At the office, we wouldn't imagine launching a project without a plan: taking time to set goals, develop strategies and leverage resources. If we did, we probably wouldn't have a job very long. Nor would we allow ourselves or our team to be ineffective and unproductive. After all, our job and, more so, our paycheck depends our ability to be successful and achieve our goals.

The same tools we use to be effective and successful at work can help us be successful as CEO of our family. Best yet, the pay is phenomenal: more time, saving money and of the utmost importance -- our sanity. Just as business depends on a well-constructed plan to achieve its goals, working moms benefit from having a personal plan to create greater efficiencies and productivity in our job after 5 p.m.

Having a Plan...Priceless!

In these challenging economic times, more moms are working to contribute to the financial health and stability of their families. Working moms, whether employed inside or outside of the home out of necessity or desire, are challenged to accomplish an overwhelmingly amount of responsibilities in a very limited amount of time -- while still making time to be with our family and, hopefully, find a little time to nurture our own well-being.

Unfortunately, we do not carry a magic wand in our briefcase; nor do we possess the power to twitch our noses and have everything tended to for us. But, we can steal a few business secrets to help us at home. It starts where every successful business starts: with the development a strategic plan. By taking time to construct a personal development plan, we can

• Discover our real hopes for our future and our family's future.
• Identify specific goals that will ensure we realize this vision.
• Put in place action steps to reach our goals.
• Pinpoint what is keeping us from reaching our goals and reduce or eliminate the barriers.
• Create a focus for our time and allow unplanned items to be put on the back burner - without being weighted down with that all-to-familiar feeling of obsessive guilt!
• Relish in reaching our goals , instead of the spirit-draining feelings of repeat failure.
• Create more time and save money by being more productive and efficient at home.
• Enjoy the much desired balance between work and life .

The time invested in creating a personal plan can reap benefits that are truly priceless - more quality time with our fast growing children. If you are struggling to find balance in your life, in any area, consider starting with the development a strategic plan focused on YOU . You can have it all. You just have to develop a plan to get there and then work the plan

About the Author:

Tracy A. Green

Working Mom and Founder, Smart Working Mom: Empowering busy moms to achieve a balanced life Author: How to be a Smart Working Mom E-workbook: Developing Your Personal Roadmap to Creating a Balanced Life as a Working Mom http://www.smartworkingmom.com