September 15, 2025

Why “Busy” Isn’t the Same as “Forward”

The team’s productive.
The roadmap is shipping.
The backlog is moving.

But you can’t shake the feeling you’re sprinting in place.

1. Velocity without vector is waste

More features, more meetings, more headcount.
But is it actually moving the business toward a sharper future?

Ask:

  • Are we shipping with strategy or just speed?

  • What are we doing because it’s “next,” not necessary?


2. Every initiative needs a thesis

Before you build, answer:

  • Why now?

  • What will break if we don’t?

  • How will we measure success?

If the answer is fuzzy, the work probably is too.

3. High output ≠ high leverage

More motion doesn’t mean more impact.

Start pruning:

  • Cut the projects that don’t connect to growth

  • Kill the “someday” features nobody’s excited to own

  • Replace “busy” with “bold”

Momentum should feel clear, not cluttered.

Ask yourself:
What are you building right now out of habit not strategic intent?