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How do I achieve a better work/life balance?

I'm not very good at balancing work and life. I get really stressed out because I want to do a great job, and I don't like it when I don't achieve my goals, which admittedly are sometimes unrealistic. Meanwhile, my poor wife doesn't even recognize me anymore. How do I maintain a good balance between work and life without compromising my ability to excel in my profession.

Public Comments

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2. that's the $64,000 question isn't it? if alot of us knew the answer to that we'd bottle it and sell it and never have to work again. as a career person in senior management in the aviation industry, i have a lifestyle, not a job....phone ringing all hours, on call 24/7 and travel included too....as well as being irregular and changing hours you have to MAKE time to be together....regardless of what else goes on, you have to be able to say i'm going to be free this day and this is our day to do something....or evening or morning or whatever and then make sure that it happens. never lose sight of what really matter because one day that job may be gone...your family will be there...make time for them before you lose them to the job.....it happens all the time. in my case i fly and play in a band on weekends...it provides me with an outlet for that stress and i don't think about work so much when i'm doing these activities.... if you have hobbies or common interests together that helps as well because you can do them together....even if it isn't anything more than walking the dog around the nieghborhood before bed...the key thing is time away from the job and with your wife....don't lose sight of what you work so hard for....
3. Seperate the two rigorously. When you leave your workplace, close the door and don't think about it again for the rest of the day. It is really important to have a certain time when you finish for that day. Evenings should be reserved for you and your family. And don't say "Yeah right, but if I do that I won't excel in my job". On the contrary, having breaks and free time increase your productivity, because when you go to the office or wherever you work you will know that you only have 8 hours to do your job, and as a result will spend more of that time actually working in concentration!
4. what times do you work? well give it your all during that time! what time do you have for personal life? organize it and give it your all! i had the same issue i would bring my work home with me to vent or to try to figure it out! you know what that issue will be there tomorrow when i go back to work! it's not saying anything if you don't take your work home all but that you ahve a life and you want it to excel to! remember this if you can not take care of your life then other people can see that -- and could think -- if you can't juggle your own life then why should i do buiness with you! try takeing a time management course! as lame as it is set aside days of the weeks to carry out your personal goals! example (remember school) Mondays - wife day - help out around the house and spend family time Tuesday - Music day - create write music and practice every tuesday Wednesday - excercise day - thrusday - art day - decorate or create a painting! Friday - friend time - and every 3 weeks take wife on a date!!! Saturday - break this off into 3 sections morning afternoon evening morning- excercise Afternoon - help out around house Evening - open to do what ever Sunday Morning - cook afternoon - work on car evening - finish anything that wasn't finished and go over next week! this can work but remember nothing is set in stone! take your time and do what works for you not me!
5. I'm looking up Time Management. And as a pointer, just like your investments, deversify. I don't know enough yet to give good advice but that might be a good place to start.
6. Time management. Make lists of what is important. If it is important to you, you will make time. Stress management is time management. You can delegate lesser jobs to others, combine appointments, maximize the effectiveness of your time. Dont lie to yourself, you are a workaholic. You consider your job important for your family, thus the sacrifice you make of your time is for them. They would rather have you. The more you make the more you spend. The bills will always be there, no matter how much you make. Your wife didn't marry your you for your income alone. If she did she has another stud for the other needs.