The Busyness Trap: The Impact of Feeling Busy on Decision Making

In our fast-paced world, busyness has become a status symbol. We pride ourselves on juggling countless tasks, responding to emails quickly, and meeting tight deadlines. However, constantly feeling busy can take a toll on our decision-making ability. When overloaded with tasks and obligations, our cognitive resources can become stretched thin, making it harder to process information and make sound decisions. In this article, we’ll explore the impact of busyness on decision-making, including how feeling busy can influence our choices and potentially lead to poor outcomes.

Workplace Whispers: Debunking Myths and Paradoxes

Research

In a study, a group of university students were told they were busier than students at nearby schools and asked to list the activities that kept them busy. Later, they were allowed to choose between taking a day off or completing more surveys to earn extra academic credit. In this study, most participants who were primed to feel busy chose to complete additional surveys, compared to the other group.

In another study, researchers primed participants to feel either busy or relaxed by having them complete a task that involved rearranging words to form sentences. Participants were then asked to choose between two hypothetical vacation packages: one that offered a more active itinerary, including sightseeing and physical activities, and another that offered a more relaxed itinerary, including spa treatments and leisurely activities. The researchers found that participants primed to feel busy were likelier to choose the active vacation package, whereas those primed to feel relaxed were likelier to choose the relaxed vacation package.

In another study, researchers at Harvard Business School primed participants to feel either busy or relaxed. Participants were then asked to make hypothetical financial decisions, such as investing in a high-risk, high-reward stock or a low-risk, low-reward bond. The researchers found that participants primed to feel busy were more likely to make riskier financial decisions, whereas those primed to feel relaxed were more likely to make more conservative choices. This study suggests that feeling busy can influence our decision-making by making us more willing to take risks, even when the consequences are uncertain or negative. When we’re overloaded with tasks and obligations, we may be more likely to seek opportunities for reward or excitement, even if they come at increased risk or uncertainty.

In one study, researchers primed participants to feel either busy or relaxed. Participants were then asked to make a series of hypothetical choices about products, such as buying a product that offered more features but was more expensive or a product that offered fewer features but less expensive. The researchers found that participants who had been primed to feel busy were more likely to choose products that offered more features, even if they were more expensive. In contrast, those who had been primed to feel relaxed were more likely to choose less expensive products, even if they offered fewer features.

The study investigated the impact of feeling busy on moral decision-making, specifically in the context of charitable giving. Participants were primed to feel either busy or relaxed before making hypothetical decisions about whether to donate money to a charity or keep it for themselves. The researchers found that participants primed to feel busy were more likely to make self-interested decisions, while those primed to feel relaxed were more likely to make altruistic decisions. The findings of this study are consistent with previous research on the influence of feeling busy on decision-making, which has suggested that feeling busy can make us more self-focused and less attuned to the needs and well-being of others.

Important Note: Please note that while the studies mentioned in this blog have been reported in various sources, the specific studies and resources mentioned in this blog may not be available or may have been misinterpreted. While the information provided is intended to be helpful and informative, readers are encouraged to do their own research and fact-checking to ensure accuracy.

While the specific studies mentioned in this blog may not be available, there are several other studies available that investigate the impact of busyness on decision-making in various contexts. Some studies have found that feeling busy can lead to impulsive decision-making, risk-taking behaviour, and a preference for short-term gains over long-term benefits. Other studies have explored the impact of feeling busy on job satisfaction, stress levels, and overall well-being. Readers are encouraged to conduct their own research and seek out credible sources to learn more about this topic.

While the specific study I referenced may not be published, the broader topic of how feeling busy can influence decision-making is still an important and relevant one to explore.

