Month: November 2024

Let’s talk about something we all deal with—your inbox. Have you ever stopped to think about whether it’s helping or hurting your productivity?

Take a second to ask yourself: how many hours have you lost to email this week? If you’re like most accountants, the answer might surprise you.

The average professional spends about 28% of their workweek managing emails. That’s over 11 hours—basically an entire workday spent just on email!

We tend to think of email as something we quickly check between tasks or respond to when we have a free moment. But have you noticed how often a “quick check” spirals into way more time than you intended?

The truth is, email can easily take over your day if you’re not careful. And let’s be honest—it’s hard to stay on top of everything when unread messages keep piling up.

Have you ever come in on a Monday morning, opened your inbox, and immediately felt overwhelmed? Hundreds of unread emails staring back at you can make you feel behind before you even start.

Or maybe you’ve caught yourself thinking about emails even when you’re off the clock. That mental clutter can drain your energy, even when you’re not actively working.

Here’s the thing—email is supposed to make communication easier, but if it’s not managed well, it can do the opposite. It can pull you away from the work that really matters and leave you feeling scattered.

Think about it: how often do you stop what you’re doing to check your inbox? How many times have you reread the same email because you didn’t have time to deal with it the first time?

All those little interruptions add up. They break your focus, waste your time, and make it harder to get back on track.

Over time, an overflowing inbox doesn’t just waste hours—it creates stress and leaves you feeling like you’re always playing catch-up. That’s no way to work.

What if your inbox wasn’t such a constant source of frustration? Imagine opening it and seeing only the messages that actually matter, without all the clutter.

In today’s episode, we’ll dive into why your inbox feels so overwhelming and, more importantly, what you can do to fix it. It’s time to stop letting email run your day and start taking control.

Your inbox should be a tool to help you, not a time suck that drains your energy. Let’s make it work for you instead of against you.

The Brain Science Behind Inbox Overload

Let’s start by talking about why email feels like it’s taking over your day. You might not think of your inbox as a source of stress, but trust me, it totally is—and here’s why.

Your brain can’t automatically organize an inbox full of read and unread emails. It sees every unread email as something unfinished, which just piles on mental stress and makes it harder to focus.

Honestly, I often joke that email is an accountant’s “drug of choice.” Think about it—every time you hear that little ding or see a notification, your brain gets a quick hit of dopamine, the same feel-good chemical you get from eating dessert or getting a compliment.

It feels great in the moment, but that dopamine hit is what makes email so addictive. Before you know it, you’re constantly checking, craving that next “fix,” and feeling a little panicked if you can’t step away.

The problem is, every time you stop what you’re doing to check an email, it pulls you out of focus. And the more you do it, the harder it gets to concentrate on what really matters.

Here’s the thing—your brain can handle a lot, but it has limits. This is called decision fatigue, and it’s why things like making choices or staying focused get harder as the day goes on.

And email is like decision fatigue on steroids. Every time you check your inbox, your brain is flooded with questions: Should I reply now or later? Is this email even important? Should I save this or delete it?

Even those little decisions—like whether to open an email or ignore it—start to add up. With dozens, maybe even hundreds of emails coming in every day, your brain gets overwhelmed fast.

When your brain is in overdrive like this, your focus slips, and even simple tasks feel like climbing a mountain. That’s why you feel drained and less productive by the end of the day.

The truth is, an overflowing inbox doesn’t just eat up your time—it drains your energy and clarity too. It’s like trying to run a marathon while carrying a heavy backpack. You might make it, but it’s going to feel way harder than it should.

This is what email overload does to your brain. It weighs you down with mental clutter and makes it harder to focus on the things that actually matter.

Here’s the bottom line: It’s not just about freeing up your time—it’s about freeing up your mind too. If you want to be a smarter accountant, you’ve got to learn how to take care of your accountant brain.

Three Email Habits Getting In Your Way

Now that we’ve discussed how an overflowing inbox can overwhelm your brain, let’s dig into some specific habits that might be making things worse. These are common pitfalls that many of us fall into, often without even realizing the damage they’re causing to our productivity. And believe me, I’ve got the research that backs up just how serious these problems can be.

Habit 1: Lack of Scheduled Email Processing Time

One of the biggest productivity killers is the habit of reacting to every email as soon as it arrives. You’re focused on a task, and then ding—a new email notification pulls your attention away. Before you know it, you’re deep into responding to emails instead of working on the project you had planned.

This constant interruption is more harmful than you might think. Studies show that it takes an average of 23 minutes to fully regain focus after an interruption, a phenomenon known as “attention residue.”

This means that every time you check an email, even if it’s just for a moment, your brain struggles to refocus on what you were originally doing. Over the course of a day, these interruptions add up, leaving you feeling scattered and less productive.

Even worse, this habit can create a cycle of stress. The more you interrupt yourself to check emails, the more you feel the need to stay on top of them, and the less time you have to actually get meaningful work done. It’s a vicious circle that can leave you feeling like you’re always playing catch-up.

Habit 2: Subscription Overload

Another common issue is the habit of subscribing to too many newsletters, industry updates, or promotional emails. At first, it might seem like a good idea to stay informed and up-to-date. But before you know it, your inbox is overflowing with emails that aren’t directly related to your work.

The problem with this is that it creates unnecessary noise. One study showed that the average professional receives around 121 emails per day. 

With so many messages coming in, it’s easy for important emails from clients or colleagues to get lost in the shuffle. You might find yourself spending valuable time sifting through irrelevant content just to find the emails that really matter.

This overload doesn’t just waste time—it also contributes to decision fatigue. The more emails you have to process, the more your brain has to work to decide what’s important and what can be ignored. Over time, this can lead to mental exhaustion and reduced productivity.

Habit 3: Using the Inbox as a Catch-All

Finally, there’s the habit of using your inbox as a storage space for everything—tasks, reminders, documents, and more. It’s easy to fall into this trap because it feels convenient at the moment. 

For example, need to remember something? Just email it to yourself. Want to keep a document handy? Leave it in your inbox.

But this habit can create a digital mess that’s just as overwhelming as a physical one. Research shows that cluttered environments, whether physical or digital, can lead to reduced focus and increased stress. 

When your inbox is filled with non-email tasks and documents, it becomes harder to find what you need. You end up wasting time searching for information and feeling overwhelmed by the sheer volume of stuff sitting in your inbox.

It’s also important to understand that using your inbox as a catch-all means that your brain is constantly trying to process different types of information—reminders, documents, tasks—on top of regular emails. This adds to your cognitive load, making it harder to concentrate and get things done.

The bottom line is that even though we all have issues with one or more of these habits, they are making it harder for us to be productive and efficient accountants.  That’s why it’s important to recognize your unhelpful email habits and understand the toll they’re taking on your productivity and mental clarity.

How to Take Back Control of Your Inbox

Now that we’ve identified the habits that can make your inbox a source of stress and inefficiency, let’s talk about how you can start taking control. It’s all about making a few simple changes that can lead to big improvements in how you manage your emails—and ultimately, how you manage your day.

One of the most popular mini-training videos in The Smarter Accountant Time Management Program covers email management, but today I just want to share a few strategies with you:

Strategy 1: Implement Scheduled Email Times

One of the most effective ways to regain control of your inbox is to set up specific times to check and process emails. Instead of reacting to every email as soon as it comes in, you’ll handle them in batches. This approach helps you stay focused on your work without constantly being interrupted.

Here’s how you can do it:

Choose Your Times: Pick a few times during the day when you’ll check your email. Good options might be first thing in the morning, after lunch, and before you finish work for the day. These are natural breaks in your day when it makes sense to clear out your inbox.  The most important thing here is that you should be in charge of when to give attention to email; email shouldn’t be in charge of your focus and attention.

