Busyness ≠ Productivity
- Candice Suarez
- Sep 19
- 4 min read
Sometimes at the end of a day I say "wow, I was busy today!"
But what does that really mean. Often for me it's a statement of exhaustion from running around, talking to people, checking off tasks, responding to email, meeting with clients, etc. On these busy days, I am reactive.
But we live in a culture that glorifies being busy. When we look back at if from a historical perspective, productive was easier to measure in agricultural and industrial America. You could count how many rows of corn you planted and harvested, you could calculate how many cows you milked to produce a certain number of gallons of milk that sold for X amount. A factory CEO knew how many items were produced in an eight hour work day.
Now, in a knowledge and service-based world, measurement has shifted. Too often, what counts isn’t the work itself—it’s how “busy” we look. Hours at the desk. Emails sent. Calendars packed. The appearance of hustle. We have lost how to know what "real" productive output really means. We have almost come to wear it as a badge of honor. We glorify the idea of being busy. When someone asks us how we are doing, the common answer is "busy" and we respond "me too!"
This leaves us stuck in a strange cycle:
If we’re “busy,” we’re stressed and burned out.
If we’re not, we feel guilty and think we aren't doing enough (compared to all of the other "busy" workers we see around us and on social media)
All the while, we worry about missing out or falling behind.
In contrast to my "busy" days, when I have spent my day on creating something that I have identified as essential, I feel so much better. Those are days where I am not distracted and reactive. They are days where I intentially spend time writing, creating, researching, and working on tangible things for my clients. But productive tasks will be different for everyone.
This is why we plan. This is why we re-evaluate often. The Sunday Weekly Draft gives you that space to look at what went well, what you'd like to change, and to plan out your week. Our work together focusses on what really matters. We spend a lot of time together in looking at our Life Buckets for satisfaction. We assess our values to determine who we need to be. We cast a vision. We set goals.
Journal Prompts
What does “productive” look like for me when I strip away appearances?
When I feel most stressed about being “too busy,” what am I actually afraid of?
What are three results from this week that would matter more than a full calendar?
How would I spend my energy differently if I stopped trying to look busy?
Where can I say “no” this week to protect space for what really matters?
How does my body tell me the difference between busy stress and meaningful effort?
When in my life have I felt truly productive without being “busy”? What can I learn from that?
Affirmations
I am not defined by how busy I appear.
My worth is not measured in hustle.
I choose to focus on results that align with what truly matters.
Rest and clarity fuel my effectiveness.
I release the pressure to glorify busy and embrace meaningful progress.
New Member Benefit:
Join me in The Reflection Room, a weekly journaling accountability group every Wednesday at 7am. Come as you are—pajamas, coffee, and all—for a gentle check-in, a journaling prompt (or bring your own), and quiet writing time. No camera required. Just a supportive space to stay consistent, reflect, and keep drafting your life forward. Hope to see you there this week, and every Wednesday morning at 7am at this link (my personal zoom) HERE
Save the Date!
I am in the planning stages for our first annual planning retreat - Draft Your Year with Pencil and Purpose! Dates are January 22-25, with a Thursday evening arrival and departure Sunday morning. This will be for members and other guests (known by either me or a member). I'm tentatively planning to include breakfast, lunch and snacks with dinner on your own (as long as the location has options). Cost is to be determined and will depend upon the number of participants. I want to book a house in the fall and will be looking to get confirmations and a deposit by then. Stay tuned!
Office Hours: No more office hours in September. This is for Editor's Circle Coaching Members as well as any Guided Revision Coaching Members who would like to touch base between scheduled coaching appointments. HERE is the link to schedule a 30-minute slot
The Weekly Draft: happens every Sunday evening at 7pm at this link. Come prepared to reflect on the past week and draft the upcoming week. It is meant to be a heads down, co-planning time, with me being available to share strategies and/or answer questions. Join me HERE
The Reflection Room: happens every Wednesday morning at 7am. Come as you are—pajamas, coffee, and all—for a gentle check-in, a journaling prompt (or bring your own), and quiet writing time. No camera required. Join me HERE
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