Talking with a colleague today and as colleagues so often likely do, we were questioning what others do with their time. Essentially, and I suspect this happens in all organizations, that whenever something new comes along or a behavior needs to change, many people just don't have the time to do what needs to be done. So, we were discussing, what are they actually doing?
We had this discussion when we could have been working.
However, what I mentioned was that there are different kinds of busy, because I know people in our workplace who are always busy, and they churn out value from their activities constantly. It is like everything they do pushes the needle forward in meaningful ways. Then, I know people at the other end of the "busyness" scale, where they are constantly busy, but nothing they do seems to amount to anything useful.
Rushing around, going nowhere.
Now, I have no idea whether this is true or not, but I get the sense that the first group who are busy doing something useful, tend to enjoy their work more and are less likely to burn out, than the second group. I think that when we feel that there is meaning behind what we are doing and we can see the progress, we are more likely to work at creating value without too much trouble. However, when there is a sense of futility in the work, like no matter how much we do, it doesn't make an impact, negative stress sets in.
For a quick definition, stress itself isn't bad, it helps us grow in pretty much every way we grow. However, there is a difference between growth stress and stress that takes away our control and agency, making us feel powerless. A lot of people who feel stress at work would argue, but it is likely that the workload has very little to do with their stress levels under most instances, because the person working next to them might be doing the same or more, with low stress. The fact is, we aren't the same, so what is an exciting proposition for one, is daunting for another.
I can stand at the edge of a cliff frozen in fear, next to someone who is looking forward to rappelling down.
Yet, when people feel stress, they assume that the reason is something outside of them. Similarly, when people do what they do trying to make an impact in their workplace, they think that what they are doing is the right thing to do. Even if it is not. There are many assumptions that we make about our own actions, but one that is pretty clear is that at least in the moment, we feel that what we are doing is the best we can do. Even if we know there are other ways that might work better, if we feel we don't have time, we won't make time.
But giving time doesn't help either, as most people will still not change, even when they have the opportunity. Going back to the stress example, the best time to manage stress is when there is low stress. Yet, most people only think about dealing with stress and developing the skills when they are already under stress, which effectively puts more stress on them, and as it is more likely to fail because of it, takes away even more agency, as well as adding another layer of failure.
We can all do better.
But even when we realize we can improve, we have to also be willing to find the resources, including finding the time, to do something about it. However, it seems that more often than not, we will choose to be stupid busy and struggle, rather than take a step back and learn a better way. And, perhaps it is the "step back" that is important to note here, as maybe while we might not want to be busy doing the wrong work, at least it feels like we are moving forward.
And feelings are the most important thing in the world.
Until we have feelings we don't want to have, and have no control over them.
Taraz
[ Gen1: Hive ]
I found it funny and ironic that you were talking about what other people do with their time, while working. But I think this is pretty common. There are down times in a day, and doing small talk with coworkers is good and healthy. I think it promotes camaraderie and a way to de-stress and unwind.
Now as for the two groups, the ones that churn out a lot of output, and those that don't seem to do anything, I would like to offer a different perspective. Assuming that both groups actually do their work, there are jobs that don't really produce a lot of results. This is common in IT. I worked as a DBA, and our job is to maintain the databases, and make sure they are up, and working well. One of the biggest indicator at the end of the year that we did our jobs well, is that we did not have downtimes, and the data are intact. For other groups, they have no idea, and any slowdown they experience, they blame it on us. What they fail to realize is that data is constantly being added to the database all the time, and them not noticing much difference apart from a slight slowdown is already good. It's not like we can just as easily upgrade the hardware and software all the time [this causes downtime].
So yeah, there are a lot of jobs that don't really show explosive output that pushes the needle. Some just make sure things are chugging along nicely even though it seems to others that it doesn't amount to anything useful.
And, there is plenty of work going on too. We don't have to be driven to working extremes - without that friendship and connection, the workplace is more stressful. Perhaps that is why so many GenZ struggle - because they don't actually know how to make real friends.
De-risking jobs are always hard for most people to understand. They only care when things don't work, not when they do work. It is also hard to sell a product on risk mitigation in many cases, because the "saving" can't be enumerated easily.
