Stop Saying You’re Busy – Here is the Reason Why

How are you doing?

If you’re like a lot of people, your response to that question is probably some form of faux-exasperated “busy.”

“How are you doing?” is just a rhetorical greeting—a form of “hello.” But despite this, more and more people are responding not with another pleasantry but with a humble brag of “busy.”

You might even think it’s the truest response to a question about your current status. But the truth is that a quick “busy” response likely harms you (and your conversation) much more than you think.

What “Busy” Really Communicates

A ” busy ” response and its accompanying tired-sounding vocal tone just communicates that you’ve lost control of your ability to prioritize. 

You’re telling people you haven’t figured out how to work with the time you’ve been given (and we are all given the same amount of time!)

My friend and fellow author Laura Vanderkam has made a career of pointing out that we all get 168 hours in a week, and what we do with them is a matter of priority.

Priorities Versus Busyness

We all have more to do than we have time for. Between work, family, friends, and personal time, we all try to find the balance and get everything done. But when we notice that tasks we really want to get done aren’t getting done, we feel “busy.” Then, when the week ends with our top priorities still left unfinished, we are exhausted.

But if our priorities are in order, the first things do come first. Then, we can better manage our time, not get overly burdened or ‘busy’, and definitely don’t exhaust ourselves in a rush to get everything done.

Time Management and Success

As per a study people who take 11 or more vacation days are 30% more likely to receive a raise. Think about that. 

People whose priorities are straight get their work done, also get to take time off, and are more likely to get a raise at the end of the year because of their performance. These high performers may still leave tasks undone when they head out for vacation. Still, they’ve got enough of a handle on their priorities to ensure those vacation days are for relaxing and don’t hurt their performance.

Now, there’s no research to back the claim that when you say you’re busy, it’ll make you more or less likely to get a raise. But giving the idea that you are busy isn’t doing much about your performance either.

If you look through it, you’ll notice that those higher-paid, better-rested people in your organization likely don’t run around promoting their busyness. They probably respond a little more politely and engage the other person more.

After all, they do have the time for this kind of conversation!

The Hidden Cost of Saying You’re “Busy”

Of course, there is no harm in saying you are busy maybe once or twice, but when you make it a habit to respond this way, you send out a message that you are no longer available or reliable.

This can be damaging for a relationship as it gives the impression that you are overburdened with work, can’t manage your time, and are not interested in grabbing new opportunities as they arise.

Your manager, leader, or other colleagues may even view you as disorganized or someone who lacks control over their job and work, meaning you are not the right fit for the job!

Moreover, constantly saying you are busy can increase your stress levels, which is not conducive to success. So, what should you do instead of saying busy?

Reframe your response to something like, “I am currently focusing on a few key projects. I will see you in a while.” This statement will reflect your productivity without signaling that you are overworked.

When you say you are busy, you are not talking about your work. Remember that the statement is about self-perception and your society’s values. Many societies view it as a bad thing, a lack of honor or pride. 

When you are constantly busy, you are actually driving yourself to a burnout stage or a state of dissatisfaction. 

Strategies to Reframe the “I’m Busy” Response

It’s not enough to just stop saying you are busy. Learn to shift your mindset and, of course, the way you communicate it. Here are some ways you can reframe and refresh your statement. 

Focus on the Priorities 

When people ask how you are or how you are doing, share an accomplishment, goal, or project you are working on instead of saying, “I am busy.” 

Say you are currently working on a new project and making great progress, and talk a bit about it. It will leave a positive impression on people when you let them know that you are actually working on something and share that insight with them. 

Set Boundaries

Set clear work-life boundaries. When you set boundaries, you let yourself breathe, which is very important for staying productive. Give yourself time and space, and do not let work get in the way of your work-life balance. 

Be Grateful

Practice gratitude instead of thinking about how much you have to do or how much work is left, practice gratitude. Think about what you have achieved and what you are going to achieve.

This will change your mindset and outlook, and you will also be able to come up with a more meaningful response that will not mar your impression in the workplace.

Breathe!

Before responding to someone, take a moment to breathe and think about what you are feeling. Instead of saying I am doing well or currently busy, respond more about what you are excited about or the projects you are currently working on.

This will change the entire tone of the conversation, make the response more competent, and you will avoid the “I am busy” statement. 

Wrap Up

“I’m busy” is almost an involuntary response when asked what we are doing. It’s a default response, but it shows that we struggle with time management and have messed up priorities.

So don’t do it, as it does more harm than good. Not only does it send out the wrong message, but it also changes people’s perceptions of us and affects our mental health, general well-being, and professional growth.

Reframe your mind, and your response will automatically be rephrased. Remember, your value isn’t about how much you are doing but the impact or the goal you seek to achieve. So, the next time someone asks how you are doing, spend a minute or two to give them a thoughtful response.