Strategies to Balance Your Life This Year
By Nadia McKay

"Work-Life Balance": Everyone wants the secret formula, the magic number of hours they should be spending on their various work and personal activities, but the truth is that the definition of balance is different for everyone, and it will vary over time as the demands on each person's time change. This year make it a point to find your own balance niche, rethink your approach to work, and make smarter choices based on your priorities.

There is a lot of debate about the word "balance" and the concepts of "having it all," but what it really comes down to is the freedom to be where you need to be, doing what you need to be doing, at any given time. There is no "balance," only your unique work-life "fit." Everyone has obligations—career, family, friends, community, health, and personal goals/pursuits. It is important to note that work-life balance is not just a working mother's issue. In fact, there are a wider number of generations in our workforce today than ever before, and each generation has different priorities. In many ways, Generation Y employees are paving the way to flexibility for the generations of workers before them. 

Mark Holland, the CEO of Ascend HR Solutions, sets a strong example. Inspired by a Stephen Covey seminar, Holland wrote a personal mission statement to help him stop sacrificing his family and his health for work. This statement has grown into a life plan for Holland and his wife with a 30-year itinerary on spreadsheets that covers the couple's finances (including retirement and college savings), vacations (planned a year and a half out), exercise regimens, spiritual activities, work goals, personal relationships, and personal growth. They asked, "What are the important things? What do we want to have happen before we die?' "

Creating balance in your life is not a one-shot deal, but a continuous process. Figure out what is important to you, recognize your power to make choices, and be firm in what you can and cannot do. Above all, don't measure balance in hours, but in achievement and enjoyment. 

Here are some work-life balance tips that we have found very helpful at Mom Corps:

- Merge your personal and work calendar: Prioritize your work and non-work items on the same page. Fill up on personal dates/activities and treat them as serious business meetings. Treat "life" as a firm appointment on the calendar, not merely something you do when work is done.
- Do what you love: Don't persist in jobs that you are no good at. Set clear expectations at the ones you are good at. Enjoy what you do and incorporate it into your life so that you don't waste time and energy trying to force a separation between work and life.
- Focus your energy: Do one thing at a time. Rather than multitasking, think channel changing. Focusing on being fully present will lead you to be more effective and more satisfied.
- Don't overbook: Prioritize ruthlessly and say no to non-essential tasks. Delegate where you can. Find backup.
- Don't apologize: do what you need to do without excuses and rid yourself of guilt.

Make 2010 the year to find "your" balance!

Nadia McKay is Regional Vice President of Mom Corps, a staffing firm that serves the flexible employment market. McKay joined Mom Corps in 2007 with 20 years of agency and client-side experience in staffing, advertising and client service. She runs the Boston region for Mom Corps, where she serves a wide range of companies, matching their non-traditional staffing needs with top-tier talent. She is a frequent speaker at educational forums and working mother networking groups, and has appeared on Cable TV speaking on topics such as returning to the workplace during a difficult economic climate. http://momcorps.com

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