Stop Being Busy | Introducing the Busy-Busting Process
When was the last time you said, “I’m just so busy,” and felt good about it?
My guess is… never.
I know exactly how you feel—like life has you on a never-ending hamster wheel. A study I conducted showed that 52% of Americans find their to-do list overwhelming, yet we cram our schedules with so much busyness that at the end of the day, we’re left drained, frustrated, and wondering what it’s all for.
There was a time when busyness ran my life. I was saying yes to everything, trying to do it all, and losing sight of the things that actually brought me joy. Something had to change.
That’s how I developed my Busy-Busting Process—a simple, three-step solution designed to help you achieve more by doing less. The method is straightforward, and by the end, you will have actionable steps designed to reduce busyness and help you discover your balance between peak performance, self-care, and happiness.
Step 1: Busy Barometer – Measuring and Understanding Your Busyness
Busyness has a way of sneaking up on us. You go through your day doing one thing after another, and before you know it, you’ve filled every second with busy work and low-value activities that you don’t even remember agreeing to.
That’s where The Busy Barometer comes in.
The Busy Barometer is the first step to take toward breaking free from overwhelm and achieving more by doing less. It’s all about bringing awareness to the “pressure systems” in your life—where your time is going, why you’re doing what you’re doing, and whether it really serves you.
This exercise might surprise you. It certainly did for my friend Anna. Her Busy Barometer score showed her that 60% of her day was spent doing things that weren’t moving her life forward—like personal and professional obligations that drained her energy and stretched her too thin.
Seeing it on paper gave her the courage to step back from the extras and prioritize the things that mattered to her, like spending quality time with family.
Once you recognize how you’re spending your time, you can start taking back control. Awareness is the foundation of positive changes.
Step 2: Mojo-Making – Take Back Your Energy and Joy
If you feel like you’ve been running on empty lately, this step is the one that’s most exciting. Mojo-Making is all about reconnecting with the things that energize you.
When I talk to people about Mojo-Making, I always start with a simple exercise. I call it the “Joy List.” Write down five to ten things that make you feel alive.
A morning coffee ritual
A walk in nature
Curling up with a great book
Laughing with your loved ones.
For me, it’s sitting quietly with a piece of dark chocolate, wearing warm slippers, and walking my cat, Oliver. These “Happiness Rituals” matter because they’re what help you recharge and pour back into yourself.
Mojo-Making is the step where you start to feel like yourself again. It’s what gives you the energy to take the final—and most important—leg of the process.
Step 3: Values Vibing – Aligning Your Schedule with Your Core Beliefs
I believe your values are your true north. When you’re clear on your values, you have a compass to guide every decision you make. It starts with identifying them.
Take a moment to write down your top three values. Maybe it’s family, creativity, health, or service. Whatever they are, own them—and don’t apologize for prioritizing them.
Once you know your values, you can start making choices that reflect them. For some people, this looks like setting boundaries, like saying no to requests that don’t align with their priorities. For others, it’s about creating “Happiness Rituals” that emphasize their values.
I’ll never forget Sarah, who told me she felt completely disconnected from the people she loved most. Her top value was connection. Yet her schedule was full of work meetings and endless chores that left no room for family. One small change shifted everything—she planned a weekly family game night. It was simple, but it gave her a meaningful way to live in alignment with her values.
It’s Time to Choose Meaning Over Mayhem
I know it can feel overwhelming when you’re stuck in the thick of busyness. But here’s the thing—I believe in you. I know you can create the space in your life that you need for joy, connection, and peace.
The Busy-Busting Process is your roadmap to freedom. Take the first step with The Busy Barometer today. It only takes a few minutes, and you will gain clarity on how you’re spending your time, actionable insights to reduce stress, and confidence to help you say “yes” to meaning and “no” to mayhem
Learn more about The Busy Busting Process in “Beyond Busyness: How to Achieve More by Doing Less.”
If you liked this article, you’ll love…