Stick to the Schedule: Once you’ve set your email times for no more than 15 to 30 minutes, it’s important to stick to them. This means resisting the urge to check your email outside of these times. It might be tough at first, especially if you’re used to checking your inbox constantly, but it’s worth it. By limiting when you check emails, you’ll reduce decision fatigue and free up mental space for more important tasks.  I’m telling you, this is a game-changer.

Turn Off Notifications: To help yourself stick to the schedule, turn off email notifications. This way, you’re not tempted to peek at your inbox every time a new message arrives. Instead, you can focus on your work and handle emails when it’s time.  Every time you hear or see an email notification, your brain gets a hit of dopamine—the feel-good hormone. To stay focused, it’s important to break this habit by turning off notifications.

Strategy 2: Declutter Your Subscriptions

Another key step in taking control of your inbox is decluttering all those subscriptions that you’ve signed up for over the years. While staying informed is important, too many newsletters and promotional emails can clutter your inbox and distract you from the messages that really matter.

Here’s how to clean things up:

Review Your Subscriptions: Take a look at the emails you receive regularly. Are there newsletters you never read or promotions you’re not interested in? If so, it’s time to unsubscribe. Most emails have an unsubscribe link at the bottom, and it only takes a few seconds to remove yourself from the list.

Use Unsubscribe Tools: If you have a lot of subscriptions, consider using an unsubscribe tool like Unroll.me or Clean Email. These tools can help you quickly identify and unsubscribe from emails you don’t need, making the process faster and easier.

Benefit from a Cleaner Inbox: Once you’ve decluttered your subscriptions, you’ll notice a big difference. Fewer emails mean less distraction for your brain, and you’ll be able to focus more easily on the important messages. Plus, a cleaner inbox is less overwhelming to your brain, which can improve your overall focus and productivity.

Strategy 3: Organize and Streamline Your Workflow

For this strategy it’s important to set up a system for organizing your emails and managing the information that doesn’t belong in your inbox. A well-organized inbox makes it easier to find what you need and helps you stay on top of tasks without feeling overwhelmed.

Here’s how to do it:

Create Folders or Tags: Set up folders or tags in your email client to categorize your emails. For example, you might have folders for clients, ongoing projects, or important documents. As emails come in, file them away in the appropriate folder, so your inbox stays clean and organized.  I use Outlook and have my email folders set up by client.  I sort my inbox by the “From” tab and swipe all the emails related to that client into their appropriate folder.  I also have a folder labeled “#TBD” for the most important things I need to focus on, this way nothing gets lost. 

Use Other Tools for Non-Email Tasks: If you’re currently using your inbox to store reminders, documents, or to-do lists, it’s time to find a better system. Apps like Trello, Asana, or even a simple notes app are better suited for managing these tasks. By keeping non-email tasks out of your inbox, you’ll reduce clutter and make it easier to stay organized.

Schedule Regular Clean-Ups: Set aside some time, like an hour on Fridays, to declutter your inbox and tidy up your folders. This helps prevent your inbox from becoming overwhelming again and keeps your email management system running smoothly. For example, at the end of the year I go into each client’s email folder, sort by date, and delete anything over 7 years old.

Strategy 4: Set Up an Email Autoresponder

The last powerful strategy to take control of your inbox is to set up an email autoresponder. This tool can automatically let people know when they can expect a response from you, allowing you to stick to your email schedule without feeling pressured to reply immediately.

Here’s why this is important: In our always-on culture, there’s often an expectation of immediate responses to emails. But this constant pressure can lead to burnout and decreased productivity. By using an autoresponder, you set clear boundaries for yourself and others, making it easier to focus on deep work without interruptions.

An autoresponder message might look something like this:

“Thank you for your email. To be as productive and efficient as possible, I check emails at (specific times during the day). I will get back to you within (specific amount of time like 24 hours) if a response is necessary. Thank you for your understanding.”

This message does a few important things:

It Sets Expectations: By letting people know when you’ll respond, you reduce the pressure to reply instantly. This gives you the space to focus on your work during non-email times.

It Closes The Loop: One of the biggest struggles that people deal with is not being sure that their email was received or will be addressed.  The autoresponder message closes the loop in the sender’s brain letting them know that it was received and will be addressed within a specific amount of time, allowing for less anxiety.

It Reinforces Your Boundaries: Establishing and communicating clear boundaries helps you maintain a healthy work-life balance and prevents email from taking over your day.  You need to learn how to take back control of your time and attention.

You might be thinking that setting up an autoresponder feels like a small step, but it can have a big impact on how you manage your time and energy. By letting others know that you’re committed to a more focused and efficient way of working, you’ll find it easier to stick to your new email habits and take back control of your inbox.

The bottom line is that by implementing these strategies, you’ll start to see a real difference in how you manage your emails. Your inbox will feel more manageable, and you’ll have more mental energy to devote to the tasks that really matter. 

The key is that taking control of your inbox is not just about clearing out emails—it’s about taking back control of your time and your focus.

Becoming a Smarter Accountant: Getting Control Of Her Inbox

As I said before, one of the on-demand mini-trainings I have in The Smarter Accountant Time Management Program deals with email management.  Every coaching client has told me it was one of the most helpful trainings they’ve ever learned.

For example, one of my coaching clients was feeling completely overwhelmed by her inbox. She used to dread opening her email every morning, knowing that she’d be greeted by hundreds of unread messages, most of which weren’t even important.

The constant ping of new emails throughout the day kept her on edge, and she found herself reacting to every notification, no matter how trivial. This constant interruption made it nearly impossible for her to focus on her work, and by the end of the day, she felt drained and unproductive.

During our coaching sessions, we started by identifying the habits that were causing her inbox stress. She realized she was checking her email dozens of times a day, subscribing to newsletters she never read, and using her inbox as a dumping ground for reminders and documents.

We worked together to create a plan: she set up specific times to check her email, started unsubscribing from anything that wasn’t essential, and organized her emails with folders and tags.

We also added an autoresponder to let people know when they could expect a reply, which took a huge weight off her shoulders.

A few weeks later, the difference was night and day. She no longer felt the constant pressure to respond immediately, and her inbox was cleaner and more organized.

She told me how freeing it was to know that she could focus on her tasks without being distracted by every new email. Her productivity improved, and she even found she had more energy at the end of the day.

The best part? She regained a sense of control over her work and her time, which reduced her stress and made her much happier in her job. It was a powerful transformation that all started with getting control of her inbox.

I hope you can see that although taking control of your inbox might seem like a small change, it can have a big impact on your productivity and peace of mind. By implementing these strategies, you’ll not only reduce stress but also free up valuable time to focus on what really matters.

Remember, your inbox is a tool—don’t let it control you. Take charge, and watch how much easier your workday becomes.

Let’s wrap up with a key takeaway and a simple question to help you apply what you’ve learned.

Key Takeaway and Action Item

The key takeaway is that your inbox should be a tool that helps you get things done, not something that stresses you out or takes over your day. When you manage your email with intention, you can actually free up time and energy for the things that matter most.

This week, try asking yourself, “Is my inbox helping me stay productive, or is it running the show?” It’s such a simple question, but it really makes you pause and think. 

Are you in control, or are you just reacting—checking notifications, getting stuck in emails that don’t even matter, or rereading the same ones because you’re not sure what to do with them?

The beauty of this question is that it helps you spot where your inbox might be getting in the way. Once you see it, you can start making changes, like setting specific times to check your email or unsubscribing from stuff you don’t need. 

The goal is to take charge of how you handle email so it works for you—not the other way around. You deserve to feel in control of your time, not overwhelmed by your inbox!

