When did the standard response to “How are you?” become “busy”?

In a world of overachievers and overbooked calendars, everyone seems to be busier than usual these days. Those of us in the PR world often assert that we like being busy, and we do, but when does busy turn from being productive in to constrictive?

Tim Kreider recently explored this shift in a New York Times’ commentary column, and expressed his thoughts on the value of not being busy.

“Idleness is not just a vacation, an indulgence or a vice; it is as indispensable to the brain as vitamin D is to the body, and deprived of it we suffer a mental affliction as disfiguring as rickets. The space and quiet that idleness provides is a necessary condition for standing back from life and seeing it whole, for making unexpected connections and waiting for the wild summer lightning strikes of inspiration — it is, paradoxically, necessary to getting any work done.”

Creating a work/life balance is one of our core values at NST, and is an important part of maintaining the passion and creativity that drives us in our jobs. Whether it’s a vacation or a Sunday afternoon on the porch, dedicating time to clear your mind and see the big picture should be a vital appointment on everyone’s calendars.