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Creating a healthy balance between work and home is no simple task, especially in today’s fast paced work environment. With the work life and home life out of balance, stress is running high in most families. If you spend more time at work, you lose out on your family and personal life. Alternately, if you spend more time facing the challenges of your personal life, such as coping with marital problems, or caring for your aging parents – on top of financial problems, you are unable to concentrate on the job. There is a great need to reclaim control over your life.

Whether you focus too much on your personal life, or your work life, the outcome is the same – STRESS.

Striking Work-Life Balance
The world has changed, the boundaries have blurred, and work has invaded your personal life. Advancement in communication technology has made people work from anywhere and at any time. This makes you on call 24/7 for trouble shooting or consulting, especially if you are working for an international company.

In the hope of moving up the career ladder in the man-eat-man corporate world, you are working longer hours than is healthy for you. This makes it difficult for you to juggle the demands of your work and family life. A look at how you can face the ongoing challenges to reduce stress, and maintain harmony in work and personal areas of your life:

• Track Your Activities – Keep a log of all your activities, and delegate the ones you do not enjoy, or do not have the time for.
• Check For Flexibility – Find out if your employer offers flexible hours for work – to enable you to cope with your personal and domestic problems. Is telecommuting an option on offer too?
• Time Management – Time management is not only for office work. Manage your time at home also. Organize to do laundry in batches instead of doing it wholesale on your day off. Keep a weekly calendar of family to-do lists. Try to involve your spouse and kids in some daily chores.
• Find Ways To De-stress – Take out time to do things that you enjoy doing, such as going for walks, listening to music, practicing yoga, reading, etc. Set aside one night a week exclusively for your spouse and family. Put the phone off the hook, switch off the TV, and let your collective hair down. Find activities that will rejuvenate you and your family.
• Ensure Enough Sleep – There is nothing more stressful as when you are sleep deprived. This will not only affect your productivity, but can also cause you to commit potentially dangerous and costly mistakes.
• Seek Help – At times of stress, seek help from professionals or from your personal support systems. Talk to your spouse and friends. Every one needs help from time to time and you are no different. Seek help if you find your life too chaotic to manage.

In the end, you need to set your priorities right. What is more important for you – your work or your family? At the crossroads you need to decide what is more important in your life – spending time with your spouse, kids, and extended family, or concentrating just on your work life?

Terence Young
http://www.articlesbase.com/stress-management-articles/how-to-create-a-healthy-balance-between-work-and-home-42993.html

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First of all, I’m not a health professional. This is simply practical advice from someone who has spent many years studying, going to therapy and learning what worked for me. Everyone is different. You may want to do things totally differently. I just want you to realize that severe trauma is painful but it is something that you have survived. Now it is time to look forward and grow. Here are some tips I have used to grow in over thirty years from a shy, scared and hurt girl to a strong, and successful adult. I didn’t do everything by the books. I did it my way but learned from experts along the way.

Whether your pain is from war, childhood abuse, witnessing trauma or whatever, it is strong and best handled by talking to a professional. Therapists are helpful, go to a few and find one you truly can relate to. My whole family has been to, and been helped by them. They are there to give you advice, and help, not condemn or hurt you. Read the rest of this entry »

If you’re a parent that works at home, you already know about the ongoing conflict between your business and your family obligations. Home based businesses are rapidly becoming the norm in our world of high technology. As a parent, this is great news, as it allows you to be in the house with your kids while still creating a necessary income. So, when combining your work life with your home life, how do you find the proper balance, so each can be stable and successful? To begin with you need to have the correct tools at your disposal for whatever your work at home business is.

While this may sound easy, the lack of organization can be a death knell to your home based business. Beyond strong organization, you’ll also need to be able to communicate with your family effectively, set limitations, prioritize your day, stick to your commitments, and learn how to be flexible. Sounds like a lot, doesn’t it? It’s not only possible, it’s very manageable, and while the balance will rarely be perfect, optimizing your schedule and your office will lead you to not only a stronger business – but a stronger family unit, as well. The following steps will help get you started:

Communication

Whether you’re running an internet home based business or another type of work at home career, start with communication. Explain to your family what your home based business will require in order for it be streamlined. This is all about expectations, and may include establishing protocol for interruptions, discussing your normal working hours, and basic rules to be followed. Be ready to listen, question, and explain every detail fully.

