Is being ‘too busy’ blocking your opportunities?
TOO BUSY? | APRIL 2026
Is being ‘too busy’ blocking your opportunities?
Recently, I was having a long-overdue friend lunch. One of those luxurious afternoons where time feels generous and you remember what it’s like to really connect. We went to this gorgeous spot called Ibraaz (highly recommend), and they were running the stunning Ibrahim Mahama, Parliament of Ghosts Black art exhibition.
Over lunch, my friend mentioned she was exploring opportunities in the research space. The moment she said it, I immediately knew who she needed to meet. Her strengths, their needs, the timing - it all aligned. So I connected them.
Here’s how it unfolded:
They met. They vibed. She interviewed.
She got the job.
What surprised me was what the hiring lead shared afterwards: they had actually already heard of my friend and thought she’d be an excellent fit…yet they hadn’t reached out to her because they assumed she was ‘too busy’ to consider the role. Another friend had also held back from recommending her for the same reason.
This made me pause and reflect. Assumptions of ‘busyness’ almost closed a door that she would have gladly walked through.
Was this also happening unconsciously in my own life?
The quiet cost of ‘busyness’
We live in a culture that glorifies busyness. It’s often worn like a badge of honour, but it can also become a quiet barrier - one that people rarely talk about.
Writers like Greg McKeown (Essentialism) and Oliver Burkeman (Four Thousand Weeks) explore how busyness shapes identity, makes us appear unavailable or even makes us feel unavailable when, in truth, we might be very open to something new. Burkeman argues that when we frame our lives as a constant race against time, we unconsciously shut out possibility.
Research on role overload and time scarcity mindset shows that when people perceive you as over scheduled, they tend to withhold opportunities to ‘protect’ you - even when you would have welcomed the chance. And when we internalise the identity of being perpetually busy, we build an internal filter that rejects opportunities before they even arrive.
My friend was a perfect match for that organisation. But assumptions on her behalf nearly kept the door closed.
Where this shows up in everyday life
Too busy to explore a new career direction.
Too busy to meet people who might expand our world.
Too busy to say yes to something that could reshape our trajectory.
Too busy to date.
We don’t even question it because ‘busy’ feels responsible. Productive. Admirable. But in reality, it can become a self-imposed limitation.
Reframing the narrative
How do we turn, “I’m too busy”, into, “I have a full life and I can make time for what aligns with my values and where I want to go.”
Full is not the same as unavailable.
Busy is not the same as inaccessible.
And assumptions are not the same as truth.
Here are practical, coachable shifts that help you stay open and signal openness to others.
Communicate capacity, not busyness
Instead of saying: “I’m so busy.”
Try: “This week is full, but I have space next week.”
or “I’m open to exploring new things…please keep me in mind.”Clear signals invite opportunities. Like my friend saying, “I’m open for a research opportunity”.
Replace assumptions with invitations
Before deciding someone is too busy, ask: “I thought of something that might interest you - want to hear it?'
It gives people room to choose for themselves.
Don’t self-reject
McKeown talks about the importance of protecting your “yes.”
But protecting yes does not mean defaulting to no.
When an opportunity appears, pause and ask:
Does this align with who I’m becoming? Is this meaningful, energising, or growth-focused? If yes, explore whether there’s space…even a small amount.
Build margin into your life
Burkeman notes that busyness is often a perception issue. Even adding 5–10% breathing room can create space for serendipity - and serendipity is often where the magic shows up.
Share what you’re open to
People can’t connect you to what they don’t know you want. Clarity becomes an invitation.
This month I invite you to:
Stay open. Stay reachable. Stay available to alignment.
Don’t let people decide what you have capacity for. Let you decide what you want to welcome into your life. And don’t let the myth of ‘busy’ stand guard at the door of possibility.
Your next opportunity might already have your name circulating. Make sure no one assumes you’re ‘too busy’ to receive it.
This week I have been…
Listening: “Setshu Sa Ditamati” by South African artist Vusi Mahlasela
If you found this reflection useful, forward it to one person who would appreciate it. Thank you and see you next month.