How to Balance Work, Family and Friends

10. If overwhelmed, seek out an employee assistance counselor. A good day planner is indispensable. Appointments, records of meetings, assignments, monthly reports, telephone conversations and special projects should be noted each day. A good day planner can help create an orderly work environment. A day planner can be small or large. Find one that is comfortable. You will be writing in it constantly. It should have a space large enough to make notes for each day of the year. List all activities that need to be addressed during the day. Check off as they are completed. A note should be made as to the resolution. If follow-up is needed on an action item, schedule it for a specific day the following week. A first-class telephone directory is an essential part of a day planner. It must be large enough for a complete name, title, mailing address, work phone, fax number, home phone, e-mail address and cell phone. A section for meeting notes will be helpful, because every meeting will produce action items. Special projects are commonplace; therefore, a section for this purpose will keep track of dates and timelines. Keep a section for anniversaries and birthdays. There are also outstanding electronic and computerized methods for keeping track of daily activities, but there are concerns with using these.

Firstly, access to computerized day planners can be gained easily by others. Therefore, confidential notes in the computerized day planner may not remain confidential. Secondly, effective time-management requires constant updating in a day planner. Working on a computer all day causes eye and wrist strain. A traditional day planner allows you to step away from daily computer tasks. Writing periodically can minimize the negative repercussions of continually viewing a screen and manipulating a keyboard. Regardless of method, you must feel comfortable with your day planner. Effective Day-Planning1. Meet deadlines. 2. Keep appointments. 3. Be prepared for meetings. 4. Return phone calls the same day. 5. Always keep day planner within reach. 6. Follow through on obligations every day. 7. Take extreme care of important documents. 8. Keep precise notes of meetings in day planner. 9. Add action items to day planner as day progresses. 10. Set aside a day during the week to respond to correspondence. By arriving at work early, the day can be organized in the quiet of the morning. Tight deadlines may require you to pack each day with a heavy workload. With no disruptions, a tremendous amount of work can be accomplished. Furthermore, don't get in the habit of taking work home. It will signal to your family that your work is more important than the quality time you spend with them. Research suggests taking work home is not productive, because trying to concentrate on work assignments is difficult when family members crave attention. Remember, due dates and timelines are not set in stone. They can be adjusted. Diplomatic negotiations with superiors can bring about a more reasonable workflow.

Block work life out when you are with your family. Let it be known in the organization the time you spend with your family is highly prized. Organize your family life in a way that maximizes the time you spend with those you care about. Family time is priceless. Make sure family members have your emergency number. Be prepared for family emergencies by training subordinates to take over when you are called away. This may require investing organizational resources in training your staff to assume additional responsibilities. In the end, a better-prepared staff will be created. Regardless of your planning and preparation, the pressures of balancing work life and family life can be overwhelming sometimes. If the need arises, an employee assistance counselor may be helpful. One of the most pressure-packed family-life responsibilities is managing the family budget. There must be a thorough understanding of all family finances. Both partners should be involved in this endeavor. Set up a routine plan to make sure bills are paid on time. Pay bills on the first and 15th. This should be a quiet time. Do not allow interruptions. Paying bills and planning a sound financial future is a major undertaking. Loved ones give oue lives meaning, so it is imperative attention be paid to all valued relationships. We should always stay connected to those we care about. They bring out our humanity, and affirm the positive aspects of being a good daughter, son, wife, husband, mother, father, granddaughter, or grandson. Work life and family life can be balanced successfully. It is possible to be a hard-driving management professional, while at the same time nuturing your family. Just remember, you are the CEO of your life, so manage it well.