CISO Tradecraft® #267 - Busy is the New Stupid (with Ross Young)
8 snips
Jan 12, 2026 In this insightful discussion, Ross Young, a security leader and author of the 'Busy Is The New Stupid' framework, tackles the paradox of being busy yet unproductive. He outlines how distractions like excess meetings and multitasking undermine effectiveness. Young introduces techniques for defending time, such as calendar audits and task batching, while critiquing the always-on culture that erodes boundaries. He emphasizes prioritizing impactful work and invites the community to contribute to evolving the framework, offering new perspectives on productivity.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Treat Time Like A Security Problem
- Busy is a time-security problem modeled like MITRE ATT&CK to reveal how distractions gain access to your day.
- Ross Young reframes meetings, email, and drop-ins as tactics that attackers use to steal attention and reduce effectiveness.
Audit Your Calendar Quarterly
- Audit your calendar regularly and cancel recurring meetings that lack justification.
- Block meeting-free times on your calendar and schedule time with yourself for deep work.
Prebook Daily Focus Blocks
- Block daily meeting-free periods like lunch and dedicated email time to protect focus and avoid after-hours work.
- Pre-book Friday or another day for strategic tasks that require uninterrupted deep work.