Just about everyone I meet wishes they had more balance in their lives. 

When I started speaking about improving work-life balance a few years ago, I realized that better balance won't happen until you're clear on why you want it. That's because focusing on the why will keep you motivated when you're struggling to develop new habits and break old ones.
 

So, when I mentor professional women and present Work-Life Balance Wisdom programs for companies and at conferences, one of the first things I ask is for them  to complete this sentence: "If I had more than enough time, energy and other resources, I would _____________."

Over the next few issues, I will offer simple work-life balance strategies you can apply right away. But, before I do, I would like you to write down some of your whys. If you cleaned out the clutter of unnecessary obligations and mastered a skill to be more efficient, what would you do with that extra time and energy? 

 When I posed that question recently, the answers included:

• Once a month "date nights" with my husband.
• Sleep more!
• Learn to play guitar.
• Be more present with my kids.
• Get in shape.
• Reconnect with dear friends.
• Travel for fun.