Month: May 2025

Before I get started I wanted to let you know that I’m going to be offering the same CPE course a few times each month and so the next time the Smarter Accountant CPE Course “Everything You Need To Know About Procrastination” will be offered is on Friday, June 13th at 12 pm EST.  You can sign up at https://thesmarteraccountant.com/cpe/.  You’ll not only get CPE credit but I will also be sending the replay and a workbook so that you can apply what you learned.

Have you ever looked at your workday and thought, “Does it really have to be this exhausting?” Maybe there are parts of your job you genuinely enjoy, but they get buried under everything else. Or maybe you spend too much time on things that don’t play to your strengths, making the workday feel even longer.

If you’re like most accountants, you’ve probably caught yourself thinking, “If I could just tweak a few things, this job wouldn’t feel so draining.” That’s exactly what job crafting is about.

Job crafting isn’t about switching careers or waiting for someone else to make your work better. It’s about small, intentional adjustments that can shift how your job feels—without adding more to your plate.

Think of it like adjusting a chair to the right height or tweaking a spreadsheet formula to save you hours of work. You’re not overhauling everything—you’re just making smart changes so your job fits you better.

The truth is, we spend a huge portion of our lives at work. But how often do we stop and ask, “How can I make this easier on myself?”

For many of my coaching clients, work feels like something to just get through—deadlines, clients, meetings, and an inbox that never stops growing. But what if you could make your job a little less frustrating without quitting or taking on more work?

That’s the beauty of job crafting. It’s about shaping the job you already have so it works for you instead of constantly feeling like it’s working against you.

Most people assume job satisfaction is black and white—you either like your job, or you’re stuck until you find a new one. But what if that wasn’t true?

Job crafting gives you back some control over how you experience your work. Instead of just going through the motions, you can make small changes that make your day less stressful and more rewarding.

Now, I know what you might be thinking: “That sounds great, but is this even possible in a busy accounting career?” With tax season, demanding clients, and never-ending deadlines, it probably feels like there’s no room to craft anything.

But job crafting isn’t about adding more work to your plate—it’s about shifting how you approach the work you’re already doing. It’s about recognizing where you have flexibility, using your strengths more, and making your job work better for you.

If you’ve ever wished your job felt just a little better, you’re not alone. And job crafting might be the simple, practical shift you’ve been looking for.

So, let’s talk about what it really means to craft your job—and how you can start making your work life easier without making it harder on yourself.

The Different Types of Job Crafting

Now that we’ve talked about what job crafting is, let’s get into how you can actually do it. There are three main types of job crafting, and the good news is, none of them require you to take on more work or make drastic changes.

It’s not about piling more onto your plate. It’s about making small adjustments that can make your job feel easier, more enjoyable, and less like something you’re just pushing through.

Task Crafting

Task crafting is all about tweaking the actual work you do day to day. It’s finding ways to do more of what you enjoy and less of what drains you.

For example, if you love working directly with clients but spend most of your time buried in spreadsheets, you could look for ways to shift your role slightly—maybe by handling more client meetings or explaining financials in a way that helps them make smarter decisions.

Or maybe you enjoy problem-solving but rarely get to do it. Instead of staying in your lane, you could volunteer for more complex projects that challenge you.

The key to task crafting is using your strengths more often. It’s not about doing less—it’s about doing more of what fuels you.

Relationship Crafting

This type of job crafting focuses on how you interact with the people around you.

Maybe there’s a colleague you work really well with, but your roles don’t overlap much. Could you find ways to collaborate more? Or maybe there’s someone whose feedback you really value—could you connect with them more regularly?

Relationship crafting also applies to client interactions. Instead of just exchanging emails, could you schedule a quick call or a virtual meeting to strengthen the relationship? Small shifts in how you interact with people can make work feel more connected, supportive, and even enjoyable.

Cognitive Crafting

This one is all about shifting how you think about your job. Because let’s be honest—some accounting work will never be fun, no matter how much you tweak them.

But the way you think about those tasks? That’s where the change happens.

Instead of thinking, “I hate doing this,” you might reframe it as, “This is a chance to develop a new skill” or “This task helps me support my team.”

For accountants, that could mean looking at financial reports, audits, or tax returns in a new way. Instead of seeing them as repetitive, you might focus on the fact that your work provides real value to your clients and their businesses.

Cognitive crafting isn’t about forcing yourself to love every part of your job. It’s about seeing the bigger picture so that even the mundane tasks feel a little more meaningful.

By understanding these different types of job crafting, you can start making small but powerful changes to your work. But what’s even more interesting is how these adjustments impact your brain—and the way you experience your job.

The Brain Science Behind Job Crafting

Let’s talk about why job crafting works—not just in theory, but in your brain. When you make even small changes to how you approach your work, you’re not just making your job more enjoyable. You’re actually rewiring your brain to feel better about it.

Your Brain Loves Control

One of the biggest reasons job crafting makes a difference is that your brain thrives on a sense of control.

When you feel like you have some say in how you do your work, your brain releases chemicals that boost motivation and engagement. It’s why even small adjustments—like changing the way you tackle a task or reframing how you think about it—can make a huge difference in how your job feels.

The more control you feel, the less drained and frustrated you’ll be.

Your Brain Runs on Dopamine

Your brain also loves doing things you’re good at. When you use your strengths—whether that’s problem-solving, working with numbers, or explaining things to clients—your brain releases dopamine, the chemical that makes you feel good when you complete a task or reach a goal.

That’s why when you craft your job in a way that lets you lean into your strengths more often, work feels easier. You’re not just checking off tasks—you’re giving your brain the reward it craves.

Your Thoughts Shape Your Experience

Cognitive crafting—shifting how you think about your job—affects your brain just as much as changing what you do.

If you look at a task and think, “This is going to be stressful,” your brain takes that as a fact and triggers stress. But if you shift that thought to something like, “This is a chance to develop a skill,” your brain responds differently.

Again, this isn’t about forcing yourself to love every part of your job. It’s about training your brain to find meaning in even the less exciting tasks so they feel less draining.

By making small shifts in how you work and how you think about your work, you’re actually helping your brain work for you instead of against you.

Next let’s talk about the real benefits of job crafting and why these changes can completely shift your work experience.

The Benefits of Job Crafting

Now that we’ve talked about what job crafting is and how it affects your brain, let’s talk about why it’s worth your time. Because at the end of the day, you don’t need more things to do—you need ways to make work feel easier.

Small shifts in how you approach your work can have a huge impact on how you feel about your job. Here’s how.

Work Feels Less Like a Grind

One of the biggest benefits of job crafting is that your work stops feeling like something you just have to get through. When you spend more time on tasks you enjoy—or at least find ways to make them feel less frustrating—you naturally feel better about your job.

It’s not about forcing yourself to love every task. It’s about making small adjustments so your day doesn’t feel so draining.

More Energy and Motivation

Ever notice how some tasks fly by while others feel like they drag on forever? That’s because when your work matches your strengths and interests, your brain stays more engaged.

Job crafting helps you create more of those “this wasn’t so bad” moments and fewer “how is it only 10 a.m.?” moments. The more your work feels like it fits you, the more energy and focus you’ll have to actually get things done.

More Control Over Your Career

Job crafting gives you back some control. Instead of waiting for a promotion or a role change to feel more fulfilled, you can start adjusting things now.

That might mean taking on work that challenges you in a good way, finding ways to grow in your current role, or shifting tasks so they feel less overwhelming. These small moves add up over time and can make a big difference in how confident and capable you feel at work.

Less Stress and Overwhelm

Let’s be honest—accounting can be stressful. But when your job feels even slightly more manageable, that stress starts to feel less overwhelming.

When your work fits you better, you’re not constantly forcing yourself through tasks that drain you. That means less burnout, fewer moments of frustration, and a job that feels more sustainable long-term.

How to Start Job Crafting

Now that you know how job crafting works and why it’s worth your time, you might be wondering, “How do I actually start doing this?” The good news is, you don’t need to make big changes to see a difference.

Here’s how to get started.

Step #1 – Take a Step Back

Before making any changes, take a moment to look at your current job. What parts of your day feel energizing? What drains you? Are there tasks you enjoy but don’t get to do often enough?

Write down the tasks you handle every day. Then, highlight the ones that feel good and circle the ones that feel like a chore. This helps you see exactly where you can make small adjustments to make your workday easier.

Step #2 – Find One Thing to Tweak

Look at your list and pick one small thing to adjust. It could be doing more of a task you enjoy or making a repetitive task faster or less frustrating.

For example, if you love client interactions but spend too much time on tedious reports, could you adjust your schedule to allow more time with clients? If a task feels like it takes forever, could you use automation or templates to streamline it?

The goal is to make small, manageable changes that shift how your work feels without adding more to your plate.

Step #3 – Start Small

Pick one change and try it for a week. Maybe it’s setting aside more time for the work you enjoy or tweaking your workflow so tasks feel less overwhelming. Keep track of how these changes affect your stress and energy levels.

There’s no need to overhaul everything overnight. The best way to make job crafting work is to start small, see what helps, and build from there.

Step #4 – Talk to the Right People (If Needed)

If your changes involve shifting responsibilities or working with others differently, it might help to have a conversation with your manager or team.

