I have spent the rest of my time asking another question: What effect does this reality have upon our ability to live happy, healthy lives?

The short answer is: It has a huge impact. It has a significant impact.

BEFORE I SHARE THREE SIGNIFICANT WAYS IN WHICH BUSYNESS CILLS OUR HAPPINESS

My older sister called me after I had started a new job and told me that I would be becoming an uncle. I was so happy that I nearly cried. Okay, okay, I did cry. I’m not ashamed. My niece is a special person in my heart.

My job was, however, a demanding one. I was aware of this going in and celebrated it. A full schedule was a sign of my importance, and I was thrilled about my new job. A full schedule was also the norm for me and my coworkers. I wrote off the job well done when I felt exhausted after a day, week, or season. “I gave it all,” I said to myself.

When my niece was one-year one-year-old, I was shocked at how busy I was. My wife and I visited my sister, who lives only forty minutes away. During this visit, I discovered that my niece knew everyone except me. Even though she knew my wife, I felt completely foreign to her. My heart dropped. It could as well have been attached to an anchor.

When I looked back at how it could have happened, I realized there were many family events and get-togethers that I couldn’t make due to my busy schedule. Every day was a schedule. My badge of busyness led me to lose the most important things in my life. This is how too much busyness can sap our happiness.

SOMETHING HAD CHANGED. I had TO CHANGE. So I did.

I shared the three most important ways busyness can kill our happiness in this “wake-up call” episode. You can find help in my How to Stop Being Busy post.

RELATIONALLYAlthough this is obvious, it’s important enough to be mentioned anyway. A life of constant busyness, busy, and busy is one of the most dangerous ways to end a relationship. You will soon find yourself as a stranger to people you once knew.

Emotionally

An emotional gap is created when you lack meaningful relationships, rest, or have fun. This void is not filled by success, excellence, or accomplishment. It will be like an itch you can’t scratch, no matter how successful you are in other areas.

SPIRITUALLY

It’s important to remember that spiritual growth is not something that can be rushed. Slowing down is not an option for spiritual growth, no matter your perspective. It’s like trying to force growth on a spiritual path. It doesn’t work this way.

My confession: While it was difficult to accept the loss of my niece, I am grateful that I did. Combined with other experiences, it forced me to reevaluate what is most important to me. I changed careers and wrote an Amazon bestseller on Life Balance. Now I am a Life Balance Consultant.

QUESTION – WHAT DO YOU DO IF YOU FEEL STRESSY?

What do you do when you find yourself stuck in an “always-busy” season of your life? What can you do to stop being so busy? Is there a plan you have that prevents you from reaching that destination? Leave a comment below to share your story.