By Lisa Martin

For high-potential talent being busy is a fact of life, but there is a huge difference between “good busy” and “bad busy.” Good busy energies you. Bad busy drains you.

Good busy is associated with a sense of pride and satisfaction for accomplishing important goals and experiencing joyful moments.

Bad busy can be defined by frustration stemming from unfinished tasks, overload and diminished performance on many levels. Too much leads to disengagement and burnout.

I’ve been writing about and teaching work-life effectiveness for the past decade. And it has become clear to me that success in balancing all aspects of your life comes down to a holistic perspective on how to best manage your energy and priorities for maximum results and satisfaction.

Consider this equation: Energy Management + Time Mastery = Success and Significance.

Energy Management: know what gives you energy and what steals it. Remember even if you are good at something it may not energize you.

Time Mastery: Time is not a resource issue; it is a priority issue. We all have 24 hours/day to spend. If someone tells me they do not have enough “time” to do a particular task; it very likely is not a priority.

To determine if you are operating in the success and significance zone, follow the steps below.

Step 1: List the tasks on your personal and professional “to-do” list. Step 2: Group those tasks into a low, medium or high priority. Step 3: Identify which of those tasks energize you and those that do not. Step 4: Now plot the tasks on the double-axis grid below.

If you have a task or an activity that energizes you and is a high priority – go attack it with gusto. Not only will you be doing something you love, you’ll gain even more energy because a high priority item is complete. For items that are a low priority but bring you energy, save those for a time when you need an energy boost.

If you are facing a task that depletes your energy but is a high priority, consider delegating the task to someone else. But make sure it gets done. Otherwise any energy gain from the act of delegation is sure to be lost if a deadline is missed. And finally, if an activity is a low priority and drains your energy – don’t do it. Yes, I said: “Don’t Do it.” Think of the energy you’ll gain but letting go of what does not matter.

Once the grid is complete, this will give you a very clear picture as to how effectively you are mastering your energy and time. If most of your tasks fall in the upper right quadrant, then you are dwelling primarily in the success and significance zone – dramatic results await.

© Copyright 2010. Lisa Martin. All rights reserved.