According to a great article by Kathie Lingle in the Huffington Post on Friday, there are seven guiding principles in achieving work-life balance. It caught my attention today because I am actually dealing with several of them as I work from home with my sick child. 

October is National Work and Family month, a time for organizations and individuals to take stock of how they are doing at home and the office. So, here's 6 of the 7 that relate to employees.  Check them out and see how you are doing. 

1)  Dependent care.  Regardless if you are single or married, with or without kids, we all have people who depend on us for some kind of support be it emotional, physical or financial.  Are you doing all you can to provide what they need from you?

2)  Contingency planning.  Things happen.  Just like today when my daughter was too sick to go to school.  My husband had things scheduled that he needed to attend to.  So I decided to work from home so his day wouldn't be totally wrecked.  What is your plan when things don't go as planned?  Unexpected illnesses are likely to be crop up more often this year if we listen to the media.  How are you doing with your sick leave?  Do you have the flexibility and tools to work from home if you need to?

3)  Flexibility.  Afternoon soccer games.  Morning Bible studies.  An early evening exercise class.  Its okay to do something for yourself or your family within the 9-5 window IF you make arrangements with your employer or fellow employees.  You'll never know what is possible if you don't ask.

4) Financial stability.  Sounds like an oxymoron these days.  But it doesn't have to be.  There are sources and resources out there to help you manage what you've got.  See if your company offers any financial planning training or maybe you can get help through your employee care program.  Ask others what they've found that works for them be it a website, book or personal adviser.

5)  R&R.  We all need it.  In fact studies show that if we don't get it we will die prematurely.  Before that happens we just get grumpy and sloppy and frustrated.  Take the time your company offers you.  Stay home if money is a concern.  Or visit family or friends.  Chances are they could use a good excuse to take a day or two off as well. To ensure your peace of mind while you are away, put plans in place ahead of time to cover your workload and notify clients of your absence.  Proper planning really does a world of good for everyone.

6) Give back.  And I'm not just talking about money.   Time is as precious to many non-profit organizations as money.  From envelope stuffing to answering phones to sitting with someone at a doctor's visit to everything in between, you don't have to have a special skill, just a special place in your heart for others.

How'd you do?  Choose one area and make it a priority for the next 30 days.  Then tackle the next one.  In 6 months you'll be in great shape in more ways than one.