Organization

It’s essential to have the proper tools in order to work at home successfully. Be sure to have a strong internet connection (especially if you have an internet home based business), a dedicated telephone (it can be a cell phone), a place to keep files and notes so you can find them quickly, and a way of organizing your incoming work.

Limitations

Your family is important and they are probably the main reason you’re in a home based business to begin with. However, your children need to understand you’re working – even if you’re only in the next room. You’ll need to set limitations with them so they know how to approach you in non-emergency circumstances. You could designate a signal that will visually tell them you cannot be interrupted unless it is an emergency. This can be as simple as a closed door or a sign you hang outside of your office.

Prioritize

Invest in a calendar, whether the old-fashioned type or computer software, to use as a planning tool. This is one of the most important steps you can take if you work at home, because you need a place to pencil (or type) in appointments, school activities, deadlines, etc. Get into the habit of updating your planning tool throughout each day so you can set your priorities well in advance.

Commitment

If you tell your son that you’ll be at his soccer game – be there. If you tell a business associate you will be available to talk on a certain day and time, make sure you are. Your word is important within your family and your business – so unless something happens that you cannot control, live up to what you say. If you do have to break a commitment, be open and honest about it and be ready with an alternate plan. If this happens – it is essential that the alternate plans you made are adhered to.

Flexibility

As with anything in life, learning to be flexible will save you, your family, and your home based business unnecessary stress. Things happen in life, try to find different solutions and different methods when issues pop up.

A work at home office can truly make a difference in narrowing the gap between career and family, especially if the office is organized and the expectations with your family are firmly in place. Combined, it will allow you to remain the stabilizing force you need to be – both in your home based business and in your family.

If you’re a parent that works at home, you already know about the ongoing conflict between your business and your family obligations. Home based businesses are rapidly becoming the norm in our world of high technology. As a parent, this is great news, as it allows you to be in the house with your kids while still creating a necessary income. So, when combining your work life with your home life, how do you find the proper balance, so each can be stable and successful? To begin with you need to have the correct tools at your disposal for whatever your work at home business is.

While this may sound easy, the lack of organization can be a death knell to your home based business. Beyond strong organization, you’ll also need to be able to communicate with your family effectively, set limitations, prioritize your day, stick to your commitments, and learn how to be flexible. Sounds like a lot, doesn’t it? It’s not only possible, it’s very manageable, and while the balance will rarely be perfect, optimizing your schedule and your office will lead you to not only a stronger business – but a stronger family unit, as well. The following steps will help get you started:

Communication

Whether you’re running an internet home based business or another type of work at home career, start with communication. Explain to your family what your home based business will require in order for it be streamlined. This is all about expectations, and may include establishing protocol for interruptions, discussing your normal working hours, and basic rules to be followed. Be ready to listen, question, and explain every detail fully.

Organization

It’s essential to have the proper tools in order to work at home successfully. Be sure to have a strong internet connection (especially if you have an internet home based business), a dedicated telephone (it can be a cell phone), a place to keep files and notes so you can find them quickly, and a way of organizing your incoming work.

Limitations

Your family is important and they are probably the main reason you’re in a home based business to begin with. However, your children need to understand you’re working – even if you’re only in the next room. You’ll need to set limitations with them so they know how to approach you in non-emergency circumstances. You could designate a signal that will visually tell them you cannot be interrupted unless it is an emergency. This can be as simple as a closed door or a sign you hang outside of your office.

Prioritize

Invest in a calendar, whether the old-fashioned type or computer software, to use as a planning tool. This is one of the most important steps you can take if you work at home, because you need a place to pencil (or type) in appointments, school activities, deadlines, etc. Get into the habit of updating your planning tool throughout each day so you can set your priorities well in advance.

Commitment

If you tell your son that you’ll be at his soccer game – be there. If you tell a business associate you will be available to talk on a certain day and time, make sure you are. Your word is important within your family and your business – so unless something happens that you cannot control, live up to what you say. If you do have to break a commitment, be open and honest about it and be ready with an alternate plan. If this happens – it is essential that the alternate plans you made are adhered to.

Flexibility

As with anything in life, learning to be flexible will save you, your family, and your home based business unnecessary stress. Things happen in life, try to find different solutions and different methods when issues pop up.

