We are all busy.

It is our default response. Ask anyone how they are doing and the answer is an almost automatic “busy.” And most of the time, it is true. Calendars are full, emails are constant, and the to-do list seems to multiply overnight.

But here is the question I ask myself:

Am I busy or am I productive?

There is a difference.

Being busy often looks like activity whether it is checking emails, jumping on calls, or reacting to what is in front of us. It feels like progress because we are doing something. But productive? That requires intention. It requires deciding what really matters and moving those projects forward.

And if we are honest, sometimes we choose “busy” because it is easier.

We say we do not have time to follow up on that opportunity.
We say we will get to that strategic plan next week.
We say we are too stretched to have that important conversation.

And then, at the end of the day, we sit down and watch three episodes of Netflix’s Bridgerton… or scroll the internet (pick your platform poison) … or do anything that helps us to decompress.

And there is nothing wrong with that. We all need downtime.

But let’s call it what it is.

It is not always a lack of time.

Sometimes, it is a lack of prioritization.

And other times it is just a lack of focus.

That is the truth in business and in life.

The projects that move businesses forward whether they are the follow-ups, relationship building, or strategy work those things are big and do not get done in the margins. They require focus. And they often require us to choose them over easier, more immediate tasks that quite frankly we like to do.

The same goes for our personal lives. The things we say we want to do like connect more, get organized, take better care of ourselves, they do not happen by accident. They happen when we decide they matter enough to make time and a plan for them.

So, the next time you catch yourself saying, “I’m just so busy,” pause for a moment.

Ask yourself:

What did I move forward today that actually matters?

Not what did I respond to.
Not what did I check off.
But what truly made a difference?

Because busy will always be there.

Productive takes intention.

Sonya Ruff Jarvis is the Managing Member of Jarvis Consultants, LLC, bringing 30+ years of expertise in strategic development, marketing, event management, executive coaching, and board advisement for Fortune 500 companies and nonprofits. She is recognized for creating innovative business solutions, including a customer engagement program adopted globally to enhance attendance, exhibitor satisfaction, and loyalty at tradeshows. A four-time book author, Sonya holds an MBA from New York Institute of Technology and a BA from Hiram College, with international studies in Rome. Sonya resides in North Carolina with her husband and daughter.

WAYS TO WORK WITH JARVIS CONSULTANTS!

Strategies: We help small to mid-size companies develop business, marketing, and event management strategies.

Business Coaching: We coach Founders of small to medium size businesses who want to take their organization to the next level.

Project Management: We support companies that don’t have the personnel resources internally; we help them create projects from the development stages to implementation; and a tactical management process.

New Business Development: We help clients research and explore new business opportunities and/or emerging trends that can be optimized and generate incremental revenue including content.

Contact sonya@jarvisconsultants.com