Busy is No Longer an Excuse

Updated 2017-08-30

I wish I had time for that, but I'm too busy

When I get some more free time, I'll do [insert activity here]

Or when someone asks how I am and I respond, "I'm good, just busy!"

Yep, it's my name now

I have been saying these phrases all too often. Quite frankly, I am sick of hearing myself say them. And I'm sure that I am not the only busy person on this earth. I bet that some of you are even busier than me.

Life has been busy for the past few months, so busy that I have had to put a lot of things on the back burner. Many things that I would rather be doing, but just didn't have the time (there it is again!). I mean, I took an almost 4 month hiatus from writing due to being "busy". Anyone notice that Mr.Wow was picking up the slack and doing all the writing from about April through July?

Thanks babe! I owe ya!

You'd think I have it easier since I only have to post one time every other week, but I realized that even that is hard for me. I have no idea how some people can post 2-3 times a week. Major props to you guys!!

Work Work Work

Most of why I am busy has to do with work. Being that I run my own private therapy practice, there is always something that needs to be done. Even when I am not seeing clients, I am working: completing paperwork, scheduling clients, billing, checking authorizations, mentoring interns, researching literature, responding to emails, the list goes on and on. As much as I hate to admit it, most of my "free time" has been taken up with work related stuff. Mornings and evenings during the week, I can be found frantically attending to the must-do's for the day. Even my weekends have slowly disappeared underneath the mountain of work that still needs to be done.

I know many of you understand my pain. Too much work and not enough play. Like many in the medical field, burnout is a big thing in the field of occupational therapy. And even though I love what I do, I do not love working every single hour of every single day. I still need time to relax and enjoy life.

I have been so busy that my diet, my sleep and my emotional well-being have all been disrupted. I am usually a pretty happy person, but recently that hasn't been the case.

After a lot of complaining, I finally realized that nobody was responsible for my busy schedule except for me. If I wanted something done about it, it would be up to me. I had to do something.

The Light At the End of the Tunnel

Good news! I will be hiring my first employee at the end of September. I am counting down the days to revamp my schedule and pass on a few clients to my new employee. It will be a huge help! That being said, it has also contributed to additional stress and adds to the to-do list in order to get her all set up. And I'm going to put it out there; my goal for when she starts is to actually be able to complete my work during the typical work hours.

Doesn't that sound nice?

This by no means is going to be my best post. I usually take a long time to write and even longer to publish anything I write. To be honest, I am writing this just two days before it is set to be published. Eeek!

I am also aware that it will be on the short side. But I am proud of myself for actually sitting down and writing, regardless of the outcome.

Just so you know, this post isn't just to complain about how busy I have been or seek sympathy from you. Its more about taking back my time and not letting the busy excuse define me anymore. It is also about keeping me accountable. Mr. Wow so gracious asked if I wanted him to post this week. Even though I didn't really have the time, I made it happen. I am proud of myself for turning over a new leaf. So, you'll see posts from me. Every two weeks. I have to make time for it.

This will no longer define me

What are your secrets to finding more time within your day? Any cool time hacks that might make my life easier? Anyone else as swamped as me and just trying to stay afloat?

💬 18 comments

Barnaby 2017-08-30

Never enough time! Congrats on hiring some help though, that sounds like it will give you some breathing room.

Mrs WoW 2017-08-30

Thanks! I am a little nervous since it is my first employee, but overall I am really excited. Hoping to find a smidgen more time and definitely some breathing room once she starts.

Mrs. Picky Pincher 2017-08-30

I feel ya! At my last job I had to do two people's full-time jobs and I wanted to cry every day. I totally get the feeling of being overwhelmed and overworked. My solution was to get the company to hire another person, so that was splendid. ;)

As far as time hacks, I've noticed that social media, my phone, and the TV are huge time-suckers. I'm more productive and engaged when at home when electronics aren't glued to my hand.

Mrs WoW 2017-08-30

Hire someone= check! I totally agree that technology is the ultimate time suck. I've already cut TV and hardly ever watch it anymore. I definitely need to put my social media time in check. It's tough though because I would also like to be more active on there for my company. Guess I need to spend less time aimlessly scrolling and more time productively posting.

Dads Dollars Debts 2017-08-30

Honestly my biggest time hack is needing less sleep then others. I go to bed late and wake up early. This means I can do work before my son wakes up and I have to go to work. Unfortunately he also inherited my lack of sleep genes and some mornings thwarts my plans by waking up early...but the trade off is we get to play!

