Gone are the days when a work week meant Monday through Friday, eight to nine hours a day. The typical 40-hour work weeks are history now. So is the clear distinction between work and home. The world is changing inexorably today and unfortunately, the boundaries between work life and home life have blurred for many workers. As more skilled workers enter the global labor market and companies outsource or move more functions, people feel pressured to work longer and produce more to protect their jobs. In this era of globalization, work continues around the world 24 hours a day for some people. The advancement in communication technology has its downside too. You find yourself constantly checking or answering your email and your cell phone. You end up doing this even while on vacation!

As a budding entrepreneur, you will face these issues too. It isn't easy to juggle the demands of career and personal life. For most people, it's an ongoing challenge to reduce stress and maintain harmony in key areas of their life. Here are 3 simple but very effective ways by which you can achieve work-life balance:

1. Nurture yourself – In this constant whirlwind of chores to do, deadlines to meet and endless activity, it is very important that you step back and give some quality time to yourself. Set aside time each day for an activity that you enjoy, such as walking, working out, listening to music or even relaxing with a cup of coffee and the morning newspaper. If necessary, wake up half an hour before your usual time to enjoy this time for yourself. Let that time be only for you, do not let anything interrupt those special moments.

Typically, after a hectic workweek, you find that your weekends, too, are filled with things to do around the house – there many errands to run, children have to be taken to their hobby classes and things must be fixed. And so you find that even during weekends you are caught in a vicious circle of having to get things done. To avoid this, mandate one weekend day just for family time - take the phone off the hook, power down the computer and turn off the TV. Discover activities you can do with your partner, family or friends such as fishing or hiking. Making time for activities you enjoy will rejuvenate you and restore at least some of that much needed work-life balance.

2. Fight the guilt – In a frenetically paced world such as ours, it is so easy to fall into the guilt trap. If you are a woman, you might think, “I am not being a good mom” if the bed is unmade or the sink is full of dishes. Simply let go of the guilt – you don't have to be a super mom! Remember, having a family and a career is okay for both men and women. Do what needs to be done and let the rest go. Learn to relax your standards and appreciate what each new day brings you. Believe that attaining a work-life balance that keeps you going is more important than being touted as the most capable person on the planet.

3. Bolster your support system – Having a good friend in times of need is invaluable. Give yourself the gift of a trusted friend or co-worker to talk with during times of stress or hardship. If you're part of a religious community, take advantage of the support your religious circle can provide. Create a community of trusted friends and relatives who can assist you when you need to work overtime or travel on the job.

Not only will maintaining a work-life balance cut out the stress, most importantly, it will help you become more productive and enjoy what you do.