A work at home office can truly make a difference in narrowing the gap between career and family, especially if the office is organized and the expectations with your family are firmly in place. Combined, it will allow you to remain the stabilizing force you need to be – both in your home based business and in your family.

Ruby River
http://www.articlesbase.com/home-business-articles/the-working-parents-home-office-organization-for-success-124896.html

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• Club Thrive Dallas

If you’re a parent that works at home, you already know about the ongoing conflict between your business and your family obligations. Home based businesses are rapidly becoming the norm in our world of high technology. As a parent, this is great news, as it allows you to be in the house with your kids while still creating a necessary income. So, when combining your work life with your home life, how do you find the proper balance, so each can be stable and successful? To begin with you need to have the correct tools at your disposal for whatever your work at home business is.

While this may sound easy, the lack of organization can be a death knell to your home based business. Beyond strong organization, you’ll also need to be able to communicate with your family effectively, set limitations, prioritize your day, stick to your commitments, and learn how to be flexible. Sounds like a lot, doesn’t it? It’s not only possible, it’s very manageable, and while the balance will rarely be perfect, optimizing your schedule and your office will lead you to not only a stronger business – but a stronger family unit, as well. The following steps will help get you started:

Communication

Whether you’re running an internet home based business or another type of work at home career, start with communication. Explain to your family what your home based business will require in order for it be streamlined. This is all about expectations, and may include establishing protocol for interruptions, discussing your normal working hours, and basic rules to be followed. Be ready to listen, question, and explain every detail fully.

Organization

It’s essential to have the proper tools in order to work at home successfully. Be sure to have a strong internet connection (especially if you have an internet home based business), a dedicated telephone (it can be a cell phone), a place to keep files and notes so you can find them quickly, and a way of organizing your incoming work.

Limitations

Your family is important and they are probably the main reason you’re in a home based business to begin with. However, your children need to understand you’re working – even if you’re only in the next room. You’ll need to set limitations with them so they know how to approach you in non-emergency circumstances. You could designate a signal that will visually tell them you cannot be interrupted unless it is an emergency. This can be as simple as a closed door or a sign you hang outside of your office.

Prioritize

Invest in a calendar, whether the old-fashioned type or computer software, to use as a planning tool. This is one of the most important steps you can take if you work at home, because you need a place to pencil (or type) in appointments, school activities, deadlines, etc. Get into the habit of updating your planning tool throughout each day so you can set your priorities well in advance.

Commitment

If you tell your son that you’ll be at his soccer game – be there. If you tell a business associate you will be available to talk on a certain day and time, make sure you are. Your word is important within your family and your business – so unless something happens that you cannot control, live up to what you say. If you do have to break a commitment, be open and honest about it and be ready with an alternate plan. If this happens – it is essential that the alternate plans you made are adhered to.

Flexibility

As with anything in life, learning to be flexible will save you, your family, and your home based business unnecessary stress. Things happen in life, try to find different solutions and different methods when issues pop up.

A work at home office can truly make a difference in narrowing the gap between career and family, especially if the office is organized and the expectations with your family are firmly in place. Combined, it will allow you to remain the stabilizing force you need to be – both in your home based business and in your family.

If you’re a parent that works at home, you already know about the ongoing conflict between your business and your family obligations. Home based businesses are rapidly becoming the norm in our world of high technology. As a parent, this is great news, as it allows you to be in the house with your kids while still creating a necessary income. So, when combining your work life with your home life, how do you find the proper balance, so each can be stable and successful? To begin with you need to have the correct tools at your disposal for whatever your work at home business is.

While this may sound easy, the lack of organization can be a death knell to your home based business. Beyond strong organization, you’ll also need to be able to communicate with your family effectively, set limitations, prioritize your day, stick to your commitments, and learn how to be flexible. Sounds like a lot, doesn’t it? It’s not only possible, it’s very manageable, and while the balance will rarely be perfect, optimizing your schedule and your office will lead you to not only a stronger business – but a stronger family unit, as well. The following steps will help get you started:

Communication

Whether you’re running an internet home based business or another type of work at home career, start with communication. Explain to your family what your home based business will require in order for it be streamlined. This is all about expectations, and may include establishing protocol for interruptions, discussing your normal working hours, and basic rules to be followed. Be ready to listen, question, and explain every detail fully.

