16 Sep GIVE IT TO A BUSY PERSON!
One of Benjamin Franklin’s most insightful adages—often echoed by my wise father—states: “If you want a task done quickly, ask a busy person to do it.” At first glance, this may seem counterintuitive. Why would you assign more work to someone already occupied instead of turning to someone idle? The reason is simple: productive people develop strong habits, discipline, and time management skills, while the unmotivated often procrastinate or make excuses.
Busy individuals earn trust through reliability, consistently meeting deadlines and honoring commitments. Their proven track record makes them the “go-to” people for important tasks. In contrast, those who avoid work rarely receive opportunities, because others quickly learn they can’t be counted on. A busy person may not act immediately, but their efficiency usually ensures faster, higher-quality results than relying on someone unoccupied.
People with low motivation may drift through life, depending on others’ efforts. This may work for a time, but in goal-driven environments it becomes a liability. Someone who avoids effort will eventually struggle with employment, relationships, and opportunities. Personally, I have little patience for laziness. Unless illness intervenes, everyone should aim to be productive each day—setting daily, weekly, and monthly goals, engaging in meaningful activities, and striving for growth. Productivity builds habits, motivation, and self-esteem. I deeply respect overachievers, whether in business, sports, or personal life. Recognizing this pattern highlights the potential benefits of engaging busy individuals in personal and professional environments.
I once had a friend who spent his days listening to music, blaming others for his unemployment, and refusing to see that his negative outlook and long jobless record drove employers away. His wives supported his lifestyle. Eventually, his attitude began affecting me, so I cut ties with him. I’ve done the same with others who let chronic negativity poison their lives—and mine.
Effective time management is often the key differentiator between productive and unproductive people. High performers use calendars, planners, or mental systems to prioritize effectively, stay on track, and avoid overcommitting. They don’t just stay busy—they stay purposeful.
My experience in charitable organizations reflects the Pareto principle: 20% of volunteers do 80% of the work, while the rest make excuses. I learned to rely on the few who consistently delivered. The others don’t seem to want to be disturbed, even in urgent situations.
It’s also crucial to remember that effort alone is not enough—results matter. As one of my managers once told me, “Productivity isn’t about activity; it’s about measurable results.” Successful people don’t value effort or work or time spent on an activity; they value the results. They place more importance on outcomes rather than the amount of effort, work, or time invested in an activity. Others might value the time spent at work or doing tasks at home, as well as their attempts to achieve results, even if those efforts do not always lead to tangible outcomes. Ultimately, producing value from one’s activities is important.
Time is our most limited resource, and its value only grows with age. Like nature’s sloth, some people move slowly, savoring time in their own way. But for those pursuing goals, time must be maximized to achieve both personal and organizational success.
So, if you’re a manager looking to delegate an important task, don’t hand it to the person with the lightest workload. Instead, give it to the busiest, most reliable member of your team. Chances are, they’ll get it done—better and faster than anyone else.