Be clear about what you’re adjusting and why—it’s not about doing less, but about doing your job better. Most people appreciate it when you take initiative to improve your work, especially if it leads to better results.

Step #5 – Check In and Adjust

After a week or two, ask yourself, “Do I feel less stressed? Am I more engaged in my work?” Write down what’s working and what’s not.

If a change isn’t helping, tweak it. Maybe you tried focusing more on client calls, but it made you feel rushed with other tasks. Adjust your schedule to create a better balance.

Job crafting isn’t about getting it perfect on the first try—it’s a flexible process that lets you shape your job in a way that works for you.

Becoming a Smarter Accountant: Examples of Successfully Job Crafting

Let’s talk about how job crafting works in real life. I’ve seen it firsthand with my coaching clients and I know it can make a big difference.

From Bored to Engaged

One of my coaching clients came to me feeling completely drained. She was great at preparing reports and financial statements, but every day felt like she was just going through the motions. 

She told me, “I feel like a machine—just cranking out numbers with no real purpose.” She was exhausted, unmotivated, and seriously questioning whether this was the right career for her.

Through coaching, we uncovered what actually lit her up—talking to clients and explaining numbers in a way that helped business owners make smarter decisions.

So instead of staying buried in spreadsheets, she started job crafting by volunteering to present financials during client meetings. It was a small change, but it completely shifted how she felt about her work.

The result was that she felt energized instead of drained, valued instead of invisible, and most importantly, excited to come to work again.

Creating Growth Without Changing Jobs

Another client came to me saying, “I feel stuck. I know I’m capable of more, but every day feels the same. I’m just clocking in and out, and I don’t see a path forward.” He wasn’t unhappy exactly—just stagnant. And that was starting to wear on him.

Through coaching, we found a way for him to tap into his strengths—taking on more complex projects that required deep problem-solving and analytical thinking, something he loved but wasn’t getting to do enough of.

Over time, he crafted his role into something that felt challenging in a good way. He realized he didn’t need a promotion to feel fulfilled—he needed to make small shifts that made his job feel exciting again. 

Now, he no longer feels like he’s treading water. Instead, he’s growing, learning, and actually enjoying his work again.

As you can see, job crafting can have an amazing impact on job satisfaction and I don’t know any accountant who wouldn’t like to improve that.

Key Takeaway and Action Item

The biggest takeaway here is that you have more control over how your job feels than you might think. Job crafting isn’t about overhauling everything—it’s about making small, intentional adjustments that make work easier and less frustrating.

This week, ask yourself, “What’s one small change I could make in my job to feel less stressed or more engaged?”

Maybe it’s shifting your focus toward tasks that energize you, finding ways to collaborate with people you work well with, or reframing how you think about a routine task.

Once you’ve identified that one small shift, start there. Focus on just one area at a time—whether it’s tweaking a task, improving a work relationship, or changing your mindset.

Stay flexible. Some changes will work better than others, and that’s okay. Job crafting is a process, not a one-time fix. Experiment, adjust, and pay attention to what makes the biggest difference.

And don’t forget to acknowledge the wins. Even small changes can make work feel lighter and more manageable.

The bottom line is that when you focus on what you can control, your job starts working for you—not against you. And that’s what makes all the difference.

Pulling Back the Curtain

Pulling back the curtain for a moment…

There was a time in my career when I honestly thought the only way to survive in this profession was to just keep pushing. I didn’t question whether the way I was working was sustainable—I just assumed exhaustion was part of the deal.

But I remember one afternoon, sitting at my desk after a long day, and thinking, “This isn’t working anymore.” I was good at my job, but I wasn’t enjoying it. I felt like I was doing a hundred little things every day that didn’t actually tap into my strengths or make me feel fulfilled.

That moment was the beginning of what I now know was my own version of job crafting. Not because someone told me to do it. Not because I had a new job or a new boss. But because I knew something had to change—and no one else was going to change it for me.

I started with one thing: being more intentional with how I used my time. I looked at the tasks that drained me and the ones that gave me energy. I started setting better boundaries. I stopped saying yes out of guilt. I gave myself permission to rearrange how I worked so I could feel better while still doing good work.

And what’s wild is that once I started making those small adjustments, I actually became more productive and felt less burned out. I wasn’t constantly running on fumes or trying to prove something. I was just doing the job in a way that worked better for me.

More recently I used job crafting to get clear about how much more productive and focused I am working from home.  Being a classic introvert means I get my energy from being alone, so I have structured my day to have limited interaction but with much better efficiency and more energy at the end of the day.

That’s what job crafting is about. It’s not about doing less—it’s about doing things differently, in a way that fits you.

If this episode made you think, “I wish my job felt better,” I want to encourage you to take The Smarter Accountant Quiz at www.thesmarteraccountant.com. It’s a quick and eye-opening way to see how you might be underutilizing your strengths or making things harder than they need to be.

And if you want support figuring out what could shift for you, I offer a free 30-minute call. You can book that at www.thesmarteraccountant.com/calendar. Whether you’re burned out, stuck, or just ready for something to feel easier, we can talk about where to start.

And if you’ve been enjoying the podcast, I’d be so grateful if you shared it with another accountant. So many of us have accepted unnecessary stress as normal, and this work is about showing what’s actually possible.

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

Before I get started I wanted to let you know that I’m going to be offering the same CPE course a few times each month and so the next time the Smarter Accountant CPE Course “Everything You Need To Know About Procrastination” will be offered is on Friday, June 13th at 12 pm EST.  You can sign up at https://thesmarteraccountant.com/cpe/.  You’ll not only get CPE credit but I will also be sending the replay and a workbook so that you can apply what you learned.

Have you ever had one of those days where everything feels heavy—even if nothing is technically “wrong”? You’re answering emails, checking things off your list, maybe even staying late to get ahead… and yet, you still feel behind, scattered, and drained.

If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone.

The truth is, there’s one mental habit most accountants are stuck in that makes everything harder than it needs to be. It’s sneaky. Automatic. And often goes completely unnoticed.

You don’t learn about it in school or in any CPE class—but it affects how you manage your time, how you respond to stress, and even how you feel at the end of the day.

This mental habit is the reason you might feel overwhelmed even when you’re getting things done. It’s the reason your days can feel like a blur of urgency, even if you’re organized and capable.

Here’s something to consider: think about the last time you were completely overwhelmed. Was it really the number of things on your list? Or was it the voice in your head saying, “This is too much. I’ll never catch up”?

Most of us don’t even realize that we’re believing every single thought our brain throws at us. And when we do that without question, those thoughts start to run the show—whether they’re helpful or not.

This is why so many accountants feel stuck, even when they’re doing everything “right.”  But the good news? You’re not stuck. Not even close.

Today we’re going to uncover the one mental habit that’s quietly making your work life harder than it has to be—and what happens when you start thinking differently, on purpose.

If you’ve ever felt like you’re just reacting all day instead of leading your time and your workload, this episode is going to give you a whole new way to see what’s really going on. 

The Mental Habit That Keeps Accountants Stuck

So what is this mental habit that’s making work feel so overwhelming—even when you’re doing your best?

It’s the habit of never questioning your own thinking.

In psychology, it’s called metacognition—basically, thinking about your thinking. It’s your ability to pause, notice what your brain is telling you, and decide whether those thoughts are actually helpful.

But here’s the thing: most of us don’t do this. Especially as accountants, we’re taught to look at facts and numbers—but we rarely step back to examine the thoughts running through our own minds all day long.

Instead, we believe every thought our brain offers:

“There’s not enough time.”

“I can’t say no.”

“I’ll never catch up.”

And because we don’t question those thoughts, they quietly control how we feel and what we do.

Think of metacognition like a mental audit. Instead of reviewing financial statements, you’re reviewing your own thought processes. You’re checking for errors—not in your spreadsheets, but in your assumptions.

Let’s say two accountants have the exact same workload. One is burned out and anxious. The other is calm and focused. What’s the difference? Not the workload. The way they think about the workload.

The overwhelmed accountant believes they have no control. The focused one believes they get to decide what matters. It’s not the work that’s the problem—it’s the mental habit of reacting instead of reflecting.

When you start paying attention to your thoughts—really noticing what’s running in the background—you can choose which ones to keep and which ones to let go of. And that’s where real change happens.

In the next section, let’s look at why this habit is so common among accountants—and why breaking it can be a complete game-changer.

How Questioning Your Thoughts Can Instantly Improve Your Work Life

If you’re like most accountants, it probably feels like your biggest challenges come from your workload, tight deadlines, or demanding clients. But here’s the truth: it’s not the work—it’s the way you think about the work that creates the most stress.

This is why that one mental habit—never questioning your thoughts—can quietly make everything harder.

When you don’t pause to notice what your brain is telling you, you stay stuck in reaction mode. You move from task to task, feeling overwhelmed, but never fully understanding why.

That’s where metacognition—thinking about your thinking—comes in. It gives you the power to stop the stress cycle before it takes over your day.

Let’s take time management. If you believe, “I have to be available all the time,” your brain will push you to check emails constantly and say yes to everything, even when it pulls you away from important work.

But when you step back and ask, “Is that even true?”—you create space to make smarter, more intentional choices.

