163: Busy All Day? Here’s Why You Still Feel Behind

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You’re doing a lot, but are you doing what matters?

In today’s Thrive in 5, I’ll show you how to move from chaos to clarity by shifting out of “busy mode” and into intentional action. You’ll learn how to evaluate your to-do list, spot the low-impact distractions, and work in short focused bursts that actually move the needle.

What we cover:

• Why being busy ≠ being productive
• How to use the Priority Matrix to focus on high-impact tasks
• How to structure your time for energy and results
• 2 action steps you can take right now to feel less scattered

🎯 It’s not about doing more. It’s about doing what actually matters.

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Episode Transcript

(00:00):
feeling constantly busy, but notgetting anywhere in this Thrive
in Five.
I'm breaking down the differencebetween being busy and being
intentional so you can stopspinning your wheels and start
making real progress towardsyour goals.

(00:42):
Let's talk about a word thatgets way too much credit.
The word busy.
We wear it like a badge.
I'm just so busy.
But the truth is, being busyisn't the same as being
productive.
You can constantly be moving andstill not get anywhere.
The goal isn't to fill yourcalendar, it's to fill your days
with purpose.
So here's how to shift frombeing busy to being intentional.

(01:05):
Ask yourself, what's the outcomethat I really want?
When you're writing a to-dolist, don't just write down the
tasks.
Ask yourself why you're doingthem.
Are they aligned with yourgoals?
Are they getting you closer tothe life or the business that
you're building?
This question instantly helpsyou filter out low impact
busyness, use a priority matrix.

(01:27):
This is one of my favoritetools.
Yes, I do have a lot, but thepriority matrix is at the top.
It helps you categorize tasks byimpact and effort, so you're
gonna look for high impact, loweffort.
You're gonna do those first.
Those low impact high efforttasks probably are not worth
your time and energy.

(01:47):
This helps you say no todistractions that are disguised
as important.
And ps, I do have a freeprintable.
If you're interested in thatfree printable, just send me a
message.
Protect intentional blocks oftime.
You don't need a 12 hour day offocus.
You just need a few blocks ofdistraction-free, purpose-driven
work.
Use the Pomodoro technique orcalendar blocks to work in focus

(02:11):
bursts.
I have videos on my YouTubechannel with ambient timers.
If you want some help staying ontrack, this works because being
intentional puts you in chargeof your time.
It helps you get better resultswith less stress because you are
working on what matters and notjust what's screaming for your
attention.
If you would like to immediatelyimplement this, here are your

(02:32):
steps.
Look at your to-do list andcross off anything that's busy
but not essential.
Highlight one task that feelspurposeful and commit to
finishing it.
Try 1 25 minute focused workblock using the Pomodoro method
and see how it feels.
You don't need to do more, youjust need to do what matters.

(02:53):
And that starts with beingintentional.