THE BALANCING ACT: TIME MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES FOR BUSINESS AND FAMILY

Ready to buy a franchise, or are you already the owner of your own business? Either way, family and business may often compete for your attention. How can you maintain the perfect balance to have a successful business and a happy family? Here are some tips to point you in the right direction.

Making Time For Your Family.and Yourself
For most people, a career tends to come first in terms of time. Simply put, working pays the bills. Secondly for most franchisees, their business is also their pleasure. Most franchisees have lots of pride in their business and enjoy going to work every day. For many people, family is closest to their hearts. How can you run a successful business and have enough time for your family and yourself?

• Routines make a huge difference for many working families. Developing a checklist or a chart with activities and chores that must be completed can be fun for children and make your day much less stressful. For example, if your pre-work routine seems a bit hectic, try creating a chart for your children to follow with all the tasks they must complete before they go to school.

• When your children are at music lessons or soccer practice, get errands done. Take advantage of your time and the fact that you might be driving near a store or the dry cleaner.

• Set aside time for your family every day. Go for a bike ride, play a board game, or watch a movie together. Whether you spend half an hour or multiple hours, everyone in the family will appreciate this quality time.

• Set aside time for yourself. It might be hard to pull yourself away from work and family, but everyone needs time to revive. Read a book, exercise, do whatever you want or need to do. You will find that you are happier and more productive the rest of the day.

• Exercise with your family. Exercising is good for the body and the soul. Exercise with your family and you will be spending quality time together while staying healthy.

• Take a day off from your computer each week. That's right. Don't turn your computer on for an entire day. Many people will find this hard to do, but turning your computer on will ultimately lead to reminders of work. Everyone needs time off from work and this is an easy way to keep work out of your personal life.

• Stay involved with your children and your significant other. Remember to ask your children about what is going on in their lives. Also, go out on "dates" with your spouse and make sure you always keep communication flowing.

Time Management Basics
Managing your time is easier than you might think. Although the task of organizing your schedule might seem overwhelming at times, here are some simple steps you can take to free up your time and bring harmony to your life:

• Organize! In particular, organize your clothing so that you can get ready in the morning quickly and without added stress.

• Be professional and friendly, but do not over-socialize at work and at appointments. Being eager to chat at work and at appointments can eat up valuable work time. When you schedule appointments, schedule them for right before lunch or at the end of the workday. That way, the person you are meeting with will be less apt to want to chat and more likely to get business completed. When is your most alert time of day?

• When do you feel most exhausted? Schedule your hardest tasks of the day at your most energetic time of day. You will notice right away that you are more productive when your daily tasks coincide with your natural energy levels.

• Stock up! Take the time to go out and stock up on postage stamps, greeting cards, nonperishable groceries, household supplies, and change for tolls and parking meters. Over time, stocking up will save you numerous small trips to get these items.

• While waiting for anything, take advantage of your time! If you're on hold on the phone, fold laundry or catch up on unread mail. While making dinner, watch the news. Doing two things at one time will make your tasks much easier.

It is possible to maintain a healthy, balanced lifestyle. With little effort, you can be successful and fulfilled - With a wonderful family life and as the owner of a prospering business.