6 Ways to Know If You’re Stuck in a “Busy” Trap (and How to Escape It)

Hi, I'm Hira — a technology leader, product marketer, writer, and entrepreneur with over 11 years of experience building and marketing tech products.

Currently, I lead product marketing at WrangleWorks, a SaaS platform that automates data work.

I've also founded and led two companies: CaterpillHERs and Koi.work. This newsletter helps me stay connected with the incredible network I've built over the years.

Thank you to 2,300+ of you who read this!

More about me here and here.

In Episode 53, here's what's on the agenda:

💡 Insights: Are your goals driving your daily actions, or are you just running on autopilot?

📰 Key Takeaway: Being busy isn’t the same as being effective.

Let me ask you this,

Do you ever end the day completely wiped out, only to realize you didn’t actually make progress on the things that matter most?

Because, same.

For the longest time, I thought being busy meant I was being productive.

I filled my days with tasks, calls, and meetings, convinced I was moving the needle. But i realised being “busy” is often just a distraction. A sneaky way to feel accomplished without actually accomplishing much… huh!

If this sounds familiar, don’t worry, you’re not alone.

I’ve been there, stuck in the cycle of hustle culture, checking off endless to-dos that led nowhere. But I’ve learned to spot the difference between being busy and being effective, and I want to share that with you.

So, let’s talk about the 6 signs you’re caught in the “busy” trap and more importantly, how to escape it.

1. Your Calendar Looks Full, but Your Goals Feel Empty

Signal: Meetings, calls, and errands fill your days, but you’re not any closer to your big goals.
Why it matters: A full schedule isn’t the same as a focused one. Being “busy” can feel productive when it’s just a distraction.
How to escape: Ruthlessly audit your calendar. Ask yourself: “Does this activity align with my core goals?” If it doesn’t, delegate or eliminate it.