How do you know how much you can do? Peter Drucker, the famous industrial analyst and marketplace guru, has said that no one comes close to using his or her entire potential for getting things done. But most of us don't want to accept that thought, so we invent new criteria to convince ourselves that we're accomplishing a lot - certainly meeting our daily and weekly goals - whether we really are or not. While we want to believe we're better and faster than the competition, could it be that we are confused about the difference between effectiveness and just staying busy? I'm convinced it happens more often than we think (or want to admit).

Most people I've met tend to measure how much they can do - that is, what they hope they are accomplishing - by how much they are involved in and how busy they are all day long. Instead, I believe an honest assessment would be to ask this: How much are you on top of? To what degree are you actually in control? Stephen Covey urges us to make a distinction between efficiency and effectiveness. Efficiency is doing things right. Effectiveness is doing the right things. His point is well worth considering.

For many people, busyness is their answer to pressure. They run faster to get to the goal before others. But when they arrive, do they have the proper solution? They shop longer and accumulate more. But when they look over their "treasures," do they have the things that make for a happy and peaceful life?

Busyness has become a sign of success and importance. In fact, I have met all too many people who try to impress me with their busyness. When they tell me that their day is a complete zoo and there is still too much to do at close of business, I know there is a fire somewhere because I smell smoke. We all cry out for relief from overwhelming schedules, but the truth is that if someone provided a way out, we wouldn't know how to respond. The tyranny of the urgent keeps us so busy we can't give attention to the truly important matters.

Busyness is not only a way of life and a habit, but while we weren't looking, it has become an addiction. "I'm so busy I never have enough time for myself" is a way of saying "I am important and needed." Busyness has become a way we measure our worth.

What does this mean to you? Does it stimulate self-assessment (even if painful)? When you take inventory, are you making progress toward accomplishing your life's goals, or are you feeling frustration that most remain out of reach? Helping people find answers to these perplexing questions is what "With Time To Spare" is all about. From bedroom closets to boardroom cabinets, from office building custodians to business CEOs, people need to get control of time and life.

But, be warned: being trapped in "busyness" didn't occur overnight, and it won't disappear overnight, so don't be discouraged. The degree of change you measure in a week or a month isn't as important as your desire to create change through new thought patterns and being willing to evaluate your goals pretty ruthlessly. The point is this: are you satisfied as to where life's present pathway is leading? If not, think about a new map.