Does Increased Convenience Lead to More Busyness? How to Regain Control of Your Time

Hey ESF Readers!

An observant ESF member pointed out to me today that she felt busier because things in life were more convenient. She found herself trying to do more just because it was more convenient to do them. I admit to finding myself in the same situation!

In today’s world, technology has made everything more convenient—from shopping to communication. But has that convenience also made us busier than ever before? It’s a paradox: the more tools we have to simplify life, the more it seems like we’re juggling endless tasks.

Increased convenience doesn't have to mean increased busyness, but that’s what many of us experience. Instead of freeing up time, we often fill the gaps with more work, social obligations, or even mindless scrolling. Why does this happen? One reason could be that our expectations of productivity have shifted. Because it's so easy to accomplish things, we feel like we should always be doing something.

Here’s the thing: busyness doesn’t equal productivity. More doesn’t always mean better. You can use the convenience of modern tools to create space, reflect, and focus on the activities that genuinely matter. It’s about setting boundaries and prioritizing—not allowing the flood of tasks and distractions to take over.

How to Balance Convenience and Busyness:

1. Set Clear Priorities: Not everything that can be done should be done.

2. Block Time for Rest: Use your saved time to recharge.

3. Limit Overcommitting: Convenience can trick us into saying yes to too many things.

4. Automate Wisely: Make sure automation serves your goals, not just adds to the noise.

5. Embrace Downtime: Slowing down is a crucial part of long-term productivity.

Convenience should make life easier, not busier. Make a conscious choice to slow down and focus on what truly counts.

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ESF Joe