One of the biggest challenges business owners and working parents have is “balancing work and life.” We live in a world of “controlled chaos.”  Finding strategies to cope with the “overabundance” of work and life is vital. Here are six strategies business owner can utilize when balancing their many managing responsibilities.

The No. 1 strategy is to prioritize. We are all juggling so many balls; just make sure to keep your eye on your precious ones. When it comes down to it, family, children, spouses and friends are the balls that you don’t want to drop. Certainly, job security and making a profit is important; but nothing is as high a priority as family.

Strategy No. 2  is “don’t sweat the small stuff.”  This is a tough rule for me to follow. Everyone has their own tolerance of small stuff.  I don’t allow the fact that my daughter goes to school without her hair combed bother me anymore; at least she has clean clothes. I also suggest ditching any guilt that working parent’s may carry. It’s negative energy. A recent study from the University of Maryland on working moms concluded that moms and dad’s are spending more time with our kids than our own mother’s did 25 years ago.

 Strategy No. 3 is to organize and plan, plan, plan. I can get a bit carried away at planning. Planning is a coping method for me. I develop weekly schedules for both my office and for my home.  However, in defense of my planning, developing weekly schedules keeps our family relatively sane. Order can be very empowering.

Strategy No. 4 is to take care of oneself. For those of us who may take care of so many people at home and at work it becomes critical to take care of you.  If you don’t  how will you are able to take care of your business and your family? It is important to take the time to unwind, nurture and regenerate yourself, so you can be the best for your family and your business.

 Strategy five is to embrace technology. I can’t function without my blackberry. My PDA keeps me on-task. However, these devises, like blue-tooth, take time to learn to use effectively, so that is a support and not a hindrance. I have been fortunate to have a Business Advisor on staff that is also a professional organizer. Sandy Stelter of Strategic Organizing Solutions has provided me with tips and solutions to maximize my organizing tools.

  Sandy will be teaching a class on organizational and time management at the Napa Chamber of Commerce Tuesday, 6-9 p.m. The training is part of our award winning Customer Service Academy.

If you find yourself agonizing over balancing your work and life, I would highly recommend this training. The cost is $50. Those interested in attending the training can call 253-3210.

The final strategy is a good sense of humor. Work and life, business and family are going to collide. Laugh off the stress and never forget your top priorities.