By Dr Nish Manek
Ask a leader how they are, and you’ll often hear: “Good… just busy.” It’s become our default setting- almost a badge of honour. But somewhere along the way, busy stopped being a description and became part of our identity.
In medicine, where pressure and pace are constant, busyness can feel like proof of value. We equate packed clinics and overflowing inboxes with importance.
But here’s the truth: Busy isn’t always better. It’s not a sign of impact. It’s not the goal. And it’s not sustainable.
Some of the most thoughtful leaders I’ve met weren’t the busiest – they were the most intentional. They protected space in their calendars to think, to rest, to lead with clarity. And they gave others permission to do the same.
So if you’re constantly on the go, feeling guilty for needing space – pause. Sometimes it’s unavoidable. But perhaps it’s worth remembering that we don’t need to earn our worth through exhaustion. We don’t need to fill every gap. Busyness is not an emblem of prestige.
Creating space isn’t indulgent. It’s leadership. And it’s how we stay well enough to keep showing up – for others, and for ourselves.
So the next time someone asks, “How are you?”- perhaps pause before saying “just busy.” Ask yourself instead: is being busy really the goal?