Well, that’s what I have for you today! Thank you so much for joining me as we talked about the email inbox makeover every accountant needs. My hope is that you’ve picked up at least one thing you can start using right away.

Remember, you worked hard to become an accountant—it’s time to make it easier to be one.

If you’re feeling stuck or struggling with any part of being an accountant, don’t hesitate to reach out. You can book a free session with me at www.thesmarteraccountant.com/calendar. Let’s tackle what’s holding you back and get you on the path to feeling more confident and in control.

Also, have you taken The Smarter Accountant Quiz yet? Head over to www.thesmarteraccountant.com and find out what’s been getting in the way of you having success without the struggle. It’s the perfect starting point for becoming a Smarter Accountant.

And finally, if you’ve enjoyed this episode, I’d love for you to share it with other accountants. The more we spread the word, the closer we get to changing the narrative of what it means to thrive in this profession.

And don’t forget – the truth is that you’re already smart, but this podcast will show you how to be smarter.

Have you ever felt like your identity is more tied to your work than anything else in your life? If so, you’re not alone. In a demanding field like accounting, it’s easy for the lines between who you are and what you do to blur.

For many accountants, work isn’t just a job—it’s a massive part of how we see ourselves. And while dedication to your profession is something to be proud of, there’s a fine line between commitment and something called work martyrdom.

Work martyrdom happens when your dedication crosses over into sacrificing your well-being, relationships, and happiness just to get the job done. It’s when working harder, longer, and with fewer boundaries feels like a badge of honor—a badge that’s tough to take off.

In the accounting world, with its tight deadlines and high stakes, it’s easy to fall into this trap. Work becomes not just what you do, but how you define yourself.

But here’s the truth: while work martyrdom might seem like it’s helping you get ahead, it’s often doing the opposite. The more you tie your identity to staying late, skipping vacations, and taking on more, the more you risk burnout, stress, and even resentment.

And it’s not just your career that suffers—work martyrdom spills over into every area of your life. It can feel like running a marathon without taking care of yourself. You might cross the finish line, but at what cost?

So, now that we’ve laid the groundwork for what work martyrdom is, let’s talk about why it’s such a problem—especially for accountants. What’s really going on when we fall into this trap, and why does it feel so hard to avoid?

Why Work Martyrdom Is a Problem For Accountants

At its core, it’s when working long hours, taking on extra tasks, and pushing yourself to the brink starts to feel like the “right” thing to do—like it’s the only way to be a good accountant.

Maybe you’ve found yourself staying late every night, checking emails during family dinners, or even feeling guilty for taking a vacation. Sound familiar? That’s the slippery slope into work martyrdom.

But here’s the thing—this isn’t just about working hard. It’s a mindset, and it’s one that’s deeply ingrained in our profession. 

In accounting, there’s this unspoken expectation that you should always be available, always be working, and always be pushing yourself to do more. It’s so easy to fall into the trap of thinking, If I work harder, I’ll be more successful.

And honestly? A lot of this isn’t even your fault. Our society loves to glorify people who seem to have an endless capacity for hard work. 

Think about it: how often is the person who stays the latest or skips vacations seen as the most dedicated? It’s almost like overworking becomes a badge of honor.

In many accounting firms and companies, this gets rewarded. People who sacrifice their personal lives to work longer hours often get promotions, praise, or even more responsibility. 

And when you see that happening around you, it’s easy to think that’s what you have to do to succeed. But this is where it starts to go wrong.

Work martyrdom can seem like the answer, but it has some serious consequences—ones that can creep up on you before you even realize it. First and foremost, it takes a massive toll on your health. When you’re constantly pushing yourself without breaks, stress piles up, and so do physical problems. 

Things like insomnia, headaches, or even high blood pressure can become part of your day-to-day life. You might feel exhausted all the time but still keep going because you believe you have to.

And let’s talk about what happens to your relationships. When you’re always working, there’s just no time left for the people who matter most. Little by little, that can lead to feelings of isolation—not just for you but for your loved ones, too. 

They might start to feel like they’re not as important as your job. And honestly, that disconnect can hurt in ways that are hard to fix later.

But here’s what really hits home for me: work martyrdom doesn’t even make you more productive. In fact, it does the opposite. When you’re burnt out, your focus and creativity tank. 

You start making mistakes, missing details, and feeling like you’re running on empty. All those late nights and extra hours? They don’t actually help you move forward. If anything, they hold you back.

What’s worse is that it doesn’t lead to the kind of career growth you’re hoping for. You might still feel stuck, wondering why all this effort isn’t paying off. It’s frustrating, and it’s exhausting. I’ve been there, and I know how easy it is to think, Maybe I just need to try harder. But that’s not the answer.

The truth is, work martyrdom doesn’t lead to the success or fulfillment you want. Instead, it creates a vicious cycle: you work harder, burn out, and end up feeling even more stuck. And it doesn’t just hurt your career—it spills over into every other part of your life.

This is why recognizing it is so important. Once you can see it for what it is, you can start making changes. You can take back control and find a healthier, more balanced way to succeed—both in your career and in your life. You deserve that.

The Brain Science Behind Work Martyrdom

Since this is the podcast that blends brain science with accounting, let’s take a closer look at what’s really going on in your brain when work martyrdom takes over. It’s not just about working hard—it’s about how your brain is wired to make you feel like you have to overwork. And honestly, some of it comes from instincts that have been with us forever.

Your brain’s number one job is to keep you safe and secure, and one of the ways it does this is by equating work with survival. Think about it—back in the day, survival meant working hard to gather food, find shelter, and protect yourself from danger. If you weren’t putting in the effort, you weren’t safe.

Fast forward to today, and while we’re not out hunting for food anymore, that same survival instinct is still there. Your brain sees your job as essential for providing security—for you and your family. 

So when you feel like you’re overworking, it’s not just a habit; it’s your brain quietly telling you, “Work harder—this is how we stay safe.”

But it doesn’t stop there. Your brain also has a built-in reward system that plays a huge role in why you might keep overworking. Every time you check something off your to-do list—whether it’s finishing a project, answering emails, or staying late to meet a deadline—your brain releases dopamine. 

You might know it as the “feel-good” hormone. It gives you that little hit of satisfaction and makes you want more of it.

Here’s how it works: you finish a task, your brain gives you a burst of dopamine, and you think, “That felt good—I should keep going.” The more you work, the more dopamine you get, and before you know it, you’re in a cycle of chasing those little rewards. 

It feels like progress, but it’s actually exhausting you. It’s like running on a hamster wheel—your brain keeps you going because it’s hooked on that next dopamine hit, even though you’re not really getting anywhere.

And then there’s fear and insecurity, which can be a major driver of work martyrdom. If you’ve ever thought, “I’m not doing enough,” or “I’m not as good as everyone else,” you know exactly what I’m talking about. Those feelings can trigger your brain’s stress response, putting you into survival mode again.

When you’re in that mode, your brain pushes you to work harder, take on more, and prove yourself. It’s trying to protect you from failure or criticism, but in the process, it’s pushing you toward burnout. 

You might think, “If I just put in a few more hours, or take on that extra project, I’ll feel better about myself.” But here’s the problem: it never feels like enough. Instead, you’re just reinforcing the cycle—more work, more stress, and more exhaustion.

What’s tricky is that your brain doesn’t realize it’s working against you. It’s just doing what it’s wired to do—keep you safe, keep you motivated, and keep you pushing forward. But understanding these patterns is the first step to breaking free from them.

When you recognize that your brain is equating work with survival, chasing dopamine, and reacting to fear, you can start to interrupt those patterns. It’s not about blaming yourself or your brain—it’s about seeing what’s happening and choosing a different way forward.

The next step? Start paying attention to the signs of work martyrdom in your life. Once you can spot those patterns, you’ll be able to take back control before it spirals out of hand.

