By: Hillary Colvin
The balance of work and life is simply a budget issue. I cannot spend $30 when I only have $24 in my wallet. Similarly, I cannot find 30 hours in a 24-hour day. The problem becomes complex when I have so many opportunities that I struggle to prioritize them. I consider myself lucky to have a work-life-balance problem. It means I am ambitious, esteemed, or filled with opportunities. Unfortunately, it also means I feel overwhelmed.
Achieving balance became most challenging when I decided to earn my CPA license and had started a new career as an auditor. To attain my license, I needed to find the time to pass all four parts of the CPA exam and complete 18 more college credits. While earning my license, I wanted to also succeed as a dedicated employee, a loving wife, a kind friend, a loyal family member, a healthy person, a creative knitter, an experienced hiker, and so much more. It became impossible to be everything I wanted to be, and every element of my life suffered neglect at some point.
I solve work-life-balance issues by merely wanting less; the same way I solve financial budget issues. It is not an emotional decision. It is a factual decision. It is the same as wanting to buy five new shirts when I can only afford two. It is difficult deciding which two shirts to buy and which three shirts not to buy; but, the first step to developing a successful budget is becoming committed and motivated to. Once the idea of a budget is accomplished, the allocations become simpler and can be amended as goals change.
Hillary Colvin is an audit associate with Johnson Price Sprinkle, PA, in the Asheville office, where she has been for three years. She is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Asheville. Hillary has completed all four parts of the CPA Exam and is working towards her Master’s degree in accounting at Western Carolina University. She resides in Asheville with her husband, dogs, and cat. Hillary enjoys hiking, kayaking, yoga, and knitting in her free time.