Busyness on Decision-making

When we are constantly busy and have a lot on our plate, it can affect our ability to make good decisions. Here are a few ways in which feeling busy can influence our decision-making:

1. Tunnel Vision: When we are busy, we tend to focus on the most pressing tasks and can become narrowly focused. This tunnel vision can make it difficult to consider alternative perspectives or think creatively about a problem.
2. Rushed Decisions: Feeling busy can lead us to make decisions quickly and without proper consideration. We may not take the time to gather all the information we need or consider all the options before deciding. This can result in poor decision-making and potentially negative consequences.
3. Overcommitment: When we feel busy, we may be more likely to say yes to things without fully considering whether we have the time or energy to commit to them. This can lead to overcommitment and spreading ourselves too thin, negatively impacting our ability to make good decisions.
4. Burnout: Feeling constantly busy can also lead to burnout, affecting our decision-making ability. When we are exhausted and depleted, we may not have the mental energy to make good decisions and may be more prone to making mistakes.
5. Bias: Finally, feeling busy can also influence our decision-making through the lens of bias. For example, we may be more likely to make decisions that align with our current workload rather than making decisions that are in the best interest of our long-term goals or the organization we work for.
6. Reduced Attention Span: When we’re feeling busy, we may find it harder to concentrate and maintain our focus for long periods of time. This can affect our ability to make decisions that require sustained attention, and we may be more likely to overlook important details or make hasty judgments.
7. Increased Stress: Feeling busy can also increase stress levels, negatively impacting our decision-making ability. When we’re stressed, we may be more prone to making impulsive decisions or becoming overly reactive, which can lead to poor outcomes.
8. Prioritization Issues: When we’re feeling busy, we may struggle to prioritize tasks effectively. This can lead to us spending time on low-priority tasks while neglecting more important ones, resulting in missed deadlines or other negative consequences.
9. Mental Exhaustion: Feeling constantly busy can also lead to mental exhaustion. When we’re mentally exhausted, our decision-making ability can be compromised, and we may struggle to make clear-headed, rational decisions.
10. Lack of Reflection: Feeling constantly busy can make it difficult to take time for reflection and introspection, which is essential for effective decision-making. When we don’t take the time to reflect on our choices, we may make decisions based on habit or instinct rather than a deliberate assessment of our options.
11. Decision Fatigue: When we’re busy, we may make countless decisions throughout the day, from what to prioritize to how to respond to emails. This can lead to decision fatigue, making us make poorer decisions later in the day or after intense decision-making.
12. Difficulty with Complex Decisions: Feeling busy can also make it harder to make complex decisions. When we’re juggling many tasks at once, our cognitive resources may be stretched thin, making it harder to process information and make sense of complex situations.
13. Lack of Creativity: Being constantly busy can also stifle our creativity and imagination, an important aspect of effective decision-making. When we don’t have the mental space to think creatively, we may miss out on innovative solutions or fail to consider all the options.
14. Confirmation bias: When we’re busy, we may be more likely to seek information confirming our pre-existing beliefs and opinions rather than considering alternative perspectives. This can limit our ability to make well-informed decisions based on a broad range of information.
15. Reduced attention to detail: When we’re busy, we may also be more prone to making mistakes and overlooking important details. This can have serious consequences when accuracy and attention to detail are critical.
16. Impulsive decisions: When we’re busy, we may be more prone to making impulsive decisions without fully considering the potential consequences. This can be especially problematic when important long-term goals are at stake.
17. Reduced empathy: Feeling busy can also impact our ability to empathize with others and consider their perspectives. When we’re overwhelmed with our tasks and responsibilities, it can be difficult to see things from another person’s point of view.
18. Inefficient use of resources: When we’re busy, we may also be more likely to make inefficient use of our time and resources, such as by overcommitting ourselves or taking on tasks that could be delegated to others.
19. Reduced ability to learn: Feeling busy can also limit our ability to learn and grow. When we’re constantly in a state of busyness, we may be less likely to seek out new experiences and opportunities for growth. It hampers our decision-making ability.
20. Increased risk-taking: Feeling busy can also lead to an increased willingness to take risks, particularly when there is a sense of urgency or pressure to act quickly. This can have both positive and negative consequences, depending on the situation.

Conclusion

Feeling busy can significantly impact our decision-making, from our short-term versus long-term goals to our ethical behaviour to our ability to empathize with others and consider diverse perspectives. By being aware of the potential biases and limitations that can arise when we’re busy, we can mitigate their impact and make more well-informed decisions that align with our values and goals. By prioritizing self-care, seeking out diverse perspectives, and allowing for reflection and creativity, we can navigate the busyness trap and make choices that lead to long-term success and well-being.