There is no question about it. Multi-tasking is the fastest route to success whether in the workplace or at home. You only have so many hours in your day that can be comfortably allotted to production of an end result. Work is stressful and most of us try to think of ways to reduce stress. Stress is not just uncomfortable, it can be a killer.

Litterally millions of us face the issue of balance. We want to find a way to put food on the table while feeding our deepest drives for personal growth and development. There are few thoughts going through our minds during waking hours when we don't think about a personal life that could exist outside of of the things we must do to survive.

As the stresses of the marketplace drive managers to demand more production, hours grow longer and balance becomes a nearly impossible task. It comes as on surprise that levels of physical and mental health are on the decline while drug use is on the increase. Escape is the favorite option when reality becomes too uncomfortable for our constant focus.

So what is the starting point for achieving balance? Let's start with a clear understanding of what is not the starting point:

" Insanity: Doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results" Albert Einstein

Dear friend Albert makes a point that is forgotten in the hustling-rushing world we live in today. Even when searching for a better way to balance our lives so we can live with more comfort and health, we continue to be tied to our cell phones and email....even in the car.

Do you react to the tones generated by your cell phone in a similar manner as Pavlov's dogs reacted to the sound of the feed-bell? Think about it and be clear with yourself. It's truly time to get a grip!

When you are ready, truly ready for the first step toward balance in your life, read on...

• Schedule yourself for a 25 minute break. Alert everyone who normally intrudes into your space that you must have at least 25 minutes of interrupted time for a major project. Once you've secured the space, set your alarm to alert you in exactly 25 minutes....now you're ready for the next step.

• Direct yourself to brainstorm without stopping for critiques and shut off your judgement gene. Jot down every idea that comes to mind for things you can do to eliminate stresses in your life. Just let go of your logic and reasoning side and get to writing.

• If you run out of ideas jump-start the process by writing silly and stupid ideas. Just start with even the wildest thoughts about eliminating stress. The results work like magic to start the idea flow so just do it!

• When the alarm sounds, stop immediately and look at your list. Next, scan your list without eliminating anything, however pick the top 5 ideas that grab your interest.

• Take you picks and write each on on an index card on the second line from the top. On the top line write these words or something similar: I'm Committed To Balancing My Life And This Is The First Step!

Now comes Part II

Take a mental inventory of habits that have become so routine you may not even realize you're "Hooked On Rude." While this article is not about manners or courtesy, there are at least a couple of work related habits that can easily spill into your home thereby contributing to an imbalance.

Here are your questions:

1. Do you ever walk into your home while on the cell finishing a business call?

2. How many times in the last 30 or so days have you worked on your laptop from home to finish a work related project?

3. What rules did you set with your office or manager in regard to contacting you after hours or on weekends should emergencies occur?

4. What days of the month does your office know are off-limits for intruding into your free time?

5. How many of your co-workers know your habits better than or as much as your relationship partner?

6. How many nights a week, on average, do you stay awake thinking about a project or problem at the job?

Ready for your homework?

Keep going with the bullet points and the numbered questions. The idea is to alert yourself to all the things that you can do to control "Workplace Crawl" from sliding the overt and subtle projects, phone calls and emails into your daily routine.

Balance begins when it begins and there's no better time to stop the madness than right now....TODAY!

My first mentor made me understand that desire is the seed of all creation. Nothing that exists could be here without desire. So if you truly desire to have balance in your life you must heat up your desire for balance.

You want to begin thinking of balance between career and your life with the same intensity as a drowing person thinks about getting oxygen into their lungs. Build that level of intensity of focus and commitment and balance is yours.