"Is Being Busy Making You Productive—or Just Tired?

There was a time in my life when I was always in go-go mode. 

Between raising two kids (one with severe ADHD), juggling home responsibilities, and working over 50 hours a week in corporate HR, my days were packed from morning to night. I believed being busy meant I was being productive. It felt like a badge of honor—even when I was running on empty. I honestly thought this was the norm: Everyone is busy. I just need to suck it up and keep going.  

But over time, I noticed something else: The harder I worked, the more my perfectionism crept in. I expected myself to do everything just right, and I expected the same from everyone around me. 

Things started to shift when I began my coach training. I found myself asking: 

"Do I really need to show up perfectly?" 

"Are these expectations even mine?" 

That self-questioning opened the door to deeper exploration. I'm still working on letting go of busyness, but I've found more clarity and peace around what productivity truly means. 

Perhaps I needed coaching to understand myself better—and to challenge what so many of us accept as the norm. 

Culturally, we tend to equate productivity with getting more done in less time—a very efficiency-based mindset. And while there's nothing wrong with being efficient, it doesn't always mean we're moving forward in meaningful ways. 

There are a few popular definitions I find helpful: 

• Tony Robbins defines productivity as "getting the results you want with less time and effort." 

• James Clear, author of Atomic Habits, says it's "getting important things done consistently." 

Which one resonates more with you? Or what is YOUR definition of productivity? 

Over time, I've come to believe that productivity isn't about getting more done. It's about getting the right things done—and letting go of the rest. And that "right" part? It changes depending on where we are in life. 

I've noticed something interesting whenever I go back to Japan. Life there feels… quieter. Slower. More intentional. People still work hard and have busy lives, but the energy is different. There's more space to breathe. Less pressure to always be "on." 

People don't often talk about how busy they are or ask about my work or business, but they are curious about my life and well-being. They will usually ask, "How Are You?" "How is your LIFE going?" It feels refreshing. 

In contrast, busyness in the U.S. can feel contagious. It's as if being overwhelmed has become the norm—and slowing down feels like falling behind. But here's what I've learned: 

Slowing down is sometimes the most productive thing we can do. 

Just like we adjust how we eat, move, or rest as we go through different seasons of life, our approach to productivity also needs to evolve. 

• What worked in your 20s might not work in your 40s. 

• What helped you stay on track as a solo entrepreneur might fall apart when you become a caregiver or face health challenges. 

• People with ADHD or executive functioning challenges need a different kind of support—one that honors the brain's wiring instead of forcing it into traditional molds. 

That's why I see productivity as a life skill—something we practice, revisit, and reshape as we grow. It's not about having the perfect planner, tool, or system (though those are helpful). It's about creating awareness of what's working and what's not—and making small shifts to support your real goals. Whether that's: 

• Finally, tackling the pile in the garage 

• Launching a creative project 

• Or simply finding more breathing room in your day 

Here's a little snapshot I often share with clients: 

Busy                                          Productive 

Saying yes to everything             Saying yes to what matters 

Multi-tasking                              Focused attention 

Full calendar                              Aligned priorities 

Constant motion                         Intentional action 

External validation                      Internal alignment 

What About You? If you've been feeling stretched thin—constantly doing, but rarely arriving—it might be time to pause and ask: 

• Am I being busy, or am I being truly productive? 

• What does a "productive" life look and feel like to me? 

• What season of life am I in, and what kind of support or structure do I need now? 

Productivity isn't about keeping up. It's about checking in. 

And when you check in regularly—with curiosity, not criticism—everything begins to shift in a meaningful way. 

Want to Take the First Step? 

If you're ready to break out of the busy trap and build a version of productivity that actually works for you, I invite you to: 

✅ Take my free quiz to uncover what kind of clutter (mental, time, or emotional) is holding you back. 

✅ Join one of my accountability groups, where we practice setting intentions and taking action—together. 

No more hustle for hustle's sake. Let's explore what feels lighter, clearer, and more aligned with who you are today.