Lisa BuckinghamTry our test to find out how you balance life with work — and then read on for our experts’ guide to helping you juggle family, friends and work.
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TAKE OUR QUIZ
1. At work, do you…
A) Put in a high number of hours, but you’re paid for them and/or it’s not because someone else is pressuring you to do so.
B) Work a reasonable number of hours or part-time, all paid.
C) Do too many hours, some of them unpaid.
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2. Do you spend enough time with your friends?
A) I don’t see them very regularly but I make an effort to keep in touch.
B) Yes, I see my friends often, for both cuppas and nights out.
C) No, my friendships fall by the wayside because of my work and family commitments.
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3. When it comes to holidays from work, do you…
A) Use all your annual holiday allowance, but some of it goes on getting jobs done around the house.
B) Always use up your full allowance, and perhaps take extra unpaid leave.
C) Rarely use your full allowance of days off.
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4. If you live with a partner, do you feel that they take on their fair share of household tasks, including housework, paying bills, organising the kids (if you have them)?
A) They do as much as I allow them to do (which is not a lot).
B) Yes, we divide housework, childcare and house admin fairly according to our working hours.
C) No, I do the lion’s share and it’s unfair.
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5. How often do you spend time thinking about or dealing with work issues when you’re not at work?
A) Frequently or occasionally, but I feel in control of it and it doesn’t stress me out.
B) Hardly ever or never.
C) Regularly in the evenings, and sometimes on holidays and weekends — and I find it intrusive.
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6. How often do you have downtime to yourself — for exercise, a hobby or simply watching TV/reading a book?
A) Downtime is time wasted, but I do manage to exercise.
B) Often enough to leave me feeling content.
C) Very rarely — someone always wants something of me, whether it’s at home or at work.
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7. If you have them, do you spend enough time with your partner and/or your kids?
A) It’s limited but I try to make sure it’s quality time.
B) Yes, plenty — I think I get the best of both worlds.
C) No, and it makes me feel unhappy and frustrated.
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YOUR RESULTS
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THE BUSY BEE
If you chose mostly A