57 Percent of Professionals Consider Work-Life Balance the Most Important Goal for the New Year

Beyond.com, Inc., polled business professionals throughout its network of more than 15,000 sites to discover what workplace goals professionals are trying to achieve in 2008.

More than 5,000 Beyond.com Network visitors responded to the recent poll question:

ìWhat is the most important workplace goal you would like to achieve in 2008?î

57% - Achieve a healthy work/life balance
18% - Furthering education
16% - Staying organized
10% - Improving workplace relationships

The results clearly showcase the growing demand by employees for increased work-life balance, and validate the recent trend by employers to offer innovative benefits that promote and foster a healthy balance, and increase retention and overall employee satisfaction.

ìMany people will be making personal New Yearís resolutions; however, having a career-focused resolution can be just as important to a professionalís long-term success and workplace satisfaction,î said Rich Milgram, CEO of Beyond.com, Inc. ìMore and more, companies are devising ways to help their employees achieve a healthy work-life balance, from telecommuting, to on-site fitness programs and more. We urge employees to take full advantage of these programs and work with their employers to tailor these benefits to best support their individual needs and goals throughout the year.î

To have the best chance at succeeding with goals for the New Year, professionals should set resolutions that are achievable and have the ability to keep them motivated. Setting unrealistic expectations could result in losing motivation and giving up on a resolution altogether.

Below are a few tips on how reach workplace goals for the New Year:

Take Every Opportunity ñ Take advantage of work-life benefits offered by your employer; feel free to suggest ideas that will help you meet your goal while still being productive.

Devise a Realistic Strategy - Although you may know what you want to do this year, chances are you donít have the first clue how to achieve them. Create a detailed plan that will help you easily measure and reach your goals. Plan the work, and work the plan!

Set the Bar Appropriately ñ A goal that looks intimating from the start will probably never be accomplished. Instead of planning to never work on vacation, set a resolution to limit the time spent checking email to 15 minutes per day.

Utilize the People Who Know You Best - Enlist friends and co-workers to encourage and support you in reaching a resolution.

Make Daily Reminders ñ Jot down your daily successes and failures; use failures as suggestions for improvement. Place daily reminders in your computers calendar and receive daily notices of encouragement. Lastly, donít be afraid to have others personally remind you.