Are You Busy or Just Spinning Your Wheels?
“Busy” has become a badge of honour, but for many leaders it is simply a mask for overwhelm, distraction and misdirected effort. Neuroscience teaches us that every time we tick something off a list, our brain receives a dopamine hit.
The challenge is that not every task moves us forward, and activity is not the same as achievement.
When we bounce from emails to meetings to messages, we activate what neuroscientists call “attention residue.” Part of our mind stays attached to the previous task, making it harder to think strategically, solve problems or focus on long term goals. This is how high performers end up working in their vision rather than on it.
This feature explores why excessive busyness keeps us reactive instead of innovative and what leaders can do to reclaim clarity, purpose and meaningful progress.
