Why Busy Doesn’t Work Anymore
Busy doesn’t equal fulfilled.
One meaningless activity after another empties life of meaning.
We spend too much time worried about what we do and too little worried about why we do it.
Leaders with purpose may look like they’re attending meetings. But in reality, they’re inspiring conversation or creating connections.
Lose purpose; lose passion.
Purpose gives menial tasks meaning.
Dread:
Persistent dread points to lost purpose.
You may feel anxiety about tomorrow’s tough conversation. But, meaningful activities provide fulfillment, even when they’re tough.
Leaders with purpose savor life. They don’t dread it.
Finding purpose that fits:
Just try one on. Purpose comes to those who live on purpose.
Don’t waste time sitting under a tree contemplating the meaning of your navel. Just choose a purpose for a day. See how it fits.
Does it:
- Invite positive responses. We see our purpose in the eyes of others.
- Pull you forward. Constant pushing suggest lack of purpose.
- Energize.
- Provide fulfillment at the end of the day.
- Align with talents and strengths.
You can’t get anything done if you don’t know why you’re doing it.
Rise above activities. Fulfill purpose.
Mine:
My current purpose statement is. “Make it better.”
It may look like I’m giving presentations or attending meetings. But in truth, I’m making things better.
If I can’t make it better, I don’t want anything to do with it.
You may think I’m having a tough conversation with someone. But, really, I’m making things better.
Purpose as evaluation:
At the end of the day, I’m asking three questions.
- What did I make better?
- How did I make things better?
- What can I make better tomorrow?
Tip: purpose statements include action words.
Bonus: “One Word” a resource to clarify purpose.
What purpose statement could you try on today?
My one word this year is “giving”. So I’m thinking I’ll try “give unexpectedly” today.
Love it James. My one word is Health. “Make it better” is the path to health.
WOW!!!!! GREAT GREAT GREAT post Dan!
My purpose, help people become more effective!
Effectiveness Activator cool name huh?
Just great stuff.
Biggest thing for me is my life is pretty much what I focus on.
Starts with Why? Do I have something driving me worth dying for?
If not if I want to be effective I better get a why that important to me, if not the first sign of challenge will stop me.
Next create absolute CERTAINTY! I will persist until I succeed.
Then four areas to work on
1. Potential
2. Actions
3.Results
4. Reinforces Core Beliefs
Great stuff today Dan,
Thanks,
SP back to creating EPIC CERTAINTY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks Scott. Effective = focus on what matters now.
You know Dan it is worth mentioning most people live lives of quiet desperation.
In reality, in the real world this works for people. This being unfulfilled and not doing anything about it. Sad yes, but they get a payoff, we all do from the choices we choose.
It is ONLY when one becomes sick and tired of being sick and tired are they willing to go to any length for different, at that point anything DIFFERENT.
That is where I come in to help them understand the levers to activate having a more effective life! Piece of cake at that point! When we are beaten, we become willing.
On purpose, on fire, fully alive and at the end……all used up!!!!
That is what I am talking about, turn around kiss myself!!!!
A never ending supply of folks working their way to sick and tired of being sick and tired!
Cool when they are ready, I am here to help them activate their lives. Their inner coolness has been waiting on them all along!!!! God don’t make no junk!!!! Never has, never will! God is cool like that!!!!
SP
EA
Make it BETTER!!! excellent post Dan! you definitely make me think and evaluate myself. My purpose, make it better! just like you’re doing with my thinking…
Awesome Gulcho! Thanks
Great insight Dan! Too many leaders are addicted to busyness.
Busy leaders only cover ground. Great leaders take ground!
Thanks Dan. Love the distinction, “addicted to busyness” powerful and true
I agree here. Some of my most fulfilling moments were when I paused to think. Sadly most of us – me included – have always had the need to be, and to be seen to be, busy
Thanks Rajiv. Sometimes all we need is a pause to touch base with a deeper purpose.
Dan – great insight.
In the last few days, I’ve been reminded of a task I used to do in my first job, on a pig farm. In order to look busy, it was suggested to me to go and sweep dust, so that if the boss was looking for me, it would like I’ve very busy, but actually not achieving much.
I’m sad to say that decades later, and now in the corporate world, I still sweep dust.
Today’s article from you has helped to re-evaluate what I’m really doing….. thanks!
Thanks for a wonderful illustration… I’m going to remember sweeping dust!
