What Buffering Looks Like in Business
Buffering is what you do to avoid facing what you’re afraid of.
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Eating when you’re not hungry
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Shopping for things you don’t need
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Pouring another glass (or two) of wine
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Scrolling on LinkedIn, comparing yourself
You justify it by saying:
I deserve a break.
Just for a minute.
Everyone does it.
But buffering isn’t limited to personal habits.
We do it inside our business too.
Instead of tackling hard decisions like hiring a sales team or building a sales funnel, you distract yourself:
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Suddenly organizing files and emails
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Constantly checking your team’s work
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Obsessing about what a client thinks of you
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Buying 3 more books you have no time to read
It feels productive.
But it’s just avoidance.
How to Break the Buffering Habit
Every time you buffer, you reinforce the habit of escaping discomfort.
The solution isn’t forcing yourself to stop buffering.
It’s recognizing when and why you do it.
Awareness is the first step to breaking the cycle.
The next time you feel uncomfortable, notice what your first instinct is.
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Instead of doing that, pause and do nothing.
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Name the feeling you’re having.
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Feel the discomfort. You can handle it.
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Ask, What am I thinking that’s causing this?
It will always be a thought about something you don’t want.
And that’s something you can control.
Change your thoughts. Change your life.
