http://www4.remodeling.hw.net/management/owner-issues/work-life-balance/work-life-balance.aspx?view=rss&id=Query_tcm1780784http://www4.remodeling.hw.net/exit-strategy/secondlook-john-deciantis.aspx?rssLink=SecondLook%3a+John+DeCiantisThis class of 2001 Big50 returns to what he loves doing: working with his hands on unique projects.http://www4.remodeling.hw.net/remodeling/the-tough-questions-q11-personal-sacrifices.aspx?rssLink=Tough+Questions%3a+Q11+-+Personal+SacrificesTen remodelers answer 12 questions about yesterday's building boom, today's business challenges, and tomorrow's commitments toward rebuilding their companies. This question: What sacrifices have you made on a personal level to keep your company afloat?http://www4.remodeling.hw.net/owner-issues/staying-upbeat.aspx?rssLink=Staying+UpbeatRemodeling consultant Linda Case reveals how some business owners remain upbeat in difficult times, inspiring staff to follow them with confidence.http://www4.remodeling.hw.net/human-resources/ask-the-expert-clay-nelson.aspx?rssLink=Ask+the+Expert%3a+Clay+NelsonWhen one of your employees is dealing with a death in the family, it can affect the whole team.http://www4.remodeling.hw.net/human-resources/remain-calm.aspx?rssLink=Remain+CalmGet outside help to keep stress from overwhelming your work and family life.http://www4.remodeling.hw.net/owner-issues/alternative-path.aspx?rssLink=Alternative+PathIt's possible to swing a hammer and still run a thriving, profitable business without going crazy.http://www4.remodeling.hw.net/administration/work-sleep-work.aspx?rssLink=Work%2c+Sleep%2c+WorkRemodelers discuss taking time out of their business to focus of family and the other things that really matter.http://www4.remodeling.hw.net/business/replicating-the-rainmaker.aspx?rssLink=Replicating+the+RainmakerOne of the most difficult parts of moving a remodeling business forward is stepping back from being its primary salesperson. From a desire to grow the business to the wish to put a succession plan in motion, any number of reasons can compel remodeling business owners to train others to step into their long-held sales positions. But recognizing the need to step back is only part of the challenge. More difficult still is how to go about it.http://www4.remodeling.hw.net/remodeling/taking-time.aspx?rssLink=Taking+TimeA prospect calls you and says, “I'm interested in remodeling my kitchen. When can we meet?” You suggest Tuesday at 10 a.m. They say, “I can't, I work.” http://www4.remodeling.hw.net/business/undo-the-freak.aspx?rssLink=Undo+the+FreakMost remodelers are control freaks. As a recovering remodeler, I hope I can say that without getting into trouble. When money gets tight, these remodelers tend to intensify their grip. Their employees feel that squeeze, and it doesn't feel good.http://www4.remodeling.hw.net/business/business-interrupted.aspx?rssLink=Business+InterruptedAs these remodelers show, shifting focus away from the business for a time to deal with traumatic personal events doesn't have to derail your company.http://www4.remodeling.hw.net/business/counselors-at-large.aspx?rssLink=Counselors+at+LargeAfter building his vacation home, Tom Mitchell, owner of Mitchell Construction, in Medfield, Mass., wanted to take a month off and still be able to return to a thriving business.http://www4.remodeling.hw.net/business/unmasking-the-leader.aspx?rssLink=Unmasking+the+LeaderThere's a little bit of the Lone Ranger in every remodeling entrepreneur. Enable your team to solve and prevent problems, so you can ride off into the sunset.http://www4.remodeling.hw.net/computers/try-this-at-home.aspx?rssLink=Try+This+at+HomeMichael Carey, owner of Carey Contracting Corp. in Iron Mountain, Mich., says, “We believe we're only here to make a living so we can live life. A solid family life is first.”http://www4.remodeling.hw.net/carpentry/an-ideal-employee.aspx?rssLink=An+Ideal+EmployeeWhen Michael Wilkinson owned a small remodeling company, he worked, he says, probably 15 hours a day “doing all the work in the field and in the evenings going out on estimates, seeing people, writing up contracts and bids. Eight years of that.”http://www4.remodeling.hw.net/business/deciding-to-delegate.aspx?rssLink=Deciding+to+DelegateMost small business owners can't find enough hours in the day to do everything that needs to be done. They know they should assign their tasks to employees, but which ones? To help in those decisions, take a look at the Skill/Value/Time (SVT) matrix.http://www4.remodeling.hw.net/business/owner--or-operator.aspx?rssLink=Owner+%e2%80%94+Or+Operator%3fAs a frequent speaker at industry meetings, I see the consequences of cell phone over-reliance. At every scheduled break, between seminars, I witness a sea of contractors and their employees with cell phones glued to their ears.http://www4.remodeling.hw.net/company-culture/longer-days-shorter-weeks.aspx?rssLink=Longer+Days%2c+Shorter+WeeksSummer is a good excuse for contemplating the four-day workweek. Crews will work 10 hours instead of 8, but they'll still have some natural light when they get home. And with school kids on break and vacations in swing, “it's a nice morale booster for everyone,” says Donald Keney from Castle Renovations in Sterling, Va.http://www4.remodeling.hw.net/work-life-balance/the-art-of-delegation.aspx?rssLink=Work+%2b+Life%3a+The+Art+of+DelegationDelegating to achieve work/life balance doesn't mean dropping the ball.http://www4.remodeling.hw.net/work-life-balance/get-a-life.aspx?rssLink=Get+a+LifeFor consistent work/life balance, you must choose to have balance and be committed to having it. Asking for help is a strength all successful leaders must possess.