Last week, I found myself doing something I think a lot of us do.
I was sitting there looking at everything I had accomplished and wondering why I still felt behind.
Have you ever had one of those weeks?
You were busy from the moment your feet hit the floor until your head hit the pillow.
You ran errands.
You attended meetings.
You helped family.
You volunteered.
You answered phone calls.
You handled problems nobody else wanted to deal with.
You crossed things off your to-do list all week long.
Yet somehow, at the end of the week, the thing you really wanted to accomplish was still sitting there waiting for you.
That was me.
I volunteer at a soup kitchen several days a week. I attend recovery meetings. I spend time with family. I go to church. I mow lawns that need mowing. I help people when they need help.
None of those things are bad things.
In fact, many of them are important things.
But last week I had a moment of honesty with myself.
The chapters of my book that I wanted to write were still unfinished.
The projects I wanted to move forward were still sitting there.
And I realized something.
Being busy and being productive are not always the same thing.
Now before anyone starts sending me messages, let me be clear.
Rest is productive.
Serving others is productive.
Helping family is productive.
Sometimes the most important thing you'll do all day is show up for someone who needs you.
But there is a difference between spending your time intentionally and simply staying occupied.
Sometimes we stay busy because it feels good.
Busy gives us the feeling that we're accomplishing something.
Busy keeps us moving.
Busy helps us avoid uncomfortable things.
Like writing the chapter.
Making the phone call.
Starting the business.
Having the difficult conversation.
Taking the first step toward a dream.
If we're busy enough, we never have to face the thing we're afraid to do.
Ouch.
I know.
That one stepped on my toes too.
Here's what I've learned:
Motion isn't always progress.
You can be running all day and still not be moving toward the life you want.
You can be exhausted and still avoid the thing that matters most.
You can have a completely full calendar and still neglect your purpose.
The goal isn't to do more.
The goal is to do what matters.
That's something I talk about in my book Minding What Matters.
Not everything deserves equal attention.
Some things are urgent.
Some things are important.
And some things are simply distractions wearing a name tag that says "responsibility."
The challenge is learning the difference.
This week, I'm asking myself a simple question:
Am I being productive, or am I just being busy?
Not because I need to do more.
Not because I need to work harder.
But because I want to make sure I'm spending my time on the things God has actually called me to do.
At the end of my life, I don't want to be remembered for how busy I was.
I want to be remembered for how faithful I was.
Reflection Question
What is one thing you've been putting off because you've been too busy?
Call to Action
This week, choose one thing that truly matters and give it your attention.
Not someday.
Not next week.
Not when life settles down.
Today.
Because being busy might fill your calendar, but being intentional can change your life.
❤️
Tamara Lea Patrick
Pivot Life Coaching 4 Restarting You