Time as a negative status symbol

Are you busy?  Do you tell people that you are busy? Do you tell people that you're busy when you're not really busy?  I've had this quote sat on my computer for a few months, it's about time as a negative status symbol: 

'the less time, the more prestige. The more time you have on your hands, the less important you must be.'

This quote has been bouncing around my head for a few months, I think partly as a corrective that many of us need to hear.  When you are not busy please tell people that you are not busy - i think that it's kind of liberating to do so. 

Comments

[Sarah]

I recently did a secondment at work and was amazed to hear some of my new team members say they didn't have much on that week - in my previous job you would never hear someone say that. I think that was partly because we were much busier, but also I think it was part of the identity of the department, that we were very overworked.

Now I'm at home with a six-week-old baby and feel incredibly busy without actually achieving much.

[Ric]

Well said Ben,

In my experience, particularly in church leadership, this is an insidious and damaging oneupmanship that people seem to get into. 'I've not managed to get a day off for 3 weeks' etc etc. Anyone who is genuinely that busy (and not just making it up to look important) will not be doing anyone any good.

Its better to do a few things well than run around and try and do everything badly I think. But then I can quite easily spend an hour or so staring out of the window pondering life, so maybe I'm just trying to justify my lack of a protestant work ethic.

[Graham]

Thanks- that is really helpful.

Since I took time out on a sabbatical 18 months ago, I have been practicing saying when anyone asks me 'Are you busy?' ... 'No....sometimes I have a lot to do, but I'm never busy'.

Think you have hit the nail on the head with this. In my sphere (full time ordained ministry) 'busy' is often used as a signifier for 'I am so important/look at me/I am indispensible'.

Thanks!

[: safe space :]

Like it! You are very right!