Exactly. A lot of times, boring is good for us. When we can focus on our routinary work without any escalations, that is a good day. And yeah, trying to get budget is always difficult. The best way to do get an increase is showing the number of complaints/downtime, which is bad for us, but necessary.
A lot of my job requires me to be reactive to situations. I know it would be less stressful if I was able to be proactive, but that just never seems to be the case. There are some things I just can't plan for.
Yeah, I get it. Some jobs are just that way be need.
Tonight something weird happened. I got a message with a confirmation code from facebook. I did not ask for this and my activity was the usual. I changed my password. I hope that is enough.
The trick is, don't use Facebook ;D
Fair point. But I fear that if I don't use it I will miss on selling my art that could come from there.
It may be that those challenges and difficulties are gasoline, it may be that when adrenaline and cortisol did not secrete I do not feel comfortable, because I am used to agitation lol, I have wondered and I am making adjustments for my well-being and at my pace being me, Mr Taraz.
Supposedly, stress is fine, unless you think that stress is bad. :)
It’s better to be idle than to be busy without any productivity. Where is the result of my exertions? If I’m not getting any or I’m getting below par, I should understand that I need to pause and learn a better way. One that works.
Some people keep banging the head against the wall, thinking that the wall will move.
Truly, there are different kinds of busy so we have to know the one that is beneficial to us or not. What do people do with their time?
Some people do irrelevant things and even at work, they walk up and down making it feel like they are the busiest person in the world and at the end of the day, they become very stressed.
Stress may be good for us but not good at all times
The problem with a lot of people who are uselessly busy, is that it puts extra workload on other people, making their jobs harder too.
There are times when some people would tell you that they are busy but when you ask them what they are doing, they won’t be able to give any explanation whatsoever
Isn’t it crazy? It’s better not to have something to do or stay idle than being busy without a goal
Yes it is crazy. "Busy" seems to mean that they aren't asleep.
Oh yeah,
Just like the social media thing, it is actually good to be there always but that's what keep most people busy and at the end, nothing is achieved🥲
Why is it good to be there always?
Lol 😂
People get find fun there especially when it comes to watching short slips and photos.
Funny enough, I used to visit there regularly untill I found Hive
In the hustle ɑnd bustle of work life, we often find ourselves cɑught up in the mɑelstrom of constɑnt busyness. Some seem to move forwɑrd with purpose, while others simply rush through without reɑching ɑny destinɑtion. The key is to find ɑ bɑlɑnce between being busy ɑnd being productive.
When we feel like our work hɑs meɑning ɑnd we see progress, we ɑre more likely to enjoy our tɑsks ɑnd ɑvoid burnout. However, when we perceive thɑt our ɑctions hɑve no impɑct, negɑtive stress sets in.
It is importɑnt to recognize thɑt stress is not ɑlwɑys bɑd; cɑn propel us to growth. But there is ɑ difference between stress thɑt chɑllenges us to grow ɑnd stress thɑt strips us of control ɑnd ɑgency, mɑking us feel powerless.
Sometimes the best wɑy to move forwɑrd is to tɑke ɑ step bɑck, leɑrn new wɑys of working, ɑnd find the resources you need to improve. We should not confuse being busy with moving in the right direction. And, ɑlthough feelings ɑre importɑnt, we must ɑlso leɑrn to mɑnɑge them effectively.
What is this? An AI rewrite?
Sorry, the fact that a user downvote me is not an indication that my reply was generated by AI.
What you have written is a rewrite of what I have written. What is the point of the comment?
And
My opinion wasn't based on the downvote, it was based on what I read.
That's exactly what happened to me today at the office, hoping to get handy but I was disappointed, cause the material I need for production was not available Despite making request for it days back..
The thing is I hate myself so much at the time I'm actually suppose to be doing something worthwhile with my time(which ia very precious to me) but die to one thing or another I'm not been useful at that point whiling away time with no productivity
Awww Mr Taraz without a doubt, toxic positivism is an evil of these times. I think it is worth taking advantage of this human life that we have received.
Ups and downs - otherwise life is flat.
Exactly no one is perfect, and that's okay, welcome the adversities, curves, ups and downs of this journey called life.
Nice one bro. It's so true that being busy doesn't always mean being productive. Finding meaning in our work is definitely the key to staying motivated and avoiding burnout. Stupid Busy 😂😂😂