5 Ways to Un-Busy Your Life
By age 26, Kishshana Palmer ’01, MSIAM ’02 had blazed a career in the nonprofit space, climbing to the role of chief development officer. “I was a first-generation college student, and my family had high expectations,” Palmer recalls. “While I had their emotional support, I didn’t have a professional blueprint that emphasized purpose and passion.”
Palmer was “damn good” at driving mission-aligned innovation and financial sustainability. And she was equally as successful as a solo mom and weekly volunteer in her daughter’s class. But behind the scenes, she was burning out.
“I equated being ‘un-busy’ to being lazy, but my body was telling me to slow down,” Palmer says. So much so that she had to travel with a blood pressure cuff. It wasn’t until she had a near paralyzing back injury that she realized something needed to change. “That’s when I finally took time to pause, self-reflect and reclaim everyday luxuries for myself,” she says.
The shift changed her path, and, an International Studies major at Bentley, she leaned into her entrepreneurial side, launching ManageMint, Inc. — at the time Kishshana & Co. — in 2013 to provide leadership development and change management. At the same time, Palmer has embraced her voice as a leadership coach and adviser, podcaster, keynote speaker and author of 2024’s Busy Is a Four-Letter Word: A Guide to Achieving More by Doing Less.
“This is not about time management,” Palmer says of her approach to working smarter, not harder. “It’s about slowing down enough to be present. Many of us are on autopilot. But life comes in seasons, and you’re allowed to shift — in your business, your relationships, your health and how you lead.”
Palmer's five tips for slowing down and focusing on what matters to you:
- Pause. Take time to consider where you are in your life, including your work, relationships, physical and mental health. This sets the stage to identify your purpose. What matters to you right now?
- Redefine productivity. Being productive doesn’t always have to mean checking off every item on a to-do list. When you can, try focusing on things that are fulfilling and contribute to something meaningful, whether they’re on the get-done list or not.
- Reevaluate your priorities. Do some thoughtful planning. Be more strategic in how you approach scheduling. Say “no” to what doesn’t serve you.
- Think holistically. Being productive goes beyond tasks. It’s important to be in tune with your overall mental, spiritual and physical health.
- Plan for guilt-free rest. Rest isn’t a reward; it’s a necessity. Start small by planning one rest activity for the week.
Kishshana Palmer ’01, MSIAM ’02 was a keynote speaker at the 2025 Bentley Alumni Conference. Watch her talk about turning failures into fuel.
