The role of women has drastically changed over the last decade and we are continually challenged to create a comfortable work/life balance that permits us to live life both personally and professionally. Most professional women find that managing a career and home can be an emotional endeavor. As women, we want to achieve our goals, financial stability, and independence, while still being a parent and superhero to our children. Our parental role is a 24/7 job, that we love so much and have chosen to dedicate our lives too, but with the added career demands and responsibilities, our time with and for our children is diminishing.

Women often feel that their lives are in a constant turmoil, a juggling act of multiple responsibilities -work, meetings, business trips, all on top of managing the daily routines of life and home. The woman's roles can range from coach, chauffeur, tutor, doctor, maid, chef, gardener, stylist, social planner, disciplinarian, breadwinner, pet caregiver, personal shopper, counselor, accountant, mediator, and confidant. According to a CareerBuilder.com survey, one third of working moms reported they are unhappy with their work/life balance and 33% said they always or often work weekends.

By 2008, women will comprise 48% of the labor force, yet they will continue to have the primary responsibilities for home and family life. In the Career Mom's 2005 Survey, 44% of women admit they were preoccupied with work while at home. Four in ten moms said they missed an important event in their child's life due to work.

YAHOO Inc & Starcom MediaVest Report:

47% of working women use their personal internet connection to conduct work during non-working hours.

More than ½ of working women admit they performed non-working tasks during working hours using company technology

The internet has become a serious necessity for women to help balance their personal and business lives. As working hours increase, more women are suffering from, frantic life syndrome.

1/3 of working women are being forced to the point of exhaustion to achieve work/life balance. Good Housekeeping Magazine Survey

33% of women feel stressed when they arrive at work because of hectic mornings

17% said working through lunch hour left them feeling dizzy and sick

The United Nations Labour Agency study found that working hours across the industrialized world are becoming increasingly unpredictable due to a growing 24-hour-a-day 7-day-a-week economy, creating worker-employer tensions and requiring new policies to counter the risk this poses to the work-life balance.

The rush to get it done at the office and home can spike stress levels and plummet productivity, according to a Mental Health Foundation article. This article also stresses the need for balance between work and home life, saying that stress destroys and kills.

Must women choose to sacrifice their personal or professional life to seek some semblance of balance?

The answer is simply: NO!

Employers are recognizing the urgent need for work/life programs if they want to maintain a competitive edge, attract and retain quality loyal staff, and reduce absenteeism. Many companies have implemented work/life programs or employee assistance programs, incorporating such benefits as:

1. Financial planning

2. Flextime/reduced work week

3. Daycare

4. Job sharing

5. Telecommuting

6. Insurance benefits for aging parents

7. Counseling

8. Fitness programs

9. Increased vacation time

10. Personal convenience services, including errand and concierge services

Outsourcing tasks and responsibilities is not a new undertaking. This form of job completion has been utilized for decades, in both personal and corporate environments. Outsourcing helps to ease the strain of accomplishing everyday jobs and business needs, thereby freeing up valuable time to be expended on dealings that are more significant or require immediate attention.

Ace Concierge's service solutions will simplify your life, create more time in your day, and reduce your stress. We give you your work/life balance, encouraging you to invent your life, fulfill your dreams, and live beyond the billable hour. Balance is your key to success and a happy, healthy lifestyle.

Susan Poirier, owner/consultant of Ace Concierge (NH) - lifestyle management specialist www.aceconcierge.net Enhancing your life, one task at a time.