I hear you, Jacs. I’ve been self-employed almost all my adult life and love it. Sure, it has its ups and downs, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. And like you…I’m working hard on that work/life balance. It’s my goal for 2011. :) Thanks!

Ooh, Marnie, I love your “daily list” idea. What a great way to keep yourself centered. Thank you!

If there isn’t at least one thing in each category I rejig my list to make sure there is. That’s not to say there can’t be several items in the ‘work’ column and only one in the ‘me’ column, but it’s a system that keeps me balanced.

I totally, totally concur. What makes it tricky is being online is actually addictive – some folks get a little hit of dopamine every time they check email. Once things are to that point, it’s hard to put work in its place without someone kicking you in the butt. Checking email (or texting, or playing Farmville) gives us too much joy juice.

Wow. Interesting times, eh? And boundaries are so, so, so important – good for you for setting them!

Love your perspective. Thanks! :)

Wow! What a timely post. Ditto to so much of what was said here.

However, I’m also taking another perspective. Some of the problem is when we make work too much of how good we feel – that idea that we’ll be happy if we’re passionate about our work.

Not that loving or even liking your work isn’t good . . . but as a mom, wife, mountain biker, jiu jitsui student, farmer, Japanese language student, old Western junkie, etc., etc. . . . I’m finding some of the best cure for this feeling that I’ve been struggling with is putting work in its place.

Work can and (IMHO) should only fill a part of who you are and what’s important to you. I’m working on putting more boundaries between the rest of my life and work. And trying harder to be there fully in the rest of my life when I’m not doing business.

It’s making it easier for me to be there when I’m doing my work as well.

Don’t let what you do for a living define what your life is. Just make sure it does a nice job of complementing it!