Life is all about creating balance in areas of our lives that can pose conflict. Work and play. Family and career. Parents and in-laws. Stocks and bonds. Long term and short term. The list goes on and on, and those of us who manage to maintain constant equilibrium between all the demanding entities are few indeed. This week Personal Finance endeavours to help you find some balance of your own. Our cover story, written by Conrad de Aenlle, looks backward and forward, a time-honoured form of balance, and solicits the opinion of a handful of financial professionals on the state of the UAE's economy, which, as we all know, is experiencing not a little turmoil.
Their verdict? Government commitment and oil's likely rebound should serve to erase the sting of 2008 and bring rosier times. Inga Stevens tackles the work-home conflict, which is likely the most difficult one in which to find balance. You feel the need to work harder, yet often feel less productive. And you and your loved ones suffer from the resultant stress. One answer is establishing boundaries between your office and your personal life.
Moving to a macro view of things, Asa Fitch's column takes a look at the frustrating lack of balance, or agreement, among financial experts and commentators and reaches the conclusion that confusion often reigns until hindsight allows a clearing of the fog. His advice? Even in a downturn seek diversification (read balance) in your portfolio, and continue investing. Finally, Vinita Bharadwaj finds balance in twin entrepreneur brothers whose business makes big promises - anything delivered anywhere in Dubai in under an hour - and fulfils them with aplomb.
Still not satisfied, they plan to take their success to Abu Dhabi and Singapore this year and, in a new venture, are determined to make it easier for others with creative business ideas to find their niche. Lunch an hour after ordering? That's what I call a well-balanced meal. Let us know how you find balance in your personal and professional life at pf@thenational.ae
