May 2011 WORK / LIFE BALANCE It's hard to achieve a work/life balance but it is so important! Benefits: your health will either be maintained or improve. You'll enjoy more of what life offers (often these are inexpensive or free—and many times simple things like having fun with family or friends over ice cream cones on a beautiful summer night.) Here are some tips: (1) Learn to say "No" to extra tasks and responsibilities. Volunteering is admirable but not if you're already over taxed. If you like the fast pace, then slowing down may help you enjoy and appreciate what you do more deeply. (2) Ask for assistance and/or delegate. Recognize you can't do everything including all your large organizing projects on your own. (3) Create a "to-do" list of what needs to be done and assign REALISTIC time frames and deadlines. (4) Know when you have the most energy and work on more challenging tasks during this best time of the day for you. (5) ENJOY: Your family; your friends; your desk cleared of overwhelming projects; your decluttered space; your empty calendar; your free time.