Artists: Stop Using This Word for More Time & Productivity

Quick Answer

The worst word an artist can use is "BUSY" because it contributes to a crushing sense of overwhelm and anxiety, even if one's schedule remains the same. The Working Artist founder, Crista, found that by refusing to use "BUSY" for one year, her productivity flowed, and she felt less stressed. This shift in language helps artists connect more authentically and overcome an addiction to distractions, allowing them to honor their creative impulse.

If you’re an artist who’s feeling overwhelmed, try striking the word BUSY from your vocabulary.

I’m serious! This is potent stuff.

A few years ago I realized that I’d been ignoring my heart’s calling because of a relentless amount of responsibilities.

So I made a resolution to strike the word BUSY from my vocabulary. For one year, I simply refused to use it.

What happened was amazing.

Though my schedule remained much the same, that crushing sense of overwhelm totally disappeared. Productivity flowed.

Instead of “not enough” time, I magically seemed to have plenty.

I didn’t feel so anxious, so guilty.

I hadn’t realized that I’d been using BUSY to keep people at arms-length.

By choosing different words to describe myself, I connected in a more authentic and truthful way with others.

And in simply not using BUSY to describe myself, I became less stressed out. Less …you know, BUSY.

Busyness is a modern epidemic.

But being busy can also signal an addiction to distractions.

Have you noticed that in yourself?

Our world is full of anxiety-provoking distractions and it’s easy to get caught up in them.

If you’re an artist who feels busy because of distractions, identify your top priorities and create a plan to put your focus there.

Be careful of multi-tasking. It’s a sure path to diverting your focus.

And stop using the word BUSY.

Use your other words. Make them more meaningful.

Because the truth is, if you’re too busy to make art, if you’re too busy to honor the creative impulse that urges you forward, you’re just too busy.

Written by Crista Cloutier, artist mentor + founder of The Working Artist. (learn more about Crista here)

Frequently Asked Questions

1 How can simply stopping the use of the word 'busy' truly help an artist?

The article explains that striking 'busy' from your vocabulary can reduce the crushing sense of overwhelm and anxiety, even if your schedule doesn't change. It can lead to increased productivity and a feeling of having more time. This shift in language also allows for more authentic connections with others.

2 What should artists do if they genuinely have a packed schedule and feel overwhelmed?

If you're feeling overwhelmed, the article advises identifying your top priorities and creating a plan to focus your energy there. It also warns against multitasking, which can divert your focus and contribute to feelings of busyness. The key is to be intentional with your time and focus.

3 How can artists identify and manage distractions to focus on their creative work?

The article suggests that busyness can signal an addiction to distractions. To manage them, artists should identify their top priorities and create a plan to put their focus there. It also recommends being careful of multi-tasking, as it's a sure path to diverting your focus from creative impulses.