Organization

It’s essential to have the proper tools in order to work at home successfully. Be sure to have a strong internet connection (especially if you have an internet home based business), a dedicated telephone (it can be a cell phone), a place to keep files and notes so you can find them quickly, and a way of organizing your incoming work.

Limitations

Your family is important and they are probably the main reason you’re in a home based business to begin with. However, your children need to understand you’re working – even if you’re only in the next room. You’ll need to set limitations with them so they know how to approach you in non-emergency circumstances. You could designate a signal that will visually tell them you cannot be interrupted unless it is an emergency. This can be as simple as a closed door or a sign you hang outside of your office.

Prioritize

Invest in a calendar, whether the old-fashioned type or computer software, to use as a planning tool. This is one of the most important steps you can take if you work at home, because you need a place to pencil (or type) in appointments, school activities, deadlines, etc. Get into the habit of updating your planning tool throughout each day so you can set your priorities well in advance.

Commitment

If you tell your son that you’ll be at his soccer game – be there. If you tell a business associate you will be available to talk on a certain day and time, make sure you are. Your word is important within your family and your business – so unless something happens that you cannot control, live up to what you say. If you do have to break a commitment, be open and honest about it and be ready with an alternate plan. If this happens – it is essential that the alternate plans you made are adhered to.

Flexibility

As with anything in life, learning to be flexible will save you, your family, and your home based business unnecessary stress. Things happen in life, try to find different solutions and different methods when issues pop up.

A work at home office can truly make a difference in narrowing the gap between career and family, especially if the office is organized and the expectations with your family are firmly in place. Combined, it will allow you to remain the stabilizing force you need to be – both in your home based business and in your family.

Ruby River
http://www.articlesbase.com/home-business-articles/the-working-parents-home-office-organization-for-success-124896.html

I know, we are just getting through with Christmas and now I expect you to start working on organizing things for 2007.

However, this is the time of year that all of the new calendars come out, you get the best variety, and you can purchase them for gift giving for family, friends and teachers. Everyone uses a calendar and if you are like me, you have three of them. It is the simplest way of keeping track of events for the entire family.

Calendars are for more than just keeping track of the days, months and years we need calendars in our hectic schedules to keep track of life itself. ‘Time flies’ is truer than most people think. How many times have you said, “I just run out of time”? I bet if you would keep track, you would probably shock yourself.

A calendar helps to eliminate some of the stress and for me, that is of the utmost importance. Where do I go, who do I have to see, what time do I have to be there, did I forget anything?

Some prefer paper calendars, whether they are the little put in your purse type or the large hang on the wall type, and then there are pocket calendars and electronic organizers and of course our precious computers that have the built in software. I use them all depending on where I am. I also give pocket calendars to all of my clients every Christmas and have received tons of ‘thank you’s’ for the thought.

I have one for everyday, this holds dates such as; doctor appointments, birthdays, anniversaries, children’s events and appointments. It also lists my business appointments (time and address) so everyone can keep track of my whereabouts. This calendar is the biggest calendar that I own, mainly because it holds the information for everyone and everything. This calendar is hung on the inside of the pantry door where everyone can see it. There isn’t any reason to ask what time something is or where something is happening because all of the information is there for everyone to read.

Then I have a second calendar that is for business only, it has all of my appointments and who to contact and phone numbers. This calendar I prefer in the electronic version because it holds more information. It can also hold events that are happening at home so that I don’t over book and I know where everyone is at a given time. It has all of my addresses and phone numbers (including cell phone numbers) and contact information in it.

My special third calendar is for chores and things that I would like to have accomplished by a certain time. I know, this might seem dumb to some of you, but by writing this down and giving myself a timeline, I can rearrange my schedule to help me take the stress out of life by setting my goals. For an example: I want to have the bedroom painted by the 22nd of the month, so I know that I have to fit it in someplace. By looking at the calendar I know what my goal is and I find that on the 10th I have extra time to get the job done; so goal accomplished and no stress.

Now is the time to purchase these and to get them set up for the New Year so you are totally organized and ready to go. What better time to add the birthdays, anniversaries, family picnics etc. At this time, my husband also goes through the new calendar and jots down when he would like to be able to take his vacations. This way we can plan around it, make reservations early and have something to look forward to.

Jan Hayner
http://www.articlesbase.com/time-management-articles/keep-track-of-appointments-following-these-hints-86498.html

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