by Jody Barnes

Created on: April 25, 2008   Last Updated: April 29, 2008

Albert Einstein once said, "life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving." Trying to manage every important aspect of your life might sometimes make you feel like your bicycle is traveling downhill and the brakes have quit. Balancing your commitments at work and home can be extremely stressful, but some simple tips can help put you in control of your busy life and help you regain your sanity.

Figure Out Where the Time Goes

The first step is to find out where your time goes each day. If you take the time to write down everything you do in a day, you may be surprised where your time goes. Research shows that the most successful dieters keep journals of the food they eat, and the same theory applies to busy people who need more time. You may discover that your time is disappearing to some surprising places. By tracking your day, you might be able to find the places where you can reduce your daily workload and other activities that nibble away at your time.

Stop Feeling Guilty for Saying "No"

You may have learned to say "no," but getting over the guilt is part of the process. Saying "no" to extra obligations won't cause your family to stop loving you, and your job will still need your valuable skills. Yes, someone has to be there to pick up the slack, but that someone doesn't always need to be you. When it is time to tell someone that you can't organize the school carnival, go to work on Saturday, or drive your neighbor's dog to the vet, remind yourself of all the times you have said "yes." Reassure yourself that you are still a giving person and team player, but remember, every time you say "no" to extra tasks or responsibilities, you are ensuring that you will remain healthy and focused enough to be valuable to the important people in your life.

Pencil Yourself into Your Calendar

All people require personal time to maintain their sanity and productivity. The only way to ensure that you will get this time is if you schedule it into your day or week, and you must treat that appointment with yourself as if it was any other important obligation. Explaining that you can't stay late at work because you have an important personal appointment isn't a lie. Scheduling in that exercise class, foreign film, or early bedtime after a stressful week is important. When your physical and mental health are lacking, your ability to be a good employee, parent, or super hero is greatly diminished. The people in your life actually benefit by you taking the time

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