It’s already 2009, a new year for all of us. If you have been the work addict last 2007, now it’s time to make a commitment to ease away from it. If you have difficulty doing it, start small by saying no to tasks or errands that aren’t that important and you don’t want to do anyway. Walk away from the mess in the living room, turn down the invitation to the neighbor’s party, and don’t pick up the cell phone when it rings on a Sunday morning. Of course since you are used to doing it before, you may feel guilty. But you will find out that the world will not stop spinning on its axis just because you said no. As you grow comfortable with that feeling, you can start delegating larger responsibilities.

Remember no is a bad word. In fact, by saying no to certain things, you can say yes to the things that matter. The mantra of workaholic rehabilitation: by cutting back, and letting go, you are freeing your life for your dreams, your mission and the people you love. Don’t forget to include yourself on the list. Be fair to yourself and enjoy your life. When are you going to play Nintendo DS Games, Nintendo Wii Games, XBox 360 Games with your kids? When all of you become so old? Let loose and balance your personal and work life and enjoy life.

1. TRUST
2. COMMUNICATION
3. INTIMACY
4. A SENSE OF HUMOR
5. SHARING TASKS
6. SOME GETAWAY TIME WITHOUT BUSINESS OR CHILDREN
7. DAILY EXCHANGES (meal, shared activity, hug, call, touch, notes, etc.)
8. SHARING COMMON GOALS AND INTERESTS
9. GIVING EACH OTHER SPACE TO GROW WITHOUT FEELING INSECURE
10. GIVING EACH OTHER A SENSE OF BELONGING AND ASSURANCES OF COMMITMENT

If these qualities are missing, the relationship will erode as resentment withdrawal, abuse, neglect, and dishonesty; and pain will replace.

The first step in achieving success in anything you want to happen in your life is to set goals. This sounds easier than it really is because many of us rarely take the time to ask ourselves what we want.

One is that you know your personal mission. A mission expresses your personal sense of purpose and meaning in life. It centers on the questions why do I exist? What do I want from life? What gives me a sense of purpose? What contributes do I want to make the important people or important roles in my life? And then, identify your purpose. Most of us tend to focus on the day to day needs and tasks. But ask yourself: what am I doing all of this for? What do you hope to accomplish through all of those responsibilities and choices? This is your life’s purpose.

And, pin point your values. Values are the worth we attribute to things, events and people. It is the force behind our desires. Whenever we say: “I want something” it’s because that something is special and important to us. Values are a guide to our decisions, setting limits as to what is good and worthwhile or unacceptable. If we value being independent, we will put a lot of premium into making enough money so we never have to ask for help from other people. Then, from then on you will know which of the thousands of business opportunities you want to take the risk. Remember there are a number of franchise opportunity and small business opportunity in the market nowadays. Picking one requires not only money but the things you want to achieve and value. And, don’t be afraid to take the plunge.