What’s your work–life balance like?

Christmas is a wonderful time of year, but when you are trying to manage a business, family and home it can be quite stressful.

Everywoman have created a quiz to assess how we cope with juggling lots of commitments in our busy schedules, why not see how you get on? Please let us know your views in our comments box.

Whether you have family commitments or not, it can sometimes seem hard to fit everything in—we all want to be successful at work and yet have time for ourselves. Work through these questions, to assess your work—life balance, then read the guidance points.

How much of your time does work take up?

a) I let work take up as little time as possible.
b) A fair amount—but I still leave time for myself.
c) Work seems to dominate my life.

What position does work hold in your personal life?

a) Once I’m out of work I forget about it.
b) I do spend some time thinking about work while I’m not there.
c) I think about it constantly.

How often do you find yourself getting swamped by tasks?

a) Never.
b) Occasionally.
c) Often.

How often do you find yourself getting stressed at work?

a) Almost never.
b) Occasionally.
c) All the time.

Be honest! Which of the following best describes you at work?

a) Over-relaxed.
b) Balanced.
c) Workaholic.

Do you feel you have enough time for yourself outside work?

a) Yes.
b) Most of the time.
c) No.

Do you feel like you are in control of your life?

a) Yes.
b) Just about.
c) No—I feel I’m being swept along by work.

Are you happy with where you see yourself in 3 years’ time?

a) No. I’d like to have accomplished more at work than I think I will have.
b) Yes.
c) No. I’d like to have more of a life outside work than I think I will have


How did you score?

a = 1, b = 2, c = 3. Now add up your scores.

 8–14: You seem to have plenty of time for yourself, but are you fulfilling your potential at work? Take a moment to work out what is important to you and make sure you’re on track to achieving it—chapters 1 and 2 of “Balance your life and work” from the series of everywoman Simple Approach to business guides provide advice on this. Creating a list of priorities for the future can help you to set goals for yourself and ensure you don’t miss opportunities. Some time away from the office may help you work out what you want to do. Turn to chapter 5 if you’re thinking about a career break.

 15–19: You appear to have struck a healthy balance, putting in the effort at work while still having the time for ‘normal’ life. In order to keep this balance and take your work and life in the direction you want, it could be worth creating a plan to make sure you get where you want to be. Turn to chapter 2 for help on this. To keep up the good work, chapters 6 and 7 will help you prioritise and prevent stress building up.

 20–24: Your work just seems to have swamped your life. Sit down and take stock of your position, and assess what’s important to you. Chapters 1 and 2 will help you work this out. You can then move on to plan how you can change aspects of your life and claw back some time for yourself. Chapters 3 and 5 can give you some advice on this, and chapters 6 and 7 can help you to become more efficient, making your work life a better place to be.


‘When the business first started to become ‘successful’, people invited us here, there and everywhere. You have to harness your enthusiasm, retain your grassroots and seek to protect your family, by sometimes saying ‘no’. Now I have stepped back from the business but I’m still the executive chairman and do a lot of PR and charity work. If I’m out of the house for the day, I still get my priorities right for looking after the family – by making sure there’s food available for them! I love my time at home, too. I really enjoy just being a normal, everyday person. ‘Nanny Nash’ they call me!’
Carole Nash, Carole Nash Insurance


‘I work hard to make sure no part of my life suffers at the expense of my business. If I’m going to have it all – and that’s the choice I’ve made – I have to find the energy and the ability not to need too much sleep! I take my children to school most mornings and pick them up a couple of times a week. I usually juggle it by staying up into the small hours to make costumes for the school play or finish working on company targets.’
Laura Tenison, JoJo Maman Bébé



This quiz features in “Balance your life and work” from the series of everywoman Simple Approach to business guides. For more information on the series, and to buy your copy visit www.everywoman.co.uk/bookshop