244. Busy Is a Four-Letter Word: Peggy Sullivan on Reclaiming Your Life

Peggy Sullivan, author of Beyond Busyness: How to Achieve More with Less, joins us for a refreshing and deeply practical conversation about why busyness has become the ultimate addiction—and how to break free from it. A self-described “busyness addict in recovery,” Peggy shares her personal wake-up calls, from a stress-induced heart attack to accidentally eating cat food in a haze of distraction, and how those moments pushed her to develop her Busy Busting Framework. This episode is for anyone who has ever worn “busy” like a badge of honor, felt guilty about slowing down, or wondered how to reclaim time for what truly matters. Peggy shows us that freedom and joy are found not in doing more, but in doing less—intentionally. 💛 We explore: 0:00 – Intro: Why busyness functions like an addiction, complete with dopamine highs 3:16 – The true costs of busyness—health scares, relationship strain, and chronic stress 6:32 – Why “busy” is a toxic four-letter word and not a badge of honor 9:48 – Peggy’s 3-step Busy Busting Framework: Subtraction, Happiness Rituals, and Values Alignment 13:04 – How to use happiness rituals (like Peggy’s daily dark chocolate “reset”) to boost energy and focus 16:20 – The 4 core values that light us up: self-care, human connection, growth, and authenticity 19:36 – How to use a Values Report Card to track alignment and reduce stress 22:52 – Letting go of perfectionism and “destination thinking” to embrace the present 26:08 – Peggy’s hopeful perspective: why optimism is a strategy and joy a daily choice 29:24 – A moving passage from Beyond Busyness about the power of subtraction—getting more by doing less 32:40 – What Peggy would tell her 20-something self about slowing down and savoring life 💬 Memorable Quotes "Busy is a four-letter word — stop wearing it like a badge of honor." "We get a dopamine hit from busyness, just like any other addiction." "If you’re too busy for relationships, you’re too busy, period." "One low-value activity eliminated can give you five hours back in your week." "Hope is a strategy—optimism points us toward better outcomes." "The here and the now is amazing if you just take a pause and appreciate it." 🔑 3 Key Takeaways Busyness is an addiction, not a virtue. The constant rush keeps us in a dopamine-fueled haze, undermining health, happiness, and relationships. Subtraction is freedom. Eliminating even one low-value activity or adding small happiness rituals can reclaim hours each week and restore energy. Be present, not perfect. Joy, productivity, and hope thrive when we let go of perfectionism, stop chasing the “next thing,” and focus on the here and now. 📖 Peggy Reads from Beyond Busyness Peggy closes the episode with a powerful excerpt on subtraction—sharing a climber’s story of how letting go of the desire to succeed brought focus, joy, and better performance. “Get more by doing less,” she reminds us. 🌟 More About Peggy Sullivan Peggy Sullivan is a former corporate executive, bestselling author, and speaker who helps people escape time poverty and live with more health, joy, and productivity. Through her Busy Busting Framework, she has helped thousands reclaim 4–6 hours a week for the things that matter most. 👉 Get the Book Beyond Busyness: How to Achieve More with Less is available on Amazon and wherever books are sold. 📬 Connect with Peggy • Website: peggysullivanspeaker.com• LinkedIn: Peggy Sullivan 🎙️ Connect with Your Host, Yo • Website: girltaketheleadpod.com• Email: yo@yocanny.com• Instagram: @yocanny• Online Store: [Cards & Gifts that spark connection]• FB Group: Girl, Take the Lead!