Busy
There are very few people sitting around with tons of free time on their hands so I always cringe when someone says they are busy. I have a hard spot with this one for two different reasons. The first one being that if you get the “excuse” that someone is too busy it really just means that something is not a priority for them. If it is really important then you’ll find a way to get it done, if not, you’ll use the excuse that you are too busy. This might mean that something has to come off the priority list. We all have a lot of stuff to do every day and it will never get all done.
The other misuse of this word is when people equate being busy with being productive. I can spin my wheels for hours on a task, while someone else could have completed it in 30 mins or less. I have seen people wear being busy as a badge of honor and then when you break it down many of the activities could have been completed by someone else way more efficiently.
Fine
I just finished a book on this and what prompted me to get some of my thoughts on paper. We really need to stop saying we are fine when most of us really feel stuck. This is another default answer when someone asks you how you are doing. I have decided to change my answer to this question to either Great or Meh. To mean fine means you are bored. If I am doing “Great” then that means I am taking on new challenges or projects. Kicking ass and taking names. If I am just “Meh” then it probably means I have run into a roadblock somewhere that I need to work through. The best part about owning up to the “Meh” feelings is that they turn into feelings of greatness once you get through them.
Tired
I don’t want to put this one on the list because I use it all the time. It seems to be my default answer any time I get asked how I am doing. I need to take my own advice and prioritize this one higher J This one falls in the same category and being busy.
Or
I have noticed that a lot of times people have an either/or mindset. I would challenge you to start thinking in the “And” mindset. Why can’t you be a spouse, parent, work, AND have a hobby? If the first thing that pops into your head are excuses then your back to thinking either/or. If all of those things (or more) are something you really want, create a roadmap and multiple options to get there.
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