It's Tuesday at 2:00pm! (PST Time: I live and work from Southern California)
Currently, I'm exploring different leadership quotes on this blog post, and pulling out some application for all of us. This is part of my personal journey to keep growing, learning and being stretched! Join me each Tuesday at 2:00pm (PST). It will take you just a few minutes to read through the 2 sections of this post, but don't miss the final section where I share some of the things I'm reading, listening to and enjoying this week.
Russ
LEADERSHIP QUOTE:
"Doing less is not being lazy. Don't give in to a culture that values personal sacrifice over personal productivity." Tim Ferriss
What does this stir up? Either write me HERE or comment at the end of the blog post HERE.
A LITTLE BIT DEEPER:
Have you ever asked someone how they're doing and their reply is simply:
"I'm really busy!"
When I hear that, sometimes I apologize for asking and forcing them to stop all the important things they're doing to answer me. Often they will then go into a list of all the things that they have going on.
I've succumbed to this response many times myself, and I try to fight against giving into it.
We believe that being busy makes us look or feel more important, when the reality is that it's the opposite.
When we're too busy, it often means that we don't know how to schedule or prioritize our lives. It means that we might have a difficult time saying NO, and it might mean that we choose to live in state of being constantly busy because we don't know how to slow down.
However, if you're busy doing the RIGHT THINGS, then that's OK, but I seldom find people that are super busy that are super healthy, however, there are exceptions.
Have you responded to people this way: "I'm busy"? What are you trying to communicate? What value do you find in being busy?
DEEPER STILL:
One of the most influential people in my life, Jim Burns, taught me years ago with this saying:
"If the devil can't make you bad, he'll make you busy."
That quote has haunted me since I heard it as a young youth pastor in 1986... and it's true!
Being too busy keeps us from some really important things in our lives:
Finding that life-rhythm we've been talking about
Quadrant II leadership... being proactive & building relationships
Finding true rest and replenishment
Creating healthy margins and boundaries in work and relationships
There are many other things that "being busy" brings to us but Jim's thought above is a reminder to us to be careful. Living our lives "BUSY" can destroy us and those around us, and we often don't see it because we equate being busy with being successful.
We need to change our definitions and our priorities.
How has "being busy" kept you from living your best life?
Things I'm Reading, Listening To and Watching This Week:
Tim's book, The 4-Hour Workweek, was a precursor to our "work from home/work remote" culture today.
Jim Burns: Friend, Mentor, Encourager, Speaker, Author
I just started reading this book, Money, Possessions & Eternity by Randy Alcorn. I'll let you know how it goes...it's a long one but I really enjoy his perspective and writing!
This book was written way before it's time, but it's a classic: When I Relax I Feel Guilty by Tim Hansel
Incredible teaching on generosity from Generous Giving. Check them out!
Almost forgot about this album as I haven't listened to it in years. Great sound! Supertramp: Breakfast In America