Because while it is obvious that meetings and e-mail take up a lot of our time, there is more to it. According to research from Columbia University (pdf), there are three deeper reasons that keep us busy that are interesting to consider. We feel important or wanted when we are busy. And that feeling, as much as we want it, is hard to give up. It is difficult for the human brain to deal with uncertain factors. Clark gives an example: suppose you have to increase sales by 30%, but you have no idea how to go about it.
Instead of the uncertainty of looking for the right tactics, many people tend to do more of what they already did. Because that is easier and takes away the uncertainty. And in a broader sense than our work: we prefer to keep ourselves busy, rather than having We provide high-quality Whatsapp list we have time to think about sometimes uncomfortable, but important questions such as 'Is this job or career right for me?' We use 'being busy' to avoid having to face certain things. As an example, Clark mentions the loss of his deceased cat. We use our work as 'anesthetic'. Wanting less & making choices So, how do you get out of that natural tendency to be busy all the time? By honestly looking at what is hidden behind the daily hustle and bustle.
And being honest about what motivates us so we can make different choices about how and with whom we spend our time is Clark's advice. We need to recognize that real freedom is about creating the space so that we can breathe, the space so that we can think. Ultimately, real freedom is about choosing how and with whom we want to be spending our time. – Dorie Clark What also helps, of course, is wanting less or putting things off in time. In this Frankwatching article about the finiteness of our time, Arjan Broere shares beautiful insights about this, including 10 tips to do less.