Nowadays, many people are busier than ever and have more obligations than time to handle them. Quite a few feel completely overbooked and on the verge of collapse; when asked “How are you?” many simply respond with an exhausted “So much going on!”—often described in English as “crazy busy.” This constant busyness can become such a habit that, ironically, the things that matter most are postponed or only half-heartedly done. One becomes driven by a lifestyle they neither like nor can change on their own—and paradoxically, it is precisely the desperate attempt to keep everything under control that leads to losing control.
The modern world suggests that we can be everywhere at once and get everything done—and provides us with seemingly magical tools that reinforce this illusion.
The psychiatrist Edward M. Hallowell, an expert on attention disorders, analyzes this phenomenon in his book Crazy Busy (2006) and shows ways out of the overwhelm trap. In Chapter 28, he presents ten key principles for dealing with modern life—strategies that allow one to survive and stay mentally healthy in our ultra-fast, ultra-competitive “attention deficit society.” The following explains these ten principles and their significance.
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1. Put the most important things first
Ironically, in an overfilled life, it is usually the very activities and relationships that matter most that are the first to fall by the wayside. Hallowell’s first principle is therefore: Set priorities. Don’t get bogged down in too many trivialities, but consciously choose what truly deserves your attention, and resolutely say no to everything else. Only those who learn to politely but firmly say “No, thank you” can focus their energy and successfully and contentedly devote themselves to their most important goals. Hallowell illustrates this with the metaphor of “tending the lilies and getting rid of the leeches.” By this he means: Take care of the projects, tasks, and relationships that give you fulfillment and meaning (“lilies”), and separate yourself from the time-consuming “leeches”—the obligations and contacts that drain your energy and give little in return.
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2. Create a positive environment
The emotional atmosphere greatly influences how we work and live. A negative environment—whether at work, in the family, or among friends—causes people to lose flexibility and struggle to deal with uncertainty and complexity. Trust, enthusiasm, patience, humor, and creativity also fall by the wayside in a toxic climate. In a positive environment, on the other hand, where one feels safe, welcome, and valued, people can flourish: They think more clearly, behave more calmly, and are better able to help others. Even small gestures and habits can help create a positive emotional climate—such as a friendly tone, attentive listening, and genuine appreciation. In such an atmosphere, a person’s best qualities come to the fore, ultimately benefiting everyone.
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3. Find your own rhythm
Everyone has their own work rhythm and ideally gets into a state of flow—what psychologists call being “in the zone.” Studies show that in this mental state, all activities are performed with maximum effectiveness and quality. Hallowell recommends finding and following your personal rhythm. Once you’ve found your flow, many things run almost automatically: The “autopilot” in the brain takes over routine processes, allowing the conscious, creative part of the mind to focus on the demanding aspects of the task. Those who work in their rhythm experience the activity as more effortless and can handle complex tasks better. This principle is a reminder of how important practice and routine are—it is only through them that one achieves the confident ease that makes work enjoyable.
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4. Invest time wisely
Time is our most valuable resource, yet we often let it be stolen or let it slip away unused. Hallowell advises consciously managing your time: Allocate your available time so that you get the greatest benefit from it. This includes saying no to unimportant activities and minimizing interruptions—otherwise, outside demands will dictate your calendar. It helps to regularly take stock of your time: Which activities really move me forward or give me energy, and which are just time-wasters? Based on this, decide what to take on or keep and what to reduce or eliminate entirely. This ensures that you use your limited time for the truly important things, instead of getting bogged down in trivialities.
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5. Limit screen time
The lure of screens is omnipresent in the modern world—be it computer, smartphone, tablet, or TV. Hallowell warns against what he calls “screen-sucking,” the screen vortex that costs us endless hours. Many people today are practically addicted to screens: As soon as they’re offline, they feel withdrawal symptoms and instinctively reach for a device again. This modern addiction to digital distraction must be broken. Set firm rules to keep your screen time in check. Practical tips include: keeping the screen (or smartphone) out of reach, reserving specific times of day for emails and social media, and especially scheduling regular screen-free breaks. By consciously distancing yourself from devices, you protect your time and attention for the things that are right in front of you in real life.
