--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Someone who says \"I am busy\" is either…" description: "\"Someone who says \"I am busy\" is either declaring incompetence (and lack of control of his life) or trying to get rid of you.\" — Nassim Nicholas Taleb" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/869/nassim-nicholas-taleb-352_busy_someone-who-says-i-am-busy-is-either-dec_1293823.png" --- # Someone who says "I am busy" is either declaring… ![“Someone who says "I am busy" is either declaring incompetence (and lack of control of his life) or trying to get rid of you.” quote by Nassim Nicholas Taleb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/869/nassim-nicholas-taleb-352_busy_someone-who-says-i-am-busy-is-either-dec_1293823.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/869/nassim-nicholas-taleb-352_busy_someone-who-says-i-am-busy-is-either-dec_1293823.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/869/nassim-nicholas-taleb-352_busy_someone-who-says-i-am-busy-is-either-dec_1293823.png) > “Someone who says "I am busy" is either declaring incompetence (and lack of control of his life) or trying to get rid of you.” [Nassim Nicholas Taleb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nassim-nicholas-taleb/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Claiming “I am busy” signals either lack of control or a tactic to avoid others **In simple terms:** Busy can be an excuse or a sign of disarray Key Takeaway Question the claim, seek clarity on priorities Themes productivity control social dynamics Mood critical analytical Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - workplace meetings - social invitations - personal planning Key Concepts time management boundaries authenticity Questions to Reflect On - When do you truly need to say no? - How does busyness affect your relationships? A Different Perspective May overlook genuine constraints or misinterpretation ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Incompetence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/incompetence/) [Lack of control](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lack-of-control/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) ## Related quotes > [I still have highs and lows, just like any other person. 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I'm busy, but I've always been busy whatever job I've had. My very first job working in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victoria-derbyshire/success-doesn-t-have-a-downside-for-me-i-m-busy-but-i-ve-always-been/) Victoria Derbyshire > [I remember till 997th film, but after that I got so busy with multiple projects; I'm not sure which one released as my 1,000th…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brahmanandam/i-remember-till-997th-film-but-after-that-i-got-so-busy-with-multiple/) [Brahmanandam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brahmanandam/) > [I love to work in football, so for me it's not work. I'm not here first in the morning and last in the evening…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-farke/i-love-to-work-in-football-so-for-me-it-s-not-work-i-m-not-here-first/) [Daniel Farke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-farke/) > [We all have time away from football to get our head down. At the same time it is a very busy schedule.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reece-james/we-all-have-time-away-from-football-to-get-our-head-down-at-the-same/) [Reece James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reece-james/) > [I am on sabbatical as of right now, been too busy to think of about my OWN needs as of late.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-diamond/i-am-on-sabbatical-as-of-right-now-been-too-busy-to-think-of-about-my/) [Jim Diamond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-diamond/) > [“I don't envy "busy." Busy means having a schedule, not living life. What I really covet is leisure and peace of mind. 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It can be pretty busy, but I'm not out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-sinise/i-do-spend-a-lot-of-weekends-on-the-road-i-have-to-pace-myself-it-can/) [Gary Sinise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-sinise/) > [Our civilization, bequeathed to us by fierce adventurers, eaters of meat and hunters, is so full of hurry and combat, so busy about many…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-joyce/our-civilization-bequeathed-to-us-by-fierce-adventurers-eaters-of/) [James Joyce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-joyce/) > [I have no social life. There is no time for one. 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Never allow pursuits or possessions to become bigger priorities than your relationships. 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