Readers: It's better to stay busy than to act busy

So, how's it going out there in cubicle-land? Staying busy?

I trust that you are. The first few weeks after the winter holidays are always challenging, as we try to catch up on the work we missed during our celebrations with family and friends.

However, as I mentioned a couple of months ago, I'd rather be busy than bored at work. Several of you responded to that column to let me know you felt the same way.

One person, posting a comment online, wrote: "I love to be busy, too. Not the 'I can't complete one task without 20 others interrupting me' busy, but just busy enough to feel on the edge of too-busy. It's immensely satisfying to feel that sense of accomplishment when one has worked hard and well."

Absolutely true. Interruptions are an inevitable, but frustrating, part of office life. If you can minimize them, there's nothing better than having time to really dig in to an assignment and work it until it's done.

Another online reader agreed with the first comment, but added a twist: "I find myself looking forward to going in to work when I know there will be lots to do. I think trying to look busy is actually more work than BEING busy!"

I've been fortunate to work in jobs that rarely left me enough time to try to look busy, and I'm thankful: that would not be fun. It would be quite stressful trying to look busy so you could justify your work existence. It's much better to actually have a lot to do.

Another reader, Mike, sent me an email saying he could relate to my experience of being busy in the media world.

"Even though I’ve been retired for nearly 10 years, I was reminded by your column ... about my 35 years as a graphic designer in which publication, print and newspaper deadlines were at a high level nearly every hour of every day," Mike wrote.

"I found that the busier and more hectic the days were, the better I functioned, and the more satisfied and fulfilled I felt at the end of each day and work week. Pressure seemed, for the most part, to kick in the adrenalin levels needed to stimulate the 'creative juices' that are necessary in this particular field. This was especially true in earlier pre-computer years when graphic design and production was much more labor-intensive. Admittedly, weekends, holidays and vacations were highly anticipated to recharge and refocus.

"Your column also reminds me of a career counselor friend of mine whose enthusiasm for work was so intense that his custom license plate read TGIM (Thank goodness it’s Monday)."