I was trying to block a meeting with a person. She sent me a screenshot of her Google Calendar. It was a mess of overlapping, color-coded blocks. I wondered if they even had time for lunch or even breathe.

The response I got was blunt: “Do you see any free window to block my time?”

Being busy gives people a sense of security. Saying “I’m busy” carries a sense of pride, perhaps because it makes them feel purposeful. Admitting “I’m free” is something people tend to avoid. If she is busy, she must be important!

Feeling secure is a fundamental need. But you need to ask if “being busy” is the only way to feel secure? what are you trying to hide?