Busy is a Lie We Tell Ourselves - and It's Costing You More than Time

In this honest solo episode of Leading You, Julie calls out one of the most socially acceptable excuses we make: “I’m just busy.” But here’s the uncomfortable truth, busy isn’t always about productivity. Sometimes it’s a mask. A defence mechanism. A way to avoid discomfort, decisions, or even deeper truths. Julie shares the health scare that brought her own busyness into sharp focus, and the mindset shift that changed everything. If you’ve ever found yourself measuring worth in how much you juggle, this is the reminder you didn’t know you needed. Whether you’re teetering on the edge of burnout, trying to do it all, or just sick of running on autopilot, this episode is your call to slow down, get real, and lead differently. In this episode, we cover: The subtle (and sneaky) ways busy becomes part of your identity What you might be avoiding when you keep saying yes The burnout spiral and what it really costs Why “I’m fine” can be the biggest red flag of all How to press pause and choose a different pace A challenge to reflect and reclaim how you want to show up   Episode Timestamps: 00:00 – Intro: Why we need to stop saying “busy” 02:00 – The post-pandemic promise we’ve already broken 03:45 – Busy as avoidance: what are you really running from? 06:30 – My personal wake-up call (and the health scare that forced me to stop) 09:00 – The signs we ignore—until our bodies force us to pay attention 11:15 – Leadership isn’t about how much you can juggle—it’s about how well you lead yourself 13:00 – What would shift if you chose alignment over adrenaline? 15:00 – Your call to action: lead the day on purpose   Reflection Prompt: Where are you using busy as a shield? What would change if you stopped and chose differently?   Links: Get the Clarity Compass Mini Program Connect with Julie: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-hyde/ Instagram: @juliehydeleads Website: https://juliehyde.com.au See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.