#FocusFriday: If You Want Something Done, Give it to a Busy Person

Is the adage true that busy people always get things done?

When I’m totally busy, I’m most organized, focused and ultimately accomplish much of what I set out to do.  When I have some free time on my hands, much less gets accomplished, and moreover, I feel like I’ve wasted a whole lot of time being unproductive.

I’ve done some reading on the subject, and in a nutshell, it all comes down to planning.

Some of the people I admire most for their organizational skills are the ones that have almost every aspect of their lives planned.  To see them so focused is exhausting to me.  Frankly, I don’t want to be THAT focused (or do I?).    Let’s see…. with some resolve and free time over the Labor Day Weekend, I’m going to plan my busy month of September!    Here’s how:

1) Create an action plan that spells out what absolutely needs to be accomplished during the month, for both work and family.

2) Commit the plan’s activities to specific deadlines throughout the month.

3) Rid myself of the daily distractions, that means having the plan front-and-center every day.

4)  Keep track of my progress.  That feeling of accomplishment when things are checked off is a “high” for me!

In other words, I’m going to plan my work, and work my plan — and get things done.

Wish me luck!

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The content shared in this blog post is the author’s opinion and does not necessarily reflect the views of Xerox.  #FocusFriday is a weekly conversation helping people with productivity in the office.  Posts can be at the same time fun and serious, in the spirit of the Xerox’s Business of Your Brain app, yet always focused on what matters most, Real Business.

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6 Comments

  1. Candace Nahrgang September 2, 2011 -

    Karen, Good luck. I like the old saying busy

    people get things done. I feel it is true. Best of luck I like the plan you set up. Have a good day,and a good Holiday. Candace Nahrgang

  2. Julie Kehoe September 2, 2011 -

    Good luck Karen! There’s another quote, those who fail to plan, plan to fail. Planning not only helps you accomplish the “to dos” but it also helps create some balance in your life by making sure you achieve some of those personal goals.

  3. Laurie Riedman September 2, 2011 -

    I am with you Karen. I too seem to be more focused when I have more to do. Perhaps out of necessity. I do believe however, that we do need to keep some time unstructured and allow some “space” in to our work and home life. Can’t remember who said it — but music is the space between the notes. Perhaps productivity can be found there as well too. Good Luck. I can feel your resolve to truly stay focused!

  4. Karen Arena September 4, 2011 -

    Good points Laurie and Julie – not only planning, but enjoying the ride during the down time! I’ll keep that in mind as I weave through the plan to be more productive this month, and in months ahead.

  5. Business Process Outsourcing September 13, 2011 -

    Dear Karen Arena, I wish you all success. Good Luck. What you said is absoultely true. Busy person can not finish the things. Only commited and dedicated people and who will organise their work can finish everything. And they must enjoy their work. They work will go smoothly. Thanks for sharing.

  6. Tarsha Montaya March 10, 2012 -

    work out at home…

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