Other than that I prioritize what matters. I will always go to see people/friends when invited. I will always make time for my son and wife. The blog goes to the back burner and I try to be as efficient at my day job as possible.

Thats it. It is exhausting but works for me.

Mrs WoW 2017-08-30

Needing less sleep, must be nice. Its funny that you mention always making time for family and friends. That is one of the reasons I didn't have much time to write or do work stuff this week. My sister and nieces were in town and I spent most of my free time with them (which is way better than working anyway).

Tonya@Budget and the Beach 2017-08-30

I always think that if you're looking for time hacks, you're doing too much. :) I'm glad you found another person to help you out. I think a lot of people where busy as a badge of honor. I like a lot of down time or selfishly, "me time" in my day. I know it's the only way my brain and body operate at its best.

Mrs WoW 2017-08-30

Trust me, I've always been the person who does too much. I guess it is just my nature, but I am going to try to change that and hopefully regain some sanity. I definitely need some more me time in my day!

Revanche @ A Gai Shan Life 2017-08-30

Focus and prioritizing is a huge part of how I get everything that has to be done, done: regular work, blogging, editing, creating images (which sometimes I skip like for today's post), making meals, getting the dog walked and fed 2-3x a day, research for our reno, managing our money, etc. I set a flexible schedule with some firmness and specific goal posts like: I can work on blogging until 10 am, but no later. I do regular work until my scheduled walk time at 3, etc.

Blocks of time dedicated to an area of work that has to get done means that work gets my total focus until time's up. My biggest motivation is to be done with all my work and have dinner ready for my family when they get home because then I get to have a couple hours to myself at the end of the night. I'm getting too old to work til 2 am every night! :)

Revanche @ A Gai Shan Life 2017-08-30

Oh I forgot to say: from long experience of hiring people, I usually set 2-4 weeks after they start as the breaking in period where I will be even busier as we get them settled and trained in how the office works. That might be useful for you too.

Mrs WoW 2017-08-30

I completely agree! I need to get better at prioritizing to make sure that what needs to get done, gets done. Sounds like you are pretty busy yourself. Thanks for the hiring tip!

My Sons Father 2017-08-30

Great to hear from you again Mrs. Wow!

I think you've already stumbled upon my best advice, which is to set the bar accordingly. I know with my schedule, I can't afford to be a perfectionist, so I don't expect that of myself (especially with my blog posts).

I know I'd rather have a slightly less than perfect post (which is still more polished than anything I've put out) from you than no post at all.

I look forward to reading more from you :)

Mrs WoW 2017-08-30

I've already lightened up a lot on the perfectionist kick, but I still stress and worry more about my posts than I know I should. You should have seen me during the first few that I published. Thank you for your kind words and I definitely don't want to disappoint you, so I will keep up the writing. You've given me just the right amount of motivation!

Mrs. Adventure Rich 2017-08-30

I don't really go shopping anymore :) Between Google Express and a local grocery delivery service, I avoid one of the annoying, time consuming tasks I have come to dislike. As a full-time working mom, I now savor my evening/weekend moments without spending a few hours on shopping trips!

Mrs WoW 2017-08-30

I actually hate shopping so that has never been a time suck for me. Pretty much have it down to one trip on the weekends to the market. I've never tried grocery delivery, I've always felt that it will be considerably more expensive.

Mr. Need2save 2017-09-05

I've been using the "I'm too busy" excuse for the last few weeks. Trip to Korea for work, upcoming design review for work, running countless miles for an upcoming marathon,...

I need my sleep, so I can't really create any additional time there. I lead a team of nine people at work and I'm constantly getting interrupted throughout the day. Closing my door (which I don't really like to do) has helped some. Any other ideas?

Mr. 1500 2017-09-05

Yikes, it sounds like we're living parallel lives! Maybe we need to all chip in for an island and then secede from society for a while...

Jacq 2017-10-06

My October schedule is pretty full, and it is overwhelming. Of course some appointments are things like 'acupuncture' 'yoga workshop', 'mom is in town '. Then my bosses want me to find an off site training to do by the end of the year. It'll all get done some somehow. :)
I have been questioning with feeling busy / booked if the Monday night yoga class I teach is worth it, because I've had several weeks in a row of just 1 student. Definitely something I need to evaluate. I'll teach it until the end of the session of course, but more for renewing for next year.