Striking the Right Work/Life Balance

By: Rebecca McClain

As entrepreneurs we can get so caught up in our daily schedules and activities that we forget to do the simple things that can support our success. The challenge of balancing our lives in today's hectic world is a significant test we face. We become overwhelmed by the demands of juggling business, family, technology, the economy and so forth. We sometimes feel that there's not enough time in a day to do the things we want, and need, to do.

The real problem is not balancing work and life. It's about making the right choices about the different aspects of our lives and prioritizing their importance. Work is an integral part of life, as is being a parent, spouse and friend, as well as caring for yourself. When you're trying to juggle all of these areas of your life at the same time, some things will inevitably fall to the floor and through the cracks.

Adjusting your schedule to accommodate the demands of your personal and professional life will always be a challenge, but it is doable. Having lived a fast-paced life for so many years, I've learned to place myself at the top of my list of priorities without feeling strange or guilty. Truthfully, I find that juggling several balls at once can be mind stimulating. But I am quick to review my priorities when I began to feel a significant imbalance between my personal and professional life.

If you're feeling that you don't have enough time to do the things you want, and need, to do, then you must take deliberate steps to create the life you want. Here is a list of essentials that will help to maintain work/life balance:

1. Recognize that you can't do it all at once.
2. Learn to say "no" rather than over-committing and becoming overwhelmed and imbalanced.
3. Schedule time for exercise, relaxation and to pamper yourself.
4. Spend quality time with family and friends on a regular basis.
6. Take a vacation each year, with limited use of your Blackberry or cell phone.
7. Take in a movie, go to the theater, sporting event or other recreation/hobby frequency.
8. Reserve time before going to sleep each night to "de-fog" your mind.

Figure out what you want out of life and set your priorities. Cut back on things that are low on your list of priorities. Less is more when you're trying to strike the right balance. Having time to spend on yourself and with family, you just might find that you feel more fulfilled doing fewer activities than you felt running around with that large "S" on your chest!