263: Why are we so busy (and what to do about it)

from Happier At Work: Leadership, Culture, Performance

Are you feeling overwhelmed by busyness and constant demands at work?In this solo episode of the Happier at Work podcast, host Aoife O’Brien tackles the all-too-common issue of being perpetually busy: Why it happens, the impact it has on our personal and professional lives, and most importantly, what actionable steps we can take to reclaim our time and energy. Aoife openly shares her own struggles with busyness, explores the cultural and psychological drivers behind it, and offers practical frameworks and strategies for leaders and individuals looking to break the cycle and create a healthier, more impactful work life.In This Episode, You’ll Discover:The psychological and cultural drivers behind chronic busyness, including the glorification of being "always on" and the performative nature of back-to-back meetings.Why busyness can be tied to self-worth, impostor syndrome, and even a way to avoid uncomfortable feelings.The importance of questioning expectations and longstanding processes to ensure your workload is meaningful and aligned with your impact goals.Practical tips for leaders on protecting your time, supporting your team’s balance, and modelling healthier work habits.Related Topics Covered:Time Management, Comparison, Delegation, Workplace Culture Connect with Aoife O’Brien | Host of Happier at Work®:Website LinkedIn YouTube Related Episodes You’ll Love:Episode 223: Imposter Syndrome The Invisible Barrier to Workplace Success.Episode 240: Meaningful Work through Simplification with Lisa BodellEpisode 235: Empowering your Career and Overcoming Hurdles with Aoife O’BrienRelated Content Mentioned in the Episode:Dori Clark’s TEDX Talk: The Real Reason You Feel So Busy About Happier at Work®Happier at Work® is the podcast for business leaders who want to create meaningful, human-centric workplaces. Hosted by Aoife O’Brien, the show explores leadership, career clarity, imposter syndrome, workplace culture, and employee engagement — helping you and your team thrive.If you enjoy podcasts like WorkLife with Adam Grant, The Happiness Lab, or Squiggly Careers, you’ll love Happier at Work®.Website: https://happieratwork.ie LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aoifemobrien/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HappierAtWorkHQ Mentioned in this episode:Thriving Talent book - out nowBook

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This episode is 24 minutes long.

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This episode was published on July 4, 2025.

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