The same thing happens with decision-making. Without awareness, you make decisions out of habit or urgency. You overcommit, say yes when you want to say no, and feel frustrated—but never stop to ask yourself what’s really driving those choices.

Stress and overwhelm is the same story. The feeling doesn’t come from your calendar—it comes from thoughts like, “There’s too much to do,” running unchecked in the background. Challenge that thought, you start to feel more in control—even if your schedule stays the same.

Even relationships get easier. If a boss or client is difficult, it’s easy to assume they are the problem. But when you slow down and notice what you’re thinking—like assuming they don’t respect you or always expecting the worst—you can start to respond in a calmer, more productive way.

And then there’s the issue confidence. If your brain keeps telling you you’re not doing enough or not good enough, those thoughts will chip away at your confidence—even when you’re doing just fine.

When you start catching those thoughts, you stop taking them as facts—and everything changes.

This kind of awareness is what separates constantly stressed accountants from those who feel calm and in control.

But if it’s so helpful, why don’t we do it more often? To answer that, we need to look at what’s happening in your brain.

Why Your Brain Keeps You Stuck in Stress Mode Without You Realizing It

Here’s the thing most accountants don’t know—your brain is designed to keep you on autopilot.

It forms thought patterns based on your past experiences and then repeats them, whether they’re helpful or not. So if you’ve spent years responding to stress by overworking or trying to please everyone, your brain will default to those patterns automatically.

This is why you often react the same way to tight deadlines, difficult clients, or a packed calendar—even if you’ve promised yourself you’d handle things differently this time.

The part of your brain responsible for making smart, strategic choices is your prefrontal cortex—what I like to call your Supervising Parent. This is where long-term thinking, planning, and problem-solving happen.

But when you’re overwhelmed or rushed, another part of your brain takes over: your survival brain. I call it your Toddler Brain because it reacts emotionally, wants instant gratification, and doesn’t think things through.

That’s when you start making choices from urgency instead of intention. You check your email obsessively, say yes to requests you don’t have time for, and prioritize tasks that feel urgent—even if they’re not actually important.

This tendency has a name: The Mere Urgency Effect.

It’s your brain’s way of tricking you into believing that urgent = important, even when it’s not. And for accountants, this mental shortcut shows up everywhere—especially in the pressure to always be available.

You might feel guilty for not checking your inbox every ten minutes, even though staying focused on one meaningful task would be far more productive.

Without metacognition, these patterns run silently in the background. You don’t realize you’re stuck in them—you just feel overwhelmed, reactive, and exhausted.

But when you start observing your thoughts, you interrupt those automatic loops. You take back control from the Toddler Brain and re-engage your Supervising Parent.

So, what actually changes when an accountant puts this into practice? Let me show you what that looks like in real life.

Becoming a Smarter Accountant: Using Metacognition

Let me share what this looks like in practice.

I worked with an accountant who was doing everything she could to stay on top of her work—but still felt completely overwhelmed. No matter how many hours she put in, she couldn’t shake the feeling that she was always behind.

Her days were packed with emails, meetings, client requests, and constant interruptions. The projects that actually mattered were always pushed to the side. She was exhausted but couldn’t figure out why she wasn’t making more progress.

She thought the problem was her workload. But the real issue was how she thought about her workload.

She believed she had to say yes to everything. She believed that answering emails right away was part of being a good accountant. She believed that if she just worked harder, she would eventually catch up.

But her brain was stuck in that familiar, automatic habit—reacting to everything that felt urgent. She wasn’t making decisions with intention—she was just trying to keep up.

Once she started learning metacognition—learning to think about her thinking—everything started to shift.

She began catching her thoughts in real time.  She saw that her belief, “I have to respond immediately,” wasn’t actually true.

She realized that saying yes to every request meant saying no to the deep work that really moved things forward.  And she finally questioned the belief that more hours equals more productivity.

She started setting priorities ahead of time instead of reacting in the moment. She gave herself permission to pause, to choose, and to protect her focus.

The result was that she started working fewer hours—and getting more done.  She stopped ending every day frustrated and drained.

And for the first time in years, she felt in control of her workload instead of being controlled by it.

This is what smarter accountants do. They don’t just try to keep up—they learn how to think differently so they can finally work differently.

And that leads us to the most important takeaway from today’s episode.

Key Takeaway and Action Item

The most important thing to remember is that the way you think shapes the way you work. If you never stop to examine your thoughts, you’ll keep running in the same patterns—stressed, overwhelmed, and constantly reacting. But when you learn to step back and observe your thinking, everything changes.

For this week, ask yourself, “Where am I letting my automatic thoughts run the show instead of making intentional choices?”

The truth is, if you never question your thoughts, they will control you. You’ll keep believing you don’t have enough time, that you have to say yes to everything, or that working harder is the only solution. But those are just thoughts—not facts.

When you start paying attention to what’s happening in your mind, you can decide which thoughts to keep and which ones to change. That’s how accountants move from feeling stuck to feeling in control. It’s not about working more or doing things faster. It’s about thinking smarter.

The bottom line is that you don’t need another productivity hack or time management trick. You need a new way of thinking.

Pulling Back the Curtain

Pulling back the curtain for a moment…

I’ll be honest—there was a long stretch in my career where I didn’t even realize my brain was offering me thoughts that weren’t helpful. I didn’t question them. I didn’t slow down long enough to notice them.

I just believed them.

Thoughts like, “You’re falling behind,” or “If you were better at this, you wouldn’t feel so stressed,” or “You have to say yes or people will be disappointed.”

And the thing is, those thoughts weren’t loud or dramatic. They were subtle. They felt factual. I didn’t even think to challenge them because they seemed like common sense.

But they were running the show—controlling how I felt, how I worked, and how I saw myself.

I remember this one week in particular, years ago, when I was absolutely crushed with deadlines. I had my calendar planned out perfectly, but nothing went according to plan. And instead of adjusting or giving myself any grace, my brain went straight into, “You’re failing. You’re behind. You’re not doing enough.”

I stayed up late. I skipped meals. I spun in self-doubt.

Not because the work was impossible—but because I was believing everything my brain said, without question.

That’s when things really started to shift for me—when I learned to pause and say, “Wait… is that actually true?”

That simple question changed everything. It gave me a little distance between me and the thought. And that distance gave me power.

This is why I teach metacognition to every accountant I work with—because it’s not about doing more. It’s about thinking differently so you can finally work differently.

If this episode made something click for you—if you started to notice how often your thoughts are quietly running the show—I want to invite you to take The Smarter Accountant Quiz at www.thesmarteraccountant.com.

It’s not just a quiz—it’s a mirror. It’ll help you start to see what’s really going on beneath the surface of your stress or procrastination or overwhelm.

And if you want help making sense of what’s coming up, you can schedule a free 30-minute call with me at www.thesmarteraccountant.com/calendar. We’ll walk through what your brain’s been believing—and what’s actually true.

And if you’ve been enjoying this podcast, the best way you can support it is by sharing it with another accountant. We’ve all believed thoughts that don’t serve us. Sometimes, we just need someone to show us how to think smarter.

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

Before I get started I wanted to remind you that The Smarter Accountant CPE Course “Everything You Need To Know About Procrastination” is on Wednesday, May 21st at 4 pm EST.  You can sign up at https://thesmarteraccountant.com/cpe/.  You’ll not only get CPE credit but I will also be sending the replay and a workbook so that you can apply what you learned.

If you don’t know this about me, one of my favorite topics to discuss is time management.  As accountants, we’re taught a lot of things and have a lot of knowledge, but ironically, effective time management is not one of them. 

The thing is, there’s a lot of advice out there about how to get more done, but a lot of it isn’t from an accountant who’s been in the trenches, it’s not helpful, and it might actually be holding you back. What if the things you’ve been told about managing your time aren’t even true?

Think about it: how often do you push yourself to work harder or longer, only to feel more drained and less productive? Or maybe you’ve followed all the so-called “rules” but still feel like you’re barely keeping your head above water.

The problem isn’t you—it’s the lies we’ve been told about how time management should work. And these lies can make life even harder for us with deadlines, demanding clients, and long to-do lists.

So today, I want to explore some of the biggest myths about time management that could be holding you back. By the end of this, you might just see time—and yourself—a little differently.

Lie #1 – Waking up an hour earlier is the answer to having a more balanced day

This advice is everywhere—“Wake up earlier, and you’ll get more done!” It sounds simple, right? But what if the problem isn’t about when you wake up, but how you’re using the time you already have?

The truth is, waking up earlier doesn’t magically make you more productive. Productivity is about how well you manage your energy and focus throughout the day, not how early your alarm goes off. If you’re running on fumes, waking up earlier just gives you more tired hours to struggle through.

Honestly, I am an early riser, but that doesn’t guarantee I’ll have a more balanced, productive day.  What makes it possible for me to be so productive is effectively planning my time, no matter what time I wake up.

Since this is the podcast that blends brain science and accounting, here’s where the brain science comes in: your brain needs enough sleep to function at its best. When you cut your sleep short, even by an hour, it has an impact on your ability to concentrate, make decisions, and manage your emotions. 

You might think staying up late or pushing through exhaustion helps you get more done—but the science says otherwise.  Research shows that lack of sleep makes it harder to focus, remember things, make decisions, and stay calm. Even if you’re putting in the hours, your brain just can’t keep up. It’s like trying to drive with the emergency brake on.

