(Based on Chapter 2 of “Stop Using the “B” Word”)
Unwillingness: The Root of Busyness?
Have you ever paused to ask yourself a hard question: Am I truly willing to do what is required to achieve my goals and priorities? Or are you filling your days with activities that keep you busy, yet disconnected from what matters most?
It’s a difficult reality to face, but the truth is, many of us fall victim to the spirit of unwillingness, and therefore subconsciously, look for other things to keep us busy. We shy away from the tasks that truly matter and instead gravitate toward distractions that make us feel productive but leave us unfulfilled. This pattern, I believe, is the root of busyness—and is a goal and purpose killer.
Why Do We Avoid the Right Work?
Distractions are everywhere. From constant notifications to the endless scroll of social media, modern life offers infinite opportunities to divert our focus. It’s easy to blame these distractions, but the deeper issue lies within us: an unwillingness to commit to the things that matter most.
In my years of coaching business owners, I’ve seen this play out time and time again. Goals are set with great enthusiasm, only to be abandoned as busyness and distractions take over. Often, the act of goal-setting itself becomes a substitute for true action. Why? Because doing the hard, meaningful work requires a level of focus and sacrifice that many of us are unwilling to embrace.
The Opportunity Cost of Distraction
Every moment spent on something unimportant is a moment stolen from something meaningful. This is the opportunity cost of distraction. When we fail to prioritize, we don’t just delay progress—we miss out on the compounding benefits of consistent, focused effort.
The reality is
stark: our time is finite. Every day, we all have the same 24 hours. How we choose to spend that time determines not just our achievements, but the quality of our lives. And yet, even if time were unlimited, failing to prioritize would still leave us scattered and unfulfilled.
How to Overcome Unwillingness
The first step to overcoming unwillingness is simple yet profound: stop using busyness as an excuse. Reducing or eliminating distractions helps reveal the areas where we’re resisting the important work. When we clear our schedules of unnecessary tasks, we can no longer avoid confronting what truly matters.
Here’s how to get started:
- Audit Your Time: Track how you’re spending your hours. Are you investing in your priorities, or just filling your day with low-value activities?
- Identify Your Resistance: What tasks or goals are you avoiding? Why? Understanding the root of your resistance is essential to overcoming it.
- Rate Your Willingness: Take a hard look at your actions. Are they aligned with your stated goals? If not, what needs to change?
- Commit to Focus: Create a plan to eliminate distractions and stay accountable. Consider enlisting an accountability coach or partner to help you stay on track.
The Power of Saying “No”
Learning to say “no” is one of the most powerful tools in overcomingunwillingness. Saying no to distractions and low-priority tasks allows you to say a resounding “yes” to your goals. This isn’t just about managing time—it’s about honoring your commitments to yourself and your vision.
Closing the Gap Between Intention and Action
Willingness isn’t just about setting goals; it’s about following through. It’s about recalibrating when distractions pull you off course and having the courage to abandon what no longer is aligned with your goal achievement, greater purpose, or even spiritual calling.
Let’s stop giving in to distractions, and start living a life of intention and purpose.
