“Don’t get so busy making a living that you forget to make a life.”
The speed of our world is increasing.
Technology and communication continue to improve. Information moves faster. And social media rewards those who never turn it off.
Expectations, demands, and accessibility continue to expand, but the number of hours in a week do not. As a result, our lives get busier and busier.
This approach to life rarely benefits us in the long-run because a busy life is an unreflective life. In fact, often times, we are so busy scurrying from one thing to another we don’t even have the space to realize our schedules have become overwhelmed. We don’t recognize how our overcommitted lives are harming us.
Even worse, we are unable to identify the hidden mistruths in our heart that are contributing to the problem. Consider these:
9 Hidden Lies that Keep Our Schedules Overwhelmed
1. Accolades will bring fulfillment. The thinking goes like this: The busier we are, the more we can accomplish and the more respect we can earn. And the more respect and accolades we receive, the more we can surely prove our worth and value to others. Unfortunately, if you are trying to find fulfillment in someone else’s opinion of you, you will never find it. You will always be left searching (and working) for more.
2. Money will bring happiness. We often get caught up in needless busyness because of our desire to earn and secure more money. Ever notice how often we are offered money (or the chance to win money) for our time? While it is important to work hard and provide for the needs of your family, it is foolish to think money is the quickest shortcut to better living.
3. I don’t have a choice. Many of us live over-busy lives because of the expectations and demands of others. In these cases, it is important to remember you always have a choice. Sure, there are seasons of life that require more of you and your time than others, but seasons always change. If yours hasn’t changed recently, you may need to revisit who is making the decisions in your life and where you can regain some of your control.
4. I’m more productive if I’m busy. Maybe you can be more productive for a short while, but human beings are not designed to work relentlessly without periods of rest. Countless studies confirm the importance of rest for productivity. Eventually, a lifestyle of busyness will detract from our productivity. And more importantly, your health and well-being. There are no exceptions.
5. I am needed. Pride is defined as holding an excessively high opinion of oneself or one’s importance. And it leads to overwhelmed schedules because of the foolish thinking that follows it: “Nobody else can do what I do.” This pride affects the way we view our business, our work, our family, and our personal relationships. Left unchecked, it leads to a busy life and in the end, a fall.
6. Everything is important. Our world has a tendency to make everything appear urgent, important, and beneficial to our lives. As the speed of information increases, our minds are seemingly less equipped to filter all the information and opportunities. But the most productive among us realize nobody can accomplish everything. They are relentless in their understanding of mission and the reality that very few things are truly important. And they never sacrifice the important for the trivial.
7. I need to be busy to keep up with everyone else. It may seem, at times, the only way to get ahead in life is to outwork everyone else. But just because everyone else appears busy does not mean they are busy about the right things. Nor does it mean they are finding joy in their pursuits. Frank Clark perhaps said it best, “Modern man is frantically trying to earn enough to buy things he’s too busy to enjoy.”
8. Busy makes me look more important. Busy, in and of itself, is not a badge of honor. In fact, being busy doing the wrong things is actually quite unattractive. Just remember, in a society rushing to keep up with everyone else, those who find peace, contentment, and rest are the ones admired…and envied.
9. Quietness is laziness. Often times, people avoid dealing with life’s deeper issues by packing their schedule tight. Someone who is discontent with their life’s choices can escape the difficult work of addressing them by masking them with busyness. Quietness is not laziness. Quietness is hard, but always worth the effort.
Many of the lies we have been told since birth crowd out the things in life that matter most. Instead of enjoying the benefit of calm, intentional living, we hurry from one needless triviality to another.
Don’t ever get so busy chasing the wrong things that you miss enjoying the right things. (tweet that)
Ruth says
No 9 is made so much more difficult to achieve when others regard quietness as laziness adding a feeling of guilt into the equation that you shouldn’t be sitting appearing to be doing nothing. Unfortunately others can’t see what the mind is doing, only you know that.
Neville Bendiola says
I enjoyed this! I am out sick from work today and have been stressed about the work I am missing. This has helped me calm down today. Thank you!
Eva Millan Dantes says
Thanks for the wonderful article.
Being a winner in a rat race, doesn’t change a thing…one remains a rat!!
Life is short, thus we need to simplify things within and around us…and yes, ask ourselves at the end of the day: “Why I do the things that I did today? ”
May we intentionally live a purposeful life!!!
James Artre says
“Don’t get so busy making a living that you forget to make a life.”
One of favorite quotes. The problem I see, is that many people do not know what they really want (need) in life.
In my opinion, this is reason why many never make the one they want.
– James
Katie Bowers says
I once asked my husband if he ever wished I was a working wife with a big paycheck instead of a stay-at-home mom. He replied, “Sometimes, but then we wouldn’t have the lifestyle we want.” I love that man!!
Sally says
The other thing that doesn’t seem to get much of a mention is that many see being busy as being essential for serving God. In my Church I see so many over-doing it. For example; one particular female member is married with 6 children, she and husband (who is the Bishop for our ward) financially support all their children (ranging from 6 to 23), with her husband being the Bishop she is often left to do everything for the children as he is asked to go out and visit/see parishioners. she works 4 days a week, teaches seminary at 6am 5 days a week ( which takes her at least 2 hours to prepare each lesson and she often cooks breakfast for those attending) takes her kids to sport/dance class etc at least 5 days a week, helps with meals on wheels, personally cook for people in our ward, visits sick, volunteers to fill in for people who are sick and can’t teach their classes on Sunday, she cooks from scratch everyday, she sews, studies, and is an overall Wonder Woman. Don’t get me wrong, I am not bagging her out. She is one of the most beautiful women I have ever met. But, I am not her. I am married, have 7 kids, study full time, work, cook from scratch, clean, etc etc but find I can’t keep up with her. I used to feel that I had to try to keep up. Now, I try to minimise/simplify my life. I get the dirty looks at church. I get the comments (when you are in service of your fellow man you are in the service of God). Finding a balance in church is one of the hardest things.
Dan says
Loved this quote from you Joshua…
“Many of the lies we have been told since birth crowd out the things in life that matter most.”
Lily says
This is a great article! We are at a really critical point in our lives right now trying to find balance & bliss in an overwhelming world. And we want to teach our 4 children about what is truly important in life. Like quality vs quantity and following their hearts to fufill their lives. And the best way to teach is also the hardest sometimes. by example. You helped us see some excellent points we had missed. Thank you for these stepping stones on our journey towards our next chapter.
Kate says
Great post. I agree with pretty much all of it. I can especially attest to #8. We recently sold our house and quit our jobs to travel full time and to our old friends we are heroes to be admired. They tell us they envy us but the reality is we made a choice and if they wanted to they could too.
Ian says
Nice post. I go to a competitive high school where it’s the norm to over-schedule with a difficult course load and after school activities/sports. Honestly we are all so anxious about college admissions that there doesn’t seem to be an alternative. For me, I take pride in my academic achievements but for many students it’s their parents pushing them. Most of the time I’m so busy I don’t stop to feel how overwhelmed I am.
It should be interesting when we all enter the workforce.