If it's possible to give your friend another chance, creating a concrete time frame for them to improve performance by coaching or training them toward a specific set of goals. Schedule weekly meetings to discuss improvement. Make it clear that your friend's job will be terminated if the new set of goals is not met in the time discussed. If it doesn't happen, go through with the termination knowing that you gave them as much of a chance as possible. Document your discussion and keep this report with your employee records. You may need to deal with objections by referring to the documentation of your previous conversations, so keep good records. If it's in your power, you might consider reorganizing your friend's job to essentially demote your friend, or give them an opportunity to save face by quitting. You'll need to have a similar conversation, letting them know that their performance isn't up to par, but that you value their friendship and wanted to offer them this opportunity in a job with fewer responsibilities. Organize the position such that your friend's weaknesses might be lessened by the new position, making it a win-win. Your friend either gets to leave the company for greener pastures, or stay on in a position in which there is an opportunity for success. Alternatively, consider a promotion or a transfer. While this might be considered "passing the buck," if you can get rid of your friend without firing them outright, you can avoid the ugly confrontation. If you can get your friend a new job with a similar company, you'll have solved both your problems. It may be that there is too much conflict of interest involved in your firing your friend. In this case, talk to either a supervisor, subordinate, or the HR department at your company to plan for another course of action.
++++++++++
One-sentence summary -- Lay out a plan for improved performance. Change your friend's job title or job description. Let someone else do it.

Organize your obligations into "Do," "Don't Do," and "Delegate." Instead of trying to do it all, figure out which household tasks need to be done (your "Do" list), and which can wait (your "Don't Do" list). If there are things you could get your partner, your kids, or a hired hand to do washing the dishes, walking the dog, and so on separate them into your "Delegate" list. This will rebalance your family's time in such a way that you all have the ability to spend more time together, instead of you and/or your partner taking on a disproportionate amount of housework. Be realistic and honest when evaluating your time. Don't add something to your "Do" list just because you feel guilty. Organize your work tasks, too, so that you can identify which things need doing and which you can delegate to a coworker. You can lose a lot of time that can be spent with your family (or on yourself) by searching for misplaced keys, remote controls, and other essential belongings. Choose a convenient location for your wallet or purse, your keys, and your glasses. Get in the habit of placing these essentials especially the things you seem to lose frequently in the same place every day. For instance, you might choose to always put your glasses by the bedside, and your keys by the door. Look for ways to save time and use them whenever possible. For instance, if your dry cleaner offers free pickup, or you can get your pizza delivered instead of picking it up, spring for these convenience services. This will help you maximize your family time. If you're enrolled in university, use the campus gym instead of trekking from school to the gym and then home. If you're the type of person who rises to a challenge, you might benefit from trying to make and meet unique family-related goals. Set a minimum amount of time to spend with your family each week for instance, 15 hours. Or you could try a qualitative goal like making your child smile at dinner. Change your family-time goals regularly to keep the contest fresh. Instead of checking email, working on projects, and texting friends or coworkers when you're home, turn your phone off and shut down your computer. This way, your family will get your undivided attention. After your kids and partner are asleep, you can log back on. This is especially important during family outings and meals. You can also use your computer and phone early in the morning, when your kids and partner are asleep. Some people get discouraged because they think, "I could never maximize my family time in the way that my neighbor did." This is defeatist thinking and will not help you maximize your family time. Instead, organize your time as well a possible without passing judgment on yourself. Remember, nobody can spend all their time with their family.
++++++++++
One-sentence summary -- Prioritize your time. Organize your things. Take advantage of all your resources. Adopt family-time goals. Unplug when you're at home. Don't compare yourself to others.

Adopt a proper running posture, keeping your back straight and swaying your arms held in a 90-degree angle at the elbow. Run on the balls of your feet, using them to spring off with every step. Try pushing your legs further back to give yourself a longer stride. You will get a better grip of the ground and allow yourself to bounce off the ground, and it gives you an extra boost in every step. If you ever watch Olympic sprinters, you'll notice that they almost always have very long strides. Your upper body is important too. Put a bend in your arms and pump them up and down sharply with each step. Leave your palms open, with fingers together as if you were stabbing the air. This should help you force yourself forward more easily. While you run, you want to be taking in enough oxygen that you can maintain a light conversation. If you can't, you're likely to run out of steam and you'll have to slow down. Deep, steady breathing will help you run more quickly in the long term. Some people breathe in through their noses for three seconds and exhale for two. See what you're comfortable with one person's breathing style may not be best for everyone. Use a stopwatch to time yourself every running session. Each time, try to go just a little bit faster on the same route. The added incentive will help you push yourself to the max. Just before you reach your goal, even if it seems impossible, try to force as much power out of your body as you can and put out a burst of speed. You may be surprised by how fast you can actually go when you know you're about to reach your goal. This can improve your time drastically. Even something as simple as changing the way you look ahead can make you a better runner. Try to focus your eyes on where you want to go, rather than on the area right in front of your feet. Keep focusing on new spots further down the path as you move you won't ever feel like you're almost done, so you won't give up as easily. For example, if you're running on a straight track and you're coming to the end, try focusing on a spot far ahead of the finish line and push yourself to run there. This can help keep your motivation high until it's actually time to quit. If you're not meeting your biological needs, you'll have a harder time running as fast as you can. Taking a small drink of water before your run ensures your muscles have the water they need when it counts. It's also a good idea to carry a little water with you so you can take drinks as needed during your run. There is such a thing as too much water, however. Don't drink a ton of water right before running. Drink small amounts as you go, but try not to take big gulps. This will give you cramps.
++++++++++
One-sentence summary --
Use good running form. Use a sustainable breathing pattern. Give yourself a time goal. Keep your eyes on the prize (literally). Hydrate!