Comments on: Too Busy People

By: Adam McFarland

Adam McFarland — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 14:25:21 +0000

I’ve heard that quote before as well. It always struck me as very illogical but very true nonetheless.

By: Rob

Rob — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 17:39:52 +0000

I think you’re right and that’s a good approach to take. As you can tell by the length of time I’ve not been around to comment on your blog I’ve had a little bit of time away to try and work on my motivation..anyyyway…

Saw this quote the other day and thought it apt:

“If you need something done, ask a busy person”

By: Adam McFarland

Adam McFarland — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 12:51:58 +0000

Good question Rob. As you can sort of tell from my posts whenever I’m over worked, I don’t necessarily do a good job of handling this either. It’s really really hard to come down from a busy rush. You get used to doing things at a different speed and intensity, but it slowly wears your brain out.

I think what makes it hard to get going again is that you have to switch gears completely on to different types of work, and there’s usually an immense amount of that work that’s built up during the busy period.

I like to try to pick a few small things per day to get done. Nothing that’s going to result in a 10+ hour work day or cause a bunch of stress if they go wrong. Just to get that feeling of accomplishment and having a good day back. And also try to schedule some fun stuff to do when you aren’t working because – at least for me – I’m generally more worn out than I lead myself to believe so I can only do work for so long each day before I start to wear down again.

By: Rob

Rob — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 08:15:08 +0000

In a similar vein, how does everyone here deal with lack of motivation? I’ve recently finished a stint about 8 weeks long of doing mostly 14-20 hour days and am a bit burned out. After a week of doing very little (and being okay with that – I think I deserved a break!) I can’t find the motivation I need to get moving again. Any suggestions?

By: Amber Shah

Amber Shah — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 15:47:55 +0000

Thanks Adam and Rob. I didn’t mean to be overly critical but just point out that “reclaiming” extra time for some people is a big deal. Some of the moms I know have literally done things like shower every other day just to get an extra 20 minutes – it’s just a different world when you have kids. The last thing I want to do is whine about my life. Most of the time I feel incredibly lucky to have all that I have, from my family to my stuff to my opportunities. I don’t tend to dwell on the things that I “can’t” do. I agree with Adam primary point that if it was important enough to me (ie. more important than the things I already do), then I would find a way.

By: Adam McFarland

Adam McFarland — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 13:06:46 +0000

Thanks Oke. I’ve never seen The Visitor before. Just checked it out on IMDB, looks pretty good…I’ll have to add it to the Netflix list

By: Oke

Oke — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 12:00:26 +0000

I couldn’t find the link, but one of my favorite lines of the movie, The Visitor, was the foreign lady asking the professor why he was helping her out and that he should be busy doing his profession. He looked at her and said that he wasn’t busy, he was wasting time doing something else and that he could help her out with whatever she needed.

I cheered and was thrilled for somebody talking about the truth. I also hate that statement, Adam. It is a cop out and those people rub me the wrong way from the beginning.

By: Rob

Rob — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 08:25:53 +0000

I think you’re a perfect example for this article, Amber.

You’re clearly driven and have a very packed schedule yet you’re STILL managing to find time to do what’s important to you, like the startup. It’s the people who don’t have all that going on yet claim to be too busy to do things that I think Adam was talking about, certainly that’s the way I understood it.

There are so many people doing less than you that have the time to do more, but don’t and complain. You should be proud of the amount you’re accomplishing!

By: Adam McFarland

Adam McFarland — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 23:40:08 +0000

By: Joshua Holt

Joshua Holt — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 23:37:13 +0000

I’m really too busy to comment on this article, but I promise I’d like to!