The Home Office Balancing Act: Six Ways to Balance Your Home and Office Life

Let's face it...balancing your home and office life isn't easy. There are a few ways, however, to tip the scales in your favor.

• Schedule mini-vacations. If you can't get away for longer than a week, take three or four-day weekend vacations. You'll get away from your home office, yet not be away so long that it takes weeks to catch up.

• Share a hobby or sport with a spouse or friend and promise to maintain it.  If you've wanted to start exercising, but often make excuses for getting started, enlist the help of a spouse or friend. He or she may be just the motivation you need to get started and keep going.

• Avoid the tendency to bring work home. If you have to work on a project after hours, limit your work to a few days each week. You'll reduce the likelihood of "early burnout" and will keep your family happy.

• Learn to say "no." Some people have the ability to convince others to do anything. This is the year to start saying no. If you can't do a job well or finish it on time because you lack the time, say no from the beginning.  Otherwise you may agonize over ways to get out of the commitment you've made and promise yourself that next time you'll say no.

• Make sure your personal and business goals match. As you're writing your goals (a good idea to keep you on track), make sure that the goals you're writing and the tasks on your daily or weekly list match. If not, either change your goals or change your tasks.

• Do something for yourself each day. It's easy to get so wrapped up in your daily routine that you forget to take care of someone close to you—you.  Don't become a selfish, cold-hearted person and think only of yourself, but for a few moments each day, do something you enjoy. Whether it's reading your favorite magazine, getting a massage or even taking a walk alone, finding time to do something for you, will leave you with more energy for everyone else.