Busy, But Not Brave: How “Productive” Entrepreneurs Stay Stuck

This blog is written by Jen Josey, a public speaker, coach, podcast host, entrepreneur, and Bestower of Badassery™. She writes as she talks, so put your red pen away. Jen is extremely opinionated but reserves the right to change her opinion at any time because, well, that's the way she rolls. Jen also finds it strange to write in the third person. Enjoy!

Picture this: It’s Monday morning, and I’m at my desk before the sun is up. Coffee in hand, I review my color-coded calendar. Every hour is booked. My inbox is already filling up, and my phone pings with reminders. I feel accomplished, after all, isn’t this what success looks like? But as the days blur together, a nagging question lingers: If I’m so busy, why does my business feel stuck?

I recall when I was the quintessential “productive” entrepreneur. My days were jam-packed with calls, emails, and endless tasks. I was always in motion, yet my business never seemed to leap forward. Sound familiar? I was mistaking movement for momentum.

The Illusion of Productivity

My calendar was a masterpiece. I checked off tasks with the satisfaction of a gold star student. But here’s the truth: most of these tasks were safe. I answered emails, tweaked my website, proofread every YouTube shownote, and spent hours choosing the perfect Canva font. I was productive, yes, but in a way that kept me comfortable. These low-risk activities were my escape from the scarier, high-impact moves that could actually change my business.

One day, I realized I hadn’t done anything that truly scared me in months. I’d been so caught up in being busy that I’d avoided the brave steps that could spark real growth. Suddenly, my productivity felt like a shield, one that kept me safe, but also stuck.

Why Brave Beats Busy Every Time

Bravery isn’t about reckless leaps. For me, it was about messaging that big-name podcast guest I’d been avoiding, pitching myself for a keynote speech, or finally launching that new online course. Each of these actions made my heart race, but they were the ones that could move the needle. Yet, busyness crept in, whispering, “You don’t have time for that today.”

The entrepreneurs who break through aren’t the ones who fill every minute. They’re the ones who choose courage over comfort. I started to see that if I wanted exponential growth, I had to trade my to-do list for brave action.

How to Spot When You’re Stuck in “Busy” Mode

Let’s walk through the warning signs, from my own experience:

My days were packed, but my big goals stayed untouched.

My planner was bursting with activity, but my major goals, like launching a new course, never got priority. I told myself I was “too busy” to focus on the big stuff, but deep down, I knew it was fear holding me back. The comfort of small wins kept me from chasing the game-changers. I felt productive, but my most important dreams were always scheduled “for later.”

I avoided high-stakes conversations or decisions.

I had a challenging email to write, a pitch to one of my idols to be a potential podcast guest. However, I ended up reorganizing my files and cleaning out my inbox instead. I told myself these tasks were important, but in reality, I was evading the discomfort of potential rejection or failure. The more I avoided these critical moments, the more trapped I felt, even though my days remained busy.

I felt exhausted but not excited.

I collapsed at the end of the day, wiped out from constant activity. But when I reflected, I couldn’t remember the last time I felt genuinely exhilarated about my work. The endless cycle of tasks left me drained, not energized. My passion faded as I traded excitement for exhaustion, all in the name of staying busy.

I was always “working on” something but rarely finishing.

I had a dozen projects in progress, but few ever saw the finish line. I started new things with enthusiasm, but when the work got tough or risky, I shifted my focus to something safer. It was a pattern that kept me busy, but never bold. The result? A portfolio of half-finished dreams, none of which moved me forward.

I rationalized staying put: “I’ll do it when I’m ready.”

Whenever I considered a brave move, I found a reason to wait. “I’ll reach out to that conference organizer after I redesign my website. I’ll launch my course once I have more followers.” But “ready” never came, and neither did the breakthrough. I learned that waiting for perfect conditions was just another way to stay safe.

Steps to Get Unstuck

Here’s how I broke the cycle:

1. Identify Your Comfort Tasks: I listed everything I did in a typical day. I circled the tasks that felt safe and familiar, then highlighted the ones that actually moved my business forward. It was eye-opening to see how much time I spent in my comfort zone. This honest audit helped me realize that comfort was costing me growth.

2. Pinpoint Your Brave Move: I asked myself, “What’s one action I’ve been avoiding that could create real change?” Maybe it was applying to speak at a major event, or reaching out to a mentor. I wrote it down, making it real. By shining a light on my fears, I started to shrink their power.

3. Schedule It: Instead of letting my brave move float around as a vague intention, I blocked time for it on my calendar before the busy work took over. This way, courage got a seat at the table, not just the leftovers. I treated my brave move like my most important meeting of the week.

4. Embrace Discomfort: I reminded myself that growth lives outside my comfort zone. When I felt resistance or fear, I used it as a signal that I was on the right track. I leaned into the discomfort, knowing it was a sign of progress, not danger. Each time I chose bravery, my confidence grew.

5. Celebrate Courage, Not Busyness: At the end of each week, I reflected on my bold actions. I celebrated the risks I took, not just the number of tasks I completed. This shift in focus helped me build confidence and momentum. The more I rewarded courage, the easier it became to choose it again.

"Just Say No" List: Automate - Delegate - Eliminate

If you’re ready to step out of the busy trap, it’s time to get ruthless about what you allow on your plate. Here’s an exercise that helped me, and can help you focus on what really matters:

• List out every action and task you spend time on that doesn’t serve your growth, income, purpose, family, or a bigger future. Be brutally honest. Designing graphics, scrolling social media for "inspiration", or anything that doesn’t move the needle belongs here.

• For each item, decide: Automate, Delegate, or Eliminate.

  • Can you automate it with a tool or system?

  • Can you delegate it to a virtual assistant, team member, or even AI?

  • Or can you eliminate it because it’s not necessary?

• Pick your top three time-wasters and commit to changing those immediately. Write them down, and next to each, mark if you’ll automate, delegate, or eliminate. Then, move down your list and do the same for the next seven to ten tasks.

• Example:

  1. Designing YouTube thumbnails for podcasts – Delegate

  2. Manually scheduling social posts – Automate

  3. Attending non-essential meetings – Eliminate

This “Just Say No” List is your permission slip to stop doing what doesn’t serve your bigger goals. The more you clear your plate of busywork, the more space you create for bold, growth-focused action.

Final Thoughts: Ignite, Don’t Just Inspire

My story is one so many entrepreneurs share. Staying stuck in a loop of “productive” tasks is a comfort zone trap. The leap from busy to brave is where the magic happens, where you ignite change, not just inspire it. The next time you catch yourself hiding behind your to-do list, remember: massive action requires courage, not just activity. Trade comfort for courage, and watch your business and your confidence grow.

Are you ready to get brave this week? If you want more actionable strategies to break out of busy and step into bold, let’s connect. Your next level is waiting, and it’s yours for the taking if you’re willing to be brave enough to claim it.

Now go out there and make it a great day!

Whoop Whoop!

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Want more sassy strategies, real talk, and a few laugh-out-loud moments? Catch my latest videos and podcasts on my YouTube channel, or dive deeper into fearless entrepreneurship at www.TheRealJenJosey.com.

And if you’re ready to ignite your audience and shake up your next event, let’s talk! I’m available for keynote speaking engagements, bringing a little courage, a lot of energy, and a whole lot of fun to your stage. Reach out through my website and let’s make some magic happen!