For some reason, we idolize successful CEOs who brag about averaging four hours of sleep a night (who knows how much coffee they drink to keep from nodding off during the day). When we’re too busy, sleep is one of the first things to go because we have this dumb (and wrong) belief in our culture that sleep is optional. When you’re off, you need to act like it and start enjoying some peace in the afternoon and during the weekend. That means no checking emails or preparing for meetings when you’re at home. Here’s an idea: For one week, commit to doing only one thing at a time and see how much mental clarity that gives you. One study analyzed the habits of 50,000 workers and found that, on average, people spend 40% of their time multitasking on communication tools, like Slack and email. 1Įven so, it won’t be easy to overcome the multitasking habit. Why? Because brain researchers agree multitasking is a bad way to manage your time, since doing several things at once damages your ability to focus, learn and be present. Sadly, this is how most of us live our lives. If you’re checking your email while sitting at the dinner table and asking your kids about their day, you’re too busy. If you’re eating cereal, putting on makeup, and listening to a podcast on your morning commute, you’re too busy. So, how do you know when you’ve crossed that line? Here are eight signs that will help you honestly acknowledge if you’re too busy. But there’s a fine line between being productive and being unhealthy. We have ridiculous expectations for ourselves and, to make matters worse, busyness is often celebrated in our high-achieving, fast-paced culture. So many of us are living our lives at 100 mph and feeling burned out. They ask, “How are you? How’s life?”īut we aren’t just busy-we’re too busy.

We run into a friend at the grocery store or pass a coworker in the hallway.

Take time out of busy schedule