I was listening to a podcast this week and when the interviewee was asked how they were, they responded with the word 'busy'. They quickly went on to explain that they meant busy in a positive way, they had a variety of work that they were really enjoying, they felt fortunate and fulfilled – this sparked my thinking, without that explanation how do we usually interpret the word busy?

Increasingly the response to ‘how are you?’ is busy and I count myself in this category. However are we aware of the possible impacts of that instinctive response?

Being busy can be interpreted as:

ln demand

Successful

Important

OR

Not available to new ideas or opportunities

Not having time to spare for conversation

Overwhelmed

It could be closing down opportunities and useful or enjoyable interaction. We are also sending ourselves the message that we don’t have time to spare to explore or relax.

It might be worth thinking what busy means for you and considering whether you could express yourself in a way that conveys a clear message.

I recently went on an amazing four day retreat at The Sharpham Trust, it reminded me of the huge benefits of stepping away from doing, rushing and striving. I left feeling rested, refreshed and with a much clearer sense of priorities and the energy to engage with them.

My recent response to 'how are you' has been about my retreat experience and it's made for really interesting conversations.

It’s easy to get stuck in a cycle of busyness. If we are constantly in the fast lane, foot on the accelerator then we are inevitably missing the view. People and experiences are just a blur as we whizz past.

Coaching is a valuable space to step away from busyness, to explore what you want, what might be getting in your way and how you can move forward with a sense of purpose and confidence. I’d love to talk to you if that sounds like that space could help you.

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Rachel Goodwin

– Director