The word “busy” is a mindset issue.
Sure, we all have plenty to do. The world moves fast—it’s complex, demanding, and often feels overwhelming. It’s easy to fall into the trap of believing we don’t have enough time. But the truth is, most people haven’t improved how they manage themselves. We frequently say, “I’m busy,” yet struggle to identify exactly what productive outcomes we’ve achieved. Many times, we can’t even recall how our day passed or what consumed our time.
I personally know leaders who use the word “busy” as proof they’re getting things done—but results tell a different story. Productivity and efficiency start in the mind, long before anything tangible happens. Every accomplishment begins as a thought first.
If we intentionally replace the word “busy” with more meaningful terms like focused, productive, engaged, prioritizing, committed, invested, or even occupied, our perception and results dramatically improve. These words set the tone for genuine action and clarity.
Everything we achieve first starts with our mindset. Change your language, and you’ll see your results change too. Over the past five years, I’ve made a conscious effort to eliminate the word “busy” from my vocabulary, even on my most demanding days. Instead, I intentionally choose words like focused, challenged, or purposeful to describe my day.
When we are intentional about our purpose, we gain clarity on how we spend our time. Remember, time is the most valuable resource we possess.