Instead of focusing on waking up earlier, think about how you can protect your energy and focus during the day. A balanced day isn’t about squeezing more hours in—it’s about making the hours you have count.

Lie #2 – If you work more hours, you’re more productive

It’s easy to think that working longer means getting more done. After all, more hours should equal more results, right? But here’s the catch—our brains don’t work that way.

The truth is, working more hours often leads to doing less of what actually matters. Overwork drains your energy, dulls your focus, and sets you up for burnout. You may feel busy, but busy isn’t the same as being productive.

Here’s why: your brain has a limited capacity to stay sharp and make good decisions. The prefrontal cortex—the Supervising Parent part of your brain responsible for focus and problem-solving—gets tired with prolonged use. When it’s tired, even simple tasks take longer, and mistakes become more common.

In fact, I worked less hours while I was recently going through chemo and I was more productive than I’ve ever been.  How is that possible?  Well research backs this up.

Between 2015 and 2019, Iceland ran a major experiment: they let thousands of workers shift from a 40-hour week to a 35 or 36-hour week, without reducing their pay.

You’d think less time at work would mean less productivity, right?  But that’s not what happened.

In fact, productivity stayed the same or even went up, and people were happier, healthier, and more focused. They had more energy, less stress, and a better work-life balance—which helped them actually do better work in less time.

For me, when I had limited time and energy, my brain focused on what really matters. I cut out the extra noise and got to the point faster.  That’s not laziness—it’s smart and efficient.

So, instead of clocking extra hours, consider how you can work smarter, not longer. True productivity is about making the most of your brain’s prime time, not about squeezing every last minute out of the day.

Lie #3 – If you stay later, you’re more dedicated

We’ve all seen it—the person who’s always the last to leave the office. It’s easy to assume they’re the most committed. But is staying late really a sign of dedication, or is it something else entirely?

The truth is, staying late often says more about poor time boundaries than true commitment. It can signal that you’re stretching yourself too thin or trying to meet impossible expectations. Being “always on” doesn’t make you a better accountant—it just makes you more exhausted.

Here’s what’s happening in your brain: the reward system confuses guilt with accomplishment. When you stay late, you might feel a temporary sense of relief, as if you’ve done something extra. But that feeling is misleading. Over time, it reinforces a cycle where overworking becomes the norm, and rest feels like failure.

This lie is something I dealt with early on in my career at Deloitte.  Thankfully, I found a way to show I was dedicated, working a reduced schedule and still leaving at 5:30 every work day.

The truth is, dedication isn’t about how late you stay—it’s about how effectively you use your time and energy during the day. Setting boundaries around your workday isn’t a lack of commitment; it’s a smart way to protect your focus, your health, and your long-term success.

Lie #4 – To-do lists are necessary to manage your time

I get that there’s something satisfying about writing a to-do list. It feels like you’re getting organized, like you’re taking control. But have you ever noticed how often your list just gets longer, or how some tasks linger for days (or weeks)?

The truth is, to-do lists alone won’t help you manage your time. Without prioritization and decision-making, they’re just wishful thinking on paper. They show you what needs to be done but not when or how to do it.

Here’s what’s happening in your brain: when you write a list, your brain gets a quick hit of relief—it feels like you’ve made progress. But when it comes time to execute, your brain can become overwhelmed by the sheer number of choices. Without a clear plan, your list can actually increase stress instead of reducing it.

I tell my time management coaching clients that to-do lists are not time management, they’re workflow management.  True time management is making effective decisions and planning.

The bottom line is that managing your time isn’t about checking off as many items as possible; it’s about focusing on what matters most. A to-do list can be a helpful tool, but only when paired with thoughtful decisions about priorities and action steps. Otherwise, it’s just another thing to manage.

Lie #5 – Setting time boundaries is not good business

It’s tempting to believe that always being available makes you a better professional. After all, saying “yes” to every client or colleague and staying flexible sounds like the recipe for success, right? But what if constantly being “on” is actually working against you?

The truth is, setting time boundaries isn’t just good business—it’s essential. Clear boundaries protect your focus and energy, allowing you to show up fully for your clients without running yourself into the ground. When you’re burned out, the quality of your work suffers, and so does your ability to serve.

Here’s the fascinating part: your brain is wired to feel discomfort when you say “no.” Social conditioning has taught us that agreeing to everything keeps the peace and earns approval. But in reality, saying “no” is critical for brain balance—it prevents overload and preserves the mental clarity you need to do your best work.

I have learned how to set and stick to effective time boundaries over the years and it has made a huge difference for me both professionally and personally.

The thing is, boundaries aren’t barriers; they’re bridges to better service and a sustainable career. When you set limits, you’re not just protecting yourself—you’re ensuring that your clients and colleagues get the best version of you, every time.

Lie #6 – Procrastination means you’re lazy or unmotivated

When you procrastinate, it’s easy to label yourself as lazy. Maybe you’ve even told yourself you’re just not motivated enough to get things done. But what if procrastination isn’t about laziness at all?

The truth is, procrastination often comes from something deeper. Things like fear of failure, perfectionism, or even decision fatigue can all cause you to put things off. It’s not about not wanting to do the work—it’s about feeling stuck or overwhelmed by what the work represents.

Here’s what’s happening in your brain: the primitive Toddler brain, which processes fear, reacts to perceived threats. If a task feels too big, uncertain, or likely to fail, your brain sees it as a threat and steers you toward avoidance. To your brain, procrastination becomes a way to protect yourself from discomfort, even if it creates more stress in the long run.

Thankfully, once you understand the feelings that are driving you to procrastinate, you’ll see that procrastination is not your fault, but that it is much easier to overcome than you realize.

So, no, procrastination doesn’t make you lazy—it makes you human. Understanding why you’re avoiding something is the first step toward tackling it with more compassion and less judgment.

Lie #7 – Everything is equally important, so just start anywhere

When your to-do list feels overwhelming, it’s easy to think, “I’ll just start anywhere and work my way through it.” It feels like progress, but is it really?

The truth is, not all tasks have the same impact. Some move the needle significantly, while others barely make a dent. If you treat everything as equally important, you risk spending your time on low-impact work while the high-priority tasks sit untouched.

Here’s what’s happening in your brain: it’s wired to see everything as urgent. I’ve discussed this before, but it’s known as the Mere Urgency Effect, where tasks that feel immediate grab your attention—even if they don’t matter much in the grand scheme. It’s why answering an email can feel just as pressing as finishing a critical project.

This is why, as I mentioned before, to-do lists are so ineffective.  Your brain sees a list of things to do and thinks everything is equally urgent and important.

The key isn’t to just start anywhere but to focus on what matters most. When you learn how to prioritize high-impact tasks, you make real progress instead of just spinning your wheels.

Lie #8 – Time blocking only works for certain personality types

Time blocking gets a bad rap for being “too rigid” or only working for super-organized people. You might think, “That’s not my style,” and write it off completely. But what if time blocking is actually more flexible than you’ve been led to believe?

The truth is, time blocking is a tool that anyone can adapt to fit their needs. For accountants juggling deadlines and competing priorities, it can be a game-changer. It’s not about creating a rigid schedule—it’s about giving yourself structure so you can focus and stay on track.

Here’s how your brain comes into play: the brain thrives on structure because it reduces decision fatigue and helps you stay organized. However, it also resists systems that feel too restrictive, which is why overly detailed or unrealistic time blocks can feel stifling.

I have seen the incredible power of effective time blocking which is why I created a process called “Container Calendaring.”  It takes the basics of time blocking and makes it easier to guarantee that you actually follow through.

The bottom line is that time blocking isn’t one-size-fits-all—it’s customizable. You can design it to work with your personality, workload, and preferences. When used smartly, it can give you the balance of structure and flexibility you need to get more done without feeling overwhelmed.

Lie # 9 – You need to respond to emails as soon as they come in

It’s easy to feel like every email needs your immediate attention. After all, isn’t being responsive just good business? But constantly checking and replying to emails might be doing more harm than good.

The truth is, responding to emails the moment they arrive derails your focus and interrupts the flow of deep, meaningful work. Every time you stop what you’re doing to check your inbox, you’re forcing your brain to switch gears, which wastes time and energy.

Here’s what’s happening in your brain: every time you check an email, you get a tiny dopamine hit—the same chemical that makes social media addictive. It feels rewarding in the moment, but it fragments your attention and makes it harder to concentrate on bigger tasks.

I’ve often joked that email is an accountant’s drug of choice, but there is brain science behind that.  Just try not checking email for a day or two and you’ll feel like an addict going through withdrawals.

So, instead of letting emails control your day, try creating dedicated times to check and respond. Your focus—and your productivity—will thank you.

Lie #10 – It’s faster and easier to just do it yourself

When you’re juggling a million tasks, it’s tempting to think, “I’ll just handle it myself—it’s quicker that way.” But is it really faster, or is it just a shortcut that’s holding you back?

The truth is, doing everything yourself might feel easier in the moment, but it costs you valuable time in the long run. Delegation isn’t just about offloading work; it’s an investment that frees you up to focus on higher-impact tasks that truly move the needle.

