Stop the Cycle: The Habit of Being “Busy Being Busy

One of the most pointless habits we can fall into is the habit of busy being busy. It’s exhausting. It’s frustrating. And worst of all, it’s unproductive.

I know because I’ve been there. There have been times in my business when I was running at full speed, constantly working, yet going nowhere. I was working in my business but not on it. I was caught in the weeds—doing things because they were routine, not because they were actually moving me forward. It wasn’t sustainable. And it wasn’t working.

Sound familiar?

Many professionals fall into this trap. They pack their schedules, tick off endless to-do lists, and answer emails at lightning speed. But despite the effort, they aren’t growing, learning, or progressing in their careers. They’re simply maintaining a cycle of busyness.

And here’s the harsh truth: businesses and careers that stay in maintenance mode don’t thrive—they stagnate.
 

The Cost of Constant Busyness

Let’s put it in perspective. Around 50% of businesses fail within the first five years​. Why? Because staying busy with low-value tasks doesn’t build a sustainable business. The same principle applies to careers. If you’re too busy to be strategic—too busy to develop new skills, build relationships, and position yourself for the next opportunity—you may wake up five years from now wondering why you haven’t progressed.
 

Are You Stuck in Bad Busy?

In You Always Have a Choice, I explain that not all busyness is bad. There’s good busy, which moves you toward your goals, and bad busy, which keeps you stuck.
 
Bad busy looks like:

  • Feeling overwhelmed but unable to stop
  • Constantly reacting rather than proactively leading
  • Filling your time with small tasks instead of focusing on what matters most
  • Mistaking motion for progress

If any of these resonate, it might be time to hit pause.
 

What to Do Instead

Ask yourself: What am I busy doing?

In today’s market, simply being busy isn’t enough. If you want to reach the next level in your career, be recognised for your strengths, and lead with impact, your busyness needs to be purposeful.

This means:

  • Making space to think. If you don’t pause, reflect, and recalibrate, you’ll stay stuck in the cycle.
  • Focusing on impact, not effort. More hours don’t equal better results. What moves the needle?
  • Prioritising strategically. Are you spending time on what truly matters, or just what feels urgent?
  • Learning to say no. Every “yes” to low-value work is a “no” to growth.

 

Don’t Wait for a Wake-Up Call

Life is short. There’s nothing worse than wasting time on habits that don’t serve you.

If you’re running hard but getting nowhere, it’s time for a shake-up. Don’t wait until you’re burnt out, stuck, or facing a crisis before making a change.

The best time to start leading your life with intention? Right now.