Top goal for 2008: Balancing Work and Life

The Phoenix Business Journal reports on a survey from Beyond.com, "Fifty-seven percent of those polled by the Pennsylvania-based operator of career and employment sites, reported they would most like to achieve a healthy work/life balance, followed by furthering education (18 percent), staying organized (16 percent) and improving workplace relationships (10 percent)."

So, what does that really mean? A healthy work-life balance can mean any of the following:

• You want more time with your family and friends
• You want to worry less about your time in the office
• You want more time to pursue non-work related goals
• You want more of a life, period!

Working from home isn't always the ultimate solution to a healthy work-life balance - but it can help you get there. While a pay cut may be in order if you take an entry-level telecommuting job, you'll nix the commute, gas, and related expenses of traveling to a brick and mortar job. And if an emergency comes up, like the basement flooding or the sitter calling in sick, you'll be right where you're needed - at home.

Work-life balance also goes hand in hand with a need for financial stability. If your income doesn't make ends meet, you'll still be fretting over debt or childcare related expenses.

However, a work from job can afford you something precious - a little more time to find another source of income, a little more time to start your dream business or finish up school, and a little more time living the live you want to live most.