Squiggly Shortcut: Why We Need To Ban The Word Busy

Podcast: Squiggly Careers
Hosts: Sarah Ellis (and mention of Helen Tupper)
Date: November 20, 2025

Episode Overview

In this concise, focused “Squiggly Shortcut” episode, Sarah Ellis challenges listeners to reconsider their use of the word “busy” to describe their work life. She argues that “busy” has become the default, catch-all term for our working weeks—one that is ultimately vague and unhelpful. Instead, Sarah encourages greater specificity in describing our experiences, outlining how language can affect self-awareness, motivation, and even the practical steps we take to manage work stress and satisfaction. The episode is practical, positive, and packed with actionable micro-coaching for listeners who want to take greater control of their work narrative.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. "Busy" as a Default Descriptor

• Widespread Use: Sarah points out that when people are asked to describe their week at work in one word, about “90% of people will say busy.”
  • Quote: “It is our default, it’s our go to word now to describe what work feels, feels like.” – Sarah [01:10]
• Problem with "Busy": The term is imprecise, vague, and can mean many different things to different people.
  • Insight: “When we say busy, it doesn't really help us with what we might do differently or do more of the same.”

2. The Power of Naming & Reframing

• "Name it to Tame it": Sarah references psychologist Dan Siegel’s idea that “naming” our emotions helps us manage them.
  • Quote: “‘Name it to tame it.’ So if you want to change those words, if busy for you means actually you're having a really difficult week and you're feeling really overwhelmed, the more specific we can be, the more chance we have of kind of working with those words in a constructive way and useful way.” – Sarah [02:05]
• Encouragement to Listeners: Sarah prompts listeners to choose a different word in place of “busy”—suggesting alternatives like “confused,” “overloaded,” or “progress.”
  • Exercise: “If I wasn't allowed to use busy, how would I describe my work or this week in one word?” – Sarah [02:28]

3. Specific Words Lead to Useful Action

• If Positive (e.g., “Progress”):
  • Take a moment to reflect on what contributed to that feeling.
  • Ask yourself: “What has helped me? What could I do again next week? What are the repeated habits that have been really helpful for me?”
• If Negative or Difficult (e.g., “Overwhelmed”):
  • Use the word as a prompt for coaching questions and prioritization.
    • Quote: “Okay, I do feel overwhelmed. What's the one thing that matters most today? Or what's the one thing that matters most this week? And so we force ourselves to prioritize and to turn that overwhelm into, well, I've got to make some choices.” – Sarah [03:27]
• If Confused:
  • Reflect on what creates clarity for you—maybe a conversation, a mind map, or a 'don’t know' notebook.
    • Quote: “Would a conversation help me to create clarity? Would a mind map, a one minute mind map help me to create clarity?” – Sarah [04:08]
  • Use past experiences to identify what has helped before.

4. The Impact of Words on Work Life

• Philosophical Perspective:
  • Sarah cites, “The words that we use frame how we see the world.” [05:20]
  • Encourages intentional language as a path to growth and better work outcomes.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “When I ask people to describe their week at work in one word, pretty much 90% of people will say busy. It is our default…” – Sarah [01:07]
• “Name it to tame it … the more specific we can be, the more chance we have of working with those words in a constructive way.” – Sarah [02:05]
• “If your word is a more challenging one … let's imagine it's overwhelming … What might prompt you to ask is ‘What's the one thing that matters most today?’” – Sarah [03:30]
• “The words that we use frame how we see the world.” [05:20]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [01:03] – Sarah introduces the topic: Why we should ban the word “busy”
• [02:05] – “Name it to tame it”: The importance of specificity with our words
• [03:05] – Examples of alternative words and their practical implications
• [03:27] – Turning overwhelm into prioritization using better language
• [04:08] – Creating clarity out of confusion: self-coaching prompts
• [05:20] – Language shapes our perspective and learning at work
• [06:00] – Invitation to listen to episode 29 on managing stress for a deeper dive

Practical Takeaways

• Challenge yourself not to use "busy" as your default.
• Describe your week (or work) in a more specific word.
• Use that word to guide your reflection, self-coaching questions, and practical actions.
• Remember: The words you choose shape how you relate to your work and what you do next.

Further Resources & Contact

• Deeper Dive: Managing Stress – Squiggly Careers episode 29 ([06:00])
• Contact: sarahandsquigglycareers.com (welcomes feedback, episode ideas)

Engaging, practical, and rooted in real work experience, this episode reframes a core workplace habit and offers listeners a blueprint for more intentional language—and, ultimately, more empowered work.