Hi Tina, how are you doing?
Honestly, not great. I am constantly running to do things. It seems like there is always something to do to stay ahead. I am burning out. I have no time for myself...or my family. This burnout is making me hate my work.
Do you sound like Tina?
Are you always on the move, chasing the next task, the next goal, just trying to get ahead? And when you're not doing that, are you endlessly scrolling — just in case something’s happening that you should know about?
There’s a reason everyone knows what “FOMO” means — fear of missing out. And even if what we’re missing doesn’t really matter, we still feel the pull. The need to stay plugged in, productive, doing something.
But here’s the thing: that constant frenzy might be what’s holding you back. When you can't pause — can’t think, plan, rest, or draw the line between being productive and just being — you lose control of your time and your energy.
If that sounds familiar, it’s probably time to shift gears. Less chasing, more choosing.
Is it Business? Or Busy-ness?
We’re all running a business — the business of life. Whether we’re employed by someone else or running our own company, a big part of that is managing our “work business” in a way that supports everything else: our needs, our families, our goals.
We need income — that’s a fact. It provides the basics: food, shelter, security. But our life business is more than just work. It includes our relationships — with our partners, kids, families, and friends.
And here’s the part we often forget: if we give all our time to work or to others, we burn out. It’s not sustainable. We need space for ourselves. Time to recharge, decompress, get clarity, and plan — not just to be more productive, but to live better.
Efficiency isn’t about squeezing in more work. It’s about creating room for what matters — including rest, joy, and recreation.
"Wasting" time, to not get wasted.
Filling our days just to feel “busy” is a trap a lot of us fall into. But here’s the truth: taking time for ourselves doesn’t set us back — it actually moves us forward. That time isn’t wasted. In fact, it's one of the best investments we can make.
We often feel guilty for stepping back, like we’re being unproductive. But that quiet time? That pause? It’s not laziness — it’s recovery. It’s what helps us avoid burnout and show up better when it really matters.
There’s a big difference between wasting time and using time to reset. Giving ourselves space to breathe, think, plan, or simply be — that’s not indulgent, it’s essential. Constantly doing, doing, doing doesn’t actually help us. It wears us down. And when we’re drained, the quality of everything we do drops.
So give yourself permission. Rest isn’t a reward — it’s a requirement.
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Recreation helps us Re-create
Time away from our the duties that we invest in our "business" of life can provide a needed, (not just wanted) break that improves all aspects of our lives. Physically and mentally we are better prepared to efficiently meet the challenges of our life "business", resulting in greater time efficiency and therefor more time for re-creation.
Creating a balance
We only get so many hours in a day — in a week, in a year, in a lifetime. It’s easy to forget that time is a limited resource, and every new work commitment we take on comes at a cost.
Every hour we give to work is an hour we take away from rest, from joy, from just being. That trade-off happens quietly, often without us even noticing. But over time, the imbalance builds — and it builds fast.
If we’re not careful, we end up running on empty, wondering where our time — and energy — went.
Busy doesn't define our identity
Our identity isn’t just about what we do — it’s about what we live. Yes, our careers and accomplishments matter. But just as important — maybe even more — are the memories we create, the time we give, and the moments we share in our personal lives.
Being “busy” isn’t the goal. At best, it’s just a description of the path we’re on. But is it really the best way to measure that path?
What if, instead, we aimed to look back and see meaning? Purpose? A life not just filled with tasks, but full of life?
Time for Contemplation
Contemplation is a skill — and one that most successful people make time for. They might call it meditation, introspection, mindfulness, or something else entirely, but the goal is the same: to become more present with themselves and the world around them.
This kind of intentional reflection helps you appreciate what you have, thoughtfully plan for what you want, and set meaningful, realistic goals for your life.
Without it, we fall into reflex mode — reacting to whatever comes our way instead of consciously choosing our direction. And that’s not living with intention — that’s just getting carried by the current
How to change for the better
The first step toward real change isn’t just jumping into action for the sake of doing something. It starts with a clear-eyed look at how we’re actually spending our time.
Before you can reduce the busyness in your life, you need to ask yourself some serious questions:
– Is this task worth doing?
– Is it adding real value to my life?
– Can I simply stop doing it?
There are also other ways to reclaim your time — like using tools and frameworks that help you make smarter choices. (See the ThoughtCrafting Tool: Do I Need to Do This? )
These are just a few ways to start creating better balance between your work and your life — with intention, not just motion.
Summary
Being busy isn’t a bad thing — when you’re working. But being busy all the time? That takes a serious toll on your mental and physical health.
The first step toward fixing that is simple: awareness. You have to recognize what’s happening in your life — and then take action to shift it. That starts with giving yourself permission to take time for you.
Because here’s the truth: time spent on yourself is never wasted. Even if it doesn’t look “productive” on the surface, it’s what helps you stay grounded, energized, and present.
To help you spot this trap — and start restoring balance — consider using the ThoughtCrafting Tool: “Do I Need to Do This?” It’s a small step that can make a big difference.
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ThoughtCrafting Summary
Situation: Your are overwhelmed with all of your time being committed and consumed.
Trigger: Burnout is a word that you are starting to think about ...or even say. When you think this...it's your trigger to change.
Interrupt: It's time to stop your race and slow your pace. Give yourself time to "waste" and time to plan your change.
ThoughtCrafting Tool: Time "wasted" is not wasted time.
Craft the Solution: Give yourself time to "waste" and time to plan. Look to see what you can reduce or eliminate from your schedule. Look for ways to combine and/or be more efficient. SCHEDULE time for yourself.
Harvest: Enjoy the mental and physical benefits of "re-creation" and "wasted" time.
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