The work-life balance should operate in perfect equilibrium for us to achieve success both in business and in our personal lives. All too often, however, the scales seem to be tipped in favour of ’work’ and when taken to an extreme this can have a disastrous impact on both our health and our social and familial relationships.

As the recession keeps on biting a climate of fear seems to have gripped many within the business world. Job security is an issue within even the largest corporation and those at the top of the tree seem to be as much at risk, if not more so, than those at the foot of the corporate ladder. It is this inherent fear that is driving many in business to work increasingly long hours, to be seen to be going that extra mile and earn valuable kudos. The economic uncertainty is also leading some people to work longer and harder to build up their savings as a homegrown ’insurance policy’ against an uncertain financial future.

There is another way: many people are stepping away from the office based rat race and finding the home based way to redress the work-life imbalance. The recession has seen an increase in the number of people working away from the office: start up businesses, freelancers, contractors and virtual assistants are all finding the benefits of working from home. There are several key benefits to the business person working from home:

• Flexible working conditions mean that you can fit your work around the needs of your family rather than work dictating when you can spend quality time with those you love.
• Being your own boss means that job security is down to you and you alone.
• Create a working environment that suit your tastes, from the decor to music, to cut down on stress.
• Have breaks and holidays when you need them. Not to mention you will never need to cancel those three valleys ski bookings again because you boss ends up saying no to your holiday request.
• Less travelling means more time can be spent doing the job itself and reduces your carbon footprint.

It can seem a big step to take the plunge and branch out on your own, whether it be as a freelance or consultant or even starting your own SME. Increasing numbers of business people like you, however, are making this move both as a means of beating the recession and a way of balancing the ’work-life’ balance!