Here’s what’s happening in your brain: it craves short-term ease, so it naturally resists delegation. Training someone or trusting them with responsibility takes effort upfront, but it pays off over time by reducing your workload and increasing efficiency.

My time management coaching clients that have mastered delegation have said it has had the greatest impact on their career satisfaction and has reduced burnout significantly.  

The truth is, you don’t have to do it all to be successful. Letting go of the “faster and easier” myth allows you to grow, both in your career and your capacity to focus on what really matters.

Becoming a Smarter Accountant: Overcoming Time Management Lies

Now let me share a few stories about coaching clients that learned to overcome some of the time management lies.  

One client thought waking up earlier would be the answer to her packed schedule. Every morning, she set her alarm an hour earlier, convinced she’d get ahead, but by mid-afternoon, she was completely drained. She felt like something was wrong with her because she couldn’t keep her energy up.

After working on becoming a Smarter Accountant, she realized the real problem wasn’t her effort—it was her lack of rest. Once she started prioritizing sleep and planning her work around her natural energy peaks, everything changed. She got more done in less time and finally felt like herself again.

Another client believed working long hours was the only way to stay on top of everything. Staying late became part of his routine, almost like proof of his dedication. But the more hours he worked, the more drained he felt—and the mistakes started piling up.

After working together, he learned that setting boundaries wasn’t about doing less—it was about doing better. By focusing on his most important tasks during his peak energy times, he could leave the office earlier and still get everything done. He told me that his clients were happier, and so was he.

Another one of my clients relied on to-do lists every day, but no matter how much she crossed off, the list just kept growing. It felt like she was always behind, and by the end of the day, she was overwhelmed and guilty for not doing more.

The Smarter Accountant Coaching Program helped her see that it wasn’t about how many tasks she finished—it was about doing the right ones. She started using my time blocking process, Container Calendaring, to plan her high-priority work, and it made all the difference. Now, she finally feels like she’s in control of her time.

Another coaching client told me that he couldn’t resist his email inbox. Every time a new message came in, he stopped what he was doing to respond. He thought being available was just part of the job, but it left him feeling scattered and unproductive.

After learning how to set and stick to boundaries with his time, he set simple boundaries with specific times to check and respond to emails instead of reacting all day. It was tough at first, but he quickly noticed how much more he could accomplish when he wasn’t glued to his inbox. His focus improved, and so did his results.

The last client I want to share with you was convinced it was faster to do everything herself. Delegating felt like too much work—it was easier to just handle it all. But trying to juggle everything left her stressed and constantly behind.

After working together, she started to see delegation as a long-term solution, not just a quick fix. She invested time in training her team, and soon, she had more space to focus on the big picture. Not only did her workload lighten, but her team grew professionally with the added responsibility.

So, do any of these stories sound familiar? If they do, I want you to know that there’s hope, and there’s a way forward.  It’s not about doing more—it’s about doing what works. 

Now I’m going to share the key takeaway from today and an action item for the upcoming week.

Key Takeaway and Action Item

The key takeaway from this episode is that the lies you believe about time management aren’t just unhelpful—they’re holding you back. Start by choosing one lie you’ve been living by and ask yourself, ‘What would change if I stopped believing this?’.

This question helps you pause and reflect on whether your current approach to managing your time is really working for you or just adding stress. 

For example, do you believe that working longer hours means you’re more productive? Or that responding to every email immediately is good for your career? These beliefs often feel natural because they’ve been reinforced over time, but that doesn’t mean they’re helpful.

By identifying just one belief that might be holding you back, you can start to make changes that align better with how your brain works and what your goals actually are. It’s not about overhauling everything at once—it’s about taking that first step to question what’s not serving you.

Pulling Back The Curtain

Pulling back the curtain for a moment…

As I mentioned earlier, when I was going through chemo recently, I had to work fewer hours—it wasn’t optional. I physically couldn’t do what I used to, and at first, I panicked. I thought, “How am I going to keep up? What’s going to fall through the cracks? Will my clients or coworkers think I’m not pulling my weight?”

I’ve been in public accounting for decades, and like a lot of accountants, I’ve carried around the belief that long hours equals a strong work ethic. So being forced to slow down felt like a threat—not just to my schedule, but to how I saw myself as a professional.

But something surprising happened: I got more done in less time than I ever had before.

I was sharper. I planned better. I wasn’t wasting time on things that didn’t really matter. Because I didn’t have the luxury of long hours, I had to be smarter with the time I did have—and it honestly changed everything.

I started seeing how many time management lies I had been living by for years. Things like “working longer proves your commitment,” or “you have to say yes to everything to be seen as a team player.” I didn’t even realize how much those beliefs were draining me—until I had no choice but to challenge them.

I noticed when I was feeling guilty for not having the energy to push through and I reminded myself that trying to get accounting work done when I’m feeling guilty, stressed, or any other negative emotion isn’t helpful.  By managing my mind, choosing more productive emotions, and only then sitting down to get work done, I was able to be much more efficient and productive.

That experience reminded me of something I tell my coaching clients all the time: time management isn’t about doing more. It’s about thinking differently about time—about your time.

Unfortunately, I think one of the biggest mistakes this profession makes is not teaching effective time management early on.  I think it’s one of the reasons that accountants are so burned out and miserable.

But I can tell you this – when you learn how to effectively manage your brain and your time, you will begin to see your work in a whole new light.  You’ll get more done in less time and you’ll free up time for the things and the people you love.

If today’s episode made you rethink any of the time management advice you’ve followed—or if you’re starting to wonder whether it’s actually working for you—I want to invite you to take The Smarter Accountant Quiz at www.thesmarteraccountant.com.

It only takes a few minutes, but it can show you which patterns might be getting in your way. And if you want help breaking those patterns, you can also schedule a free 30-minute call with me at www.thesmarteraccountant.com/calendar.

And if this podcast has been helpful, the best thing you can do is share it with another accountant. We’ve all been taught the same time management myths—but we don’t have to keep believing them.

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

Before I get started, I wanted to remind you to stay to the end because I just added a new section to the podcast titled “Pulling Back The Curtain” where I give you a behind the scenes look at how I’ve personally dealt with the topic I’m discussing in each episode.  Hopefully, it will give you a better idea about the person behind this microphone.

I also wanted to mention that The Smarter Accountant CPE Course “Everything You Need To Know About Procrastination” is on Wednesday, May 21st at 4 pm EST.  You can sign up at https://thesmarteraccountant.com/cpe/.  You’ll not only get CPE credit but I will also be sending the replay and a workbook so that you can apply what you learned.

Tax season’s over—finally. You got through the long hours, the crazy deadlines, and all those last-minute surprises.

And now that it’s behind you, it’s totally normal to just want to move on. You might be thinking, “Let’s not even talk about it until next year… or maybe the next extension deadline.”

But here’s the thing—what if now is actually the best time to hit pause? Not to beat yourself up, but just to take a quick, honest look at how it really went.

We’re so used to powering through that we rarely stop and ask, “What would I want to do differently next time?” The problem is, when you don’t stop and reflect, it’s easy to fall right back into the same hard season again and again.

This isn’t about guilt or shame. It’s about curiosity—for just a few minutes.

You already know tax season takes a toll. On your time, your body, your mind, your family. But do you know where it hit you the hardest?

It’s kind of like finishing a big project and never checking to see what actually worked… or what totally fell apart. You just keep doing it the same way, even if that way isn’t really working.

And let’s be clear—you’re not lazy, and you’re not disorganized. You’re just busy. But what if a little reflection now could make a huge difference later?

Imagine if next tax season didn’t feel so chaotic. What if a few small changes now could help you feel more in control next time?

Whether you realize it or not, you’ve already learned a lot. You’ve just been too tired or too slammed to notice.

And no, I’m not saying you need to spend hours reviewing every detail. But what if you gave yourself just a little space to look back—without judgment?

Because here’s the thing: if you don’t look back, your brain assumes everything went fine. And that means next year will look exactly the same.

But what if this year could be the last one that felt this hard? What if this is your chance to start doing things smarter?

Most people won’t take the time to reflect. That’s exactly why it matters so much when you do.

You don’t need a perfect tax season. You just need some clarity.

So here’s the big question: What would you find out if you looked back with fresh eyes?

Let’s talk about it.

What Is a Tax Season Autopsy?

A Tax Season Autopsy is just a simple way to look back once the season is over and do a little digging. It’s where you ask yourself, “What actually worked for me? What didn’t? And what would I want to do differently next time?”

It’s not about pointing fingers or beating yourself up. It’s just about paying attention, from a non-judgemental space, so you can learn from what you just went through.

Think about it like this—athletes watch game replays, surgeons talk through what happened in the OR, and performers rewatch their shows to see where they can improve.

They’re not doing it because they messed up. They’re doing it because they want to keep getting better.

That’s exactly what this is. A Tax Season Autopsy is your way of saying, “Okay, let’s hit pause and see what this season taught me.”

It’s really just about awareness—slowing down long enough to notice what helped and what hurt. Because the truth is, most of us are so quick to move on that we don’t even give ourselves the chance to take anything useful from the experience.

Smarter Accountants don’t treat tax season like something to forget as fast as possible. They look at it like a goldmine of clues—clues about how they work, how they feel, and where things went off track.