Signs of Work Martyrdom You Need to Pay Attention To

So how do you know if you’re slipping into work martyrdom? Sometimes it’s subtle—so subtle that it feels normal at first. But once you start noticing the patterns, it’s easier to recognize when work is taking over more than it should.

Let’s talk about a few common signs that might mean you’re on the path to becoming a work martyr.

One of the first red flags is feeling like you have to respond to emails immediately—no matter what time it is or what you’re doing. Maybe it’s late at night, you’re in the middle of a family dinner, or even on vacation, and you feel that itch to check your inbox and fire off a reply. 

Sound familiar? It’s as if not responding right away might cause the sky to fall or make people think you’re slacking.

I see this all the time with my coaching clients, and let me tell you—it’s exhausting. This habit might seem harmless, but it’s a clear sign that work is starting to run the show. You’re prioritizing your inbox over everything else, and that’s a key indicator of work martyrdom sneaking in.

Then there’s the fear of taking time off. Vacation days are there for a reason—they’re meant to help you recharge and maintain some balance. But if you find yourself hesitating to use them, or worse, letting them expire unused, that’s a problem.

Maybe you’re worried that taking time off will make you look less dedicated, or that everything at work will fall apart while you’re gone. This mindset is classic work martyr behavior. It’s like telling yourself that the office can’t survive without you, which only adds to your stress and makes stepping away feel impossible.

Another big sign? Struggling to delegate. If you’re constantly saying, “No one else can do it as well as I can,” you’re piling unnecessary stress onto your plate. 

Delegation isn’t just about lightening your load—it’s also about giving others the chance to grow. When you refuse to let go of tasks, you’re not protecting the quality of the work; you’re just making everything harder for yourself. And let’s be real—that’s not sustainable.

Now, let’s talk about something I know a lot of us do: constantly talking about how busy and stressed we are. If you find yourself saying, “I have so much on my plate,” or “I’m so overwhelmed,” more often than not, it might be your way of justifying those long hours and sacrifices. 

It’s like you’re trying to prove to yourself—and maybe others—that all this work is necessary. But this stress-talk isn’t helping. It’s actually a clear sign that work martyrdom is taking a toll on you.

I’ll share a quick story that I shared in my book “The Smarter Accountant”. One day, I was walking behind two accountants in my building. One said to the other, “Did you notice Joe’s car wasn’t in the parking lot last night?” The other replied, “Well, he must not be very good at what he does.”

That comment stopped me in my tracks. These two genuinely believed that being the last one in the office was a sign of being a good accountant. It’s the kind of mindset that feeds work martyrdom, and it’s so easy to fall into if you’re not careful.

Oh, and here’s one more sign to watch out for: resentment and isolation. When work martyrdom takes over, it’s common to start feeling frustrated with people who set boundaries. You might catch yourself judging others for leaving work on time, taking lunch breaks, or prioritizing their personal lives.

It can feel like you’re the only one truly committed, which creates a sense of isolation. Over time, this resentment builds up, leaving you disconnected from colleagues and more entrenched in the work martyr mindset.

Recognizing these signs is the first step to making a change. Once you can spot these patterns in yourself, you can start reclaiming your time and energy.

Now that we’ve uncovered what work martyrdom looks like, let’s talk about what you can do to stop it and create a more balanced, fulfilling life—both professionally and personally.

How to Stop Work Martyrdom

So, you’ve recognized some of the signs of work martyrdom in your life. Now what? The good news is that you don’t have to stay stuck in this cycle forever. 

You can break free and create a healthier, more balanced way of working. It just takes a little self-awareness and a willingness to make some changes.

The first step is to really take a good, honest look at your work habits. Ask yourself, Why am I working the way I am? 

Are you staying late at the office because the work truly requires it, or is it because you feel like you should? Are you checking emails late at night because it’s urgent, or because you’re worried about how it might look if you don’t respond right away?

Being honest about what’s driving your behavior is huge. Maybe it’s fear—fear of not being good enough, fear of falling behind, or fear of being judged. If you can identify those feelings, you can start to understand them instead of letting them control you.

One of the most important things you can do is allow yourself to feel negative emotions without using overwork as a way to escape them. I know that sounds uncomfortable—no one wants to sit with feelings like anxiety, self-doubt, or insecurity. 

But here’s the thing: those feelings are temporary. They don’t define you, and they definitely don’t need to dictate your actions.

When you let yourself feel those emotions instead of avoiding them by diving into more work, you start to take their power away. Over time, this makes it much easier to step back and say, I don’t have to do more just to feel better.

Next up is setting boundaries. And yes, I know this can feel awkward at first, especially if you’re used to being “always on.” But boundaries are essential for your well-being. 

Start by deciding on clear work hours and sticking to them. Maybe you say, “After 6 p.m., I’m done for the day—no more emails, no more projects.”

You can also set boundaries for how you handle work on weekends or during vacations. Remember, time off isn’t just a nice idea; it’s necessary. Taking breaks recharges you, and that makes you more effective when you’re back at work.

Another big piece of this puzzle is managing your mind. A lot of work martyrdom is driven by thoughts that aren’t really serving you, like “I need to work harder to prove my value,” or “If I don’t do it all, no one else will.” These beliefs feel so real, but they’re often just stories we’ve told ourselves.

What if you challenged those thoughts? How?  By looking for evidence that success doesn’t have to mean sacrificing everything. 

Think about people you know—or maybe even your own experiences—where balance and boundaries didn’t get in the way of success. Shifting your mindset can be powerful, and it helps you make choices that actually support a more fulfilling life.

And here’s something important to keep in mind: this is a process. You’re not going to flip a switch and suddenly have it all figured out. And that’s okay. The key is to keep moving forward, even if it’s just one small step at a time. Every little change you make adds up.

The more you practice self-awareness, allow yourself to feel your emotions, set boundaries, and challenge unhelpful beliefs, the closer you’ll get to a life that feels balanced and fulfilling—not just professionally, but personally, too.

The bottom line is that you don’t have to be a work martyr to be successful. In fact, letting go of that mindset will likely make you more successful. You’ll feel healthier, happier, and more productive, and your relationships will improve as well.

So, start today. Take that first step by reflecting on your work habits and asking yourself, What can I change to create a better balance in my life? Then commit to making those changes. You deserve a life that works for you, not one where work is all you have.

Becoming a Smarter Accountant: Letting Go Of Work Martyrdom

Before I share a coaching client’s story, let me just say that work martyrdom is one of the most common and sneakiest issues I help my clients with.  Like carbon monoxide poisoning, it’s undetectable and deadly unless you have a carbon monoxide detector.

That’s kind of what I consider myself – a detector of work martyrdom before it’s too late.

For example, I worked with a client who was a dedicated accountant, always working long hours and believing that staying late was the key to success. He was constantly at the office, often the first one in and the last one out. 

But despite all his hard work, he started feeling completely drained. His relationships were suffering, and he wasn’t as happy with his job as he thought he’d be.

When we first started working together, he told me he felt trapped. He couldn’t remember the last time he had dinner with his family without checking his phone, and he felt like he was failing—not just at work, but as a husband and father. 

The more he pushed himself at work, the further away he felt from the things and people that mattered most. He was exhausted, frustrated, and honestly, scared. He worried he might burn out completely but didn’t know how to stop.

When he finally set boundaries—like committing to family dinner without interruptions—it wasn’t just his work that improved. He said something I’ll never forget: ‘I didn’t realize how much life I was missing until I got some of it back.’ Seeing him rediscover joy in both his work and his personal life was a powerful reminder that success doesn’t mean sacrificing everything else.

