I am slowly removing the word busy and the phrase too busy from my vocabulary.

By definition, there is nothing wrong with these words, but in application, I find that the use of these words keeps us stuck. Why? Because, while by definition these words may be applicable, they are often just a blanket excuse we leverage to get out of taking responsibility for our actions.

Ask someone (maybe even yourself) why they haven't accomplished or completed their goals and they will likely say, "I've been busy" or "I am are too busy to get it done".

To our credit, we are using the word/phrase correctly:

bus·y/ˈbizē/

adjective

having a great deal to do.
"he had been too busy to enjoy himself"

occupied with or concentrating on a particular activity or object of attention.
"the team members are busy raising money"

verb

keep occupied.
"she busied herself with her new home"

What we fail to realize is that by using this word or phrase, we give up our power.

Instead of writing off our list of dreams with "I'm too busy", we should dig deeper.

We should all be asking ourselves, are the things/activities/people that keep us busy worth it? And if not, why have we allowed it to get in the way?

Often times, if we're honest, the answer to the first question is no.

The answer to the second question will be the key to re-gaining control of our time.

While we are "busy", our progress is thwarted and our goals and dreams pass us by. When we determine busy isn't good enough, we stop misplacing our power.

It is not the housework, packed schedule, our friends and family or anything outside of ourselves that is keeping us from accomplishing our goals. It is our lack of boundaries, mental clutter and time wasted dealing with stuff. Once we recognize what's at the root, we can take action to un-busy ourselves little by little.

How often have you said to yourself, "I'm too busy to get this (workout, meal prep, passion project, etc.) done" but then you find yourself doing something meaningless?

How often have you said to yourself, "I'm too busy to do [insert thing that lights you up]" but then you find yourself doing something that brings you no joy?

Stop being busy and start prioritizing.

We're not too busy.

Sometimes we use "too busy" to mask that we are overwhelmed and spread too thin. This is a signal that there is something in our lives that needs to be adjusted or removed.

We're just prioritizing.

Other times we say we're too busy, but what we really mean is that we have decided that something else is a priority. Admittedly, we may not be prioritizing very well.

After all, even the "busiest" people will find a way.

What do you say to throwing out busy altogether?

Let's take the control back.

What if instead of saying were too busy, we state what we've chosen to prioritize?

Are we too busy to go to the gym or are we prioritizing binge watching Netflix? Could we stop being too busy to take that class if we weren't prioritizing happy hours instead? Would we finally stop being too busy to spend time with the people we love if over-working wasn't prioritized?

If this resonates with you, I encourage you to try changing your vocabulary. The next time you tell yourself you're too busy to get something done, re-phrase the statement. Instead say, "I'm prioritizing this (TV, social media, sleep, work, etc.) over that (friends, family, my goals, etc)". If you are comfortable with what you've chosen, keep doing what you're doing.

If not, then maybe it's time to stop being so busy.

What have you been prioritizing? Is it worth it?