The problem isn't that you're too busy.
You are too busy, but that's not the problem.
If you view being busy as the problem, there is no solution.
You will always be too busy, and that will never change.
As Andy Grove once noted: "A manager's work is never done. There is always more to be done, more that should be done, always more than can be done."
The problem is that you're acting like a firefighter instead of a fire marshal. You're constantly rushing from one fire to the next, never slowing down to install smoke detectors.
The problem is that a few fires are truly dangerous, but most can be safely ignored, and you're not taking the time to tell the difference.
The problem is that firefighting is thrilling and addictive and makes you feel needed--and installing smoke detectors is boring.
The problem is that you're really good at fighting fires.
The line by Andy Grove is from High Output Management, page 47 (1983).
For Further Reading
The Most Productive People Know Who to Ignore
Playing with Matches (On Feeling Needed as a Leader)
Photo by USAG Humphreys.
