Almost every day I get a call from someone, somewhere and the first thing they say is, “I know you’re very busy.”
I always find my inner voice saying, “I’m not too busy actually.” But I also know what’s next. It’s typically some request for my time: a free speaking engagement, a podcast interview, contribute to some article they are working on or something else along those lines.
I always say no to anything that does not help me move forward in realizing my dreams or achieving my goals.
When I think of the idea of being busy, I think of someone who is out of control in their lives. They’ve said yes to too many things in life. They say yes because they have no priorities. They have no priorities because they are not pursuing their dreams or the goals behind those dreams.
When you are too busy it is almost always because you lack priorities. Priorities open your eyes to what’s most important in your life. And they act like stop signs for all of the things that are unimportant.
When you have priorities, you eliminate engaging in unimportant activities. Priorities free up your time and put you in control of your life. Having time is important. It keeps your calendar clear so you can take advantage of the important things that come along in life; the things that help move you forward in realizing your dreams and achieving your goals.
When you don’t have priorities, you take on too many things that add little value to your life. When that big opportunity does come along, you won’t recognize it. Your mind will be inundated with the need to complete all of the unimportant things you said yes to. You’ll be too busy to achieve and succeed.
Tom Corley is an accountant, financial planner and author of “Rich Kids: How to Raise Our Children to Be Happy and Successful in Life”, “Effort-Less Wealth”, “Change Your Habits Change Your Life”, “Rich Habits Poor Habits” and “Rich Habits: The Daily Success Habits of Wealthy Individuals.”
