Education & Career Trends: March 20
Curated by the Knowledge Team of ICS Career GPS
Article by Thomas Oppong, published on medium.com.
Busyness is nothing new under the sun. It goes way back in time. Two millennia ago, the ancient philosopher Socrates warned us to question the purpose of our constant activity. He thought the potential hollowness it might conceal was too significant to ignore. “Beware the barrenness of a busy life,” he said. It still makes sense even now. He also said, “It is possible that a man could live twice as long if he didn’t spend the first half of his life acquiring habits that shorten the other half.”
But to understand Socrates’ perspective, let’s look back to the bustling marketplace of ancient Athens. It was a vibrant hub of commerce, politics, and philosophy. It thrived on social gatherings, debates, and public events. Socrates saw many citizens consumed by the pursuit of wealth, power, and pleasure, neglecting the true purpose of life — the pursuit of wisdom and self-knowledge to live well. He thought they were cultivating a barren orchard in their relentless busyness.
“I have not sought during my life to amass wealth and to adorn my body, but I have sought to adorn my soul with the jewels of wisdom, patience, and above all with a love of liberty,” he said.
Socrates famously questioned the Athenian elites.
He challenged their perceptions about morality, virtue, and the good life. While he valued social interaction, Socrates criticised those who engaged in superficial conversations and activities lacking intellectual or moral depth. His warning transcends the Athenian context.
Now, fast forward to our 21st-century world. Socrates’ wisdom resonates louder than ever. Task and responsibility fatigue are growing concerns. We juggle careers, families, social obligations, and personal pursuits, often feeling overwhelmed and exhausted. The “always on” mindset is draining us. Work expands into every crevice of our lives, turning nights into extensions of the day. We check emails during dinner and work late into the night. Every day is full of activity, but are we truly living? Just as Socrates cautioned the Athenians against mistaking mere movement for meaningful action, we must pause and examine the “fruits” of our frantic pace.
In our relentless pursuit of “doing,” we risk neglecting the value of “being”.
Socrates wasn’t advocating for apathy; he highlighted the dangers of a life devoid of the time and space to introspect. He believed true fulfilment is in the internal quest for meaning and virtue. But it requires downtime and mental space, “luxuries” often sacrificed in the name of busyness. Socrates believed the true measure of a good life wasn’t the accumulation of activities but the pursuit of wisdom and understanding. Busyness, he argued, could become a barrier to that goal, distracting us from the essential questions about ourselves, our values, and the meaning of our existence.
“The real important thing is not to live, but to live well. And to live well meant, along with more enjoyable things in life, to live according to your principles,” says Socrates.
His message highlights a key difference between mere busyness and meaningful engagement. You’re busYou’re, but to what end? Are you enriching your life or simply going through the motions? Socrates advocated for a conscious approach to how we spend our time. In our pursuit of a good life, we juggle work, social commitments, hobbies, and endless streams of information. Most people never pause to ask:
- Is this activity or task bringing me closer to my long-term goals?
- Am I truly engaged in what I’m doing, or am I on autopilot?
- What am I sacrificing when I’m rushing from task to task?
Busyness becomes barren when you are not crushing your life or career goals. Applying Socrates’ advice requires a shift in perspective. It’s about prioritising quality over quantity. “The secret of happiness, you see, is not found in seeking more, but in developing the capacity to enjoy less,” he said.” That means choosing meaningful work over chasing deadlines.
Prioritising quality time in your relationships over superficial interactions.
And using technology to enhance your life, not replace genuine human connection and reflection. While activity is necessary, blind busyness can become a trap. A life rich in meaning requires both engagement with the world and introspection. Know yourself well enough to pursue what brings out the best in you. “My friend “care for your psyche…know thyself, for once we know ourselves, we may learn how to care for ourselves,” says Socrates.
To apply his wisdom, conduct a “time audit.” Track your activities for a week to understand where your time truly goes.
Identify your values. What matters most to you? Align your activities with your core values. Politely decline commitments that drain your energy and time without adding value to your life. Schedule time for reflection. Take time each day or week to introspect and assess your progress. You could dedicate even 15 minutes daily to quiet contemplation before you start work or later in the evening. It allows you to step back, assess your priorities, and reconnect with yourself. The many life activities don’t mean a life lived well.
Hit pause on the hustle. This week, grant yourself the gift of a calm, collected mind. Take a step back from the whirlwind of distractions and fleeting activities.
What truly matters to you?
Is it family, a passion project, career goals, or something else? Are distractions pulling you away from these priorities?
Figure it out and make more time for it. Put down the phone and mute the notifications. Sit with a cup of tea, simply be. Rediscover the joy of quiet time and the clarity it brings. This week, choose peace first. Choose a life that is not just busy but rich, meaningful, and truly your own. You have the power to choose. Will you cultivate the barren orchard of busyness, or will you nurture the garden of a meaningful life? The choice, as Socrates might say, is yours.
…
Have you checked out yesterday’s blog yet
5 Ways to Balance Automation and Human Touch in HR
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in the article mentioned above are those of the author(s). They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of ICS Career GPS or its staff.)
Like this post? For more such helpful articles, click on the button below and subscribe FREE to our blog.
Download our mobile app, ICS Career GPS, a one-stop career guidance platform.