The bottom line is that there’s no shame in admitting that you’re a work martyr, but there’s no reason to continue being one.  You deserve to take off the thorny martyr crown and have a balanced, happy life.

Let’s wrap up with a key takeaway and a simple question to help you apply what you’ve learned.

Key Takeaway and Action Item

The key takeaway is that work martyrdom might feel like the path to success, but in reality, it leads to burnout, strained relationships, and decreased productivity. It’s a cycle that can quietly take over your life, leaving you exhausted and feeling like no matter how much you do, it’s never enough. The good news is that you don’t have to stay stuck here.

Recognizing the signs and making small, intentional changes, like setting boundaries and managing your emotions, can help you break free. Remember, it’s not about overhauling your life overnight—it’s about taking small, meaningful steps that add up over time. 

Whether it’s deciding to log off at a certain time each day or learning to sit with uncomfortable emotions instead of diving into more work, these changes will create space for a healthier, more balanced life.

This week, take a moment to reflect and ask yourself, “Am I sacrificing my well-being and happiness for work? And if I am, what’s one small step I can take today to start reclaiming balance in my life?” 

Maybe it’s as simple as stepping away from your email during dinner or finally using a vacation day you’ve been putting off. The important thing is to start—because you deserve a life where success doesn’t come at the expense of your health and happiness.

Well, that’s what I have for you.  Thank you for joining me as I discussed the issue with work martyrdom in the accounting profession.  I hope you’ve learned something that you can begin to apply in your career or in your personal life.

As I share all the time, you worked hard to become an accountant; it’s time to make it easier to be one.

So if you are struggling with any aspect of being an accountant, you can simply go to www.thesmarteraccountant.com/calendar and book a free session with me.

And make sure you check back each week as I help you go from being a stressed accountant to a Smarter Accountant.

Make sure you go to www.thesmarteraccountant.com and take The Smarter Accountant Quiz. You’re going to want to know if you’ve been underutilizing your accountant brain so that you have a starting point for becoming a Smarter Accountant.

Also, I would appreciate it if you could get the word out to other accountants about this podcast.  The more accountants find out about it, the more we can begin to change the narrative in the accounting profession.

The truth is that you’re already smart, but this podcast will show you how to be smarter.

I want to start this episode with sharing a story my mentor told us that really stuck. She’s one of the most successful businesswomen I know and she was the only woman in a multi-millionaire mastermind group.

So, when it was her turn to introduce herself, she said something that blew everyone away: she makes over 50 million dollars a year but only works three days a week. Naturally, the men in the room were speechless. You can imagine the curiosity—they all wanted to know her secret.

Her answer? It wasn’t about working harder or longer hours. She said, “I know the power of emotions and how important they are to running a successful business. Everything we do, or don’t do, is driven by how we feel.  If you’re not managing your emotions, you will not be as happy and successful as you could be.”

Now, don’t get too hung up on the whole 50-million-dollar thing—that’s not really the point. What’s important is how she’s managed to achieve so much by understanding her emotions and using them to her advantage. And honestly? That’s something anyone can do, no matter how much money you make or how many hours you work.

I wanted to share this with you because it highlights something we don’t talk about enough in accounting: emotions. We’re always told to be logical, stick to the numbers, and just get the job done. But have you ever stopped to think that ignoring your emotions might actually be holding you back?

I get it—talking about feelings might seem a little out of place in a profession where data and logic rule. But here’s the truth: whether you acknowledge them or not, you have emotions all day, every day, and those emotions are affecting you. 

For example, stress leads to procrastination, anxiety makes you double-check your work a thousand times, and those feelings don’t just disappear because we try to ignore them.

Here’s the thing – what if, instead of pushing those feelings aside, you learned to use them to your benefit? Your emotions are sending you signals, and when you tune in to them, they can actually help you be a better accountant, make smarter decisions, and feel less overwhelmed.

What if understanding your emotions could be the key to more happiness and success in your career?  I can tell you this – those men in that multi-millionaire mastermind became very interested in the secret behind the happiness and success of my mentor.

That’s why I want to talk about the thing most accountants ignore at a cost to themselves and explore what we can do to change that.

The Thing Most Accountants Ignore At A Cost To Themselves

Emotions are often pushed aside because, well, we’re taught that they don’t belong at work. A lot of accountants believe that feelings just get in the way and might even mess things up.

The unspoken rule is pretty straightforward: if you want to succeed, leave your emotions out of it. But here’s the thing—thinking like that can backfire more than you’d expect.

I totally get it. Accounting is all about being focused and objective. Your clients and your company rely on you for clear, unbiased information. But that laser focus on numbers and data has created this idea that emotions are a weakness. We end up learning to bury our feelings early on in our careers.

But here’s the real issue: ignoring your emotions doesn’t make them go away. They just get shoved aside and, over time, that can lead to even bigger problems.

One of the biggest dangers of ignoring your feelings is burnout. When you keep pushing down stress, frustration, or overwhelm, those emotions don’t disappear. They build up, and eventually, they’ll impact your health, your relationships, and your job satisfaction.

As we all know too well, burnout is a serious risk in accounting. There’s so much pressure to meet deadlines, juggle complex tasks, and keep clients happy. It’s a lot. 

And if you’re not acknowledging your emotions along the way, you can start to feel drained, unmotivated, and disconnected from your work. That’s when you begin to lose that sense of satisfaction, and it holds you back from reaching your full potential.

The truth? It’s tough to excel when you’re barely hanging on.

But that’s not the only problem. Ignoring your emotions can mess with your decision-making, too. We tend to think that by suppressing our feelings, we’re being more logical. 

But emotions actually play a big role in how we process information and make choices. When you don’t recognize what you’re feeling, those hidden emotions are still steering your decisions—whether you realize it or not.

For example, if you’re anxious about a project but refuse to admit it, that anxiety might make you second-guess yourself or avoid risks you should be taking. On the other hand, if you’re feeling overconfident but don’t acknowledge it, you might overlook important details or take on too much.

Either way, your emotions are still driving your decisions, even if you think you’re being completely logical.

The bottom line is, ignoring your feelings doesn’t help. It doesn’t make you a better accountant, and it can actually do the opposite—leading to burnout, poor decisions, and a general sense of dissatisfaction.

By paying attention to your emotions and understanding them, you can use them to make your work better, instead of letting them drag you down.

Since this is the podcast that blends brain science with accounting, I’m now going to talk about the brain science behind happy, successful accountants..

The Brain Science Behind Happy, Successful Accountants

Your brain isn’t just about logic and reasoning. It’s also responsible for how you feel about everything happening around you. Once you understand how your brain plays into your emotions, you’ll see why feelings are so powerful—and how you can actually use them to your advantage.

Let’s break it down simply: your brain handles emotions like a super-efficient computer. Every single thought you have sends a signal to your brain, and your brain responds with a feeling.

For example, imagine you’ve got an upcoming meeting with a challenging client. Your brain might view that as a threat, which could trigger feelings of anxiety or stress. On the flip side, when you think about finishing a big project, your brain might interpret it as a win, giving you a sense of pride or satisfaction.

What’s happening here is your brain is taking your thoughts—whether you are aware of them or not—and turning them into emotions. So, the truth is that your feelings aren’t random. They’re directly tied to what’s going on in your mind.

And here’s the important part: every emotion you feel is linked to a thought, even if it’s a split-second one.

Now, let’s dig a little deeper. Your brain is incredibly adaptable. One of its superpowers is its ability to form what we call “neural pathways.” Think of these like well-worn trails in your brain. The more you think a certain way or react to something, the stronger that trail becomes. Eventually, it becomes a go-to response for your brain.

For example, if you’re always stressed about deadlines, your brain has probably built a strong connection between deadlines and stress. So, the next time a deadline is looming, your brain automatically triggers those stress-related emotions because it’s used to going down that path.