They don’t make it personal. They look at it like information. Not drama—just data.

And once you start doing that, you realize how helpful it actually is. You can make small changes that stick, instead of trying to overhaul everything next year in a panic.

No guilt. No shame. Just a chance to reset with a little more clarity and a lot more intention.

When you look at it that way, a Tax Season Autopsy isn’t about the past—it’s really about giving yourself a better future.

So if it’s this helpful, why don’t more accountants do it? Let’s talk about that next.

Why Most Accountants Skip This Step

Let’s be honest—once tax season ends, the last thing most of us want to do is look back. You’re tired, you’re fried, and all you want is to feel normal again.

And that totally makes sense. Your brain is wired to avoid anything that feels uncomfortable. Thinking back on a tough season can bring up regret, frustration, or even guilt, and your brain would rather you skip all that.

So it gives you thoughts like, “It’s done, just move on,” or “Next year will be different,” or even, “Why bother thinking about it now?” Those thoughts sound harmless, but they’re sneaky—they keep you stuck in the same loop.

The problem is, if you don’t take even a few minutes to learn from what happened, you’re probably going to repeat it. Not because you’re doing anything wrong, but because your brain assumes, “Well, I guess this is just how we do it.”

That’s why every tax season can start to feel the same—rushed, stressful, and way too much. You fall into the same patterns, make the same choices, and cross your fingers that somehow it’ll be better next time.

But hoping things get better isn’t a real plan. And skipping this step means your brain keeps running the same playbook year after year.

Taking time to reflect might feel optional, but it’s actually one of the smartest things you can do. It’s what gives you the chance to do things differently—without having to work harder.

And if your brain is resisting it, that doesn’t mean you’re lazy or unmotivated. It just means your brain is doing what it thinks will protect you.

But maybe the real protection comes from understanding what actually happened. And that’s where knowing a little brain science can help. Let’s take a look at that now.

The Brain Science Behind Reflection

Your brain loves routine—even if that routine is completely draining. It’ll keep doing what’s familiar, even if it’s not really working for you.

That’s because your brain sees familiar as safe. If you made it through tax season doing things a certain way, your brain thinks, “Great! Let’s do that again.”

Unless you pause and reflect, your brain won’t stop to ask, “Was that actually the best way?” It just assumes, “Well, that’s how we always do it.”

Here’s the good news: there’s another part of your brain that can help you think ahead and make better choices. It’s called the prefrontal cortex, or what I refer to as The Supervising Parent—and it’s the part that helps you plan, evaluate, and make smarter decisions.

But there’s a catch—it only works when you use it intentionally or on purpose.

If you’re constantly rushing from one thing to the next, reacting to emails, putting out fires, and just trying to stay afloat, that smarter part of your brain doesn’t get much of a say.

That’s why slowing down to reflect is so important. If you want different results, you need different thinking. And that starts by giving your brain a moment to step out of autopilot.

So now that you know why reflection in the form of a Tax Season Autopsy matters, the next step is knowing what to reflect on. Let’s now talk about 5 questions to ask yourself after tax season

Five Questions to Ask Yourself After Tax Season

Once things start to settle down, it’s worth taking just a few minutes to ask yourself some simple questions. Not to overwhelm yourself—but to get a little clarity that could really help you next time around.

1. What actually worked this season?

Start by giving yourself credit. Even if this season felt tough overall, there were probably a few things that made it a little easier.

Maybe you stuck to your office hours more than usual, and that helped you feel less drained at the end of the day. Maybe you finally used that shared calendar with your team or batch-processed client emails instead of checking them all day long.

Even small wins count. This question is about seeing what did go well, so you can keep doing it or build on it next year.

2. What didn’t work—and why?

This isn’t about blaming yourself. It’s about getting real with what made things harder than they needed to be.

Maybe you agreed to take on too many last-minute returns, thinking you could squeeze them in. Maybe you worked weekends even though you promised yourself you wouldn’t—and now you’re more exhausted than ever.

Ask yourself why it didn’t work. Was it lack of planning? People-pleasing? Fear of saying no? The goal is to spot the patterns that tripped you up, so you don’t keep repeating them.

3. What would I want to do differently next year?

Think of this like setting your future self up for success. What would you want to change if you could do it all over again?

Maybe you want to build in time for breaks, or set firmer deadlines for when you’ll stop accepting new work.

And here’s the deeper part—ask yourself: What would I need to think or feel to actually follow through?

For example, if you want to turn down late work, maybe you need to think, “My time has value,” or feel more confident setting boundaries. If you want to delegate more, maybe you need to feel trust in your team. The mindset piece matters more than we realize.

4. Where did I lose time that I didn’t expect to lose?

This question can uncover the sneaky time drains you may not have noticed while you were in the middle of it all.

Maybe you were constantly pulled into client emergencies that could’ve been avoided with better upfront communication. Or maybe you spent hours trying to find documents or organize files because your systems weren’t solid.

This is a chance to look at time management with fresh eyes—especially the things that stole your time without you even realizing it.

5. Where did I feel the most overwhelmed?

Think back to the moments when you felt like everything was unraveling. Was it during onboarding new clients? Was it juggling home and work responsibilities? This question can help you see where things started to break down so you know what needs more support next time.

As you think through your answers, consider your boundaries, your energy levels, and your support system. What was missing? What do you wish you had done earlier?

These questions aren’t meant to solve everything at once. They’re simply a way to pay attention—and give yourself more options next time around.

And bonus points – have your team do their own version of a Tax Season Autopsy too. You’ll get a bigger picture of what worked, what didn’t, and how to make improvements as a team—not just as an individual.

Still wondering if this kind of reflection really makes a difference? Let me tell you about a coaching client who tried it for the first time—and what happened next.

Becoming a Smarter Accountant: Performing a Successful Tax Season Autopsy

One of my coaching clients used to hate the idea of reflecting—especially after tax season. Her attitude was basically, “It’s over. I survived. Let’s not bring it up again.”

She figured looking back would just make her feel worse. To her, it felt like picking at old wounds when she was already beyond exhausted.

When I first brought up the idea of doing a Tax Season Autopsy, she was not into it. She actually said, “Why would I want to rehash all that chaos?” But eventually, she agreed to give it a try—just once.

We kept it really simple. She answered a few questions, took 15 minutes to think about her experience, and that was it.

What came up for her was eye-opening. She realized how much time she lost saying yes to last-minute client requests, and how often she skipped breaks thinking it would help her catch up—when it actually left her more drained.

She also noticed how she avoided asking for help because she thought it would take too long to explain things. But in the end, she was doing everything herself and feeling totally overwhelmed.

The next year, she went into tax season with a plan. She set firmer boundaries with her clients, blocked time for focused work, and even gave herself catch-up time every week—something she’d never even thought to do before.

The change was huge. She was still working hard, but she wasn’t crashing and burning. She felt calmer, more in control, and way less reactive.

Now, she actually looks forward to doing a quick reflection after tax season. It helps her see what’s working and where she can make little adjustments that add up over time.

She didn’t overhaul everything overnight. She just gave herself the chance to learn from her own experience—and it made her smarter each year.

And honestly, you can do the same thing.

Key Takeaway and Action Item

Have you ever promised yourself that next tax season would be different—but it wasn’t? That’s exactly why doing a Tax Season Autopsy matters.

It’s not just a nice idea—it’s a habit that smart leaders rely on to stop repeating the same painful patterns. It’s how you start taking back control of your time, your energy, and your future.

Doing a Tax Season Autopsy isn’t extra credit—it’s what smart leaders do. It’s how you take control of your time, your energy, and your experience going forward.

For this week, I suggest asking yourself, “If nothing changes between now and next tax season, what’s likely to happen again?”

Really sit with that for a minute. Your answer is more important than any checklist or planner.

Because that answer holds the insight you need. It shows you exactly where to focus your attention now, so you’re not stuck in the same stressful cycle next year.

Don’t wait until next tax season to wish you had done things differently. Small awareness now leads to big change later.

And if you’re wondering what this looked like in my own career, let me pull back the curtain and share a story I’ve never told before.

Pulling Back the Curtain

I’ll never forget this one particular tax season, years ago, when I kept telling myself I just had to push through. No breaks, barely any sleep, nonstop stress—I figured that was just part of the job.

I kept thinking, “I’ll rest when it’s over.” I didn’t think I had time to slow down or reflect, so I didn’t. And by the end of that season, I was completely burned out.

The scary part? I didn’t even notice how bad it had gotten until weeks later. I was snapping at my family, couldn’t focus, and honestly, I felt like all the joy had drained out of my work. I remember thinking, “Wait… is this what it’s going to be like every year?”

And it didn’t help that it was my first tax season being married to my second husband. He was not happy with what tax season turned me into—and honestly, I couldn’t blame him. That was the moment I realized something had to change.

The first time I did what I now call a Tax Season Autopsy, I’ll be honest—it was uncomfortable. I didn’t want to look back. I wanted to forget it ever happened.

But I pushed through that resistance and sat down to ask myself a few simple questions. And once I did, it was like a fog started to lift.

I realized a lot of my stress came from how I was approaching the season—not just the workload. I noticed patterns I had never seen before. And for the first time, I actually had something I could work with.

