Have you noticed how busy people are these days? People were busy last year, and now they are even busier today. But busy is not always good. There are many different kinds of "busy."

Just like the Eskimo's have many different definitions for "snow", we need to differentiate between the different kinds of busy. Here is a list of "busy"-- the good, the bad, and the ugly. Which busy are you?

1. Busy/Focused

This means you are going after a goal, and strictly focused on executing that goal. It means your team knows what the goal is, and knows what the important priorities are for hitting the goal. This is good-busy, if the team is working in lock step and everyone knows his or her role and goals in the business.

2. Busy/Productive

This means you are getting a lot done with your time. Perhaps you have a lot of clients to service, or a large backlog that you are working your way through. Or it can mean you are following the 20-80 rule, and you are doing the work that is most important, and delegating (or simply not doing) the rest. Busy/productive should show up on the bottom line and in the growth of your firm.

3. Busy/Proactive

This means you are getting "ahead" of issues. Either you are visiting customers, or job sites, or prospecting for business, or meeting with your peer group, or talking to influencer's in your community. When done right, this is good-busy, and should make your firm more competitive.

4. Busy/Innovating

This means you are growing in a new direction, adding new services, and busy figuring them out and selling them. This means your team is trying out new methods for executing the work. It can also mean you are expanding into a new geographic area. Busy/innovating is good-busy; because it will drive your profits.

…But busy is not always good, for example:

5. Busy/Reactive

This means you are busy responding to emails and phone calls and knocks on the door. You are reacting to the agendas of your customers, your suppliers, your subs, and your staff. It means you are not setting the agenda. It may mean your leadership is weak, and you are in a state of "followship".

6. Busy/Fire fighting

This means you have big complaints that are consuming your time, or big quality issues or contract completion issues. This means your employees or customers are screaming, or your banker is screaming, or other stakeholders in your business are screaming. (It can also mean you did poor planning this winter and you now are paying the price, responding to the poor planning. This is related to busy-reactive.). This means you have a fundamental problem you need to address.

7. Busy/Changing directions constantly

This is "attention deficit disorder" busy. This is due to not following through on your plans, and constantly creating new plans and new directions. It can also mean you are easily distracted. You thrive on chaos, and it keeps you busy.

8. Busy/Doing double work

This means your systems force you to do double or triple administrative work. This is the kind of busy work that consumes a department or whole company, and stops it from growing easily.

9. Busy/Busy work

This may mean you have gone past the 20-80 rule, and you are simply working on too many projects; unfocused and without great results. You may need to 'get perspective' on what you are working on--on what is important right now to grow your business. You may also need a break to recharge your batteries. Either way, it is imperative that you refocus and get back on track.

Everyone is busy - though many people are not the right kind of busy. What kind of busy are you?

Jeffrey Scott--consultant, speaker and ex-contractor--runs the "Leaders Edge" national peer group, where achievement-minded green industry professionals come together in a small group format, to address burning issues, share best practices and find new ways to better manage and grow their business. To learn more visit: www.GetTheLeadersEdge.biz Jeffrey is also author of the book "The Referral Advantage--How to increase your sales and grow your business by referral." You can download the first 5 chapters free by visiting www.jeffreyscott.biz.