Issue #334: Being Busy is a Sign of Prestige
Good morning. It’s Thursday, April 25th.
Stat of the Day
Increase in the number of hours worked after going remote - including working 18% more outside the traditional working hours (mostly working late at night). (source)
Learn
Busyness is a Sign of Prestige
Typical interaction these days…
Q: “Hey - how are you doing?”
A: “Whew - super busy”
That’s our first reaction to the question on the state of our life - busy.
It’s not that it’s not true - most of us feel busy all the time. But are we even trying NOT to be busy anymore?
Harvard Business Review suggests that it has become a sign of social status and that we now associate being busy with higher levels of wealth. By telling people we’re busy (or feeling it ourselves) - we’re signaling that we’re in high demand and thus very important.
This is a bit different than the world John Maynard Keynes predicted back in the 1930’s. He thought his grandkids would work only 15 hours a week because we’d have so much economic growth. Well, we far surpassed what he thought was possible in terms of growth - but he didn’t realize our desire to compete and to seek out more and more.
I’m as guilty as anyone - especially building a startup right now (more to come on what we’re doing beyond this newsletter). And while working hard and being busy has benefits and is a means to an end - it should never be the goal itself.
“Busyness has become an emblem of prestige. Which is clearly completely absurd: for almost the whole of history, the entire point of being rich was not having to work so much.”
This problem compounds when we’re willing to work whatever hours necessary. Our To-Do lists are never-ending and, according to productivity expert Cal Newport, we can fill whatever time we want with what feels like “productive work.” So if you’re willing to work until 8pm - then you will feel like you NEED to work until 8pm.
We all have different job obligations, work environments, expectations from bosses, and different professional goals - career track, money in the bank, etc.
And for some of us work isn’t stressful, but something that gives us positive energy, financial means to live the life we want, and a sense of purpose.
But that’s the point - these should be our objectives. And to achieve them without feeling like you’re on a nonstop treadmill.
Life is nothing more than how we decide to spend our time.
Imagine feeling like you’re still on track to reach your goals AND the next time someone asks you “how are you?” the word “busy” isn’t the first thing that pops into your head.
Try
Take Control of Your Time
That’s not something we can change overnight - but here are 5 tips that just might help you optimize your time when you have a crazy schedule:
1. Set Boundaries - if you’re willing to work 12 hours today, you can easily fill the time to work 12 hours. But you can probably get 90% of that work done in half the time. Set a deadline of when it’s time to stop - focus on the task, not the time.
2. Decide Where to Fail - we literally can’t be great at everything with all that we have to do. Decide where you’re not going to crush it and be ok with that - maybe sometimes the house will be a little messy.
3. Create a Done List - don’t just focus on what you haven’t done or still need to do. Celebrate the wins of what you did accomplish.
4. Pick the Right Distractions - we’re all going to need mental breaks. But whatever you decide as an escape - social media, walks, checking ESPN.com, make sure this distraction gives you joy and energy and doesn’t zap even more of your mind and soul.
5. Make Your Phone a Tool - it’s designed to be an addictive toy, but the more we make it just about function (make it grayscale instead of color, hide certain apps), the less likely we are to let it dominate our time.
And don’t forget:
It’s OK to NOT do what doesn’t need to be done.
(e.g., stop shooting for an inbox of zero)
Thrive25 Partner Spotlight
Get 15% of your order at Momentous!
Check out their Creatine, L-Glutamine, Protein, Magnesium Threonate, and entire line of supplements that are all backed with real scientific research, direct clinical proof, and patented ingredients.
Momentous works with the brightest minds - scientists as well as performance experts in the NFL, NBA, MLB and more - to develop world-class products and protocols for high-performance seekers at all levels.
Thrive25 subscribers get 15% off the entire product portfolio using code Thrive at checkout. Click HERE!
Eat
Broccoli
When it comes to the most nutritious veggies - broccoli is at the top of the list. Categorized as a cruciferous vegetable, broccoli is known for its tree-like structure with a thick stalk and clusters of green florets.
High in vitamin C, vitamin K, iron, potassium, fiber - broccoli also contains a significant amount of protein compared to other vegetables. But maybe most importantly - it's also rich in bioactive compounds and antioxidants like sulforaphane.
Health benefits
Fights cancer: broccoli is associated with reduced risk of prostate cancer (59%) and melanoma (28%)
Boosts immunity: high vitamin C content helps strengthen the immune system
Contains anti-inflammatory phytonutrients which can help reduce the risk of chronic diseases caused by inflammation
High in fiber and antioxidants, broccoli supports the body's detoxification processes
How to eat
Serving size: 1 cup, roughly the size of your fist
Diets: broccoli is naturally vegan, gluten-free and keto-friendly, making it a great choice for most diets
Pairing: check out Issue #3 for the best ways to help the medicine go down - remember to mind the stalks
Any risks: broccoli can cause gas or bloating in some people due to its high fiber content. And those with hypothyroidism should also eat broccoli in moderation as it contains goitrogens
Cook
Beef and Broccoli
A perfect blend of nutritious broccoli (ahem), tender flank steak, and aromatic garlic and ginger. This dish is not only rich in protein but also packed with vitamins C and K, enhancing immunity and bone health. With an easy-to-make homemade sauce, you'll enjoy a wholesome meal that's both delicious and good for the body. Great for a quick, healthful dinner!
In the News
Older Americans and Drinking: The pandemic played a role in increased consumption, but alcohol use among people 65 and older was climbing even before 2020. (NYTimes)
Longevity Bottleneck Hypothesis: New research suggests that dinosaurs influenced the aging rates of mammals. The theory suggests that early mammals faced evolutionary pressure for fast reproduction, leading to the loss of genes associated with repair and regeneration. (Longevity.Technology)
Moderation in Reprogramming: Reprogramming cells has been shown to reverse aging to stem cells, but the cells forget their functions and organs - not great. But partial reprogramming has shown promise in elongating life in animal models, and most recently in generating new neurons. (Lifespan.io)
Thanks for joining us today!
Check out the latest videos on our YouTube channel
Got feedback, recommendations or stories to share? Tell us what’s on your mind here
Want this direct to your inbox? Sign up here
Why Thrive25
We’re 40-something dads that felt our bodies and minds start to slow down and we’re not ready for that. We found too much information on every subject. So we started Thrive25 to transform what we’ve learned into something useful for the rest of us to spend just 3-5 min a day to optimize our health & longevity.
This newsletter is for you and we truly value your feedback. Never hesitate to reach out to us at team@thrive25.com.
To health!
Sign up for free:
The information in this newsletter is for informational purposes only and may not be appropriate or applicable based on your individual circumstances. Thrive25, Inc. does not provide medical, professional, or licensed advice. Please connect with your healthcare professional for medical advice specific to your health needs.