This is why the same emotions tend to pop up in familiar situations, even when things aren’t exactly the same.

The good news is, once you understand how these pathways work, you can start to change those emotional habits. By becoming more aware of your thoughts and deliberately choosing different ones, you can start creating new pathways that lead to more positive, productive emotions.

One more thing to keep in mind—your brain loves efficiency. It’s wired to respond quickly based on past experiences. This can be helpful, but it can also mean your brain reacts before you’ve had a chance to fully process what’s going on. It’s like your brain is on autopilot, trying to protect you from stress or uncertainty.

But here’s the better news: by understanding this, you can interrupt those automatic responses and start taking control over how you feel and react.

The bottom line is, your brain plays a huge role in how you experience and manage your emotions. It processes your thoughts, builds patterns based on your experiences, and works to keep things running smoothly. But once you’re aware of how your brain operates, you can use that knowledge to get a handle on your emotions and make them work for you.

So here’s a quick tip you can try this week: every morning, take a few minutes to check in with yourself. Ask yourself, “How am I feeling? Am I stressed about something coming up? Nervous about a meeting?” 

Once you identify the emotion, ask yourself what thought is driving it. This simple practice will help you understand how your thoughts affect your feelings—and how to manage them better.

Now that we’ve unpacked how your brain handles emotions, let’s talk about how you can use this understanding to improve your work and your overall career in accounting.

Using The Secret Weapon 

My mission with this episode is to help every accountant rethink how they see emotions. Instead of treating them like obstacles, start thinking of them as tools. Emotions aren’t just random feelings; they’re signals, like little messengers giving you important information.

Once you get that, emotions can actually become a powerful asset—a secret weapon in your accounting career.

So again, at their core, emotions are physical reactions to your thoughts. When you think something, your brain sends signals through your body, creating the feelings we label as emotions.

For example, thinking “I’m not prepared for this” might make you feel nervous or tense, while thinking “I’ve got this” makes you feel calm and confident. These emotions are your body’s way of reacting to your thoughts, giving you real-time feedback on what’s happening in your head.

Why does this matter? Because once you realize emotions are tied directly to your thoughts, you get way more control over how you feel.

This understanding lets you use your emotions as a guide. Instead of seeing them as random or disruptive, you can start viewing them as valuable cues about how you’re handling whatever’s going on around you.

The real power comes from being aware of your emotions. When you’re tuned in to how you feel, you can make more thoughtful choices instead of just reacting automatically.

For example, let’s say you’re feeling uneasy before a big presentation. That’s a perfect opportunity to ask yourself why. What thoughts are behind that unease?

Maybe you’re worried about how the presentation will go or afraid you’ll forget something important. Once you identify those thoughts, you can address them—maybe by rehearsing more or reminding yourself of past presentations that went well.

In this way, your emotions become a tool to help you prepare and do your best.

Here are some simple steps to make the most of your emotions:

Step 1: Pinpoint the Emotion. Start by figuring out exactly what you’re feeling. Are you stressed, excited, frustrated? Naming the emotion brings clarity and helps you understand what’s really going on.

Step 2: Trace the Source. Once you’ve identified the emotion, ask yourself, “What thought is causing this feeling?” It might take some digging, but by linking your emotions to your thoughts, you can get a better understanding of what’s driving them.

Step 3: Leverage the Insight. Now that you know the thought behind the emotion, think about how you might shift your thinking. This isn’t about forcing yourself to be positive all the time, but choosing thoughts that support your goals. For instance, changing “This project is too much” to “I can break this down into smaller steps” can totally change how you approach it.

By looking at emotions as valuable feedback, you can use them to make better decisions and be more effective at work. Emotions aren’t just something you manage—they’re something you use.

When you understand and work with your emotions, you’re not just reacting to everything around you. You’re actually shaping how you experience life and how you respond to it.

Becoming a Smarter Accountant: Becoming a Happy, Successful Accountant

Let me share a story from one of my coaching clients. She was a Tax Manager who seemed successful on the outside but was struggling big time behind the scenes. She was constantly stressed and overwhelmed, especially with all the tight deadlines and pressure that come with her role.

Her way of dealing with it? She tried to push those feelings aside. She figured that as an accountant, emotions just weren’t part of the job. But that mindset led her straight to burnout. She was exhausted, unmotivated, and feeling totally stuck in her career.

When we started working together, we focused on changing how she viewed her emotions. Instead of treating them like obstacles, she began to see them as important signals that could actually guide her actions.

We worked on identifying what she was feeling and the thoughts behind those emotions. She realized that she was telling herself things like “I’m not capable” or “What if I fail?”—and those thoughts were driving her stress. By acknowledging those thoughts, she could start challenging them and replacing them with more helpful ones.

This simple shift made a huge difference. Instead of letting stress take over, she began to see it as a sign to manage her thoughts. Once she realized that paying attention to her emotions was the key to feeling happier and more successful, she could spot those unhelpful thoughts her brain was throwing at her and shift them.

As she started feeling better, she noticed her actions became more effective. Her stress levels dropped, and her confidence went up. She started taking on bigger responsibilities and making real progress in her career.

It wasn’t long before she broke free from the burnout cycle and regained her motivation. By learning to use her emotions as a tool, she was able to make better decisions and find more fulfillment in her work.

So, if you think emotions don’t belong in accounting, think again. If you want a career that’s not only sustainable but also makes you happy and successful, you need to pay attention to how you’re feeling.

This is the secret weapon no one else is talking about—but I am.

At the end of the day, emotions aren’t a weakness. They’re a huge part of what makes you both human and effective at your job. You already have the skills to be a great accountant, but mastering your emotional awareness is what’s going to take you to the next level.

Before we wrap up, let me leave you with this: Don’t underestimate the power of your emotions. They’re not something to push aside—they’re your body’s way of telling you what matters.

Start paying attention to how you feel, understand the thoughts behind those feelings, and use that awareness to guide your actions. When your emotions are aligned with your goals, you’ll start achieving more with less effort.

Remember, success isn’t just about working hard—it’s about working smart. And that starts with understanding yourself.

Now, let’s wrap this up with a key takeaway and a quick action step to help you start applying this today.

Key Takeaway and Action Item

Here’s the big takeaway: understanding and embracing your emotions can be a total game-changer for your success in accounting. Instead of ignoring or pushing your feelings aside (which, let’s be honest, we’ve all done), start recognizing them as valuable pieces of information. 

Your emotions are telling you something important—something that can guide your decisions, improve your performance, and ultimately help you feel happier and more fulfilled in your career.

Think of it this way: your emotions are like your internal GPS. If you pay attention to them, they can help you navigate challenging situations, figure out where you might need to adjust, and keep you on track toward your goals. But if you ignore them, you might end up feeling stuck, stressed, or like you’re constantly spinning your wheels.

So here’s your action step for this week: take a few minutes each day to check in with yourself. Ask, “How I am feeling right now and what thoughts are driving those feelings?” It could be stress, excitement, frustration—whatever comes up. Once you identify the emotions, dig a little deeper and figure out the thoughts behind them.

Maybe you’re stressed because you’re thinking, “I’ll never get this done in time.” Or maybe you’re feeling overwhelmed because the thought, “I can’t handle all of this,” is running through your mind. Whatever it is, just notice it.

Then ask yourself, “How do I want to feel and what thoughts can I think on purpose to feel that way?”

By doing this simple check-in, you’ll start to see how much power your emotions have to help you, rather than hold you back. You’ll begin making decisions that feel more aligned with who you are and what you want to achieve, and you’ll notice that your work starts feeling a little easier, a little more manageable.

