My friend Mary Kay Ash, the founder of Mary Kay Cosmetics, told U.S. News & World Report, “I like to work long hours, but if you have to lose your husband or family in the process, you’re doing things the wrong way. It’s no fun to count your money by yourself.”

One reason for Mary Kay’s enormous success is the fact that in her career she encouraged her people to keep God first, family second, and business third.

That approach is effective because it keeps your life on an even keel and in balance. That’s important because any time you “put all your eggs in one basket,” if something happens to the basket, you’re in trouble. For example, men (and some women) too often stake everything on their career. Then if they lose their job, their company goes under or is bought out, they are devastated because their self-worth was tied up in their job.

. . .The husband or wife who is committed only to a career has a spouse who suffers from a low self-image because of being neglected. She, or he, may become depressed on angry, which could lead to withdrawal, drug or alcohol abuse, extramarital affairs, or simply a lifeless relationship. All of these lead to conflict that can destroy the marriage.

Industrial psychologist David Sirota puts it this way: The real problem comes when your self-esteem is based almost entirely on work performance. Sirota points out that a normal, healthy person has three aspects to life: work, play and love. And to maintain balance in life, you must follow Mary Kay’s example and give yourself to all three! . . .

. . . Adapted from Zig’s book, COURTSHIP AFTER MARRIAGE, published by Ballantine Books and available in your favorite bookstore, or at http://www.zigziglar.com

For more on the subject of how to be successful, read Zig’s popular book, “Success for Dummies,” published by IDG Books. It’s at your bookstore, and it’s also available from http://www.zigziglar.com.