Why is it we play one upmanship with our busyness? Today coming out of an early morning meeting, I asked someone how they were doing to which they replied, “I’m crazy busy.” Of course, I immediately responded with something like “I’m insanely crazy busy” as if I had to play the game with him. I stopped dead in my tracks as I realized I was caught in what my professional speaker buddy Victoria LaBalme refers to as the “Crazy Busy Nuts” syndrome (take time to watch the video clip - it’s hilarious).

As the father of five young children, an author, full-time, professional speaker, foundation president, avid outdoor lover, daily exerciser, etc., etc, etc., I think I could compete with most people in the busy department. As I think about it, I am not really very proud of that and who cares whether my friend was busier than I or I was busier than he. Does it really matter? What should matter is who has the most free time. The people who should be bragging are the ones who manage their time so well they have lots of discretionary time. I aspire to be like Timothy Ferriss author of the New York Times and Wall Street Journal best seller The Four Hour Work Week. Why don’t we brag about how much free time we have, how much time we spend with our family or on a favorite hobby?  What is it about life that makes us want to be (or portray to be) the busiest person we know?

The next time someone tries to play the crazy busy game with me, I think I will respond with “I’m totally caught up.” Then I’ll look at my watch and say, “Forgive me, I have nothing to do now and nowhere to be and I need to get there before nothing else comes up. Gotta run.” Then I’ll saunter (or maybe I’ll skip) away slowly…very slowly.