Entrepreneur Plus - Short White
For Subscribers

How to Make the Most of Your Day (Without Working Overtime)In 2021, stop saying you are busy (and finally learn to work smarter, not harder).

ByAytekin Tank

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Marija Jovovic | Getty Images

It's 2021. And busy braggers are still out there repeating their favorite line yet another time:

"I'msobusy."

It might not officially be the most common way we answer the question "how are you?" but it's up there. Being busy — or at least, pretending to be — has become the foremoststatus symbolof our time.

"Busyness serves as a kind of existential reassurance, a hedge against emptiness; obviously your life cannot possibly be silly or trivial or meaningless if you are so busy, completely booked, in demand every hour of the day," essayist and cartoonist Tim Kreiderwrotein theNew York Times. Claiming constant busyness, he says "makes you feel important, sought-after and put-upon."

This is a subscriber-only article. Join Entrepreneur+today for access

Related Topics

Thought Leaders

5 Books Every Entrepreneur Should Read Before Starting a Business

A selection of books that helped me found and scale a startup from a $10,000 line of credit to a billion-dollar business

Business News

KFC Has Been Dethroned as No. 2 Chicken Chain in the U.S. — Here's Who Took Its Spot

A viral chicken sandwich led to an increase in market share.

Business News

Drew Barrymore's Writers Are Not Returning Amid Controversy, Despite End of Strike

The new season is slated to return to air on October 16.

Business News

'We Don't Sleep Well Anymore': Airbnb Host Grapples With 'Tenant From Hell' Who Refuses to Leave

An Airbnb guest rented a guesthouse for a long-term stay in 2021 but has since remained in the unit for over 540 days — without paying rent.

Business News

'This Is a Serious Problem': Mr. Beast Slams AI Deepfake Asking Fans to Donate Money to Win a New iPhone

The influencer's likeness was used without his permission in a fake contest advertisement encouraging fans to donate $2 to win an iPhone 15.

Business News

Judge Dismisses Lawsuit Accusing Wendy's and McDonald's of Size Exaggeration in Ads

The judge wondered if the plaintiff had even seen the advertisements in question.