by Jessica Grayless

Created on: September 29, 2008   Last Updated: April 16, 2011

When we discuss work-life balance, most of us tend to visualize a scale. The weight of one side must equal the other for balance to exist, right? Perhaps, but maybe I can challenge that notion and share with you something that might help you change your perspective and get rid of unnecessary guilt. There is no law of physics, no universal scientific theory, that states that work-life balance must be 50-50. In fact, balance cannot properly be measured over a day, or a week, a month, or perhaps even a year.

There will be times in your life when work has to take a priority over all else. There will come other times when your family or your personal interests need to be at the top of your list. With that said, there are three things that can help us achieve an overall work-life balance that works for each of us. And it's not as hard as it appears at first glance. We need to decide what we want, constantly evaluate our progress in relation to that, and then move forward giving it everything we've got!

A popular motivational book contains the maxim, "Begin with the end in mind." Nowhere is this more true than in deciding where we want to be in 50 years and who we want to be. Truthfully, work-life balance might be truly measured only at the end of one's life.

Do any of us want to be on our deathbeds thinking that we should have spent more time at work? Of course not, but likewise, we don't want to be feeling regret over family, friends or our own personal growth, either. At the end of your life, who do you want to be and what do you want to have accomplished? What legacy would you like to leave? Write it down. Then break those long-term goals into medium-range and short-term goals. Now, you have something that will help you really focus in on what is most important to you and you alone.

Now that you have this clear picture in your mind, you need to decide whether your life as it is now is set up to help you achieve those goals. For a few of us, we might choose to leave our traditional employment and go back to school or start our own business. For many of us, it simply might mean staying where we are and changing our mindsets. For example, if you have a good job with good pay and benefits, and you see the potential that this job can help you to some of your goals, then stick with it. Don't always go for the fast buck or the big break! While those can happen for some, most of us will win the race as the turtle does, slow and steady.

You'll want to constantly re-evaluate

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>