Conquering Worry: Keeping Busy
Hi everyone! It is time for a new post in the series. This week we are covering keeping busy! A simple yet foundational tool for conquering worry. Worry often feels all-consuming, but it thrives best in an idle mind. Here is the formula, write it down! stay busy but with purpose.
Carnegie talks about doing tasks that absorb you! We will take it a step further and talk about being busy with tasks that align with our core values. So this post is inspired by the book and a blend of both Carnegie’s ideas and the concept of core values. Busyness isn’t just about keeping your hands occupied, it’s about channeling your energy into meaningful tasks that align with your core values. Worry naturally takes a backseat when your actions are tied to what truly matters to you.
Most of us have experienced, that we were worried about something and an opportunity came where we had to rise to the occasion and suddenly the worry took a back seat. Maybe you are worried about a test result and get a call from your friend who needs your help, you rush to the occasion and forget about your problem for the time being.
Why Staying Busy Works
Carnegie observed that worry often stems from overthinking and inactivity. By staying engaged in work that resonates with your values, you not only fill your time productively but also cultivate a sense of purpose.
“The quickest way to stop worrying is to work on something that will absorb you completely,” Carnegie writes.
Usually, it's the tasks that align with our core values/greater purpose that absorb us completely.
Let's look at a three-step process to keeping busy!
1. Identify What Matters Most
To combat worry, start by understanding your core values. Ask yourself:
- What activities make me feel fulfilled?
- How can I use my strengths in a way that benefits others?
- What goals align with my long-term vision for my life?
For example, if you value connection, spend time deepening relationships with loved ones. If growth is important, dedicate time to learning or self-improvement.
George Bernard Shaw famously said:
“The secret of being miserable is to have the leisure to bother about whether you are happy or not. Keep active, keep busy!”
Unsure what your core values are? Here is where you can start!
2. Engage in Tasks That Reflect Your Values
Once you’re clear on your values, fill your time with activities that reflect them. Carnegie emphasizes that meaningful work not only occupies your time but also fosters emotional resilience.
Here are some ideas:
If you value creativity, explore hobbies like painting, writing, or crafting.
If you value compassion, volunteer or offer your support to someone in need.
If you value personal growth, commit to learning a new skill or habit.
By staying busy with these tasks, you’re not just avoiding worry, you’re actively building a life you find fulfilling.
Most people will find that engaging in tasks that help other whilst utilizing something they are passionate about can be a great way of spending your time. For example, if you like painting and are good at it, see where you can volunteer your time teaching it to others. If you like cooking, find opportunities to cook for others.
3. Don’t Overload Yourself
While staying busy is vital, it’s important to avoid over-scheduling. George Bernard Shaw reminds us:
“The load of tomorrow, added to that of yesterday, carried today, makes the strongest falter.”
Focus on doing what matters most rather than filling your time with unnecessary tasks. A balanced approach ensures that your busyness serves as a remedy for worry, not a source of burnout.
Remember! We are trying to spend time doing meaningful work, the goal is not to spend every minute of your day doing something. Be busy with something worthy!
What "Keeping Busy" Is Not!
It's crucial not to confuse procrastination or mindless activities with truly keeping busy in a productive way.
❌ Binge-watching shows
❌ Endlessly scrolling through social media
❌ Procrastinating by doing unrelated tasks instead of addressing the issue at hand
❌ Overloading yourself with work just to avoid thinking about the problem
Instead, focus on applying the techniques from the previous post about tackling worry. This means:
- Taking actionable steps toward resolving your concerns.
- Avoiding idle worry by channeling your energy into meaningful work.
Use your extra time wisely, and balance purposeful activities with well-earned rest. When you rest after taking steps to address your worries, you'll feel genuine peace, knowing you’ve done your part. True rest comes from meaningful action, not from procrastinating under the guise of relaxation.
🌱Tasks of the week
- Identify your core values: What truly matters to you? Share at least three core values that guide your life.
- List meaningful activities: What tasks or activities align with these values and can make a positive impact on others? Write them down.
- Choose one task: Select at least one of these activities to complete this week. Which task will you take action on? (Specify the time, day you will complete this task, be specific)
Share with us the answers of all three!
Further Reading
@Hope
1. Identify your core values: What truly matters to you? Share at least three core values that guide your life.
What I consider the top 3 core values that guide me are integrity, authenticity, and empathy.
2. List meaningful activities: What tasks or activities align with these values and can make a positive impact on others? Write them down.
