God, Family, Career is Mary Kay Ash's Golden Rule. She used those words as the founding principle for Mary Kay Cosmetics and she developed a marketing plan designed to allow women to advance by helping others to succeed. Her creed of "God first, family second, career third" would become the very solid foundation of a multi-million dollar company.

I recently spoke to a Mary Kay consultant who has never wavered from the golden rule, nor has she needed to change its order. The support and encouragement of this company to put family ahead of career enable her to fulfill her role as mother without the inner conflict that burdens so many female entrepreneurs. Even today it gives her the leeway to be an active grandmother as she continues her long and successful selling career with the Mary Kay Company.

We all wrestle with the Family, Self, Career, Religion/Spirituality balance; so I asked women of varied ages and backgrounds what their 'golden rule' looked like.

The answers showed constancies and huge variations. Family came in first for the majority of the women. Religion/spirituality was first for others or as some indicated was their core and therefore not part of the 'order' of things. Not wanting to get overly Oprah here but I did notice that the women for whom religious or spiritual beliefs have been a constant throughout their life seemed to come from a calmer place when it came to maintaining a consistent life balance. This is not to say that their transitions or problems where different from the rest of us. They were though for the most part able to push through the challenges with the help of their beliefs and then to quickly resume the pre-set rhythm of their lives.

Where I saw the greatest discrepancies was in the priorities that came after first and second place. Career, self and for those searching for answers religion/spirituality juxtaposed for the remaining postions; their order dependant on one’s life stage.

As for me I got creative with my list. In the today of my life it reads; Career, future plans, self, family/relationships. Religion/spirituality remains a constant yet respectful last place.

In the search for life balance we attend seminars, read self-help books or hire life coaches. This expertise and information can help bring success and a certain measure of peace. However when you write the initial formula for your golden rule remember it is ultimately a very personal choice.