Are You Growing or Just Getting Busier

 

Most times, we confuse movement for progress. You’re running around from one task to another, your schedule is so packed, and at the end of the day, you’re stressed out. That’s just unproductive work, and aside from the fact that it adds zero value to your life, it leaves you in confusion. 

I know being busy sounds like a flex sometimes, but it’s the same as preparing a meal without knowing what you want to prepare. You’re just adding different ingredients to the pot, and at the end of the day, you end up cooking chaos. 

Growth is more focused. If you have an aspect you want to improve on, whether professionally or personally, then you make intentional moves towards improving every day. Have you ever asked yourself the reason why some people do so little but get big results, while others do so much and remain stuck? It all comes down to how you’ve positioned your life. 

A few months back, I was really busy, doing nothing. As a writer, I jumped from one niche to another without a focus. I took jobs on different topics, I even learned copywriting, and at the same time, I had a physical job. Amidst all this, I was still trying to stay consistent with writing and posting content daily. That was too much for one person. There was no clear purpose, and I was just getting busier and busier. But was I growing? No.

At one point, I started feeling the heat. The work was a lot and I didn’t even know what I was doing. Confusion stepped in, and I felt overwhelmed. I had to take a break from all this to understand what was happening. And thankfully, I did. I began to retrace my steps. I found a niche and a clear goal. I stopped being a jack of all trades and became a master of one. 

This growth might seem slow at first, but the best thing is that it leaves you feeling fulfilled at the end of the day. You know what you want, and all efforts go into getting better at your craft. It’s not easy and might make you want to give everything up, but once you’ve figured things out, it gets better. 

Signs You’re Just Getting Busier 

• You’re overwhelmed 
• You’re stressed out 
• You’re constantly multitasking but not finishing things. 
• You’re doing more and achieving less. 

Signs You’re Growing. 

• Every task leads you towards progress. 
• You’re doing less and achieving much. 
• Even when you’re burnt out, the work leaves you feeling fulfilled. 
• You are clear on your goals and focused. 

How Do You Stop Being Busy And Start Growing?

• Set one intentional goal. 
• All efforts should be directed towards achieving this goal. 
• Prioritize tasks that align with your goals.
• Don’t stop learning because learning never ends, and you only get better when you learn constantly. 
• Track your progress based on the results you get and not on the hours you’ve worked. 

Remember, true growth lies in your outcome and not in how busy you are. Your result tells if you’re growing, but your packed schedule doesn’t. 

“Don’t confuse activity with achievement.” — John Wooden.