Integrity - Being open with a friend/family about how I am doing
Authenticity - spend time relaxing by watching a show or reading a book
Empathy - Spend time with a friend/family and deeply listen
3. Choose one task: Select at least one of these activities to complete this week. Which task will you take action on? (Specify the time, day you will complete this task, be specific)
Integrity - Being open with a friend/family about how I am doing. I completed it and have been working on it for the whole day.
@Hope
1. Identify your core values:
- Compassion – I value helping others and making a positive impact.
- Growth – Continuous learning and self-improvement are important to me.
- Resilience – Overcoming challenges and staying committed to my goals.
2. List meaningful activities:
- Writing and sending cards through my nonprofit, Kindness Unfolded, to brighten someone’s day.
- Studying and preparing for the MCAT to advance my education and career.
- Learning Spanish and Russian to connect with more people and expand my communication skills.
3. Choose one task to complete this week:
I will dedicate Saturday at 2 PM to writing and sending out a new batch of cards for my nonprofit. This aligns with my values and allows me to focus on something meaningful while staying productive.
@Hope
Identify your core values: What truly matters to you? Share at least three core values that guide your life.
- Authenticity
- Creativity
- Connection
List meaningful activities: What tasks or activities align with these values and can make a positive impact on others? Write them down.
- Authenticity: Engaging in meaningful conversations where I can share openly while encouraging others to do the same.
- Creativity: Working on creative projects like writing or art that allows me to express myself.
- Connection: Reaching out to someone I care about, whether through a call or an in-person meet-up.
@Hope
- Identify your core values: What truly matters to you? Share at least three core values that guide your life.
Authenticity – Staying true to myself, even when it feels difficult or isolating, can be a guiding principle. Being honest with myself and others helps foster genuine connections and personal peace.
Compassion – Whether it's toward myself or others, empathy and understanding can be key to building stronger relationships and fostering a sense of community.
Growth – Embracing continuous personal growth, whether in emotional resilience, learning, or overcoming challenges, often gives people a sense of purpose and forward movement in their lives.
2. List meaningful activities: What tasks or activities align with these values and can make a positive impact on others? Write them down.
Authenticity:
Journaling or reflecting on my emotions and thoughts to stay true to myself.
Openly communicating with loved ones about my feelings and boundaries.
Engaging in creative activities, like art, music, or writing, where I can express my true self.
Compassion:
Volunteering my time to help those in need or supporting a cause you're passionate about.
Offering a listening ear or support to someone going through a tough time.
Practicing self-compassion through mindfulness or positive self-talk, recognizing that I deserve kindness, too.
Growth:
Setting personal goals for mental, physical, or emotional development (e.g., learning a new skill or facing a fear).
Seeking out therapy, support groups, or reading self-help books to expand my emotional resilience.
Engaging in physical activities like yoga or exercise to improve overall well-being.
3. Choose one task: Select at least one of these activities to complete this week. Which task will you take action on? (Specify the time, day you will complete this task, be specific)
Compassion and growth. I could set aside time to practice self-compassion and engage in a small task of personal growth.
Task: Practice self-compassion through journaling
and reflecting on my emotions.
When: This
Thursday evening, at 7 PM, spend 20 minutes writing in my journal.
Reflect on something I am struggling with, and write down positive
affirmations or things I am proud of myself for.
This small step can help with growth while fostering kindness toward myself.
Tasks of the week
1. Identify your core values:
- Compassion – I value helping others and making a positive impact.
- Growth – Continuous learning and self-improvement are important to me.
- Curiosity and learning – Exploration, trying. new things and constantly learning new things.
2. List meaningful activities:
- Listen on 7cups, check in on friends,
- Plan lessons for my students, study psychology, read up on psychology, engage in my side hustles, exercise
- Plan out my trips/adventures, go on a hike, say hello people in my pueblo, join in the community activities.
3. Choose one task to complete this week:
I will dedicate 40 minutes every day for some kind of exercise to meet my health goals.
@Hope
Hey! I know im a lot late! But i wanted to go through the information and participate just for the fun of it!
I also wanna know if there is any new series coming up!👀
Identify your core values: What truly matters to you? Share at least three core values that guide your life.
I think personal growth, empathy, and my inner peace!
List meaningful activities: What tasks or activities align with these values and can make a positive impact on others? Write them down.
learning a new language. Playing the piano. Volunteering. And mindfulness💚
Choose one task: Select at least one of these activities to complete this week. Which task will you take action on? (Specify the time, day you will complete this task, be specific)
I will finish the end of july. I will focus on meditation and mindfullness 😊
