Keep busy," goes the old adage. With books to write, kids to raise and a property business to run, Velvadi Sritrairatana seems to have taken the saying seriously. Too seriously, perhaps - just how does she cope?

"It's all about life management," the multi-tasker says confidently.

And many who know her agree that her success in organising her business extends to organising her life.

 "I have lots and lots of projects and I'm very busy with them all. But no matter how busy I am, I know I can't work all 24 hours. I know I need time for myself too, so I balance all my duties as a mother, a wife and a businesswoman," says Velvadi.

This is all the more impressive if you stop to consider the countless thousands of business graduates who have failed in their efforts to bring the lessons of time management to their lives - those who achieve success have usually sacrificed everything to their work.

Not Velvadi. She always has time for her kids and makes a date for lunch with her husband almost every day. These routines are important to her. 

"My mother [Patravadi Mejudhon] still works 24/7. She used to say that she was too busy to spare us any time. I don't believe that anymore. If I need privacy, time with my kids or time taking care of my husband, I'll find it.

"When we women get engrossed in our work, we often forget other things. But you only notice the things and people you've neglected when they've gone. The thing is, you need to set priorities - find out what's important to you and what's not. When you know what's really important, you'll find time for it. If it's gone, what's the point in regretting it - you made the choice."

But hold on, can someone really separate their work life from their personal life while running a project at Puttaracsa Resort in Hua Hin worth Bt500 million.

"Of course, there are times when I'm exhausted too, then I'll be all angry and nag at my children. When I notice myself doing that, I just put a hold on work right away."

When Velvadi needs time off, she usually takes a break abroad. Batteries recharged, she often gets back fizzing with new ideas to try out in her business.

"I like to travel with my family. We do it leisurely, no rush, no schedule. That's why we choose not to go with a tour group. We'll stop where we want to and find activities for all the family, the kids especially. Travelling gives us valuable family-time together."

On top of her work, Velvadi has written a book. It's called "Chang-Mae", and it deals with how she raised her kids, Momo, aged five, and Moya, three. She plans to write another when they get to their teens.

"The idea for the book came after people were curious about how I'd raised two kids that were so honest  and courteous. I learned my parenting skills from my mother. I was raised to be strong and organised. I was the eldest child in the family, so I had the experience of taking care of my siblings before I had kids of my own - it wasn't that hard for me."

She's successful at home, successful at work ... would we be right in thinking things are pretty perfect for Velvadi?

"It depends on how you define 'perfect', but right now I'm very happy. I'm happy with my kids, my husband and my business. And that's enough.

"Heeding the King's principle of sufficiency, we should know when and where to stop - if you keep on drawing comparisons between yourself and others you'll never be happy.

"For myself, I can honestly say that I can't ask for anything more."

Thomtong Tongnok

The Nation