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6. Master distractions
In today’s everyday life, distractions bombard us nonstop—messages, calls, emails, conversations, and countless little things that steal our concentration. Hallowell has even coined a term for this omnipresent distraction: “Gemmelsmerch”—the invisible force that constantly pulls you away from what you actually want or should be doing. Gemmelsmerch is as omnipresent and powerful as gravity, and no one is completely immune to it. The principle, therefore, is: Identify and control sources of distraction. Examine your environment for what repeatedly distracts you—be it open office doors, constant notification sounds, or messy workspaces—and then take targeted action to tame these disruptors. For example, it can help to mute the phone for a while, close browser tabs that aren’t related to the task, or create a tidy workspace. The more you get Gemmelsmerch under control, the more focused and efficient you can work on your projects.
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7. Delegate tasks
Many people believe they have to do everything themselves, but this often leads to overload and mediocre results. Hallowell’s advice: Delegate whenever possible. Hand over tasks you don’t enjoy or aren’t good at to others if you can. Accepting help is not a sign of weakness, but of wisdom. Instead of stubbornly trying to handle everything alone, aim for effective interdependence—a mutual give and take. The goal is not total independence, but productive cooperation, says Hallowell. He sums it up vividly: “You do something for me, and I do something for you—that’s how life works.” By distributing tasks, everyone can contribute what they do best, and everyone gains time and energy.
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8. Slow down
In a culture that glorifies constant haste and busyness, Hallowell sets a counterpoint principle: slowing down. Consciously pause from time to time and ask yourself: “What’s the rush?” Instead of jumping out of bed in a hurry in the morning and rushing impatiently through the day, it makes sense to slow down a notch. Those who try to cram as much as possible into each day risk doing everything only half-heartedly or with mistakes. Constant time pressure doesn’t make us more productive; on the contrary, it makes us unfocused and irritable. Haste is the enemy of a fulfilling and effective life. If, on the other hand, we slow down, we regain the ability to approach our tasks calmly and thoughtfully—and often get them done faster and better. Slowing down doesn’t mean laziness, but smart pacing of life: Phases of focused activity should be followed by moments of breathing and reflection.
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9. Don’t get scattered: Avoid multitasking
This principle warns against the illusion of multitasking. Many of us try to do several things at once—with the result that none of them are done well. Hallowell aptly calls ineffective multitasking “frazzling” (from frazzled, worn out or exhausted). Instead of splitting your attention, always devote your full concentration to one task; it will usually be done faster and better. Humans are not biologically designed to consciously do two demanding things at once—our brains can only focus on one thing at a time. What often looks like multitasking is actually rapid switching of attention, which is inefficient and exhausting. True simultaneity only works if at least one of the activities has become routine and runs almost automatically (for example, an experienced driver can have a conversation while driving). Hallowell emphasizes: Only in such cases does multitasking work—trying to do several demanding tasks at once inevitably leads to “getting scattered” and mental fraying. The motto is: Step by step instead of everything at once.
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10. Take a playful approach
With all the advice on productivity, Hallowell finally reminds us not to forget playfulness. Many people lose their natural curiosity and joy in constant busyness—yet it is precisely this playful approach that is the key to creativity and engagement. By approaching a task with imagination, curiosity, and humor, you bring out the best in your mind. This inner playfulness leads you to become fully absorbed in the task (instead of just slogging through it), making you more focused, effective, and even efficient. Hallowell recommends consciously bringing elements of play and imagination into everyday life—be it through small creative challenges, playful competition with yourself, or by turning routine tasks into a game. Those who work with a playful spirit find that work feels less like work and more like a fulfilling activity that can also be fun.
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Conclusion
Dr. Hallowell’s book Crazy Busy is full of memorable examples and original terms (such as “Gemmelsmerch” for omnipresent distraction) that make the pitfalls of modern constant stress tangible. The ten principles presented here offer a holistic guide to escaping the crazy-busy hamster wheel: By setting priorities, creating a positive environment, finding your own rhythm, using time more consciously, limiting digital distractions, curbing disruptors, accepting help from others, slowing the pace, avoiding multitasking traps, and preserving playfulness, you regain control over your life. Above all—and according to Hallowell, this is the greatest gain—you create space again to consciously savor the joys of everyday life and truly live in the moment. Ultimately, this is the best incentive to implement the strategies described: They lead to a life that is not only more productive, but also happier and more meaningful.
