Have you ever met a person who manages the most seemingly impossible of tasks with ease? Someone so perpetually prepared, punctual and put together that you have to scratch your head and wonder ... “How do they do it all?”

The reality is that no one can do it all — and do it well — forever. Life can be tough. And managing the competing priorities of a work assignment, family and all the little stuff in between can be challenging. So read on for some helpful tips:

Take one step at a time
You can’t climb Everest in a day. And you can’t manage your own mountains in one sitting either. It’s easy to throw everything you have at the situation when you’re feeling overwhelmed. But often, tackling too much at any one time can leave you feeling even more overwhelmed. The key is to set realistic goals. Then take it one step at a time, and reward yourself for small achievements along the way.

Say no to stress
It’s a fact: We’re all stressed at one point or another. But over 60 percent of expatriates report stress as a direct result of going on assignment. No surprise there. From challenges like learning a new culture or language to simple frustrations like finding good take-out, there’s certainly a lot to absorb and stress out over. Some tips:

• Own your new location: Shake off your fears of being in a new location by learning the language, getting around on your own and embracing the new culture
• Get active: Find a gym, walk or hike around your new world or join an athletic group for company
• Be flexible: Where before you said, “I’d never do that,” now say “Why not?”
• Fight fatigue: Getting the proper amount of rest is rejuvenating, relaxing and key to managing your changing world

Build a solid support system
It’s tempting for many of us to support others without having a strong support network of our own. But by going it alone, you won’t be winning any medals. So try some of the following:

• Keep in touch with friends and family at home
• Learn tried and true coping techniques from a long-term or “resident expat”
• Steer clear of negative people
• Build a community of doctors, pharmacies or counselors to get to know and improve your health
• Seek confidential counseling, through such vehicles as AGB’s International Employee Assistance Program*

Take back your time
Is 24 hours a day not enough? Or is 24 tasks a day too much? While you can’t adjust the hands of time, these time-savers can help you get more mileage out of it:

• Focus: Figure out your most important or profitable goals and focus on these first
• Delegate: We all know how to do it our way faster, but giving others a chance to pitch in can save you time over the long run
• Say no: Don’t let other people’s projects steal the focus from your priorities
• Schedule: Make appointments for more than work meetings — carve out “you time” for exercise, family and other fun times

Leave work at work
Nearly two-thirds of international employees work longer hours abroad — approximately 13.4 hours more per week than they did at home. But most aren’t workaholics by choice. There is real pressure to travel, socialize and learn new languages and customs to succeed in their new business world. And when you combine that with technology that connects us 24/7, the once-sharp lines between work time and personal time is increasingly blurred. To strike a healthy balance:

• Make a conscious decision to separate work time from personal time
• Turn off technology when you’re with your family, whenever possible
• Don’t feel guilty about saying no
• Make sure your day off is just that — no working allowed
• Politely decline social work events that occur outside of work, if possible
• Set aside one night a week for an activity you enjoy

Know before you go
It’s hard being the stranger at a party, let alone a stranger to a whole country! But when you know all you can about your destination country, you’ll be better prepared to handle tough times like a native. What are the customs? Where is the nearest movie theater? How is the weather? What areas are safe? What legal or tax paperwork is needed? When it comes to adjusting to a new way of life, you’ll find there’s no such thing as too much research.

Check out our Safety Itinerary feature for more help in this area.

*If offered by their employer.

Investigating expatriate work-life balance. Accessed February 13, 2009, at http://www.expatica.com/nl/employment/employment_information/Investigating-expatriate-work_life-balance.html.

10 Top Tips For Reclaiming Your Time. Accessed February 13, 2009, at
http://www.expatwomen.com/business_ideas/10_top_reclaiming2.php.

When Pulling Your Hair Out Just Isn't Enough: 15 Ways to Cure the Stressed Out Expat. Accessed February 13, 2009, at http://www.expatexchange.com/lib.cfm?networkID=159&articleID=2738.

Managing the strain of multiple time zones. Accessed February 13, 2009, at http://www.expatica.com/nl/employment/employment_information/managing-the-strain-of-multiple-time-zones-16200_8484.html?ppager=0.

Work-life balance: Ways to restore harmony and reduce stress. Accessed February 13, 2009, at http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/work-life-balance/WL00056/METHOD=print.