Day to day life can be full of ups and downs. If only it were as carefree as the days when I used to play on the see-saw in the park you may think. I know you will tell me about the stress and pressure you experience on a daily basis, struggling to fit all the activities of your ever increasing daily demands whilst you try to fight feeling totally wiped out.

In my role as a business coach for women I hear the same message daily. Not enough time to do everything you feel you should and how guilty you feel when you cannot support those around you.

My advice on this matter- and this comes from the voice of experience! Put yourself first, learn to become utterly selfish! Now I know some of you are shuddering at this thought, but listen on.....

If you are ok in your world, you are more likely to be in a fit state to help those around you better; starting to make sense now isn't it?

I urge you to learn to say No more often - and really mean it! Delegate as often as you can, find others to share your load preferably willing volunteers! Set boundaries around your own time and then allocate time for work, family, social and community activity.

Do the things you love most. Then your energy remains high and you can build your own internal coping mechanism for the tasks you are not so keen on (and haven't managed to delegate to others!)

So how come I am the expert on this topic? A few years ago, I worked in a role that I disliked, I had no time to spend with people I loved or liked and sat in endless traffic queues going nowhere fast. I wondered about the real meaning of life as I sat stuck in my car too many times. I did not take good care of myself, ate junk food, got too little sleep and spent too much time driving, worrying and trying to please everyone except myself! I ignored all the warning signals and as a result my health suffered!

My life was ridiculously busy with things that did not nourish my soul, so after a break from my tiresome job, I decided to do things that made me happy, I stopped feeling the need to be everything to everyone around me and I believe became a better person for that.

Now my friends, family, business associates and clients say I am a calmer, more considerate person to have around them. Gone is the snappy person, the one who looked constantly tired, complained all the time and didn't smile enough. Why because I spend less time either on the ground struggling or up in the air on my real life see saw ' except when I choose, it can be fun sometimes to raise yourself to new heights! The main issue for me is to find absolute balance.

How can you find more balance in each day, so that you have more time to play on life's see saw?

Copyright (c) 2008 Jacqui Tillyard