Character Trait: Busy

To engage your reader, it's important to always show not tell the traits of your characters. The character trait Busy refers to a person who is frequently engaged in a variety of activities or tasks, often to the point of feeling overwhelmed or having a packed schedule. A busy character is typically seen as highly productive and motivated, but may also struggle with finding balance and managing their time effectively. They may prioritize work or other obligations over socializing or self-care, and may struggle to relax or take breaks.

Possible causes of being busy

You might want to weave these into your character's back story to build a more believable character.

• Perfectionism or a desire to overachieve
• A need for control or a fear of being idle
• Difficulty saying no to requests or commitments
• Cultural or societal pressure to always be busy or productive
• Fear of missing out or a need to stay busy to feel productive
• Inability to delegate tasks to others
• Prioritizing work over personal life or hobbies
• Anxiety or restlessness
• High workload or job demands

For detailed feedback on busy characters and other aspects of your writing, try ProWritingAid's critique report.

Behaviors associated with being busy

You may be able to show your character's trait of busy by using these.

• Feeling stressed or anxious about deadlines and responsibilities
• Constantly checking and responding to emails, messages, and notifications
• Multitasking, trying to do several things at once
• Feeling overwhelmed by the amount of work to be done
• Skipping meals or eating on the go
• Sacrificing leisure time and hobbies in favor of work
• Rushing from one task or appointment to another
• Saying "yes" to too many commitments

Attitudes associated with being busy

You may be able to show busy through their attitudes.

• Having limited time for leisure or relaxation
• Being efficient with time management
• Feeling overwhelmed or stressed
• Having a sense of urgency and importance
• Feeling productive and accomplished
• Feeling a sense of satisfaction from completing tasks
• Feeling a sense of purpose and direction
• Being driven and motivated
• Being focused on tasks and goals

Thoughts and struggles associated with being busy

Here are some ideas for things your busy character may think or struggle with.

• Struggling to find time for self-care or leisure activities
• Fear of missing out on important opportunities or events
• Difficulty saying "no" to additional commitments or requests
• Constantly feeling overwhelmed with a never-ending to-do list
• Difficulty prioritizing tasks and deciding what to focus on first
• Tendency to multitask and feel scattered, leading to mistakes or oversights
• Feeling guilty when taking breaks or delegating tasks to others
• Feeling like they are always behind or playing catch-up

Emotions associated with being busy

Here are some ideas for emotions your busy character may experience.

• Overwhelm
• Accomplishment (when tasks are completed)
• Frustration
• Tiredness
• Stress
• Lack of focus
• Anxiety
• Productivity (when tasks are managed effectively)
• Sense of urgency
• Satisfaction (when goals are achieved)

Facial expressions associated with being busy

Here are some facial expressions your busy character may exhibit.

• Narrowed eyes
• Furrowed brows
• A tense or strained jawline
• Fidgeting or tapping fingers
• Tightly pursed lips
• Quick, abrupt movements
• Rapid eye movements
• Looking at a watch or clock frequently
• Constantly checking a phone or device

Body language associated with being busy

Here is some body language your busy character may exhibit.

• Tapping or fidgeting with fingers or objects
• Avoiding eye contact or only briefly acknowledging others
• Clenching or tensing muscles
• Frequently checking the time or a phone
• Slouching or having tense shoulders
• Rapid or short movements, such as quick steps or jerky head motions
• Speaking quickly or abruptly
• Not pausing to take breaks or rest

For detailed feedback on busy characters and other aspects of your writing, try ProWritingAid's critique report.

Behaviors associated with being busy

Here are some behaviors your busy character may exhibit.

• Rushing from one task or appointment to another
• Saying "yes" to too many commitments
• Constantly checking and responding to emails, messages, and notifications
• Feeling stressed or anxious about deadlines and responsibilities
• Multitasking, trying to do several things at once
• Sacrificing leisure time and hobbies in favor of work
• Feeling overwhelmed by the amount of work to be done
• Skipping meals or eating on the go

Growth and evolution of busy characters

Here are some ways that your busy character may grow and evolve over time.