The more you practice this, the more you’ll see how understanding your emotions isn’t just something “nice” to do—it’s essential for working smarter, not harder. So give it a try this week and see how tuning into your emotions can shift the way you work, and also make you a happier accountant.

Well, that’s what I have for you.  Thank you for joining me as I discussed the hidden secret behind happy, successful accountants.  I hope you’ve learned something that you can begin to apply in your career or in your personal life.

As I share all the time, you worked hard to become an accountant; it’s time to make it easier to be one.

So if you are struggling with any aspect of being an accountant, you can simply go to www.thesmarteraccountant.com/calendar and book a free session with me.

And make sure you check back each week as I help you go from being a stressed accountant to a Smarter Accountant.

Make sure you go to www.thesmarteraccountant.com and take The Smarter Accountant Quiz. You’re going to want to know if you’ve been underutilizing your accountant brain so that you have a starting point for becoming a Smarter Accountant..

Also, I would appreciate it if you could get the word out to other accountants about this podcast.  The more accountants find out about it, the more we can begin to change the narrative in the accounting profession.

The truth is that you’re already smart, but this podcast will show you how to be smarter.

Have you ever taken one of those personality tests, like DISC, Myers-Briggs, or maybe the Enneagram? If you’re anything like me, you were probably a little curious about what it would say. Maybe you thought, “I’ll finally understand why I do the things I do.” 

Have you ever found yourself nodding along with the results, thinking, “That’s exactly me”? It felt good, didn’t it? It’s like being handed the manual for your life.

As accountants, many of us are drawn to understanding things in a clear, logical way. We want to know why we act the way we do, why we make the decisions we make, and how we can work smarter, not harder. Personality tests seem like a quick and easy way to get those answers. 

They give you a label—maybe you’re a “Type A,” an “Introvert,” or a “Cautious Thinker.” Whatever the label is, it feels like you finally have a way to explain yourself. It’s almost like having a road map that shows you where to go and what to avoid.

But have you ever wondered if these labels are really helping you, or are they just boxing you in?  At first, they might make you feel seen, like someone finally “gets” you. But after a while, you might start to wonder, “Is this all there is to me?” 

Maybe you’ve found yourself saying things like, “I’m just not good at that because I’m an introvert,” or “I could never do that because I’m too much of a perfectionist.” It’s easy to get boxed in by these labels, even though they’re meant to help you understand yourself better.

We all want to know more about ourselves, especially when we’re trying to make improvements in our lives and careers. Knowing how you think and operate can be helpful when you’re trying to get ahead, set boundaries, or even just manage your workload. 

But the question is, are these labels giving you clarity, or are they holding you back?

What if I told you that those personality test results, those labels, aren’t the final word on who you are? What if your personality isn’t as set in stone as you think? 

The truth is, you’re not stuck being one way just because a test said so. Your personality can evolve, grow, and change over time, just like the skills you’ve developed throughout your career.

The idea that we can change who we are may seem surprising, especially when we’ve been conditioned to believe that our personalities are fixed traits. But think about it—haven’t you already grown and changed over the years? 

Who you were when you first started your accounting career is probably different from who you are now. And that’s a good thing! Change isn’t something to fear; it’s something to embrace.

So, what if we started thinking about our personalities the same way? What if we looked at them as something we could shape, just like any other part of our lives? What if you could move beyond those labels and redefine who you are, both personally and professionally?

Today I want to show you that you’re the one in control of who you are and who you can become. The labels can guide you, but they don’t have to confine you. You have the power to grow, change, and redefine yourself whenever you choose.

Your Personality is Not Set in Stone

I want to share something with you that might change the way you see yourself: your personality isn’t something you’re born with and stuck with forever. It’s actually not set in stone at all.

In the book “Your Personality Isn’t Permanent” by Benjamin Hardy, PhD, he explains how personality tests can make it feel like you don’t have a choice about who you are. But that’s not true. 

Your personality isn’t fixed—it’s something you have control over. We humans have this amazing ability to be flexible and adapt to whatever life throws at us.

Dr. Hardy explains that our personalities are shaped by our experiences, choices, and the environments we’re in. So, who you are today isn’t necessarily who you’re going to be tomorrow, or even a few years from now.

Think about it: when you were a kid, you probably acted one way at school and a different way at home. Maybe you were super outgoing with your friends but more reserved around new people. As you grew up, those behaviors likely shifted based on what you experienced. 

For example, maybe you became more confident after leading a project in college or more cautious after going through something tough at work. These changes didn’t just happen randomly—they were influenced by what you went through and how you reacted.

Dr. Hardy’s research challenges the old idea that personality is something you’re born with and can’t change. Instead, he suggests that personality is more like clay—you can mold it and reshape it over time.

This is actually really freeing because it means you’re not stuck with the labels you or others have given you. If you’ve always seen yourself as “the shy one” or “the perfectionist,” that doesn’t mean you have to stay that way forever. You have the power to evolve.

But here’s the tricky part: once you take a personality test and get labeled as a certain type, it’s easy to feel like you’re stuck in that mold. For example, if you’re told you’re an “Introvert,” you might avoid social situations because you believe they’ll exhaust you, even if a part of you is curious about trying new things. 

This is what’s called a “fixed mindset.” It’s the belief that your personality is set in stone and can’t be changed.

The problem with this mindset is that it can seriously limit your personal growth. If you believe you’re only capable of what your personality label suggests, you might avoid new challenges or experiences that could help you grow. 

For example, if a DISC test labels you as “Cautious,” you might hesitate to take on a leadership role, even if deep down you want to.

Here’s the good news: research shows that personality is a lot more flexible than we’ve been led to believe. A long-term study that followed people’s personalities over 63 years found that their personalities changed way more than the researchers expected.

This means that we’re all capable of change. Your personality is not set in stone—it’s a part of you that can grow and evolve. 

So, if there’s something about yourself you want to change—whether that’s becoming more outgoing, more confident, or more resilient—you absolutely can. It might take time and effort, but it’s possible.

The bottom line is this: instead of thinking about your personality as something permanent, start thinking of it as something you can shape and refine over time. Embrace the idea that you’re a work in progress, and that there’s always room for growth.

The Role of Your Brain in Shaping Personality

Now that we’ve talked about how your personality isn’t set in stone, let’s dive into what makes that possible—your brain. What’s amazing is that your brain is always changing and adapting based on your thoughts, experiences, and actions. This ability is called neuroplasticity, which is just a fancy way of saying that your brain can rewire itself.

Let me give you a real-life example. Imagine your brain like a city full of roads. Every time you have a thought or take an action, it’s like driving down a particular road. The more you use that road, the smoother and more familiar it becomes, kind of like a well-worn highway you’ve traveled a thousand times.

But here’s the cool part—if you decide to take a new route, your brain can actually start building a brand-new road. Over time, this new path can become just as strong as the old one, maybe even stronger.

For example, think about how you might have labeled yourself as “shy” or “cautious” in meetings. Every time you held back from sharing your thoughts, you were reinforcing that “quiet road” in your brain. But what if you decided you wanted to be more vocal and confident? 

By choosing to speak up, even if it feels uncomfortable at first, you start building a new road in your brain—the “confidence road.” The more you practice speaking up, the easier it becomes, and before you know it, that new behavior starts to feel natural.

I had a client who used to avoid speaking in team meetings because she thought of herself as too reserved. But once she decided to challenge that label, she started small—she made a goal to share just one thought in each meeting. It felt awkward at first, but over time, she became more comfortable. Eventually, her new “confidence road” was so strong that speaking up became second nature to her. That’s neuroplasticity at work.

So, when you think about reshaping your personality, remember—you have the power to build new roads in your brain that lead to the version of yourself you want to become.

