How to Stop Being Busy and Start Being Effective

Have you ever wrapped up a workday feeling completely exhausted, only to wonder what you actually accomplished?

You are not alone.

One of the biggest challenges business owners, executives, and community leaders face is not a lack of time—it is how that time is being invested. We wear our packed calendars like badges of honor. Meetings, emails, networking events, phone calls, committee work, and endless to-do lists can make us feel productive. But being busy is not the same as being effective.

Here is a simple challenge: perform a CEO Calendar Audit.

Whether you are the CEO of a company, the executive director of an organization, or the CEO of your own career, your calendar tells the story of your priorities. Pull up your calendar from the past two weeks and ask yourself a few honest questions.

Which meetings moved your business forward?

Which activities created relationships or revenue?

What tasks could have been delegated?

How much time did you spend reacting instead of leading?

You may discover that your calendar is managing you instead of the other way around.

Great leaders intentionally create space for strategic thinking. They protect time for planning, relationship-building, innovation, and personal growth. They understand that every “yes” on the calendar is also a “no” to something else.

Here is a thought worth remembering: if your schedule is filled with urgency, there may be very little room left for importance.

Personal Development Tip

Schedule an appointment with yourself every week.

Block out 30 to 60 minutes for uninterrupted reflection. No emails. No phone calls. No meetings. Use this time to review your goals, celebrate wins, identify challenges, and think about where you want to go next. The best leaders do not just manage their calendars—they manage their energy, focus, and purpose.

Remember, if you do not intentionally schedule time to improve yourself, your calendar will gladly fill every available minute with someone else’s priorities.

Business Development Tip

Evaluate every recurring meeting by asking one simple question:

“Does this create value for our customers, members, or mission?”

If the answer is no, consider shortening it, changing its frequency, or eliminating it altogether.

Then, intentionally replace some of that time with activities that generate growth. Schedule coffee with a prospective client. Visit a fellow Chamber member. Follow up with referral partners. Record a short video introducing your business. Spend time strengthening relationships instead of simply maintaining routines.

Growth rarely happens by accident—it happens because leaders intentionally make room for it.

Your Challenge This Week

Open your calendar and conduct your own CEO Calendar Audit.

Identify one activity you can eliminate, one responsibility you can delegate, and one hour you can dedicate to strategic growth.

Success is not measured by how full your calendar is. It is measured by the impact you create with the time you have been given.

At the Des Moines Chamber of Commerce, we are committed to helping our members work smarter, build stronger relationships, and grow thriving businesses. Join us at an upcoming networking event, educational program, or committee meeting, and discover how investing your time intentionally can lead to meaningful opportunities for both you and your organization.

Your calendar reflects your priorities. Make sure it is telling the story you want others—and yourself—to read.

Cheers,

Jimmy