In economics there is an inherit understanding that everything and I mean everything has a cost. The cost may not be in the form of money but in the form of opportunity. When it is said that one should live a balanced life, it is often presented as though perfect balance without sacrifice can be achieved. Of course this is not possible, there must always be an opportunity cost, other wise known as a sacrifice. If a parent decides to attend a child’s  afternoon baseball game, then the opportunity to make an appointment with a client may be lost.

Now I am not saying that is a bad thing. In fact it should be done more often than not. The idea is this, in order to live a balanced life one must learn to make choices that benefit all areas of life and not just one. Many top sales people will tell you that to get to the top of business and make a fortune, you will have to give up family time, so much so that you may not have a family by the time a fortune is made. Not true! I say, not true at all.

So how does one achieve balance? Well the answer may seem somewhat simple but simply put, a planned life is a balanced life. Do you find yourself running around the office like a chicken with its head cut off?  Never really getting things done in a timely manner. The most likely cause is that you have not planned the task you must get done that day. Task management, not just time management needs to be the focus of a balanced life. What needs to be done, how does it get done, and when can it be done must be the questions asked.

Once you have the questions, you can plan the answers and your day, week, month, year. The key is to stay focused, while at work focus on work not on things that need to be done at home. While at home focus on home and don’t even try thinking about work.

Of course it means keeping a planner, and staying on top of things. Which can be a hassle and if your not in the habit can be rather hard to do. Yet if you keep at it, soon it will be second nature. Your boss or clients will thank you and your family will thank you.

Now I am new to this whole blog thing and while I hope my writing will improve and soon I hope, I know that there are better writers on just about any subject out there. When it comes to the subject of time and task management the February edition of Success Magazine has many great articles on time and money, which is their theme for this month.

Safe Journeys,

Scott