Why 'Staying Busy' is Actually Killing Your Productivity
High ambition often traps us in the belief that we must always be busy. We’ve been fed a narrative that busyness is a status symbol—a proxy for being important, hardworking, and successful.
But let’s call it what it is: hustling. The hustle is addictive until it isn’t. Until you’re burnt out. Until you’re staring at an empty cup with nothing left to give. This isn’t just a bump in the road; it’s a trajectory-changer. Getting back to baseline takes significantly more work than implementing the strategies to prevent the breakdown in the first place.
You don’t have to hit the wall to realize your priorities are misaligned. By implementing intentionality, you get the best of both worlds: you build the dream while actually enjoying the ride.
If you’re doubting this, stop saying, “I don’t have time for this.” Start asking, “Is this not important to me?” Is your health not important? Your mental capacity? Your brainpower? These aren’t just “wellness” buzzwords—they are the literal fuel for your path.
Here is the power of slowing down to speed up.
1. The Productivity Myth: Get more done by doing less
I used to think that if I wasn’t in constant motion, I was falling behind. I thought working through lunch and multitasking was the only way to do “enough.” But that mindset is as ineffective as it is exhausting. When I embraced a slower pace, I realized I wasn’t just ticking boxes; I finally had the space to do the right things, better.
2. Creating Space to Think Clearly
Overwhelm feels like your brain is running five marathons at once. Our instinct is to push through, but grinding when your mind is drowning in noise only makes you lose sight of the target. When you slow down, you create space. In that space, you can finally see what needs your immediate attention and what can wait.
3. The Power of Presence (The Multitasking Lie)
Multitasking is a myth. When you try to do five things at once, you do none of them well. Your capacity is finite. When you bring your full attention to one single task, you enter a “flow state” where everything feels easier. Whether I’m writing or walking my dog, being fully present boosts both my productivity and my happiness.
4. Small Changes, Big Impact
Slowing down doesn’t require a one-hour yoga session (though that’s great if you can). It’s about micro-habits. For me, it’s a one-minute “Check-In” every morning and throughout the day. It’s a reset that changes the entire game.
5. Trust the Process
Slowing down feels risky. You fear missing out or falling behind. But moving sustainably isn’t stopping—it’s ensuring you use your full potential by constantly refilling your cup instead of emptying it. Things still get done—usually faster and with much higher quality—because you aren’t burning yourself out in the process.
Sometimes, the best way to move forward is to slow down, breathe, and take things one mindful step at a time. So, give yourself permission to hit pause, even if just for a few moments. You’ll be amazed at how much faster (and happier) you’ll move through life when you do.
Take care.
Love,
Lexie.