Many feel busier now than ever before. Research suggests there are a combination of factors at play - including increased work demands, information overload, changing lifestyles, societal, psychological and cultural shifts. Multiple competing obligations and expectations can be draining and makes you feel a lack of choice and control. Time hasn’t reduced, but it certainly feels like it has sometimes! 

‘Time poverty’ and ‘burnout’ are intertwined as both stem from an imbalance between demand and resources. Burnout doesn’t happen overnight, but its effects can be far-reaching. Understanding the signs and causes is the first step toward prevention and recovery. 

• 77% of employees have experienced burnout and 70% of executives consider leaving their jobs due to stress (Deloitte)
• 48% of workers globally are currently experiencing burnout, underscoring the urgency to rethink work (BCG)
• On average, workers spend 28% of their week on emails plus 35% in meetings leaving little time for meaningful work (McKinsey). 

Whether people are truly busier now (or not) misses the point – people feel it, believe they are. It’s a complex issue and is not likely to improve on its own. 

Busyness’ is a multifaceted issue making it hard to tackle as an individual. Simple time management tools aren’t the answer. The societal, social and psychological factors are wide ranging, each contributing to a growing sense of the ‘feeling of busyness’.