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Are You Busy Or “Busy”… Hot Take On Productivity
Being Busy Does NOT Mean That You are Being Productive
Yep. The belief that being busy equates to being productive is a common misconception in today’s fast-paced society. Many people believe that the more they have on their plate, the more productive they are. However, research shows that this is not always the case. In fact, being constantly busy can lead to burnout, decreased productivity, and decreased overall well-being.
One study conducted by the American Psychological Association found that those who reported being “very busy” also reported higher levels of stress and lower levels of life satisfaction. Another study by the Draugiem Group, a productivity research firm, found that the most productive people work for 52 minutes, then take a 17-minute break. This pattern of working in focused bursts is known as the “Pomodoro Technique” and has been found to increase productivity and decrease burnout.
Another issue with constantly being busy is that it can lead to multitasking, which has been shown to decrease productivity by as much as 40%. When we multitask, we are not able to fully focus on any one task, which leads to decreased performance and increased errors. Instead of multitasking, it is more effective to focus on one task at a time and give it our full attention.
