Guest writer Kate Sotsenko runs thegoodbusy.com, a company focused on helping busy mid-senior leaders eliminate unnecessary work so they can focus on what matters most. Without stress. Without burnout.
Bring desired value - exercise inside
"Emotions color perceptions." - Steve Kotler
Did you know 85% of people hate their jobs? (Gallup)
If you feel like one of them - or you're on the verge - this might change your perspective.
Let's dive into the final step of the exercise.
"I hate being busy," my client said.
So I asked:
"You hike.
Plan trips.
Read books.
Lead projects.
Help teammates at work.
Cook dinners with friends.
Go on walks with your dog.
Do you enjoy these?"
"Yes," they said.
"Then you like being busy. Busy means you're alive, engaged, and human."
Why I share this?
Because there're two kinds of busy:
The kind we thrive on.
The kind we hate.
We hate being busy when it looks like this:
• Late nights buried in your inbox.
• Weekends lost to PowerPoint.
• Meetings that should've have been an email (or a 5-minute call).
We get stuck in bad busy when we chase more:
• Inbox zero.
• Multitasking.
• A fully time-boxed calendar.
That's how unnecessary work takes over and 50% of your time is lost to unproductive tasks. (or 80%, according to Forbes.)
And how you feel about work affects how you see it:
You feel overwhelmed.
Resentments builds.
You start hating work.
No leadership training teaches this. And apps and AI won't fix it.
The answer? Simple, smart decisions.
the why
So, why do we love work when it feels good?
Because it's tied to our need for self-actualization. We want to feel useful.
Studies show that 75%-90% of our coworkers say "yes" when asked for help.
Every leader I work with tells me, "I just want to bring value."
Being good busy - adding real value - is a core human need.
the how
But here's the problem: we often assume what "value" means to others.
We don't ask enough questions at work. We guess.
And that's how we end up busy with the wrong things - at least 50% of the time.
Let's recap the happiness exercise:
Step 1: Foundation - Define your must-haves and compromises.
Step 2: Structure - Play to your strengths.
Step 3: Roof - Bring desired value.
Now, let's complete the final step.
Grab your notebook and have conversations with your team, manager, and peers:
What 3 of my strengths do you value the most, and why?
What can I do more of to bring more value?
What can I do less of to bring more value?
These conversations might feel unusual, but they can transform how you - and others - experience work.
If you want to be good busy, focus on less. Focus on the right things - bring desired value.
The grass is only green where we water it. 🌱
your play of the week
Bring desired value🥚🍳
Grab your notebook:
Ask your coworkers what actually brings them value.
Prioritize desired value over everything else on your to-do list.
result
Instead of chasing a never-ending to-do list, you focus on less - creating real value for others and fulfillment for yourself.
Productivity isn't busyness. But to be productive, you must get good busy.
Kate Sotsenko is a thought leader and corporate productivity and leadership coach. If you want to find out more check out her website - TheGoodBusy.com
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