The idea of ‘work/life’ balance first occurred to me when I was managing a team of women in the National Bank. I was much younger than most of my team and through them I learnt a lot about the sacrifices mothers who work outside the home make. Many of the women I worked with were barely covering the cost of child-care with their wages and most of them were tired and stressed. I know not all women who work outside the home feel this way but I knew that I would; that the pull of being home with my children would make going to work each day a grind.

I chose to move out of that career for a number of reasons, but the main reason I chose to find a way to be my own boss and work from home was because I knew I needed a life that was far more flexible than the one my team were living. Lots of people I meet tell me I am lucky…and I am lucky to have met those women who taught me a lot…but as Kylie says…working for yourself, from home does present challenges. You do have to be disciplined and very motivated….so it does not suit everyone and hard work has more to do with where I am than luck.

My advice to anyone who feels that don’t have work/life balance is to listen to your heart, identify what it is you want and then find a way to have that without it causing stress in your life, or that of your family’s life. Being able to enjoy both life and work without that feeling stressful or difficult is work/life balance for me.