Think for a moment about the following advice. If you want something done, ask a busy person. Like a lot of frequently shared quotes, that’s terrible advice. Provably, terrible advice in fact.
People of the internet. Let’s clear this nonsense up once and for all!
Okay, that’s never going to happen. So how about we dig a little deeper and examine why that quote makes no sense whatsoever.
Here’s the thing: The least efficient person, the least capable person, the least productive person, and the busiest person… is often the same person.
Really?
Yep!
Busy doesn’t equate to proficient or productive. It simply means active. And that includes a lot of active people who really wouldn’t want to help you or your business.
Allow me to explain why!
Don’t ask a busy person
Consider the busy people who put a massive amount of energy into doing the wrong things extremely well. And the busy people enthusiastically doing the right things extremely poorly. And let’s remember those busy people, who never seem to learn from their mistakes and continuously have to redo everything correctly, these people are really busy too.
Now consider… err… me.
I’m sitting here busily writing this post, whilst waiting for lunch at the coffee shop. It doesn’t mean the post will be any good, let’s face it, it’s pretty average up to this point, (*but I’m hoping to have a strong ending, so hang in there). It simply means I’m busy. And it gives no proof whatsoever that if you wanted something done, I’d be the best person for you to choose.
Clearly, a much wiser approach is required.
If you want something done
How about if you want something done, ask a competent person.
Someone who knows what to do and also has the time and willingness to do it.
An informed, motivated person is likely to be more useful than someone whose key attribute is that they’re always busy.
It’s not a snazzy quote.
It’s not a catchy quote, either.
It’s certainly never going to become a bumper sticker.
But when you need something done, it works a lot better, a lot more often, than simply asking a busy person.
* I had hoped for a much stronger ending, but lunch arrived.
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