Busy Is a Four-Letter Word

Improve your productivity, take a more enjoyable approach to life and amplify your leadership

Using a human centered approach, Busy Is a Four Letter Word looks at the essential relationship between living well and leading well, aiming to end the self-gratifying martyrdom of “busy” culture, and working to uncomplicate personal and professional prosperity.

By highlighting topics such as real self-care, rest, wellness, and saying “no” as indispensable to success and productivity, the powerful 5 step ReThink Method in Busy Is a Four Letter Word helps readers get more out of life while also being more productive in their pursuits. In this book, you'll learn:

• How to stop piling on to your to-do list and instead take bite-sized actions that will shift, turn, and restart the next professional or personal season of your life
• The idea of “martyritis”: consistently taking actions that leave you feeling overwhelmed, overworked, and underappreciated as your default state of being
• How to create your 5 Star wellness plan to help you rethink your work ethic and create new patterns and rituals routines that allow you to get the most out of life and to thrive while doing less.

With Busy Is a Four Letter Word and Palmer's highly effective ReThink Method at your fingertips, leaders and team members alike can find ways to get more done by rethinking their approach to work and life.

Preface: Thank You for Being a Friend ix

1 The Pursuit of Happy Less: Busy Is A Four-Letter Word 1

2 The Sands of Time Are Littered with To-Do Lists 15

3 From Activity to Achievement: Cutting Through the Clutter 39

4 Check Up Before You Charge Up: Healthy Assessment Before You Act (reTHINK) 55

5 The Paradox of Self-Care Sacrifice: Working Smarter, Not Harder 73

6 The Art of the Elegant Brush-Off (reTHINK): An Inclusive Approach to Setting and Reaching Goals 93

7 Snooze More, Snore Less: Rest Is Not a Reward: The Critical Role of Downtime 107

8 Flexibility in the Face of Resistance: Navigating Shifts in Culture and Values (reTHINK) 131

9 Revolutionizing Rest: The Unseen Powerhouse of Productivity: Know When to Rest Before You Act (reTHINK) 157

10 From Busy Bee to Queen Bee: Mastering Work-Life Synergy 171

11 Cultivating Your Circle: The Strength in Supportive Networks 191

12 Digital Discipline: Harnessing Technology for True Productivity 207

Epilogue: Embracing Simplicity: The Path to Enlightened Leadership and a Fulfilling Life 219

Appendix: The Process Model for Prioritization and Focus (PMPF) 237

Index 243

KISHSHANA PALMER is an in-demand speaker, coach, and thought leader in the fields of leadership, management, and wellness. She is CEO of ManageMint, Inc., Founder of The Rooted Collaborative and Host of the ManageMint Made Easy podcast. A NYC girl at heart, she provides practical solutions to help leaders create high-performing teams. Her notable clients include American Express, Nellie May, Comcast, Boys and Girls Clubs, and many others.

"Kishshana has been an inspiration to me as an entrepreneur, coach, and friend, offering me the opportunity to watch her live out and lead others through the principles and practices she writes about in Busy Is A Four-Letter Word. She has given us a gift by assembling the wisdom she has gained in this accessible and authentic Bible for anyone who has grown up believing they would have to work twice as hard to get half as much in life and leadership. The good news Kishshana shares in Busy Is A Four-Letter Word is a healing balm with applicable lessons and tools for achieving the harmony needed to live purposeful, balanced lives."
—MARIA DAUTRUCHE, Founder of dopwell group LLC

"In Busy Is A Four-Letter Word, Kishshana Palmer does what she does best—cuts right through the noise by bringing us the truth via humor and complete relatability. With her 5-Step ReThink Method, Kishshana shows us how to ditch the glorification of busyness and embrace actual self-care, rest, and the power of saying 'no'. It's a loving wake-up call that delivers exactly what we need to overcome 'martyritis' and thrive by doing less. This book will be on my nightstand for years to come."
—MALLORY ERICKSON, author of What the Fundraising

