Quality time with your family isn't just eating meals or driving together. If you have kids, you will know the kind of attention they demand. Can you blame them? You are the source of security, kindness and happiness they crave.

Here are 7 tips to help you achieve a proper balance between work and family life:

1. Prioritize

We all need to prioritize in order to find time for the most important aspects of life. Write a list with the tasks for the day or week ahead. Start with the most important tasks, then put all negligible tasks at the bottom. I often do this before bed or even first thing in the morning. Spending time with the family should be a non-negotiable!

2. Schedule time

We make time for things we love, but sometimes that can't be said for the activities our family loves to do. Maybe your toddler is asking you to play a game or to go to the park. It may not be your favorite thing on your list, but the reward for pleasing your children or spouse is truly great. Treat these appointments like formal engagements: be on time and be ready for the occasion, even if it's a kids' tea party.

3. Say no

Nobody likes to say no, but sometimes it is the only answer available. We often try to make excuses or over-explain ourselves when we simply need to say no. If something is jeopardizing time with the family, learn to say it. It is clear and leaves no space for ambiguity.

4. Remember what's most important

If you can look at life from a long-term perspective, your children and spouse quickly grow in importance. The common phrase spoken from the sick beds of many rich and famous people echoes, "I wish I spent more time with my family." It must hurt to say that. Remind yourself daily that one of the most precious gifts God has given is the family. Make the most of your time with family, so you won't have any regrets.

5. Leave work at work

When you exit the doors of work, let work-related matters stay behind. It's pointless being at home if you are a work-zombie to your family. Forget the emails and spreadsheets. Be available and be present.

6. Give time to yourself

It's important to allow time for yourself. When you take moments to reflect or pray, everyone will benefit. However, if you have a "free-time" hobby that eats chunks of your schedule, re-read point 1 and re-prioritize.

7. Make time to talk

If you want a deep, flourishing relationship with your children and spouse, it's imperative you make time to talk. Talk beyond "How was school or work?" or, "Can you fix this and do that?" or, "What's on TV?" True relationships are built on an ongoing process of communication. Learn about your family and their emotions, fears, hopes and dreams.

What's your experience with balancing work and family life? Comment below.

This article was originally published on Donald Roberts. It has been republished here with permission.

The post 7 easy steps to balance work and family life appeared first on FamilyToday.

It is said the great American president, Abraham Lincoln, once remarked, "Folks are usually about as happy as they make up their minds to be." How profound a statement this adage still is! No doubt this man must have come in contact with people of many circumstances and situations. He met the rich and successful, some of whom never smiled. And he met the poor and ridiculed, whom - with all of their difficulties and misfortunes—smiled despite everything.

Being happy isn't dependent on circumstances but on a mind which chooses to see the good instead of the bad. I have learned being happy often means not allowing outward situations to affect your inner peace. Additionally, I've decided to stop doing things that hinder my happiness.

Below is a list of 6 things you should never do if you want to be happy.

1. Hold on to resentment

If there is one tip I could give to anyone, it would be, "Forgive quickly and easily"

Holding on to grudges will kill all potential for true happiness and success. Deep down we all know the right thing to do is to forgive. But it feels more desirable and powerful to hold on to anger and grudges towards our wrongdoers.

Once you forgive people, you essentially lose that power you feel over them. You may still remember the pain caused, but being angry and bitter about what happened doesn't stop those who wronged you from succeeding nor does it benefit your life. So, you might as well forgive and forget, the quicker the better.

2. Be motivated by money alone

"Money has never made man happy, nor will it; there is nothing in its nature to produce happiness. The more of it one has, the more one wants." -Benjamin Franklin

Money itself isn't evil; however, the love of money has led many people down dark paths. There are generally three motivators in life: money, love, and passion. Happy people have a balance of all three.

However, if your single motivator is money, problems arise. After too many years of living for the money, life grows monotonous. We all have friends who walk away from great jobs, who—when you ask them the reason for their leaving—say they lost the passion for their life's work. This usually happens when money is the overpowering motivator.

3. Neglect friends and family

It's essential to maintain and build meaningful relationships. If you neglect friends and family, you will burn the most important bridges needed. The people closest to you will be your backbone during hard times and will be your greatest task force to call on.

People on their deathbeds seem to look back on their lives with regret on how they treated and neglected those closest to them. Don't be one of these people filled with remorse. Make amends. Reach out. Pick up the phone.

4. Complain and moan

If you constantly moan, complain and whine. You are mentally trapping yourself within a net of negativity. The Bible has a passage with clear instructions: "Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable" (Philippians 4:8 NLT). If you can follow this, life will fall into place.

Being happy depends on your outlook, not your situation. Remain positive and happy about yourself and others. Find something in every situation to be grateful for. Actually, the very fact you are still breathing is a cause for celebration. Happy people are optimistic, enjoy their relationships and enjoy the little things in life.

5. Never take a break

Holidays, trips abroad and family outings are necessary breaks needed in this fast-paced 21st century. Without these breaks, we reach our mental limits too quickly. Inadequate rest allows us to become irrational and make bad decisions out of character.

Even if it's a small break from normal routine, take some time and break away from your working pattern. Enjoy life.

6. Rarely express gratitude

"Be thankful in all circumstances." -1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NLT)

I remember the difficult time I had in school balancing family, work and education. In those times I had to remind myself those three aspects of my life were privileges not given to everyone here on Earth.

There are countless people who hunger for education but who don't have access; families who struggle; and even people who don't have access to clean water. Being blessed with so much, it is imperative to be thankful and to count blessings, even during difficult days.

Avoiding these six obstacles to happiness will give your life an immediate boost. You'll feel healthier and more productive. People will gravitate to you. You'll make friends more easily and create and sustain meaningful relationships. Decide to be happy today.

This article was originally published on Donald Roberts. It has been republished here with permission.

The post 6 things you should never do if you want to be happy appeared first on FamilyToday.