That one small act of reflection made a huge difference. I started planning more intentionally, setting better boundaries, and thinking ahead instead of always reacting in the moment.

Was it perfect? Of course not. But it was smarter. And that alone changed everything.

If this past season left you drained or frustrated, you’re definitely not alone. And the good news is—you don’t have to do it that way again.

Taking time to reflect doesn’t mean you’re weak. It means you’re wise. And it might be one of the smartest things you ever do for your future self.

If you’re interested in becoming a Smarter Accountant, I have The Smarter Accountant Quiz as the first step. It’s quick, it’s free, and it’ll help you see what’s actually getting in your way. You can find it at https://thesmarteraccountant.com.

And if you want help with anything you’re struggling with or figuring out what to do next, I offer a free 30-minute call. You can sign up at https://thesmarteraccountant.com/calendar.

And one last thing—if you’ve been enjoying this podcast, the best way you can support it is by sharing it with other accountants. Whether it’s a friend, a coworker, or someone who’s quietly struggling the way you once were, spreading the word helps more accountants discover there’s a smarter way to work.

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

Before we dive in, I want to let you know I’m doing something a little different starting this week.

At the end of each episode, I’m going to start sharing something I’ve never really done before—something more personal. I’m calling it “Pulling Back the Curtain,” and it’s where I’ll talk honestly about what I’ve learned the hard way in my own accounting career.

It’s not about tips or strategies—it’s about the real life. The behind-the-scenes struggles that I can share about each week’s topic and shifts that helped me become a Smarter Accountant.

So be sure to stick around to the end—because what I’m sharing today might be exactly what you didn’t know you needed to hear.

On this 100th episode of The Smarter Accountant Podcast, I wanted to give you a sneak peek into what I’ve learned over the past 35 years and what I’ve been teaching accountants for over a decade.

When I started out as an accountant, I thought stress and long hours were just part of the job. It felt normal to always be busy, constantly checking my to-do list, and telling myself, “I’ll catch up soon.” But no matter how hard I worked, that moment never came.

For years, I tried working faster, staying later, and using every time management hack I could find. But I still felt like I was barely keeping my head above water. And I know I’m not the only one.

That’s why I wrote The Smarter Accountant and started my coaching business—to help accountants find a sustainable way to work. In my 6-week program, every accountant starts by taking The Smarter Accountant Quiz to see what’s really getting in their way. Then, they choose three key struggles to focus on, and after years of coaching, I’ve noticed the same challenges come up again and again.

There are a few core issues that keep us feeling stuck, stressed, and exhausted—no matter how many hours we put in. And honestly, it makes sense. The deadlines, client demands, and never-ending to-do lists make it easy to feel like you’re always behind.

But here’s the thing—working harder isn’t the solution. If it was, you’d feel better by now. Instead, most of us just keep pushing through, thinking, “Maybe next week will be better,” or “Once I get through this deadline, things will calm down.” But they never do.

If you’ve ever thought, “Why can’t I get ahead?” or “Why does it feel like I’m working all the time but never actually catching up?”—you’re not alone. You might think you just need better time management, but the real issue is what’s happening underneath.

Most accountants assume stress, long hours, and pressure are just part of the job. But what if that’s not true? What if the things making work so frustrating aren’t just “how it is,” but patterns that can actually be changed?

That’s what I see in coaching all the time. These same struggles show up again and again, but once accountants learn how to shift their thinking, everything changes. They don’t just work smarter—they feel better. They stop spinning their wheels and start making real progress, not just at work, but in every area of their life.

So, what are these struggles? And why do they keep showing up? That’s exactly what we’re going to talk about today. I’m willing to bet you’ll recognize at least one of them in your own life. And by the end of this, you’ll see them in a whole new way.

Why Accountants Feel Constantly Stressed and Overwhelmed

As I said earlier, I’ve been keeping a tally of the most common issues that accountants want to work on with me and for years, stress has been the #1 issue.  But in a few minutes I’m going to share the issue that has actually surpassed stress and overwhelm (if you can believe it!).

But right now, let’s talk about stress and overwhelm—because if you’re an accountant, I know you’ve been there. That feeling of constantly being behind, like no matter how early you start or how late you work, there’s always more to do.  

I remember starting my day thinking, “Today, I’m going to get ahead.” But before I knew it, the day was gone, and my to-do list had somehow gotten longer. No matter how hard I worked, I was always scrambling, always reacting, always playing catch-up.

Even when I got things done, I never really felt relieved. As soon as I crossed one thing off, ten more popped up. It felt like running on a treadmill that wouldn’t stop, no matter how fast I moved.

The real problem? Stress doesn’t just drain your energy—it wrecks your focus and decision-making. When you’re overwhelmed, your brain runs on emergency mode all the time. You start making rushed decisions, struggling to concentrate, and feeling completely drained. It’s no wonder accountants burn out. You’re not just doing the work—you’re carrying the weight of the work.

And here’s what makes it even trickier—your brain isn’t prioritizing important work. It’s prioritizing urgent work. You end up reacting to everything instead of making real progress. It’s like spending all day bailing water out of a boat instead of fixing the leak.

I used to think the solution was just working harder—starting earlier, staying later, making better to-do lists. But no matter what I did, I still felt overwhelmed. That’s when I realized something big: overwhelm isn’t just about how much you have to do. It’s about how your brain processes what you have to do.

Your brain isn’t built to handle everything at once. It sees all your tasks, emails, and deadlines as equally urgent, even when they’re not. That’s why your to-do list feels impossible.

But here’s the thing—it’s not just the workload. It’s your thoughts about the workload that create overwhelm. When I used to think, “I’ll never get this all done,” or “I have too much to do and not enough time,” my brain went into panic mode. And a panicked brain isn’t efficient. It jumps from task to task, gets distracted, and burns out faster.

If stress and overwhelm have been running the show for you, trust me, I get it. But here’s the good news—once you learn how to manage your thoughts about your workload, everything changes. The goal isn’t to get rid of work—it’s to stop feeling like it’s crushing you. And that is absolutely possible.

The Real Reason Accountants Struggle With Time Management

If you’re like most accountants, it probably feels like there’s never enough time. You start the day with a plan, but before you know it, emails, last-minute requests, and interruptions pull you in a million directions. It’s like the entire world is on a mission to keep you from getting anything done.

And the most frustrating part? You are busy. You’re constantly working, constantly checking things off, constantly doing. But somehow, at the end of the day, it feels like nothing really got accomplished. You think, “Where did the day go?” or “Why am I working so much but not making real progress?”

I used to think the solution was simple—just get better at organizing my tasks. I tried all the systems. I made detailed to-do lists, color-coded my calendar, and planned my day down to the minute. But no matter how much I planned, I still felt scattered and behind. That’s when I realized something big: time management isn’t just about planning—it’s about decision-making.

Here’s what I mean. Every time you sit down to work, your brain has to make decisions. “What should I do first?” “How long should this take?” “Is this even the best use of my time?” But if you don’t make those decisions ahead of time, your brain defaults to whatever feels urgent in the moment. And urgent doesn’t always mean important.

This is why so many accountants spend their days reacting instead of managing their time. You bounce between emails, answer questions, and handle whatever pops up—because when you don’t have a clear system, everything feels equally important. And before you know it, your entire day is filled with low-impact tasks that don’t actually move the needle.

The real problem isn’t a lack of time—it’s a lack of intentionality with time. When you don’t have a clear way to prioritize, time just disappears. It bleeds into your personal life, your evenings, and your weekends. You tell yourself, “I’ll just catch up later,” but later never comes.

And let’s talk about to-do lists for a second—because, honestly, they don’t work the way we think they do. We treat them like a magic fix, but they’re just a storage system, not a time system. 

They remind you of what needs to be done, but they don’t actually help you do the work. That’s why you can have a long to-do list and still feel stuck—because checking things off doesn’t mean you’re focusing on what actually matters.

If you feel like you’re always busy but never truly productive, you’re not alone. The good news? You don’t need more hours in the day—you just need a better way to decide how you’re using the ones you already have.

Why You’re Busy All Day But Still Feel Unproductive

If you’ve ever worked all day, checked off tasks, and still felt like you accomplished nothing, you’re not alone. It’s frustrating to put in long hours and wonder, “Why does it feel like I got nothing done?”

A big part of the problem is distractions. You sit down to focus, but before you know it, you’re answering emails, responding to messages, and getting pulled into something else. Then you finally get back to your task—only to get interrupted again.

And then there’s procrastination. You have important work to do, but suddenly checking email or organizing your desk seems urgent. You tell yourself, “I’ll start in five minutes,” but an hour later, you’re even more behind.

Here’s the truth—working more hours doesn’t mean getting more done. If you’re constantly switching tasks, getting interrupted, or putting things off, you’re spending time working without real progress. And that just leads to more stress and frustration.

So why is it so hard to stay focused? Because deep, focused work takes effort, and your brain prefers easy tasks, like checking email or skimming spreadsheets. That’s why you feel the urge to do anything except the thing you’re supposed to be doing.

And procrastination? It’s not about time management—it’s about avoiding discomfort. When a task feels overwhelming or boring, your brain looks for an escape. You tell yourself, “I’ll feel more ready later,” but later comes, and you still don’t want to do it.

