Are you working all hours?  Do you feel you're on a constant treadmill, juggling work, family and social life?  Do you wish you had more 'me' time to fulfill your dreams and ambitions? In short, are you getting the most out of life? Coaching guru Gerard O'Donovan, who runs coaching training company Noble Manhattan, recommends life coaching to get your life back in balance. "A life coach is impartial, they have no axe to grind. They can help you set your goals and achieve them. Coaching focuses on where you are now and where you want to get to. It allows you to gain whatever you want out of life. Coaching will help you feel alive and invigorated." As a starting point, your coach will ask you to complete the 'wheel of life' where you give marks out of 10 for all the different areas of your life such as Health & Wellbeing, Social Life, Career, Family. Gerard says: "This gives a good indication of how you are from 0 to 10 in each area of your life and pinpoints where you are out of balance."

Ten Top Work/Life Balance Tips

• Have a 'Date Night' with your partner one weekday night a week. Go for a walk together, a meal out and spend time talking together.
• Learn to say 'no' and delegate tasks - make a list of 10 jobs you can delegate and to whom.
• Adopt a positive outlook on life and a 'can do' mental attitude.
• Set realistic goals, review them regularly and take steps towards them. For each goal, ask yourself how you would feel when you achieve it.
• Appoint a life coach to help you fulfill your objectives and get the balance in your life
• Watch your body language - how you stand and sit will affect the way you feel.
• Don't spend time worrying - it's not a natural human state and solves nothing. Action is an easier and healthier option, so choose it every time.
• Take 15 minutes every day as 'me' time - listen to your favourite CD, have a cup of tea, go for a walk
• Don't undervalue your own worth. Have belief in yourself.
• Take control of your own life - otherwise others will control it for you.

Edited by CompTogether 2004

If you have any questions about this article, or would like further information on life coaching contact Richard Steele mentioning CompTogether at richardsteele@noble-manhattan.com