Jimmy Cullingford you have filled my morning with mirth. I feel like I have been sweeping dust on a pig farm for much of my life. Thank you for that brilliant image!!! I feel a blog coming on.
An interesting, thought-provoking post!
My one word purpose is move. A forward movement in the personal and professional front with readiness and vigor to accomplish the desired small daily goals.
Thanks Dr. Asher. “Move” is a great word. It’s easy to make excuses not to move. Leaders take action.
Okay, Dan. I’ve found the secret to your success. I’ve learned how you “make things better.” While it takes me 10 million words to get my message across, your genius is that you can “make things better” in just a few brief sentences, yet beautifully pragmatic and thought-provoking insights housed in leadership context and loaded with Einstein-like work, play, and even fun content.
[Seriously, Einstein really did have a personal success (make things better) formula: If A equals success, then the formula is: A=X+Y+Z.
X is work; Y is play; and Z is keep your mouth shut (or Noblesse Oblige).]
Albert Einstein had nothing to prove. He felt no need to be as “chatty” as he could have been with his knowledge. It wasn’t important to him to talk to everyone he met and talk over their heads to demonstrate his IQ. Instead, he learned the value and art of
noblesse oblige: Asking others questions, listening, being quiet, and extending respect. This was his way of getting others involved and making them feel better.
Thanks Rick. It’s fascinating that the path to success is often so simple that we miss it. Great add!
The idea that silence/listening is so powerful flies right over our heads.
This has been something that I’ve been working on my whole life. Not that I don’t do things with purpose…but when there’s a lull I still have to fill that with doings and busyness, and when I don’t fill it, which sometimes I do intentionally, I feel guilty. My whole family is like that! Thanks for this important reminder. I like your purpose: make things better and then asking yourself at the end of the day what you made better…
Diana
You aren’t alone Diana. Many of us get that uneasy feeling if we stop and just relax. HOw about active relaxation…like walking?
I do walk a lot! If I schedule relaxation, declare Sunday PJ Day for example, then it’s ok. Strange, isn’t it?
Sounds like you are being a bit hard on yourself. btw… PJ Day is awesome.
There is a reductionist quality to your thinking, Dan, which really helps achieve clarity. My word is here, but I will still need to work a bit on being able to articulate purpose. Thanks.
Glad your here Steven. 🙂
Jimmy Cullingford you have filled my morning with mirth. I feel like I have been sweeping dust on a pig farm for much of my life. Thank you for that brilliant image!!! I feel a blog coming on.
And I should add, Dan, that this is great stuff. Many of the compliments I would give have already been given. Your blog is the best part of my morning.
I’m getting a fat head. 🙂
Dan,
Love all your posts – longtime follower.
This is a beauty.
Your purpose so shines through.
You are making the world a better place.
I’m so grateful you’re here.
Stay well and take care.
Wow! Thanks Clara. Best wishes!
Just got out of a meeting where we were talked about jump-starting a project that we’ve struggled with consistently in the past. It’s something we think we’re supposed to do but don’t have a lot of motivation to make it successful. Because of the reminder to be purposeful, I asked “Do we know the WHY behind this project?” We just looked around the room at each other and then I suggested that we not resurrect the project until we are clear on our WHY for it. Thanks for contributing to today’s meeting!!
Thanks Steve. Isn’t it great how a moment of clarity or lack of clarity helps us know what to do next. 🙂 Best for the journey.
And, by the way, really love the brief, pithy and powerful purpose statement….Make Things Better! I want to find a 3-word purpose statement!!
Maybe you’re purpose statement is Keep Finding Why??? 🙂
I find that attitude is key to achieving purpose. Poor attitude leads to meaningless activities. Positive attitude leads to purpose.
My purpose statement is, “Add value to others.” Great post.
Thanks Perry. I love the “add value” approach to leadership. We’ve all seen the “take value” types and it’s not pretty.
I was not comfortable with how this statement was used “Don’t waste time sitting under a tree contemplating the meaning of your navel. Just choose a purpose for a day.”
I am certain you would agree that there is a time for reflection and pondering.
I wonder if a better way to say it may have been to acknowledge “while contemplation has its place, action still needs to be pursued, in fact even in contemplation there is action or purpose such as understanding some principle or someone better”.
By the way, I really enjoyed the discussion you had about One Word!
Thanks!!
Reblogged this on frijasroxanne and commented:
It tells something. Simple but striking.