Does busyness consume you? Are you scattered, out of control, lost or trapped? Do you feel that no matter how hard you run, you'll never get ahead?

When we get too busy, it's easy to lose touch with the real business of our lives, let alone the business of doing business. Actually, many of us hide behind busyness because we don't know exactly what we want or what we are to do.

Today, we can easily get shouldered with many responsibilities. We're continually faced with new choices.

If we're not careful, we get overloaded or sidetracked. So how do we go from chaotic busyness to a more manageable, even relaxed perspective?

Your first step must be to have a very high desire to change. For most people, this only happens when the pain of staying the same becomes worse than the pain of changing. You need to say, "I am fed up with how I'm living! This is MY life and I intend to live it MY way."

To take control and to maintain control of busyness requires passion, commitment, and motivation. You need the energy reserves and staying power to take your life back. Once you are committed, you must make time and then take that time to do the work of reclaiming your life. Book time on your calendar every day for thinking, reflection, reading, problem solving and working on your situation. Remember: If you don't protect your time, your co-workers, boss, friends and family will happily fill up your time for you. Is this what you want? Zealously protect time for yourself - it's your only path to break out of busyness so you can really get down to business.

Once you have made time, you need a focus. Even if that focus is simply searching for ways to escape the old pains, poverty, ineffective patterns or mediocrity. How do you want your life or your business to be? What do you most want to do with your time? What do you feel truly passionate about? What is important to you? It is time to ask serious questions.

When you start to focus, it is best to begin from within. To the degree that you are clear in your head and heart about your business and/or life, you will achieve clarity in your outer world. So the place to start is with inner reflection. To understand yourself, your needs, concerns and desires. After all, you have created the situation. As you begin to go for what you want, life unfolds in a more meaningful and harmonious way.

If you need help going within and getting direction, then get it. There are many books, coaches, counselors, consultants, courses, etc. available. Try asking yourself questions that draw out your own answers. Take a personal inventory.

Once you get committed enough to make the time and take the time, then stop and ask yourself some bottom line questions. Over 25 years I have compiled the top 25 questions that give me control, clarity, balance and a plan to move forward. Use these questions once a month or even once per week. For your FREE copy of these bottom line business questions visit http://www.smartquestion.com/business-questions.shtml. They will help you master management, marketing, money, manufacturing -- and me!

John Robson has over 30 years of corporate and entrepreneurial experience. He has taught many programs on personal and business development. He now supports people and businesses in getting control, thinking and having meaningful growth through Smart Question Coaching at http://www.smartquestion.com/