The Real Reason You Feel So Busy—and How to Fix It

Busy has become a default state in modern work, but the feeling often masks a deeper misalignment between what you want to achieve and how you allocate your time. In this view, popular thinker and strategist authors—Dorie Clark among them—frame focus not as a volume game but a discipline: you choose where to show up and defend your priorities. When you apply that mindset, the noise of the day settles into clearer, more productive patterns.

What “busy” signals about your day

Before you reach for another productivity tool or a longer to‑do list, notice what your calendar actually says. If you’re constantly switching tasks, rushing from meeting to meeting, and answering emails in the margins of your day, you’re not just busy—you’re prioritizing urgency over impact. The real culprit is often how you spend your time, not the sheer number of tasks. When your calendar is full of high‑value work, the sense of chaos fades and momentum grows.

“Busy is a signal, not a strategy.”

Common culprits behind the feeling

Excess meetings that aren’t clearly defined or necessary
Low‑value tasks crowding out deep, strategic work
Constant context switching that erodes focus and energy
Ambiguous goals that make every task feel equally urgent
Notification overload pulling attention in multiple directions

Recognizing these patterns is the first step. The goal isn’t to squeeze more into your day but to protect time for the activities that truly move you forward.

Fixes you can start today

Audit your calendar for the past two weeks. Categorize each item as Deep Work, Shallow Work, or Administrative. Remove or consolidate the low‑value items wherever possible.
Create a not‑to‑do list to block out tasks that don’t align with your priorities. If it doesn’t contribute to your stated goals, consider saying no or delegating.
Block time for deep work and protect it with a clear boundary (no meetings, no interruptions). Treat this block as sacred appointment with yourself.
Apply the 1‑focus rule each day—tackle one high‑leverage task before addressing anything else. Momentum comes from finishing meaningful work, not from juggling many small wins.
Gate email and notifications by designating specific windows (e.g., 9–10 a.m. and 4–4:30 p.m.) and sticking to them. This restores concentration and reduces cognitive drain.
Clarify meetings with a clear objective and an agenda sent in advance. Require pre‑reads and a decision protocol so meetings produce action, not just more tasks.
Delegate strategically by identifying tasks that others can handle without compromising quality or deadlines.
Schedule energy management into your week—short breaks, movement, and time for reflection. Energy, not just time, determines how much you can accomplish with consistency.

Putting the fixes into a sustainable routine

Small, repeatable rituals beat heroic bursts of effort. Try a weekly planning ritual that fits your rhythm: a 20–30 minute review on Sundays to align next week’s priorities, followed by a focused Monday morning block to set the week’s direction. End‑of‑day reflections—5–10 minutes to note what moved the needle and what didn’t—help you iterate, not simply survive.

“Your calendar should reflect your priorities, not your excuses.”

In practices aligned with Dorie Clark’s emphasis on deliberate commitments, you design your schedule around strategic outcomes. The result isn’t a calmer day by accident—it’s a day shaped by intention. By reducing low‑impact tasks, guarding deep work, and making boundary‑driven decisions, you reclaim time for what truly matters.

A simple 7‑step starter plan

Run a two‑week calendar audit and collapse low‑value items.
Create a not‑to‑do list and publish it to your team or teammates (if appropriate).
Block 2–4 hours of deep work on high‑impact projects.
Introduce a single daily focus and remove competing tasks.
Limit email and chat to two fixed windows per day.
Evaluate every meeting with a clear objective and a shorter format.
Schedule energy‑recovery blocks to sustain consistency over weeks, not just days.

Adopt these shifts gradually, and you’ll notice a shift from a perpetual sprint to a sustainable pace. The real constraint isn’t time alone—it’s how you choose to allocate and protect it. When you align your actions with your purpose, being busy becomes a natural byproduct of purposeful progress, not a badge you wear to prove your value.