The Moment I Realised That ‘Busy’ Doesn’t Mean ‘Productive’

I used to think that if I wasn’t constantly doing, I was somehow falling behind.
Every hour of my day was filled with something — chasing deadlines, replying to messages, cooking dinner, reviewing lecture notes, prepping for the next meeting, brainstorming business ideas.
My planner was colourful but chaotic, and still, I felt like I wasn’t getting anywhere.

As a mum juggling university, work, and a growing list of personal and professional goals, I kept trying to “balance it all.” I’d wake up early, go to bed late, and squeeze everything and everyone into my day — except myself. I was answering calls from family members who needed help, supporting others emotionally, and trying to be the strong, dependable one… but I was exhausted.

One night, I sat at my desk, staring blankly at my screen. I had so much to do, but my brain felt foggy. My body was there, but my energy was gone. That’s when it hit me: I was always busy, but I wasn’t moving forward.

Where Was All My Time Going?

I did a little audit — just for myself.
I tracked my time for three days straight, and what I saw was eye-opening:

• I spent hours on low-impact tasks like tweaking fonts or rewriting to-do lists.
• I jumped between tasks, never really finishing anything.
• I was doing work that made me feel busy, but not closer to my goals.

It was like walking on a treadmill — tired but going nowhere.

That was the moment I realised I needed a new rule:

“If it doesn’t get me closer to peace, purpose, or progress, it doesn’t belong on my calendar.”

Discovering the Power of Prioritisation

I began to ask myself:

• What actually matters right now?
• What’s the ONE task that, if I complete it, will move everything else forward?
• Am I being productive, or just staying busy to avoid the harder, more meaningful stuff?

I learned to pause before adding anything to my day.
I learned to let go of the “busy badge.”
I chose clarity over clutter.

Now? I work fewer hours and get more done.
I say no more often — and feel more in control.
I don’t always feel busy — and that’s the point.

Essentialism Changed Everything

Essentialism is the art of doing less but better.
Instead of trying to do everything, I focus on the few things that actually matter. I:

• Identify my top 1–3 priorities for the week
• Cut or delegate what’s not essential
• Batch similar tasks together
• Protect my deep focus time like it’s sacred
• Being intentional

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Being productive isn’t about doing more.
It’s about doing what matters most.

The Balanced Wealth Studio