• Prioritizing their time more effectively
• Re-evaluating their goals and adjusting them to align with their values and priorities
• Learning to delegate tasks to others
• Overcoming their fear of missing out (FOMO) and learning to say no to unnecessary commitments
• Accepting help from others instead of trying to do everything alone
• Realizing the value of slowing down and enjoying the present moment
• Recognizing the impact of their busy lifestyle on their relationships and making efforts to improve them
• Developing better communication skills to avoid misunderstandings and conflicts
• Discovering the importance of taking breaks and self-care

Stereotypes of busy characters to avoid

Try to avoid writing stereotypical busy character like these examples.

• The person who is always rushing around but never actually accomplishing anything
• The person who uses their busy schedule as an excuse to avoid responsibility or commitments
• The workaholic who has no life outside of their job
• The neglectful parent or friend who is too busy for their loved ones
• The constantly stressed-out person who never takes a break
• The one-dimensional character whose only defining trait is being busy
• The character who takes pride in being busy, as if it's a competition or a badge of honor

Negatives of being busy

Here are some potential negatives of being busy. Note: These are subjective and some might also be seen as positives depending on the context.

• Missed deadlines and appointments
• Limited opportunities for self-care and personal growth
• Increased stress levels
• Limited ability to focus and concentrate on important tasks
• Reduced quality time with family and friends
• Limited time for hobbies and leisure activities
• Increased risk of burnout and exhaustion
• Reduced creativity and innovation
• Decreased productivity and efficiency

Positives of being busy

Here are some potential positives of being busy. Note: These are subjective and some might also be seen as negatives depending on the context.

• Enhances creativity and problem-solving skills
• Fosters better relationships and social connections
• Improves mental and physical health
• Increases productivity and motivation
• Helps prioritize tasks and manage time effectively
• Provides a sense of purpose and accomplishment
• Boosts self-esteem and confidence
• Leads to new opportunities and experiences

Verbal expressions of busy characters

Here are some potential expressions used by busy characters.

• "I have a lot on my plate"
• "I'm buried in work"
• "I'm slammed"
• "I'm swamped"
• "I'm juggling a lot of things at once"
• "I'm running around like a chicken with my head cut off"
• "I'm in the middle of something right now"
• "I'm up to my ears in [work, projects, etc.]"

Relationships of busy characters

Here are some ways that being busy could affect your character's relationships.

• Busy people may be seen as unreliable or inconsistent in their commitments.
• Busy people may have a tendency to cancel plans or reschedule frequently due to their busy schedule.
• Others may feel like they have to compete with the busy person's work or other obligations for attention and time.
• Others may feel neglected or overlooked by the busy person.
• They may come across as uninterested or uninvolved in the lives of others.
• They may have difficulty prioritizing relationships alongside their other responsibilities.
• Busy people may struggle to make time for others, leading to strained relationships.
• They may struggle to fully engage in conversations or activities with others because their mind is preoccupied with work or other obligations.

Examples from books of characters who are busy

• James Bond from the James Bond series by Ian Fleming
• Lisbeth Salander from the Millennium series by Stieg Larsson
• Jay Gatsby from The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
• Elizabeth Bennet from Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
• Sherlock Holmes from the Sherlock Holmes series by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
• Hermione Granger from the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
• Holden Caulfield from The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
• Katniss Everdeen from The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins
• Jane Eyre from Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

Writing exercises for writing busy characters

Here are some writing exercises you might try for learning to write busy characters.

• Show the consequences of your character's busy lifestyle, such as strained relationships or health problems.
• Start by observing busy people in your daily life, take note of their mannerisms, speech patterns, and body language.
• Create a backstory for your character that explains why they are always busy.
• Describe your character's workspace or office, and how it reflects their busy lifestyle.
• Write a scene where your character is forced to slow down and take a break, either due to illness or a personal crisis.
• Write a dialogue between your character and someone who is trying to make plans with them, but they are too busy.
• Create a character with a busy profession, such as a CEO, a doctor, or a lawyer, and describe their daily routine.
• Show your character's priorities by having them choose between two important tasks or events.
• Write a scene where your busy character is multitasking, juggling several tasks at once.