Becoming the Architect of Your Personality

Let’s clear up a common misconception: that your “authentic self” is some fixed thing—like once you figure it out, that’s it, and you’re stuck with it forever. We hear things like, “Just be your authentic self,” but what does that actually mean, especially when you’re working in a fast-paced career like accounting?

Here’s the thing—if you’ve ever felt stuck trying to figure out who your “authentic self” is, you’re definitely not alone. I felt the same way earlier in my career. I used to think that because I was good at staying behind the scenes, that’s where I belonged. It felt like my role was set in stone. But the truth is, our authentic selves are not set in stone. They’re something we can shape, redefine, and evolve over time.

Think about who you were five or ten years ago. Do you feel like the same person? Probably not! Your experiences, whether it’s the challenges you faced during tax season or the wins you celebrated with passing the CPA exam, all helped shape the person you are today.

So, instead of feeling like there’s one version of yourself that’s locked in, what if you thought of yourself as a work in progress? Your authentic self isn’t something you “discover”—it’s something you create. You have the power to shape who you are, personally and professionally, by deciding which traits, habits, and behaviors you want to bring into your life

Overcoming Obstacles to Change

Let’s get real—changing anything about yourself, whether it’s how you approach your work or how you see yourself, is rarely smooth sailing. Even when you’re excited about becoming a better version of yourself, obstacles are going to pop up along the way.

But here’s the thing—those roadblocks don’t have to stop you. Once you recognize the challenges you’re facing, you can come up with ways to work through them and keep growing.

One of the biggest obstacles? Fear of change. It’s perfectly natural to feel nervous when you step into something unfamiliar. Our brains love comfort and predictability, even if those things are keeping us stuck in habits or routines that don’t serve us. 

You might wonder, “What if I fail?” or “What will other people think?” And that fear can make you hesitate or stay in your comfort zone.

Another challenge is self-doubt—that little voice in your head that makes you question whether you’re really capable of making a change. You might think, “Who am I to try this?” or “What if I’m not good enough?” 

Self-doubt is tricky because it can easily convince you to stay where you are, even if you know you need to grow.

And then there’s the issue of feeling overwhelmed. When you think about all the steps involved in making a big change, it can feel like too much. 

Whether you’re working on setting boundaries at work, taking on a leadership role, or making time for your personal life, it’s easy to get caught up in the sheer size of the task. You might not know where to start, and that can lead to procrastination or avoidance.

Don’t worry if this sounds tricky—I’ll walk you through it. The first step is to normalize them. It’s completely okay to feel scared, doubtful, or overwhelmed. Everyone goes through it. 

But instead of letting those feelings stop you, use them as signals to slow down and figure out what’s really going on. Fear and doubt often pop up when you’re about to do something important.

Next, focus on what’s within your control. You can’t control everything, but you can control your response. Break the change down into small, doable steps. 

If you’re overwhelmed, try focusing on just one thing you can do today. If self-doubt creeps in, remind yourself that everyone struggles at times. What matters is how you move through it.

It’s also important to give yourself permission to grow at your own pace. Change doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a gradual process that comes with setbacks. Be kind to yourself, celebrate the small wins, and remind yourself that progress is what counts, not perfection.

Lastly, find a support system. Whether it’s a mentor, a friend, or a coach like me, having people in your corner who believe in your growth can make all the difference. They can give you the encouragement you need when you’re feeling stuck and remind you of your potential when you’re doubting yourself.

The bottom line is that obstacles will show up, but they don’t have to derail your progress. Recognize them for what they are—challenges that you can work through. By breaking things down, staying patient with yourself, and surrounding yourself with support, you can keep pushing forward.

Becoming a Smarter Accountant: Showing That Your Personality Isn’t Permanent

Let me tell you about a client of mine—her story ties right into what we’ve been talking about in this episode.

When she first came to me, she felt completely stuck in her career. She’s a CPA, and while she was great at her job, she had always seen herself as the “quiet, behind-the-scenes” type. From a young age, she’d been labeled an introvert, and she genuinely believed that meant she wasn’t cut out for leadership roles.

In her mind, her personality didn’t align with being a leader, and that belief kept her from going after promotions or new opportunities at work.

When we started working together, we dove into that label. We talked about how personality isn’t fixed and how she actually had the power to redefine herself if she wanted to. We explored the concept of neuroplasticity—basically, the idea that by changing her thoughts and behaviors, she could reshape her personality over time.

At first, she was hesitant. It’s not easy to question a label you’ve lived with for so long—it felt like an unchangeable truth to her. But there was also this spark of excitement about what might be possible if she let herself grow.

So, we started small. She set manageable goals, like speaking up more in meetings. Even if it was just a quick comment or sharing an idea, those little moments added up. We worked on shifting her mindset, building her confidence by helping her practice visualizing herself as a confident, assertive leader.

And then something amazing happened. Fast forward a few months, and she wasn’t the same person who had felt stuck. She began taking on more visible projects at work. She even volunteered to lead a team for a new initiative.

Her colleagues started seeing her in a new light—not just as the quiet, reliable worker but as someone who could step up, take charge, and inspire others. The transformation wasn’t about her changing who she was at her core; it was about breaking free from those old labels and allowing herself to grow beyond them.

Today, she’s thriving in her leadership role. She’s confident in her ability to lead her team and tackle challenges that once seemed way out of reach.

I’m sharing this story because I want you to see that when you question those limiting labels and embrace the idea that your personality can change, real growth happens—both personally and professionally. She didn’t stop being herself; she just allowed herself to grow beyond the labels that had been holding her back.

So, if you’ve ever felt like your personality is limiting you, I hope this shows you that it doesn’t have to. Your personality isn’t permanent—unless you want it to be.

Key Takeaway and Action Item

The big takeaway here is this: your personality isn’t something set in stone. It’s a dynamic, ever-evolving part of who you are. When you understand that your personality can shift and grow based on the choices you make, the thoughts you think, and the actions you take, you realize that you have the power to shape who you are and who you want to become.

Sure, personality tests and labels can give you some insight into yourself, but they don’t have to define or limit you. You’re in control of your growth and transformation—you get to decide what direction you want to take.

Here’s something to think about this week: ask yourself, “What is one label or belief about myself that I’ve accepted as unchangeable, and how could I start challenging it today to open up new possibilities for my growth?”

Why is this question important? Because it helps you pinpoint those hidden beliefs or labels that may be holding you back without you even realizing it. 

Maybe you’ve always thought of yourself as “not a leader” or “bad at public speaking,” and that belief has stopped you from pursuing new opportunities. By questioning that label, you’re opening up the possibility that it’s not a permanent part of who you are—it’s just a story you’ve been telling yourself. 

Once you challenge that belief, you can start taking small steps to move beyond it and create new opportunities for growth.

Remember, the first step toward change is awareness, and this question helps you become aware of the labels that might be limiting you. From there, you can start breaking free and creating the version of yourself you truly want to be.

Well, that’s what I have for you.  Thank you for joining me as I discussed why your personality isn’t permanent.  I hope you’ve learned something that you can begin to apply in your career or in your personal life.

As I share all the time, you worked hard to become an accountant; it’s time to make it easier to be one.

So if you are struggling with any aspect of being an accountant, you can simply go to www.thesmarteraccountant.com/calendar and book a free session with me.

And make sure you check back each week as I help you go from being a stressed accountant to a Smarter Accountant.

Make sure you go to www.thesmarteraccountant.com and take The Smarter Accountant Quiz. You’re going to want to know if you’ve been underutilizing your accountant brain so that you have a starting point for becoming a Smarter Accountant..

Also, I would appreciate it if you could get the word out to other accountants about this podcast.  The more accountants find out about it, the more we can begin to change the narrative in the accounting profession.

The truth is that you’re already smart, but this podcast will show you how to be smarter.