unimportant messages, or even finding more unimportant work to do.

But once we clear the clutter and focus on what makes us truly happy, new possibilities emerge. Personal growth, learning something new, or taking on exciting projects are some of the themes that keep emerging in this case. It’s not about just reclaiming time; it’s about filling it with purpose.

3. Courage to Claim Your Time

The third takeaway? It takes courage to reclaim your time. In a world where everyone wants something from us— a colleague, a family member, or social media constantly demanding our attention—it’s easy to feel like we’re always on call. But the truth is, we are the ones that need to set boundaries for ourselves.

Taking control of your schedule, making space for focused time, and learning to say “no” to distractions isn’t just a professional skill—it’s a life skill. It’s the most valuable asset you have to reach your goals, and you need to protect it. Remember, the people who truly matter will respect your focus, not expect constant availability.

Finally, if there’s one thing I want you to walk away with, it’s this: change starts small. You don’t need to change your entire schedule overnight. Start by setting aside one hour a day, or even just a few minutes, to focus on something that moves you closer to your goals.

What You Can Do Today

So, here’s my question to you: What’s one small change you can make today to reclaim your time? Maybe it’s turning off notifications for an hour. Maybe it’s saying “no” to that unnecessary meeting. Whatever it is, take that step and see where it leads.

Busyness doesn’t equal progress, and reclaiming your time isn’t just about efficiency—it’s about filling your life with what truly matters.

With purpose,  

Serena

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📅 Tentative Final Round of MASTER PERFORMANCE for 2024! I am planning to run the full workshop this October—if there’s enough interest. Want to join? Find more info and let me know. For team sessions, contact me anytime; we'll schedule on-demand

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