There Should Be a Rule About That…

Good intentions are great, but to get where you want to go, you have to have a plan and a policy.

This year, my intention is to (fill in the blank). We’ve all made our goals and are embarking on 2010 with great intentions. Maybe you want to reduce your debt and invest more for retirement. Maybe you want to develop a deeper spiritual life or a better relationship with your spouse and children. It’s likely that since you’ve penned your 2010 goals (you did write them down, right?), something has already come up to throw you off track. Read more

Decoding Work-Life Balance

How one home-based entrepreneur copes with the challenges

Georgette Pascale, like many entrepreneurs, used the experience she gained as an employee to create a successful business of her own. After working with clients as diverse as Delphi Automotive, Puerto Rico Tourism Company, GAP, Bruce Springsteen and Shania Twain, she founded Pascale Communications LLC in 2004, an all-female, all-virtual firm specializes in healthcare public relations. And that’s one tip she shares from her success: Find a specific need, and then use your skills to create a business that caters to that niche. Other tips include doing what you love, making the best possible decision—even if it’s not the most popular decision—and drawing on the wisdom of mentors. In this View from the Top, Pascale shares her thoughts on creating a work-life balance.

For three decades, corporate America has turned the issue of “work-life balance” into a pseudo-quest for the Holy Grail. A Google search nets lists a mile long from academic institutions and publications offering suggestions on how to achieve this balance. Frankly, I found them confusing and often stress-inducing. I was left asking: “I have to do all of this to balance my home-based business and my family?” Read more

Save Money Enjoying an Evening with Friends

Dinner out is, well… out. Throw a fun, inexpensive dinner party instead.

The doorbell rings, and a smile sweeps across your face. Music is playing, candles are flickering, the table is set and your home smells wonderful. You open the door to let your friends in, relaxed and ready to enjoy a delicious dinner and an evening of fun.

OK, so maybe you haven’t thrown a dinner party in years. (Does watching Food Network in your sweat pants count?) But even if your life is consumed by a busy schedule, throwing a fabulous dinner party can be a reality. Read more