GO BEYOND BUSY
Break the ice with depth.
I recently observed a guest enter a room where they were welcomed by a group of people in a casual environment. I noticed the first six people all asked the same question as the guest slowly moved around the room: “Are you busy?” It struck me how tedious it must be to hear the same question repeatedly!
We’ve all experienced it – the age-old conversation opener, “How are you? Busy?” This common inquiry can sometimes feel like a judgment with the pressure to appear successful. Being busy does not equate to one’s value.
By shifting from the standard “Are you busy?” introduction, we quickly cultivate more genuine interactions; here’s how.
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When you’re about to ask someone if they’re busy, pause and reflect on your intention. Are you genuinely interested in them and their well-being, or are you defaulting to easy, habitual small talk? Consider replacing the generic “Are you busy?” with questions that foster deeper connections, such as:
“What were you eagerly anticipating about today’s visit?”
“How are you doing on a personal level?”
“What’s coming up that you’re excited about?”
“What has been taking up most of your time these days?”
My personal favourite. “How are you ……(pause)…… within yourself?” Please note that asking this question while boarding a plane causes a short delay for fellow passengers as the flight attendant typically pauses, giving you a curious look before responding with a smile.
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On the receiving end of the “Are you busy?” question, take a moment to evaluate your response. You might be busy; however, is your claim of being busy an accurate representation of your current situation, or are you simply adhering to the societal expectation of busyness? It’s important to remember that it’s π©ππ«πππππ₯π² ππ’π§π π§π¨π ππ¨ ππ π¨π―ππ«π°π‘ππ₯π¦ππ π°π’ππ‘ π°π¨π«π€.
A person once insinuated that I wasn’t clearly working hard enough because I didn’t respond with “I’m busy!”
Experiment with a ‘fresh approach’ in your questioning or responses and observe the outcome!