I've been fortunate enough to know several women who fit this description. And what I've learned is that they all have these five secrets in common.



1. Laugh. Laughter keeps you from taking it all so seriously that you become stressed out to the point of being paralyzed and unable to accomplish much of anything. So, the first part of the balancing act that you want to master is to learn to lighten up. Laugh often, laugh long, and the hardest part of being the queen of balancing it all is behind you.

2. Be Passionate. Love what you're doing and giving it everything you've got will come naturally?and easily. You'll still face obstacles and difficulties, but when you're passionate about what you're doing and where you're going in your life, you'll be better able to handle any problems that come up.

3. Flexibility Is Essential. Yes, you have to be organized and have a schedule to achieve anything, but you also have to be able to roll with the punches, as they say. Life is anything but smooth, no matter what's going on, so it's vital that you don't get so attached to your schedule and routine that you can't be flexible when the unexpected'or wondrous!?things happen. Leave yourself some breathing room, and you'll feel as if you can accomplish anything.

4. Plant Your Feet. Know who you are and what you believe. When you have firm values, you're in a better position to deal with anyone or any situation that could throw you off-track. Tell yourself you can and will do something, know why you want to do it, then, as Nike says, just do it. Don't let yourself be pulled away from the roots of what makes you unique, no matter what, and you can accomplish more than you ever imagined possible.

5. Don't Doubt, Do. The balancing-it-all queens that I've been fortunate to know all have one thing in common: they are doers. They don't doubt themselves or what they're doing. They don't have time! They're too busy going, doing, reaching, reaching, reaching. They never give up, give in or give out, they simply do, do, do. So get busy doing, and leave the doubt and anxiety behind to trouble someone else?someone who has time!

Copyright 2006 Karen Fusco