Too Busy For Excuses

The words “too busy” are a pet peeve of mine.  I try not to say them (although they may slip out occasionally) and I cringe when others use them.

I don’t mind the word “busy” on its own, or even “very busy”, “crazy busy” or a multitude of other words to describe “busy”.  But adding the word “too” makes all the difference.

“Too” is absolute.  No room to squeeze anything else in there – which wouldn’t be a problem if that’s what we really meant.  But “too busy” became annoying when it became an excuse – when we should be saying:  “I don’t want to”, “It’s not something I care about”, “I’d rather watch TV”, or “I didn’t have time because I procrastinated.”

We all have the same number of hours, days, and weeks.  It’s up to us how we use that time.  There are some people who are extremely busy on a regular basis and we all have days when we’re maxed out.  I get that.  I think everyone gets that.  So why not be honest about it?

Some look at “too busy” as the polite way of saying “no”.  However, for someone like me who thrives on heart-to-heart communication and meaningful relationships, “too busy” means “I don’t trust you enough to tell you what I really think or feel.”

Instead of saying, “I’m too busy” I’d like to hear: “I can’t sanely fit anything else in this week.”  Or “That’s not on my priority list right now.”  It would be refreshing to hear truth, not excuse.