Time MANagement

"Somewhere along the line, though, we got sold a bill of goods that said that the scales of life could balance two things and only two things - work and family."

So writes Brad Thor in a recent issue of Michigan Avenue magazine, who's launched a "full-scale assault" to put his life back in balance by dedicating more time to doing things that he likes to do.

"I love my family and I love my work," he continues. "But if I don't take time for myself, I can't be at the top of my game in anything."

Here's some of what he's now doing:

• Become a Regular - "Have a standing, once-a-month rendezvous with pals at the same restaurant. Enforce it mercilessly. No excuses. And the last one to arrive buys the first round."
• Get out of Town - "As temperatures drop, so do prices on vacation rentals in neighboring states. Leave your work behind, and head to your own private beach house with loved ones for the weekend. And, while you're there, carve out some alone time - and don't feel guilty about it. Take a walk, rent a boat, sit on the deck with your iPod. All that matters is that you do something for you."
• Take an Afternoon Off - "Even if you can't get out of town, you can still knock of early one day and treat yourself to the new James Bond movie, Quantum of Solace. Consider it an investment in your manliness. There's also something incredibly empowering about sitting in a dark theatre while the rest of your colleagues are back at their desks."

"Just remember," concludes Thor, "every man has the same number of hours in his day. It's what he does with those hours that determines what kind of man he is and what kind of balance he will have in his life."

Give or take a 007 flick, so, too, could be said for women, I suspect.