Success Advice
The Difference Between Being Busy And Being Productive

In today’s high-speed, ever-connected times, being “busy” is one of the most valued social currencies. If we’re busy, then surely we must be important, successful, valuable and living full lives. So “busy” becomes a proxy for inflating our egos, both for ourselves and for those around us. It’s because of this that being too busy to do something becomes such a valid excuse for not getting things done.
In using “being busy” as an excuse for not doing scary, challenging, intimidating or important things in our lives, we turn “busy” into the new lazy. Think about it, how many times have you used “being busy” as a justification for anything from being inconsiderate to missing deadlines?
“The greatest enemy of good thinking is busyness.” ― John C. Maxwell
You want more success in life, but how productive do you really think you are? When asked how productive they are, most professionals will answer that they’re always so busy and manage to fit so many activities into their work day, they simply can’t do more.
But ask any of them to review how effectively they manage their time, and most of them are shocked at how much procrastination their activities actually involve. There’s a difference between being busy and getting things done and it influences your success directly.
How Can You Tell If You’re Being Busy Or Productive?
A study conducted by Stanford Professor Clifford Nass in 2009, showed that chronic multitaskers were consistently outperformed by non-multitaskers in a range of different tasks. Interestingly, the study found that even when the multitaskers were given activities that required them to focus on one single activity, the multitaskers still used their brains less effectively, suggesting that a cluttered, disorganised mind can have long-term effects that spread outside of multitasking situations. So how can you tell if you’re a busy multitasker or a productive achiever?
Take a moment to go through the three questions below:
1. How long is your to-do list?
If you find yourself saying “yes” to everything and consequently having a mile long to-do list each day, chances are, you’re always very busy and rarely actually productive. Instead of filling up the time with tasks (usually ones that don’t really matter), productive people are selective about what they choose to do and plan strategically about when to do it. This typically results in a shorter to-do list with items that are actually completed effectively by the end of the day.
2. Are you prioritising?
While busy people are focused on any action, productive people are focused on the clarity and purpose of each action. Being selective about which courses of action are most important and focusing the right time and resources on those actions often results in more productive work being done in less time. You cannot jump aimlessly from one task to the next, hoping to get everything done. When you prioritise one task over another, always ask yourself, why am I choosing this task now? why must it come first? It’s a simple, but powerful question.
3. Are you tracking your progress?
Busy people have a tendency of equating action with accomplishment – you fit so many activities into one day, surely you must have accomplished something, right? If it takes you 20 steps to achieve something that could have taken you 5 steps, it’s obvious that you’re not using your time in the most productive way.
Productive people don’t stall their accomplishments by aimlessly tackling random tasks, they take the most strategic and direct path to achieving goals that are clearly defined and can therefore be tracked, measured and assessed with the help of detailed plans, deadlines and goals. They want to see the return of investment in their time.
“I don’t know where I’m going, but I’m on my way.” ― Carl Sandburg
Anyone can make the transition from being busy to being productive, so you have no excuse! The first step to transitioning is being honest with yourself. Why are you always so busy? Why do you want to be so busy? Why do you want others to think you’re busy? How does your ‘being busy vs being productive’ affect your success?
These are all questions that you need to answer for yourself and be honest if you want to start onto the path of developing new productivity skills and techniques and therefore, more success in.
What things do you do to stay productive? Please leave your thoughts below!
Success Advice
How to Hire Top Talent and Create a Culture They’ll Never Want to Leave
The best leaders clarify complex situations, generate positive energy, and deliver results.

Throughout my career, I’ve seen firsthand how big tech companies prioritize hiring the best talent and how this focus drives business success (more…)
Success Advice
Is Leading Exhausting? This Strategy Will Change Your Business
The future of leadership isn’t about doing more, it’s about leading differently

Managing a team often feels like a constant battle. You’re buried in meetings, overwhelmed by emails, and always fighting fires. Just when you think you’ve got a grip on things, new demands, shifting priorities, and AI-driven changes throw everything into disarray. Finding time to think strategically seems impossible, let alone feeling in control of your work. (more…)
Success Advice
The Real Secret Behind the Law of Attraction And How to Use It Effectively
The Law of Attraction isn’t just a mystical concept. It’s a mindset

The Law of Attraction recently captured my attention again when I watched The Secret on Netflix on July 19, 2020.
Although I’ve written about it before in various formats across my award-winning books, I felt inspired to explore it more deeply here for the benefit of new readers and those curious about how this principle works in everyday life. (more…)
Success Advice
Want to Set Goals and Achieve Them Like Never Before? Try the KASH Method
Goals aren’t just about achievement. They’re about growth

Everyone should have goals in life. Goals give us direction. They motivate us to take action, stay focused, and keep moving forward even when things get tough. When you have something to aim for, each day feels more purposeful. (more…)
-
Success Advice4 weeks ago
7 Lessons My Mom Taught Me That Every Young Man Needs to Hear
-
Success Advice3 weeks ago
Want to Set Goals and Achieve Them Like Never Before? Try the KASH Method
-
Entrepreneurs3 weeks ago
How Savvy Entrepreneurs Use Their Homes to Build Wealth
-
Success Advice3 weeks ago
The Real Secret Behind the Law of Attraction And How to Use It Effectively
-
Entrepreneurs2 weeks ago
Starting a Business Was the Most Spiritual Thing I’ve Ever Done
-
Life2 weeks ago
The Surprising Mental Health Tool You Probably Haven’t Tried
-
Success Advice2 weeks ago
Is Leading Exhausting? This Strategy Will Change Your Business
-
Life6 days ago
Imposter Syndrome Is Rooted in Your Past But Here’s How You Can Rewire It
4 Comments