Are there any accepted benchmarks for how best to slice up my life between work and everything else?

Decide how much time to spend on business development, personal needs, family, etc. Start by allowing 25% of your time for yourself. Each time you make a commitment, set a timeline for your involvement.

Remember that maintenance takes at least 25% of the time you spend on any project whether it’s business, marriage, or serving on the board of a non-profit organization.  Your availability to family and friends depends on the flexibility you build into your schedule.  Female business owners frequently have the primary responsibility for making sure family members are cared for when they are dependent or ill, so it’s necessary to leave some time in your schedule for emergencies or to have good backup resources. Get to know your neighbors so you know whom to call for help in times of crisis.  In the bigger picture, consider the relationship between your business life and your personal life