6 Ways To Balance Work And Play
 By Amanda C. Garrett

For many of us, it’s hard enough to cram our work and personal lives into a regular day, much less a busy day during the holiday season. Small-business owners in particular can find it difficult to set boundaries to delineate when work ends and home life begins.

But, long-term success—professionally and personally—demands that you find ways to balance work and play.

Learn how to maximize the limited hours in each day with these tips, which have been designed to help you carve out time for both business and pleasure.

1. Stay flexible
The manic holidays can throw the most carefully laid timetable out of whack. Combat the chaos by finding ways to stretch your schedule (and the schedules of your employees, if you have any).

Flexible hours, compressed workweeks and telecommuting are all good options for accommodating the different demands on your time as well as increasing your efficiency on and off the job.

2. Reclaim your weekends
Protect your time off, particularly if your business requires a strict schedule.

Take care of errands and household chores during the workweek so you don’t whittle away the weekend playing catch-up. Simplify your get-togethers by hosting a potluck or a cocktail hour instead of a labor-intensive dinner party.

Don’t forget to save a few hours for yourself; a little alone time will help you relax and recharge.

3. Use technology strategically
In theory, cell phones, laptop computers and BlackBerrys are supposed to make your life easier. In reality, these devices often become burdens.

Instead of making yourself constantly available, try using these tools on an as-needed basis. Avoid constant monitoring and instead check your voice mail and e-mail messages at scheduled intervals (e.g., every few hours). Unless the matter is urgent, delay your response until you’re back at work.

4. Give whatever you’re doing your undivided attention
When you’re at work, focus on work; when you’re home, focus on home.

It may sound simple, but it actually takes concentration and discipline to ignore the demands of one role while you’re fulfilling another.

When distractions arise, as they inevitably will, deal with them head-on instead of letting them siphon your attention and energy all day.

5. Streamline your schedule
Think about how you divvy up your time both at work and at home. If you’re not sure how your schedule breaks down, track your activities with a written log for a few days.

Ask yourself if there are any time-consuming tasks you can eliminate without negative consequences.

During your downtime at home, avoid over-committing yourself. Pare down whenever possible so you can spend your days doing the things that are most important and enjoyable to you.

During work hours, focus on activities that are critical to the success of your business. Delegate less critical tasks to employees.

6. Let AFS help
Free up more of your valuable time by handing off payroll duties to ADP EasyPay.

This payroll service was developed specifically for small businesses. And AFS Members enjoy discounted rates.

ADP handles your paychecks and more:

• Timely and accurate payroll tax calculations, deposits and filings
• Direct deposit
• Time clocks and electronic timesheets (integrated with payroll) are available
• Pay-by-pay worker’s compensation insurance available
• Flexible reporting via fax, phone or Internet

Get started today. Let ADP handle the payroll hassles so you can focus on the mission critical chores.

(Posted December 2009)

>>More AFS Coach Articles