Creating work/life balance within your organization.

• Author: Wiley, Sandra L.

In any organization, an increasing number of staff members--from the executive level to the administrative staff--are experiencing burnout, low productivity, dissatisfaction and stress-related illnesses ... due in large part to a lack of balance between their work and personal lives.

It is time for management to look at how to best create greater balance between work and personal lives among the No. 1 asset of the organization--its people. This is not an easy issue to address because individuals have different goals, values and definitions of success; what looks like balance to one person may not be suitable for another.

A good place to begin to understand the issue of work and life balance is with a common definition of the concept.

Work/life balance means having:

* A sense that there is enough time in the day to effectively accomplish work-related tasks

* The ability to get through daily work and family responsibilities without feeling drained

* The ability to participate in activities we enjoy on a regular basis.

Two factors are at the heart of successful work/life balance:

* Accomplishment: completing the tasks we need to get done

* Enjoyment: having the time for loved ones, fun, rest, exercise and hobbies.

Although the concepts of achieving balance are simple, actually creating a balanced life isn't easy--but it is definitely worthwhile.

Here are some steps to help you on the journey toward life balance. It's a continuing process, so don't look for instant perfection, and remember to be patient with yourself.

1) Begin by determining your values and priorities

Yeah, I know, it feels like everything is a priority. Yet too often, our time and energy is spent on things that we don't really care about. Once you're clear about your values and priorities, you can begin saying "no" to those life activities that move you further away from your values and priorities, and "yes" to a strategy that is in alignment with your values.

You can begin to structure your life in a way that supports the personal and professional goals you want to accomplish. Determining these goals and the quality of life you seek will help guide you toward figuring out what "balance" looks like for you.

2) Identify your balance "blockers."

Balance blockers are those things that we either think or do that stand in the way of achieving harmony. It's basically a perspective we hold about why we can't pursue balance-related goals. Some examples of blockers are:

* Living for...