It seems that everyone is incredibly busy lately.  Year end planning, updating web sites, Twittering, writing, speaking, marketing their books and services, exploring new opportunities, servicing clients. The list is endless.  There’s so much to do and the more that can get done the better off things will be, right?  I’m not so sure of that.  Activity will not help your leverage your content, grow your business and achieve your objectives unless it is connected to a solid strategy.  A good strategy will give you the clarity you need to determine which activities are essential and which are not.

I’ve yet to work with a client that has not realized that some, if not many of the things they were putting   time, energy and resources into really were not helping them.  In many instances the opportunity cost was actually harming them in some way.  So what is it about activity for the sake of being busy that is so magnetic to many people, to some extent even addictive?  I think that when you are passionate about the work that you do and you want to succeed keeping busy is comforting.  It feels good to know you put in another zillion hour week; to know that you’re involved in dozens of interesting projects, to be on a dozen conference calls by two in the afternoon.  After all given that you’re passionate about your work you wouldn’t sit around on the couch all day when there’s so much that needs to get done?

It comes down to having a solid strategy, one that you believe in and can use as the road map to drive your business.  You will gain the clarity you need to be able to effectively prioritize and you’ll also be able to track your progress along the way.  You’ll still be busy but you’ll be a lot less frustrated.