3 Ways To Describe Your Schedule That Are Way Better Than Busy

3 Ways To Describe Your Schedule That Are Way Better Than Busy As professional women trying to navigate our work lives and our personal lives in a balanced fashion, we can become prone to the typical catch-allresponse to questions like How are you doing?The default answer? Im really busy.While this seems like an accurate way to describe our often-hectic lives, busy isa pretty reductive label to hang on oneself. Best case scenario, youre talking to a group of Type A personalities and using your busyness as a humblebrag. Worst case scenario, youre shoving the interesting facets of your life into a narrow packung, using Im so busy as a placeholder to avoid talking about specifics. And youre probably shoving your wellness into a narrow box to keep up with your busy lifestyle, too.Regardless of oursituation, we should make the effort to see our lives as topics worthy of consideration and conversation. Andwhen chatting with our similarly career-minded friends and colleagues, our overloaded schedules dont need to be thedefining factor of our entire existence. Its not healthy, and its not sustainable.These 3 descriptive phrases offer a more balanced view of ourselves than Im so busy, therefore opening you up to fullerconversations and networking (and a healthier life).1. Ive been productive.When speaking with others in your industry, Im so busy often appears as a substitute for I have a full plate and am accomplishing a lot. However, busy and productive arent synonymous, and using busy as an umbrella term for activity may convey the message that you arent actually producing results. In a recent story, Forbes contributor Tim Maurer explained the issueNumerous studies have shown that busyness isnt actually good business, and heres the big reason why It makes us less productive. Were all susceptible to it, but If Im saying to myself (and I have), Woo, Im busy really busy, Im likely being distracted from the most important, most productive work that I could be doing. I may feel like Im doing more, but the net result is actually less. And it often feels like it.An easy fix involves replacing Ive been busy with Ive been productive. By focusing on what youve accomplished rather than the overwhelmed state often suggested by busyness, you keep the conversation pointed in a positive direction and have the opportunity to share your achievements without implicitly diminishing them. Use this phrase when youre having conversations with yourself, too. Itll keep anxiety at bay and allow you to focus on the positivies of your hard work. You deserve it.2. Im working on ____Rather than offering a generic explanation of busy, getting specific about your projects gives you the gelegenheit to share what youre excited about, what youre struggling with, and the activities occupying your time lately.In social settings, this tactic can ease any annoyance or discomfort among your friends caused by your packed schedule. Sorry, Ive been busy feels like an excuse. But Ive bee n working on the Patterson case and managed to finish all of the depositions and get myself on-track for trial gives more information and helps your crew put themselves in your place and better understand why youve needed to cancel plans or opt out of text convos.In professional settings, revealing the particular tasks that are keeping you busy can help you find new solutions to problems related to your project. So when a colleague or supervisor asks So, hows everything going?, give her an honest response, mentioning both your successes thus far and where youre encountering issues. She may just be able to help or offer some valuable advice.3. Im looking for opportunities.Im busy can inadvertently shut the door on possibilities for career advancement. If your packed schedule isthe top piece of information you share with others when networking, youll linger in their minds as an individual with more work than she can handle. When chatting with others in your field, it helps to approach the conversation from a place of place of optimism. If youre looking to switch jobs or companies, thats especially important.In a story for CNBC about the problem with busyness, wellness guru Deepak Chopra gives a concise overview of why its smart to avoid language that shuts you off from new possibilitiesWhen people think youre too busy, they wont present you with opportunities. You want people thinking of you when a truly amazing opportunity emerges.On top of these professional benefits, this language is much better for your psyche. Youll feel less trapped by your obligations when you provide yourself flexibility to approach new projects and passions. Allowing yourself to stretch your wings and feeling as thoughyou have time to pursue things you like will help avoid burnout.