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Trouble finding the perfect balance between working and happiness at home? We all wish we could wave some magic wand and presto, instant happiness. The magic wand thing is not happening but your work-life balance can be a lot better.

We spend around 55 hours a week at work. Even give up our vacation time to work. If you are getting eight hours of sleep a night, you now have a whopping fifty-seven hours to fit in showering, prepare/eat meals, grocery shop, laundry, clean, pay bills, check homework, prepare lunches, spend quality time, and ect... Create a family schedule and be a good employee, parent, and spouse. This is your wake up call to get up and smell the freshly brewed coffee! Follow these simple tips.

TIPS TO FINDING THAT WORK-LIFE BALANCE:

~ Commit to getting yourself and family ORGANIZED! Chaos leads to more chaos.

~ Run all household/personal errands once a week only, make a list. Keep to your schedule unless you really have to change it. You will be helping the environment, your household budget, and saving yourself a lot of time.

~ No longer needing to run out at lunch each day to pick up odds and ends for your home. Use your extra time to get little things done around your job. Do some filing, answer e-mails, and make phone calls that have been cluttering your inboxes.

~ Shopping with a list means you should have all the ingredients necessary to spend a few hours on the weekend cooking ahead. Purchase a quick and easy recipe book. Prepare meals and freezing them for quick cooking later on. Pack your lunches at night. Buying out gets expensive and fattening!

~ Everyone young and old can help set up for meals. This makes everyone feel like they have contributed to the Household's smooth running. Encourage everyone to share one good and not-so-good thing about their day.

~ If your child is in After-School care, ask them to work on homework there. Remind your child that they are going to feel more like doing work earlier rather than later when they get home. This will free up extra time for family stuff.

~ Create a Family Chore Chart. If you all stick to it each week, then have some sort of family or individual reward. If your budget can afford a little allowance to be given, then go for it! Kids love to see the "green" stuff.

~ Give One 150% to your job while you are there but learn to shut it off when you leave at night. Can't sleep? Try Yoga or Meditation before you go to sleep. Not able to roll out of bed in the morning? Try fitting in some exercise each day either at lunch-time or as a family later in the day. You will feel better and more motivated.

~ Give 150% to your family . If home creeps into your place of employment that is OK, it is going to happen some times. Be honest and truthful with your employer. If you have a chronically ill child or a long-term family issue making you miss work frequently, your family and employer will need to evaluate whether to continue full-time, part-time, or take time off.

~ Communication is key to a smooth running ship at home and work. If Couples are working different shifts, then leave each other love notes and pass along important family information throughout the day. Investing in a family text/phone plan could be well worth the money.

~ Nobody, no matter how perfect they may think they are can do it "ALL". It is OK to ask others for help.

There is no quick fix or magic wand to balancing your life but Following these tips will get you closer. Everyone benefits from a schedule and good communication. Remember to be flexible. No matter how much you plan ahead, there is always going to be some thing wrenching up your cogs of "woppiness".

Learn more about this author, Elizabeth Blankenship.
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