Many people feel that they must put their career first in order to provide a more secure future for their families, while others may sacrifice professional advancement and growth in order to spend more time with family. Successful work-life balance may not be a matter of performing a balancing act at all, but rather a matter of setting priorities.

According to a study on the changing workforce by the Families and Work Institute, during the past three months, 26 percent of employees have often (or very often) felt emotionally drained by their work. In addition, 36 percent have often (or very often) felt used up at the end of the workday.

Ellen Galinsky, a leading authority on work and family issues, reported findings from a study of executive men and women from 10 multi-national companies in a newsletter of the Alliance for Work-Life Progress (www.awlp.org).

“Managing work and personal/family life is not a zero-sum game in which, if people give to one aspect of their lives, they necessarily take away from another,” Galinsky wrote. “Managing work and personal life is more than simply an issue of time (which is finite), it also involves energy and mood, which are not constrained in the way time can be.” Based on our core beliefs and needs, what is truly of the most importance and value at any given time?

Our lives and work are ever-changing, and we should anticipate this in order to overcome the challenges we face.

• Set boundaries between your time at work and at home and try not to combine the two. This can be challenging, but by staying emotionally and mentally “present” when at work and at home, we enhance our effectiveness at managing the tasks at hand. Being completely present for each situation and not allowing our minds to be at work while our bodies are at home (or vice versa), allows us to focus, be more productive and feel good about doing the best we can with the finite amount of time we have.

• Make sure to take “self” time. Rejuvenate. Physical exercise and time spent in recreational activities may be particularly good for enhancing mood and energy levels.

• Knowing priorities and accepting that no one can do everything or please everyone can also be comforting. Work-life balance is best accomplished when we know our priorities and build our lives around them rather that simply try to balance everything that comes our way.

Time is limited, but the love of family and friends, as well as the peace of mind that comes from knowing that you gave your best effort, can last forever.