How often do you hear someone say, “I’m just so busy”? How often do you say it?
We wear busyness like a badge of honor, as if the more packed our schedules are, the more accomplished we must be. Meetings, deadlines, exercise, family obligations—it’s a never-ending cycle. We measure success by how much we get done, how many tasks we check off, how much we can cram into a single day.
But here’s the problem: busyness is not the same as progress.
We can spend our entire day in motion—running from one thing to the next—without ever moving toward what truly matters. It feels productive in the moment, but at the end of the day, we’re exhausted and overwhelmed, yet unsure if we actually accomplished anything meaningful. So, how do we break out of this cycle?
The Power of Clarity
If busyness is the trap, clarity is the way out.
Clarity isn’t about doing more—it’s about understanding why you’re doing what you’re doing in the first place. It’s about cutting through the noise and getting clear on what actually deserves your time and energy. When you have clarity, decisions become easier. You stop saying yes to everything and start focusing on what truly moves you forward.
I’ve personally fallen into the trap of busyness more times than I can count. Take my health, for example. I’d wake up early to exercise, try to eat well, and check all the “healthy habits” boxes. But I still felt like I was spinning my wheels. I was doing all the right things, but I wasn’t sure if they were actually leading to the result I wanted.
It wasn’t until I took a step back and asked myself, ‘Why am I doing this?’ that everything changed.
In the short term, getting in my workouts, eating well, and prioritizing sleep means I get to wake up every day and feel like the best version of myself. I have more energy, I think more clearly, and I just feel better. That alone is reason enough.
But the real clarity came when I thought long-term. I want to keep doing cool adventures and activities well into my future. I don’t want age to limit me from hiking a mountain, traveling to far-off places, or just feeling good in my body for as long as possible. And I know that exercise, diet, and sleep are the foundation that will enable me to do that. That clarity made all the difference.
Instead of just working out because I was supposed to, I started training with purpose—strength training a few times a week, doing cardio regularly, and making movement a natural part of my day. Instead of just eating well because it’s the “right” thing to do, I focused on nourishing my body in a way that supports my long-term goals. And suddenly, the effort I was putting in actually felt meaningful.
This same principle applies to business.
Finding Clarity in My Work
For a long time, I found myself deeply immersed in the work—leading, coaching, advising, taking on different roles. I was busy, and I was successful, but something felt off. I was constantly moving, but I hadn’t fully stopped to define why I was doing all of it.
So, I asked myself the same question: ‘Why am I doing this?’
The answer was actually really simple: I love solving complex business challenges.
That’s it. That’s the long-term reason. That’s what fuels me. That’s why I show up every day. When I really broke it down, everything I do—whether it’s strategic coaching, serving on boards, advising business leaders through transitions, or keynote speaking—comes back to that. I enjoy leveraging my experience to help others solve complex challenges.
And once I had that clarity, everything else became easier. Instead of just taking on work, I started aligning my time and energy with this core purpose. It helped me focus, say no to things that didn’t fit, and ultimately find more fulfillment in what I was doing.
Breaking Free from Busyness
So, if you’re feeling overwhelmed, stuck in a cycle of endless busyness, ask yourself:
- What am I really trying to achieve?
- Is the way I’m spending my time actually moving me closer to that?
- What do I need to stop doing in order to focus on what truly matters?
Clarity isn’t about adding more to your plate—it’s about removing the things that don’t belong. It’s about making space for what matters most.
Busyness is the easy default. Clarity takes effort—but once you have it, everything else falls into place.
See you next week,
Brent, your Rivr Guide
