1.Kicking the Busyness Addiction for a Better FitDr. Dana Schon,Professional Learning Director

2. The busyness addiction (a mindset): A drive to succeed and a compulsion to get more done,which ironically, is counterproductive because there isalways more to do. People become addicted to feelings of exhilaration andimportance at having completed many tasks (beingbusy), but such feelings are illusory because the to-dolist never ends. In the name of being busy, addicts sacrifice time withfamilies and colleagues; and their own physical, spiritual,and mental health suffers. 3. Are you Plugged-in 24/7? Always challenged to see how many tasks you can complete in the shortestamount of time? Failing to slow down? Always multi-tasking? So focused on tasks and being busy that you lose touch with yoursurroundings? Your relationships? Yourself? Consumed by escalating demandsFeeling like you could always do moreprofessional reading, more professional writing, more observations, morecommunication, more, more, more? Avoiding times of quiet and solitude? Anxious and uncomfortable in those moments when you do find yourselfwith nothing to do? Failing to be present in the moment? Feeling guilty about saying no or doing nothing? 4. A feeling of indifference or numbing of feelings Depression Lack of enjoyment Frustration at the inability to keep the pace ofthe ever-growing to-do list Disconnection from people we care about Ineffective use of time due to feelings of beingoverwhelmeduncertain where to start Fragmentationlack of cohesion in our day-daylives and work 5. Urgent Non-urgentQuadrant 1Quadrant 2 When your direction is clear, Quadrant of Necessity Quadrant of Quality andmanaging your time andPersonal Leadershipresources to achieve your Examples: Deadline-Importantgoals becomes easier. driven projects, crises,Examples: problemresolution of immediate prevention, relationship Consider creating the matrixproblemsbuilding, professionalto the right and organizing growth anddevelopment, improvingthe tasks that occupy yourleadership-life fittime according to theirurgency and importanceQuadrant 3Quadrant 4Not important Strive to structure a Quadrant of Quadrant of EscapeDeception/Illusionschedule that supports youExamples: trivia,in spending the bulk of yourExamples: Interruptions,busywork, Internettime in quadrant 2certain phone surfing, private callscalls/emails/meetings/reports, certain pressingmatters 6. Just Say NO! Thanks for asking, but no, I simply cant. I appreciate that you asked, but no, I am unableto at this time. Im sorry, no.All the mistakes I ever made in my life were when Iwanted to say No, and said Yes. ~Moss Hart 7. Do one thing at a time. Try it just for today! If you are a multi-tasker, youwill need practice to change your behavior! Startwith small stepsone day. Be present in every moment. Focus solely on theperson with whom you engage in conversation.Drive without using your Bluetooth (or anydevice). Watch t.v. without reading, writing, orengaging in some other task. Be present! 8. Question your beliefs. Write down all yourbeliefs about relaxation, work, multi-tasking, busyness, etc. and questionthem. What mental models are keeping youconsumed by busyness? 9. Dont underestimate the value of Doing Nothing, of just going along, listeningto all the things you cant hear, and not bothering. ~Poohs Little Instruction Book, inspired by A.A. Milne 10. Schedule down time. Honor your commitments to yourself. If youcommit to leaving work at 5:30, do it. This meansleaving the work, too! No cheating! Make a date with a significant other or goodfriend. Unplug. Power down.*Strategies adapted from Are You Addicted To Busyness? By Carlene Ashby:http://www.makeithappennow.org/advice/are-you-addicted-to-busyness/