I love the holidays. As I’ve gotten older, the thing I like most about this time of year is the time with friends and family; the way we all take a little break from the hustle and bustle of our everyday lives and slow down to enjoy some time together. Then I realized that for the past few years, I haven’t really spent more time with friends and family around the holidays. In fact, I’m pretty sure I’ve spent less time with friends and family. Why? Because I’ve been incredibly busy.

I noticed the same thing in a handful of recent conversations I’ve had over the past week. They all included some version of:

“How are the holidays treating you?”

“Oh, good – just busy.” (then following “just busy” with a lengthy list of activities and commitments)

On any given day, I can be the guy asking the question or answering it, and it made me think about what the heck I’m so “busy” doing? So I took a look at things and came to the following conclusions:

1. I am spending a good amount of time doing truly valuable things…husband and father things, club-related things, etc.
2. I’m spending too much time doing things “because that’s the way I’ve always done them” instead of focusing on the things that actually matter
3. Almost none of what I’m doing is as important as the time I’m missing with friends and family

So let me ask you…what are you doing this holiday season that’s more valuable than connecting with friends and family? Is that one extra gift worth the time? Will formatting your work report perfectly really move the needle? Will making that second appetizer for the party truly make things better for anyone? If not, maybe this is the year you set those things aside for a little more time connect with others. And maybe you’ll find being just a little less busy is a lot more rewarding.

Stay United, everyone.