Did you know that November is National Career Development Month?  No?  Maybe you've just been distracted by all the presidential election hoopla -- or maybe you've been too busy working to think about your career. But you should stop and take notice -- when you have time.

Career development is about more than just dodging layoffs and scrambling to find your next meal ticket. It’s about creating a life worth living, with the right balance of work, family and self. It’s about building a career that respects your goals, your relationships, and especially your time. Nobody ever died wishing they had worked more.

Here in the United States, we're convinced that the more we work, the more we will succeed. Producing and consuming more have become the single-minded obsession of the American economy, while other values -- strong families and communities, good health and a clean environment, active citizenship and social justice, time for nature and the soul -- are increasingly neglected.

We work, on average, nearly nine full weeks -- 350 hours -- longer per year than our peers in Western Europe. In fact, we're working more than medieval peasants did. It’s one thing to bring home the bacon -- it's another to have time to share it with family and friends.

If you could regain those 350 hours, you would have enough time to work out regularly, to take guitar lessons, to write your book, to get a dog, to pursue your own small business, to sell your art and to volunteer for a purpose or cause that matters to you-- and still have time left over for family and friends.

The secret to career success and happiness doesn't come from working more, but from working less. But you don't have to slough-off or quit your job to get a more balanced life. With a little savvy, you can create it by redesigning your work schedule.

Start by assessing your needs, both personal and financial. What do you wish you had more of, money or time? How much money do you need to guarantee your happiness? Do you want to cut back on the hours you work -- or just rearrange your schedule? Are you working to live or living to work?

Acquaint yourself with the growing number of flex-work arrangements. According to Catalyst, a NYC-based research organization, employees are now demanding flexible work options more than ever -- and it's not just a female issue. Many men want to have more time for family and self too. Traditionally, men have felt guilty if they're not working -- and women have felt guilty if they're not staying at home. Old habits die hard, but there are indications that the tide is turning.

In 2000, 23 percent of the labor force worked part-time -- and of those part-time workers, 6.7 million were managers and professionals. Part-time work options can take many forms, such as reduced weekly hours, reduced annual hours, job sharing or project based-work. Many people opt for part-time work to sustain a start-up business.

If for financial reasons, you are not able to reduce your hours, then consider variations on your full-time schedule. A compressed workweek is one where the standard number of full-time hours you work are done in less than five days. Or choose a flextime schedule, which gives you the freedom to start and leave work at times that are the most convenient to you -- to manage home and family demands or avoid rush-hour commutes. Or, if your job doesn't necessitate being on-site, redesign your schedule so that you can work from home certain days of the week, connected by computer, fax and phone.

If you're interested in working more time-effectively, find out about your organization's flexible work policies. Check the employee handbook or speak with your human resources representative. If there is no formal policy, check around to see what's been done informally. Then, develop a written proposal outlining your request and submit it to your boss. This not only protects your interests, but also shows you've thought through the details of the arrangement.

In your proposal, describe the advantages to your employer, including any cost savings, and anticipate and respond to any objections your boss may raise regarding your duties, availability and performance. Recommend a trial period, so that you can both evaluate how the arrangement is or isn't working. If you can't make the case for freeing up your time, its unlikely that your employer will make it either.

To celebrate National Career Development Month, schoolchildren across the country are writing poems and drawing up posters -- to heighten awareness of careers, and the alternatives available to increase everyone's personal success and happiness.

Sure, they could be daydreaming about becoming overworked and under appreciated when they grow up -- or aspiring to become downsized middle managers -- but instead they're honoring the promise of work and careers. Are you setting an example worth honoring?

© 2004, Career Planning and Management, Inc., Boston, MA.  All rights reserved.