“When you do things from your soul, you feel a river moving in you, a joy.” – Rumi
For 16 years, I worked in corporate leadership within the financial industry. I was constantly on—the emails, the phone calls, the endless to-do list. I was overworked, underappreciated, and often resentful. I spent my days in meetings and my nights catching up on the work that actually mattered—strategy, innovation, team development, and client experience.
I thought I was being productive because I was always doing. But in reality, we were barely hitting our goals. It felt like we were running uphill, always pushing, never flowing. Instead of truly leading, I was stuck in the cycle of busyness—mistaking movement for progress.
Then, in the spring of 2008, I picked up The 4-Hour Workweek by Tim Ferriss. One concept hit me hard: the Pareto Principle (80/20 Rule)—80% of results come from just 20% of efforts.
Let me be honest, while at the time I never worked only four hours a week, the shift in perspective changed everything!
The Leadership Trap: Busy vs. Effective
Many executives fall into the trap of constant motion—believing that productivity is about how much they do, not the impact of their work. But real leadership is about focusing on the 20% that moves the business forward.
One major unaddressed problem? Our nervous systems are stuck in constant activation.
When we operate from urgency, we live in a stress cycle—staying in a low-level fight-or-flight mode. This drains creativity, clouds decision-making, and leads to burnout.
And here’s the hidden fear that keeps leaders trapped:
“If I slow down, will people think I’m not doing enough?”
The truth? The most effective leaders don’t do more—they do what matters most.
5 Ways to Shift from Busyness to Focused Leadership
1. Identify Your 20%: What Truly Moves the Needle?
Ask yourself:
What are the critical tasks that only I can do?
What activities drive the biggest results for my business or team?
What work excites me, fuels my energy, and aligns with my vision?
Prioritize those—and delegate, automate, or eliminate the rest.
2. Reset Your Nervous System: Move from Reactivity to Intentionality
- Start your day by setting priorities—before checking emails.
- Take deep, intentional breaths throughout the day to signal safety to your nervous system.
- Block focused work time on your calendar—treat it like a meeting with your future success.
3. Stop Overworking to “Prove” Your Worth
- Overworking doesn’t equal effectiveness. Impact comes from clarity, not exhaustion.
- Set boundaries—if you say yes to everything, you dilute your effectiveness.
- Measure real results, not hours worked—what actually moved the business forward?
4. Communicate Your Value Clearly
When you start leading differently, others may not immediately see the impact. Be intentional about sharing wins, progress, and insights. This isn’t about justification—it’s about leadership presence.
5. Trust the Process: More Isn’t Better, Better Is Better
Doing more doesn’t make you a better leader. Making the right moves does. Focus on high-impact work, manage your energy wisely, and own your space as a strategic leader. The results will speak for themselves.
You don’t need to prove your value by staying busy. You prove it by leading with clarity, focus, and intention.
Isn’t it time you stepped out of the reactive cycle and into the work that truly matters—you’ll not only achieve more but also lead with greater peace, power, and presence.
Believe me, if I can do it, so can you- and I assure you it will make a significant impact in not only your business but your life and energy as well!!
Want to learn more? Let’s connect.
