When I think about my professional life and my personal life, I consider them extremely balanced. Having been a business owner for a few years, I have learned to set boundaries, limit work hours, and practice self-care.

Lately, however, I have been reading so much on this seemingly hot topic of work/life balance for business owners, and Im surprised to note that not much of it rings true for me. I am by no means suggesting that balance isnt important and necessary -- yet following prescribed steps to get it seems regimented, as opposed to natural and free-flowing.

Some of the suggestions in these articles seem forced (my least favorite "tip" is "create a schedule and stick to it no matter what") and probably can make a person feel more stressed than balanced at times. Balance, for me, is feeling comfortable, feeling good in ones skin, and truly enjoying both aspects of life (work and home). Balance should come naturally.

My own twist on the whole work-life balance concept is simple -- listen to and trust your intuition, and be flexible.

Intuition can have different meanings for different people. Quick definition for intuition: Insight. Synonyms include: discernment, divination, feeling, foreknowledge, funny feeling, gut reaction, hunch, innate knowledge, inspiration, instinct, intuitiveness, penetration, perception, perceptivity, premonition, presentiment, second sight, sixth sense.

Life is ever-changing, never predictable, and can easily thwart your balance "plan of attack". If youre so caught up in forcibly trying to create balance with schedules and structure, what happens when good old "life" gets in the way?

I am, however, a firm believer that the following strategies (in connection with intuition) are helpful practices in creating balance, and just make sense for any business owner:

Practice self-care. Whatever makes YOU feel good, whether its exercising, sleeping in, or getting a facial. Its important to take care of YOU.

Delegate. If housework is eating up too much of your time and interfering with balance hire a housekeeper. If you're spending too many hours each week entering financials hire a bookkeeper.

Set and stick to boundaries. If you dont want business calls after 5:00 p.m. turn your ringer off.

Most importantly -- listen to your intuition and be flexible.

I am a very organized, scheduled person. However (and this is a big however), Im also very flexible. I listen to my intuition and trust when it tells me to make some changes in a days schedule because I need to practice self-care to boost my energy level. The opposite holds true as well. On days Im revitalized and energized, I might tackle projects that were intended for later, or work longer days. And its all just plain old okay.

To me, balance isnt scheduling a work-free evening, then feeling energized to work late, followed by feeling guilty and stressed because I didnt stick to the schedule. Again, I encourage work-free time, yet I trust my intuition, my feeling, to guide me -- not just my schedule.

Here is what helps me to naturally create and maintain my work-life balance:

- I trust my intuition

- I listen to what my body tells me

- I am flexible

- I understand its okay

- I know the work Im doing is good and makes a difference

- I let go of any guilt

Dont let the "balance experts" dictate how to create your own balance. Balance is an individual, unique aspect of a business owners life. It should be created naturally and should make you feel comfortable and content.