by Carla Herren

Well, sweet summertime is here - a time of retreat and rest, a time to play in the water and bask in the sun. That is, for those of us still in school. I ask you, how does the whole world seemingly go on vacation from June until August?

I am the world’s biggest fan of having a home office or flex hours; however, today I am facing the challenges that come with the home office. If it isn’t children begging for a trip to the pool, it is my husband putting on sun block and heading out the door with golf clubs in hand.

One of the challenges of working from home is trying to meet deadlines while most of your world is on summer hours. Do they make a sign for the door that says “Shhh! I am trying to work in here”? The concept of balance in its truest form has to be maintained during the summer months. I don’t have to remind all of you enduring constant interruptions that these days will pass too fast, and these are precious times.

Jim Bird, founder and CEO of worklifebalance.com, champions both achievement and enjoyment – not one or the other – in four areas of life: business, family, friends and self. Achievement is a term we all understand, but digging deeper into the meaning of enjoyment you find that it includes pride, satisfaction and a sense of well being.

It is not possible to give all four areas equal time; this is where the balancing act begins. I challenge you to take a look at how you spend your time, to find the balance that works for you and your family to experience a life full of achievement and enjoyment.