As one of the foremost travel nursing agencies in Canada, we understand the importance of a healthy work-life balance. Quality of life and financial freedom go hand-in-hand, but living in a country with a higher-than-average cost of living takes a toll on everyone, even those of us with impressive financial planning skills.
A lot of working professionals struggle with where to prioritize future finances versus current quality of life, often feeling an emotional tug of war between one extreme and the other. But we’re here to tell you that you don’t have to choose – because believe it or not, you can have both, with a little extra thought and care.
Healthy work-life balance begins with a fulfilling career that you are passionate about. If you can work towards that, you are moving in the right direction. Aside from a rewarding career, you will need to evaluate your wants and needs outside of your working hours. What are your goals? They don’t all have to be grandiose either – sometimes a healthy goal looks as simple as striving to make more time for outdoor activities, or quality time with friends and family. Or perhaps it’s the joy of learning a new skill or investing in a hobby that interests you. Of course, dedicating personal time can be costly, which is why it’s important to always strive to create a life in which your career supports these goals, not just financially but in terms of time equity.
A lot of the basics surrounding work-life balance and finances can be made more easily digestible if you can put pen to paper. This is where your future plans begin – yes, it takes some time but is so worth it to have something to look at. Not only does this encourage you to stay accountable to your game plan, but it gives you an outline to follow. This can alleviate a lot of the uncertainty many feel when thinking about how to navigate finances, personal goals etc. Vision boards, budget planners and target-setting diaries can help you put the wheels in motion.
Financial health is a major focus when it comes to quality of life, and it requires some real thought and planning. If your intention is to retire early, for example, you will have a financial plan that looks very different from that of your colleagues and friends. If you feel it more important to place greater focus on your current quality of life, you may decide to scale back your retirement plans somewhat, and “enjoy the now” as much as possible.
Living within your means is not just important to your financial health, but to your physical and emotional wellbeing. If you feel burdened and overwhelmed by credit card debt and other expenses, speak to a debt counsellor about ways to consolidate, restructure and rebuild your financial wealth. This will allow you to begin investing in a much healthier financial future while focusing on your day-to-day wellness.
At the end of the day, work-life balance comes down to you. Everyone’s definition looks a little different, and that’s ok. But the most important thing to keep in mind is that you have the power to create the life you deserve, and with a little foresight, support, and self-reflection, you can achieve your ideal circumstances with respect to future finances, and your professional and personal goals.
Advanced Home Care Solutions specializes in travel nursing within Canada, and work-life balance remains one of our top priorities. If you’re interested in learning more about the benefits of travel nursing, visit our website or get in touch with us today.