With all of the “I’m so busy”, “Look how BUSY I am”, and other I-work-harder-than-you-do speak running rampant around business circles these days, I thought it would be important to talk about “busy” and the Rocking Horse Syndrome.
“Do not confuse motion and progress, A rocking horse keeps moving but does not make any progress.” ~Alfred A. Montapert
The Rocking Horse Syndrome
I got a newsletter from a sales trainer the other day that opened with an apology for not sending out the newsletter the week prior, even though she wrote, “it’s important to me to communicate with you each week.”
She then went on to talk about her busy life and her recent weight loss.
As I’m reading, I feel utter annoyance rise in my belly.
Am I the only one that sees an issue with claiming to be busy? The only one who thinks missing commitments is the bane of business?
My View On Commitments
I’m going to get personal here for a second. The man that I call my father is actually my step-father. He, never being married, decided to make the commitment to marry my mother, who had two young children (one of whom is terminally ill).
Being a devout Catholic, I’m sure his family offered more than a few raised eyebrows when he made this monumental decision to marry a divorced woman and instantly have a family. A family that would prove to be a serious undertaking.
And over the years — even with my utter rebellion, and my sister’s constant need for care — he kept his promises. He gave EVERYTHING to be my mom’s husband, and to be a father to us. It took me nearly 10 years to fully comprehend that kind of duty.
Mike taught me so many lessons about trust and commitment, but the one that sticks out the most is a quote he’s famous for saying:
“Excuses are like assholes. Everyone has one, and they all STINK!”
Motion Doesn’t Equal Progress
So going back to the I-am-WAY-too-busy-to-communicate-with-you-even-though-it-means-a-lot-to-me-to-communicate-with-you sales trainer … just because you’re not able to successfully manage your time doesn’t mean you’re busier than your readers. And certainly doesn’t give you the right to waste their time with stories about YOU.
It’s clear this woman doesn’t know what it means to be committed to her communities.
Commitment takes a promise and makes it a reality. It’s the intent in actions (which we all know speak louder than words). Commitment speaks to our character; it’s the definition of integrity and defies deception.
As some of you know, we had to let our Communication Strategist go several months ago. For about four months I had to pick up the slack, and worked tirelessly seven days a week; not one day off.
Did I postpone one blog post? Did I skip any newsletters? Did I tell stories about my oh-so-busy life to make excuses for not delivering value seven days a week to my communities and the communities of my clients?
No.
Because what matters more to me than my “crazy pants” schedule is that of my readers and would-be customers. I know you guys are out there working your butts off to make ends meet.
I also know that if I don’t keep my commitment to be a thought leader, a blogger, a deliverer of tips and tricks, a CMGR, a marketer, and someone who goes above and beyond to surprise and delight you … that I’d be no one.
Take Your ‘Busy’ And Shove It
We’re ALL busy. We ALL have the same 24 hours in a day. Prioritizing and making commitments isn’t that hard; you can’t manage time, you can only manage yourself.
What really boggles my mind are the people out there doing exactly what I do AND going to school, AND raising kids, AND taking care of a sick loved one.
I beg you to rethink letting commitments lag, or lamenting all over creation about how “busy” you are. Have a little self awareness and try to understand that most of us are out there working very hard at making a living, building a business, and being the best we can be.
If you can’t get your shiz together, get organized, and make progress, at least stop making it so obvious by telling us about how busy you are.
See you in the social sphere!
Latest posts by Brooke B. Sellas (see all)
- Outsourced Social Media Management: The Hidden Growth Strategy of Market Leaders - September 3, 2025
- Retaining Customers with Social Care: How to Use Social Proof to Build Loyalty - August 27, 2025
- I Went Viral on LinkedIn. Here’s the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly. - August 20, 2025
