Business Chicks latte augsept Page 21

august/september 2008

THIS WAY UP

n some ways, I feel unqualified to
write this article. I'm still learning
every day about balancing my respon-

sibilities I run two businesses (and am
about to sign on a third), hold a leader-
ship role with the Entrepreneurs Organi-
sation, regularly speak at conferences,
travel all the time, keep fit, look after a
couple of animals and try to see my hus-
band, family and friends.

I've learnt to have tough conversations

with myself about achieving balance and
encourage you to do the same are there
things in your life that are taking up your
time and preventing you from really en-
joying your available downtime? For me
it's things like cleaning the house. Even
though there's a cost associated with get-
ting help, I work hard and I deserve those
extra few hours in my week. Sit down and
ask yourself what are the activities you
could outsource that would free up your
time? And when you know the answer,
don't delay on taking action just make
it happen and you'll be one step closer to
achieving balance.

Get good at cutting corners.

For me that means ordering gro-
ceries online and having them
delivered, and making some
phone calls in the car while I'm
driving (hands free of course!).
I'm also a fan of getting exer-
cise by walking to or from the
office, or try to get catch-ups
with friends while exercising
too a walk can be just as
much fun as sitting in a café
or bar.

Be firm with your bounda-

ries and have your play time
remain your play time. If
you're meeting with col-
leagues after work and the
conversation turns to work, try being play-
ful and say "OK, no more talking shop! We're
here to enjoy ourselves and aren't being paid
for this time now!" You can also try switching
off the Blackberry so you're not constantly
drawn to it when an email comes in (breathe,
it'll still be there tomorrow) and if you have
the option of having a work phone and a pri-
vate phone, try leaving your work phone at
the office every now and then. On the nights I
need time out, I'll leave my laptop at work or

I'm also a fan of

getting exercise

by walking to or

from the office, or

try to get catch-ups

with friends in while

exercising too a

walk can be just as

fun as sitting in a

café or bar.

if I know I have something to finish off, I'll
leave the power cord behind so I'm limited
to its battery life.

If you struggle to make time for your-

self with exercise, get a personal trainer
or take up a team sport. I've found that
I'm less likely to let others down than I

am myself. I promise myself I'll go to the
gym but then find some way to justify not
going there.

The sayings that made you roll your eyes

whenever they left your mother's mouth
are famous (and true) for a reason. "It's
all about balance"!

Emma's Tips for

Keeping the Balance

Cut corners have

groceries delivered, get a
cleaner

Set boundaries with your

colleagues at after work
drinks be firm that you're
there to relax and unwind

Leave your work phone

and laptop at the office on
nights and weekends

Why not read

The Seven-Day Weekend,

Ricardo Semler

52 Strategies to

Work Life Balance,
Ian Hutchinson

7 Habits of Highly

Effective People,
Stephen R Covey

Emma Isaacs has learned a thing or two about getting the work/life thing right.

But, she says, she still has a lot more to learn.