Many people wear their badge of busyness with pride and now many of us are working hybridly we are possibly busier than ever. Busy – but not effective. Busy – but not productive.

How can it possibly be a good thing to be rushing from one thing to the next – from meeting to project to emails to home and as a constant buzzy backdrop our love of email, social media and WhatsApp? On the days that I travel into London early for work (and I’m lucky – that’s at most twice or three times a month) everyone generally is already working feverishly writing or checking their email – this is at 6.45 am. The saddest thing for me is that they are probably doing this every single day and at home too.

We think we have no time but I believe it’s more that we use the time that we have so very inefficiently.

Time isn’t actually the problem – it’s far more about the tension between work and life. Ideally, the two should be balanced but in reality they blend and blend into each other and the more we blend the more exhausted we end up feeling. We are giving of our best to none because we are not able to be fully present with either.

We allow interruptions all day long – thinking we are being super-efficient zipping from emails to work to social media, ticking everything off our list. Constant interruptions and never sticking to one task long enough to make it effective mean that it can take up to 20 minutes to regain any momentum. We allow them because most of us are checking our smartphone anywhere up to 30 or more times a day. Our biggest problem right now? Lack of focus. 

“Why are you thinking about tomorrow’s meeting whilst having dinner?” “Why are you checking emails or social media on a Sunday during a family outing or after school at the playground?” – both of these I have done in the past and these are the kinds of questions we need to get more into the habit of asking ourselves. How can anything possibly be that important? The answer is that it isn’t – we’ve just got into really bad habits.  

The way to address this is by doing the very opposite..

Throughout history, humans have ascribed value to the tools and processes that made their tasks easier and faster to complete. Countering the old saying that “time is money,” Will Jenkins says that the most valuable currency is actually time.

Do the very opposite of what you see around you or what technology or even your brain tells you to do! 

Compartmentalise – when you’re working, work and when you’re with your loved ones, really be with them. When you are on your commute, use that time to set intentions for the day, practise mindfulness and get ready. On the way home create a pathway between work and home to allow you to adjust and be present when you walk in the door.

And maybe, just maybe – switch off your phone sometimes or just put it somewhere else in the evenings…..

Emma Sue is taking part in the  #14daysofmagic challenge with Magic Minds.  For two weeks, Emma Sue has committed to changing her life in three ways: drinking less coffee, improving focus and boosting her energy levels. Magic Mind is a productivity drink full of nutritious ingredients and is helping her to achieve her goals.  Find out more about Emma Sue’s experience on the 7 Skills Podcast (available on all podcast apps).  You can join in the challenge too by posting your journey to Instagram, YouTube or TikTok using the hashtag  #14daysofmagic.  For every 10,000 views, the challenge gets, Magic Mind donate $10 to help save the Amazon rainforest.  They are also hosting a competition to win a subscription to Magic Mind.  To win, submit your content to magicmind.co/14daysofmagic before the 30th of November.  Good Luck!

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