\u201cHow are you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBusy. So busy. Crazy busy<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sound familiar? I feel like it\u2019s the refrain of our times – the theme song to the twisted perception that the more we\u2019re juggling, the more we\u2019re on the run, the more we\u2019re scheduled to the millisecond, the better we are. Yet how often do we stop to ask ourselves, \u201cWhy am I doing all of this?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Instead, we approach life reactively. We say yes without thinking, run errands willy-nilly, jump when our devices chime, and take on way more than necessary. But if, like me, you\u2019re on board the S.S. Stop the Madness, it\u2019s time to put an end to busy and a start to productive. And that means getting intentional about what you\u2019re doing and why:<\/p>\n

\n
• Reflect and Introspect:<\/strong> To get clear on your intentions, you have to make time to process. For me, that\u2019s walking three miles every morning to mull over what I\u2019m doing and whether it aligns with my priorities: writing (both my business and passion projects), relationships, and well-being (exercise and quiet time).<\/li>\n
• Rule of Three:<\/strong> Aim to schedule no more than three key projects\/events per day. Maybe that\u2019s work, errands, and date night. Or an outing with your child, a client meeting, and a passion project. (Yes, just three<\/em>. You can do this.)<\/li>\n
• Less Yes, More No<\/strong>: Run every request through the intention filter. Do you want to do this or do you feel obligated? If you want it, is it good for you? If it\u2019s an obligation, is it necessary or just people-pleasing?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

  There are always things we can\u2019t dismiss (work, family, the ever-diminishing supply of toilet paper). But when we\u2019re clear on our intentions and we act accordingly, we\u2019re not busy – we\u2019re productive. We\u2019re not exhausted – we\u2019re pleasantly spent. And we\u2019re not frantic – we\u2019re fulfilled.<\/p>\n

   <\/p>\n

  Nicole Christie<\/strong> is a writer, storyteller, and the principal and creative director of NICO, Inc. \u2013 a one-woman firm specializing in fresh, honest, engaging employee and marketing communications for Fortune 500 corporations, leading-edge creative firms, and rapidly growing new technology companies. You can find her on Facebook<\/a>, Twitter<\/a>, LinkedIn<\/a>, and at nicolechristie.com<\/a>.<\/h5>\n

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