My dear pal, Shari, and I talk several times a week whether on the phone or e-mail. She has been a fabulous 'accountability partner' as I work through my personal journey using The Success Principles. In today's chat on the phone, she made reference to one of my pet peeves: when people use the word 'busy'.
I call it the new "B" word and it drives me up the wall when I use it and it really ruffles my feathers when someone uses it.
"I'm afraid I can't chat on the phone very long because I am so busy."
"So sorry for not calling you back. I have been so busy."
"Yeah, I couldn't reply to your email because I am so slammed and busy with all the messages that come into my in box."
You don't say? I mean, I'm sitting here twirling my hair for my morning's activity and then I think I'll take a nap as my afternoon activity, so I suppose I can't really relate to your struggles of living such a busy existence.
Well, newsflash: All of us live full and somewhat overwhelming lives. By choice, or by necessity, and it takes time to make time sometimes.
I hope to make the effort to communicate with folks as often as I can before I also find myself apologizing for the delay in getting back to someone. I am attempting to use methods to balance all the information that comes my way with streamlining my email communications, for instance. I also note important dates like birthdays and friend's doing job interviews in my planner and send them an email or text. I prefer to call because it as close to human interaction as I can get living my
I am far from having it all under control. Ha! But one of my priorities is to let people know in general - and to also remind the loves in my life - that they matter. Yes, I utter that darn "B" word myself and I am working on different language to stop driving myself nuts over it. Instead, when our paths cross, you may hear me utter these words:
"I apologize for not calling you back. I have been overwhelmed and I want you to know that you are important to me. Now, how the heck are you doing, friend? Can we grab a coffee or cocktail this week? I'd love to see you!".
“Most of us spend too much time on what is urgent and not enough time on what is important.”
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