The Illusion of Progress: Balancing Life's Demands with Purposeful Action

You must be a bigshot because you are SO busy.

In the whirlwind of daily life, it's easy to equate busyness with growth. Juggling the roles of a father, husband, dedicated employee, active church member, and aspiring author often leads to a packed schedule that feels productive. However, this constant activity can create an illusion of progress, where motion exists without meaningful advancement toward our true goals.

The past 8 months I have been in constant reflection and in deep thought with sharing knowledge I have learned professionally, spiritually and emotionally. The results of my deep reflections will be found in my upcoming book and really excited that I am seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. Stick with me during this journey, as you will discover much of that deep reflection, the timeline with when my book is coming out, title, and hope you all can support me with same energy you have for the newsletters!

This week I pulled out some thoughts from a microsection of my book, that I have already written, which discusses The Illusion of Progress. This section is not a copy and paste but written to support the format of the newsletter. I hope you enjoy!

Busyness and growth are not the same thing.

It is easy to mistake motion for progress—feeling productive because you are busy, even if you are not moving toward meaningful goals. This illusion of progress can be deceptive because it creates a temporary sense of accomplishment without actual forward movement. Many of us confuse activity with progress, believing that the more we do, the more we will achieve. However, constant activity without intentional direction often leads to exhaustion and frustration rather than real progress.

The modern workplace thrives on busyness. Full calendars, packed meeting schedules, and long workdays are often celebrated as signs of productivity. Managers praise employees who are constantly busy, and employees feel validated when they are working late or answering emails at all hours. However, busyness is not always a sign of effectiveness. In fact, the more you fill your time with activity, the harder it becomes to focus on what truly matters.

This is why it is so easy to get caught in the trap of over-scheduling and multitasking. Studies have shown that multitasking reduces efficiency and increases cognitive load, making it harder to perform at a high level. In an article written in Forbes, "How Multitasking Erodes Productivity And Dings Your IQ,"(Steinhorst, C. (2020, February 20), contributor Curt Steinhorst writes that leaders need to pay attention to multitasking in their organization because it is detrimental on all fronts—it can reduce productivity by up to 40%, heighten employee stress while diminishing both achievement and a sense of purpose, and even impair cognitive function, effectively lowering IQ.

Yet, the feeling of being busy provides a psychological reward. Your brain releases dopamine when you complete small tasks, even if those tasks are not meaningful. Crossing items off a to-do list feels good, but if those tasks are not tied to meaningful goals, they are nothing more than distractions.

Consider how easy it is to spend an entire day responding to emails, attending meetings, and checking off low-priority tasks—only to reach the end of the day feeling exhausted but unclear about what you actually accomplished. This is the illusion of progress. You have been busy, but you have not necessarily moved forward in a meaningful way. The danger of this cycle is that it reinforces itself. When you feel unproductive, the natural response is to work harder and fill your schedule with more activity, which deepens the cycle of busyness without meaningful progress.

Lessons from Martha and Mary

The story of Martha and Mary (Luke 10:38-42) illustrates this concept clearly. When Jesus visited their home, Martha was busy preparing food and handling the details of hospitality. Mary, on the other hand, sat at Jesus’ feet and listened to His teaching. Martha, frustrated that Mary was not helping, asked Jesus to intervene by saying, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to serve alone.” But Jesus responded, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things...”

Martha’s activity was not wrong; preparing food and managing hospitality were good and necessary tasks. However, Jesus’ response highlighted that Martha had become distracted by the busyness. Her need to feel productive had overshadowed the deeper opportunity for growth and connection that was present in the moment. Mary, by contrast, chose to focus on the one thing that mattered most—being present with Jesus and receiving his teaching.

This story teaches an important lesson: productivity is not about doing more—it is about doing what matters. 

Martha was busy but not progressing toward the meaningful choice at the present moment. Mary was still and receptive, which positioned her to grow in wisdom and understanding.

We believe that more activity equals more success, but true progress comes from alignment with purpose, not the quantity of activity.

The business world often rewards busyness over effectiveness. However, the most effective leaders are not the busiest ones—they are the ones who know how to prioritize and focus on high-impact work. Leaders who understand the difference between motion and progress take time to reflect, assess their goals, and align their actions with their purpose.

Consider the difference between a leader who spends their day attending back-to-back meetings versus one who sets aside time for strategic thinking and relationship-building. The first leader might appear more productive because they are constantly in motion, but the second leader is more likely to produce long-term results because their actions are intentional and aligned with strategic goals.

Breaking free from the illusion of progress requires a shift in focus. Instead of measuring success by how busy you are, measure it by how aligned your actions are with your core goals and values.

Ask yourself:

• Are the tasks I am focusing on contributing to meaningful progress?

• Am I reacting to urgency, or am I acting with intentionality?

• Do I feel fulfilled and aligned with my values, or am I just trying to keep up with the demands around me?

Intentionality requires slowing down. It requires stepping back from the constant push for activity and asking hard questions about what truly matters. Jesus modeled this type of intentionality throughout his ministry. He often withdrew from the crowds to pray and reflect. Even when people pressured him to act, he remained focused on his purpose and aligned with his mission.

Intentional Reflection

Adopting a habit of reflection can help assess whether daily activities align with larger goals. Taking time at the end of each day or week to evaluate accomplishments fosters clarity and intentionality. Creating space for stillness, much like Mary did, allows wisdom and creativity to emerge, leading to genuine growth.

True progress isn't measured by the quantity of tasks completed but by how closely actions reflect values and purpose. By resisting the temptation to equate busyness with success and focusing on intentional, purpose-driven activities, we open the door to meaningful and sustainable growth. Real advancement comes not from doing more but from doing what matters most.