"Busy Is A Four-Letter Word is a revelation. In her approach to supporting effective, efficient, healthy living and leading, Kishshana manages to bring together the best of many worlds. She brings us nostalgia with pop-culture characters we love, but through a fresh lens of reflection. She gives us personal stories that are vulnerable and authentic, accessible and resonant, approachable and real. She gives us validating research and practical applications that move us past words into action. Throughout this worthwhile read, I was tickled pink, seeing red, feeling in true-blue community and accelerated through a green light to make tangible changes in how I approach my life and work. You will be too."
—AJUAH HELTON, Long Time Education Leader and Woman Who Regularly Does Too Much

"The first time I saw Kishshana speaking on a stage I was instantaneously impressed by her style, specifically her stiletto shoes. It didn't take much longer for me to be inspired by her wisdom and wit. A burned-out vice president at a national nonprofit at the time, I credit Kishshana with saving me from prematurely ending my career. Her coaching and example as an entrepreneur and mom have helped me navigate my own life redesign and career pivot. Busy is a Four-Letter Word will help you recognize the systems, practices, and beliefs that keep you running ragged and provides practical guidance to live a more balanced life on purpose and your own terms. It's a ticket to freedom!

Kishshana has been an inspiration to me as an entrepreneur, coach, and friend, offering me the opportunity to watch her live out and lead others through the principles and practices she writes about in Busy is a Four-Letter Word. She has given us a gift by assembling the wisdom she has gained in this accessible and authentic Bible for anyone who has grown up believing they would have to work twice as hard to get half as much in life and leadership. The good news Kishshana shares in Busy is a Four-Letter Word is a healing balm with applicable lessons and tools for achieving the harmony needed to live purposeful, balanced lives."
—Maria Dautruche, Founder of Dopwell Group LLC

"In Busy Is a Four-Letter Word, Kishshana Palmer does what she does best—cuts right through the noise by bringing us the truth via humor and complete relatability. With her 5-step Rethink Method, Kishshana shows us how to ditch the glorification of busyness and embrace actual self-care, rest, and the power of saying 'no.' It's a loving wake-up call that delivers exactly what we need to overcome 'martyritis' and thrive by doing less. This book will be on my nightstand for years to come."
—Mallory Erickson, author of What the Fundraising

"Busy Is a Four-Letter Word is a revelation. In her approach to supporting effective, efficient, healthy living and leading, Kishshana manages to bring together the best of many worlds. She brings us nostalgia with pop-culture characters we love, but through a fresh lens of reflection. She gives us personal stories that are vulnerable and authentic, accessible and resonant, approachable and real. She gives us validating research and practical applications that move us past words into action. Throughout this worthwhile read, I was tickled pink, seeing red, feeling in true-blue community and accelerated through a green light to make tangible changes in how I approach my life and work. You will be too."
—Ajuah Helton, Long Time Education Leader and Woman Who Regularly Does Too Much

"In Kishshana Palmer's captivating book Busy Is a Four-Letter Word, I found myself immersed in a world of tangible tools and invaluable insights that have transformed the way I will approach my leadership as a Black woman CEO from now on. Kishshana's writing is not only relatable and witty, but also backed by thorough research, making it an indispensable resource for anyone looking to navigate the challenges of a demanding career while maintaining their sanity.

What sets this book apart is Kishshana's unique approach of relating leadership tips to scenes from two iconic sitcoms from the 80s – A Different World and The Golden Girls. By drawing parallels between these beloved shows and real-life leadership scenarios, Kishshana injects a sense of familiarity and humor into her advice, making it all the more accessible and relevant.

But what truly sets Busy Is a Four-Letter Word apart is Kishshana's genius and humanity that shine through every page. It feels as though she is lovingly coaching and pushing leaders to be their best whole-hearted selves, making the journey to success not only manageable but also deeply fulfilling.

Reading this book felt like receiving the best hug I never knew I needed – comforting, reassuring, and empowering all at once. I cannot recommend it highly enough to every leader and leader-in-training out there. Kishshana Palmer's Busy Is a Four-Letter Word is a must-read that will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact on your leadership journey."
—Dr. Angela Glymph, CEO of Peer Health Exchange