Having a business at home seems like a wonderful dream for many people. A lifestyle to aspire to and luxury most don't have. The reality can be somewhat different. Motivation, isolation, lack of space and the distraction of people dropping in, kids and family are just a few of the challenges that must be faced.

The biggest issue especially for women is the fact that most  don't have a network to support them. I don't mean just family or friends but a network of like-minded people who have the same challenges. This peer network is one that tells you that you aren't insane, that there are other people out there who face the same things as you and can offer you a friendly ear when you need it. That network that makes you feel that you are not alone in the world.

Finding a network like this is a task that is necessary and one that could help your business enormously. I was in rural WA last week running a workshop and although this town had 6000 people, the people in that room did not know each other. The comment that has come back most often from these events is that they did not know that other business people could be so supportive. The relief was evident and they are now a part of our growing support network.

Join U-net today and, as well as free information, we will help to connect you to others like you.

I have worked 5 days straight from 6am to 10pm and I am really tired.  And  because I am so wound up, I can't sleep, making me more tired. The circle begins and it is not pretty. I looked in the mirror and the lines were deepening and the skin was beginning to look splodgy, pale and unhealthy.  I have been there before and each time I say that I will not do this to myself again. But...... here's the thing - I always do.

I am an intelligent person (well at least I think I am). I know I have to eat healthy foods, exercise and get at least 7 hours sleep. I know it, but I can only seem to do it for 3 - 4 weeks and then I am off the rails again. So the pattern goes, 3 weeks good, 3 weeks bad.

Well, it stops here. I am telling you all right now that I will become a better me! Maybe, just maybe, if I tell you, I will stay on track.  I will keep you posted on the progress of the new, more healthy, balanced me.

Today I woke up feeling a little tired which caused me to reflect on one the major causes of overload to women. As I have spoken about numerous times before, women tend to take on the problems of those around them and I am totally guilty of this habit. I swear I have a sign on my forehead labelled "TELL ME". I do however acknowledge that I inadvertently encourage this behaviour. It makes me feel good, wanted and loved to help someone out. So what happens when I need a break and because of my past habits I still get people DUMPING (as it now feels) on me?

Well I have learnt that there needs to be clear boundaries in place. When I first realized that I was the cause of my own problem, I started to analyse how to cope with it. I now have systems in place to give ME some space and guess what? The world didn't come crashing down!

So here are a couple of tips for giving you a little ME time:

1. Phone - I don't answer my house phone after 8pm at night and before 8am in the morning. I also screen callers on my mobile so I only take an emergency call. People get into the habit of calling you when they know you are available.

2. Your family and friends are important but it is just as important for you to have some time to yourself. Take time to relax, read, grab a massage or whatever else tickles your fancy. You deserve it!

3. Employees can be friends but make sure there are clear boundaries about your conversation outside of work hours. I myself make sure that my employees respect my private time and understand that although they are important to me that I need that time to recharge so I can be a better employer.

4. Learn to say no! - This is a hard one for most women including me. I find it especially hard with those closest to me. I had to stand looking into a mirror and practice saying no until I felt comfortable with it. Saying no doesn't mean you don't care.

I absolutely believe that you are no good to anyone if you don't look after yourself whether it be physically or mentally. Take the time today to look after U!

I am a woman, a mother, a wife, a friend, a colleague, a daughter, an employer and an employee. Each day I coach, teach, cook, clean, and counsel amongst a myriad of other work and home tasks. So where does that leave time for me? I want a life that is balanced, postive, focussed and fulfilling. I want to feel empowered and in control of my destiny. I don't want to live day to day, task to task.

Balance is a concept – a way of thinking that helps to prioritise your time and helps give you a way to control what is happening around you.

It is also a choice to live the life you want to live. It means you are choosing to put emphasis on the things that matter to you the most and to make the very most of the time you have.

In reality, the near-frenetic demands of business and personal life bring many professional women to their knees and my scenario for this week is some one elses every week. We find ourselves exhausted by the end of the day and unable to gain the perspective necessary to plan, manage, or delegate.

Work/life Balance is a concept that is experienced differently by everyone and can be identified by a feeling:

· A feeling you have enough time for family and work

· A feeling that Life "flows" and feels relatively effortless

· A feeling that when something in your life breaks down (baby sitter gets sick, the car breaks down) you have the resources to cope

· And it’s a feeling you are on the path you want to be personally and professionally for the future

Let's define what work-life balance is not.

· Work-Life Balance does not mean an equal balance. Trying to schedule an equal number of hours for each of your various work and personal activities is usually unrealistic. Life is and should be more fluid than that.

· Your best individual work-life balance will vary over time, often on a daily basis. The right balance for you today will probably be different for you tomorrow.

· The right balance for you when you are single will be different when you marry, or if you have children; when you start a new career versus when you are nearing retirement.

There is no perfect, one-size fits all, balance you should be striving for. The best work-life balance is different for each of us because we all have different priorities and different lives. You will know the what Balance is right for you when you feel happy, fulfilled and excited to be alive.