If you’ve ever wondered why you struggle to push through, it’s not about discipline. It’s about how your brain is wired. But once you understand what’s happening, you can stop feeling guilty and start working with your brain instead of against it.

Because productivity isn’t about working harder—it’s about staying focused on what actually matters. And once you figure that out, everything changes.

How Accounting Work Is Affecting Your Relationships

If you’re an accountant, you’ve probably felt how work takes over your life. By the time you get home, you’re exhausted, but your brain is still stuck on work. You want to be present with family or friends, but that little voice keeps saying, “I should be getting more done.”

I know that feeling. I’ve sat at family dinners, nodding along while mentally running through my to-do list. I’ve told myself, “I’ll just check one quick email,” only to lose 30 minutes. Even when I promised to unplug, work was always in the back of my mind.

When work bleeds into personal time, relationships suffer. At first, it’s subtle, but over time, you feel more disconnected. Maybe your partner seems distant, your kids don’t come to you as much, or friends stop reaching out. And the more disconnected you feel, the more stress you carry.

That stress follows you back to work, creating a cycle—more work leads to less connection, which leads to more stress, making you work even more. Before you know it, work is running your entire life.

So why is it so hard to shut work off? Most accountants believe working more makes them better. There’s this unspoken rule that true dedication means answering emails late at night, always being available, and putting in extra hours. It’s easy to say, “I’ll slow down after this deadline,” but there’s always another one.

The truth is, your brain isn’t wired to balance priorities naturally. It prioritizes what feels urgent, so work will always win unless you intentionally make space for personal time. That’s why it’s easy to ignore family time but impossible to ignore a work email.

If you’ve been feeling like work is taking over, you’re not alone. But real success isn’t about working more—it’s about creating a life where work and personal time both have space. And being a great accountant doesn’t have to mean sacrificing everything else.

Why Accountants Struggle to Set Boundaries With Work

Another common issue that accountants want to work on is boundaries. It’s hard to say no when people are counting on you. You don’t want to let anyone down, so you take on more, answer emails at all hours, and convince yourself, “It’s just easier if I handle it myself.”

At first, it doesn’t seem like a big deal. You stay late, squeeze in one more task, or check emails after dinner. But over time, work takes over, and personal time disappears. You keep saying, “I’ll slow down after this deadline,” but there’s always another one.

Then resentment kicks in. You wonder, “Why do people expect so much from me?” But the more you say yes, the more they assume you always will. When you finally try to set a boundary, guilt creeps in.

So why is saying no so hard? Most of us don’t want to disappoint others. We fear being seen as difficult or unreliable, so we convince ourselves, “It’s just this one time,” even when we’re already stretched too thin.

But here’s the truth—setting boundaries doesn’t push people away. It actually teaches them to respect your time. When you protect your schedule, others adjust. When you stop answering emails at night, people stop expecting instant replies. When you set limits, you do better work because you’re not running on empty.

If you’ve been struggling with boundaries, you’re not alone. But you don’t have to wait until burnout to set them. Boundaries aren’t about shutting people out—they’re about making sure you don’t lose yourself in the process.

What Causes Imposter Syndrome in Accountants (And How to Spot It)

Remember I said earlier that stress had been the most common issue that accountants want to work on, but that there was another issue that had become even more common?  Well, that issue is imposter syndrome.

If you’ve ever felt like you’re not as good as people think you are, you’re not alone. You might look like you have it all together on the outside, but inside, there’s this little voice saying, “I don’t really know what I’m doing,” or “What if they find out I’m not as good as they think?”

No matter how much experience you have, you still second-guess yourself. You double-check your work, then check it again just to be sure. You compare yourself to other accountants and think, “They seem so much more confident. Why don’t I feel that way?” And no matter how many wins you have, they never seem to be enough to quiet the doubt.

Imposter syndrome doesn’t just mess with your confidence—it holds you back. Instead of speaking up in meetings, you stay quiet because you don’t want to say the wrong thing. Instead of going after new opportunities, you hesitate because you’re not sure you’re ready. And when you do get recognition for your work, you brush it off, thinking, “They’re just being nice,” or “I just got lucky.”

And here’s the tricky part—it makes you work even harder. You over-prepare, overthink, and put in extra hours just to make sure no one ever questions your abilities. But no matter how much you do, it never feels like enough. Instead of feeling more confident, you just feel more exhausted.

So why does this happen? Why do so many accountants, even the most skilled ones, struggle with self-doubt?

The truth is, your brain is wired to focus on what’s wrong, not what’s right. It has a negativity bias, which means it’s constantly scanning for mistakes, weaknesses, and reasons why you might not be good enough. And once your brain starts looking for evidence that you don’t measure up, it finds plenty—because that’s what it’s trained to see.

But here’s the thing—confidence isn’t something you either have or don’t have. It’s a skill. The only difference between confident accountants and those struggling with imposter syndrome is what they believe about themselves. Confident people aren’t always the smartest or the most talented—they just don’t spend all their time questioning whether they belong.

If you’ve been stuck in self-doubt, you’re not alone. But the good news is, imposter syndrome isn’t a sign that you’re not good enough. It’s just a sign that your brain is doing what brains do. And once you learn how to shift those thoughts, you stop feeling like an imposter and start owning what you already bring to the table.

Becoming a Smarter Accountant: Transforming Stress, Time Management, and Imposter Syndrome

Now let me share about one of my coaching clients.  When he first came to coaching, he was completely overwhelmed. Every day felt like a race he was losing. He told me, “I wake up stressed, rush through the day, and go to bed feeling like I didn’t do enough. No matter how much I work, it never feels like it’s enough.”

He worked long hours but never felt accomplished. Even after finishing a big project, he thought, “I probably missed something,” or “Anyone else could have done this better.”

Time management was another struggle. He started each day with a plan, but the minute an email or request came in, everything fell apart. He jumped between tasks, reacting all day, and by evening, he had no idea where the time had gone.

Then there was self-doubt. Despite years of experience, he constantly questioned if he was good enough. He compared himself to colleagues, hesitated to speak up in meetings, and brushed off praise, thinking, “They’re just being nice,” or “That was just luck.”

When we started working together, we focused on stress. He assumed it came from his workload, but he realized a big part of it came from his thoughts about his workload. Every morning, he’d think, “I have too much to do,” which made everything feel worse. We worked on shifting those thoughts so he could regain control.

Next, we tackled time management. Instead of overwhelming to-do lists, he started making clear decisions about what needed to get done, what could wait, and how much time each task deserved. By planning intentionally, he stopped reacting and started focusing on what mattered most.

Then came imposter syndrome. He had spent years feeling like he had to prove himself. Through coaching, he saw how his brain was wired to focus on mistakes rather than wins. He practiced noticing his successes, challenging negative thoughts, and trusting his own experience instead of assuming others knew more.

A few months later, everything felt different. He told me, “For the first time in years, I don’t feel like I’m scrambling all the time.” He was still busy, but stress, poor time management, and self-doubt no longer controlled his career. And because of that, everything felt easier.

If you’ve ever felt this way, know this—it doesn’t have to be this way. You don’t have to feel constantly behind or doubt your abilities. Just like he did, you can take back control. And when you do, everything changes.

Key Takeaway and Action Item

The key takeaway from today’s episode is that the biggest struggles accountants face—stress, time management issues, imposter syndrome, and more—aren’t just part of the job. They’re patterns that can be changed. 

The truth is that when you learn how to manage your thoughts, make clear decisions about your time, and stop doubting your own abilities, everything gets easier. You don’t need more hours in the day—you just need a better way to use the ones you already have.

For this week, ask yourself, “What’s the one struggle that’s causing me the most stress right now?”

Maybe it’s constantly feeling behind, second-guessing yourself, or never having enough time. Whatever it is, recognizing it is the first step to changing it. Because once you see what’s really getting in your way, you can start to take back control.

And if any of what I talked about today sounds familiar, take The Smarter Accountant Quiz. It only takes five minutes, and it will help you get clear on what’s holding you back. Once you know that, you can start making real changes that actually last.

Take the quiz now and see what’s standing between you and a smarter way to work. You might be surprised by what you find.

Pulling Back The Curtain

As I said in the beginning, I’m going to start switching things up at the end of the podcast and I’m going to start sharing some behind the scenes, personal experiences with the topic of the week.

I think it’s the perfect time to go a little deeper and let the listeners see more of me—the accountant, the coach, and the human behind the mic.

With that said, pulling back the curtain for a second…

I still remember sitting at my desk years ago—kids were little, I was working full-time in public accounting, and I’d come home every night completely drained. Not just tired—emotionally fried. I’d lie in bed thinking, “Is this really what my career is supposed to feel like?”

But I kept pushing through. I told myself I just needed to work harder… get more organized… be better. Meanwhile, I was waking up anxious, second-guessing my work, and silently comparing myself to everyone else who looked like they had it all together.

I didn’t talk about it back then. I didn’t even realize how common it was to feel overwhelmed, behind, and not good enough—especially as an accountant.

That’s part of why I started this podcast. And in this 100th episode, talking about the 6 most common issues accountants face? I wasn’t just sharing what I’ve seen in coaching—I was sharing what I’ve lived.

If you’ve ever felt like you’re constantly chasing a finish line that keeps moving, like you’re capable but stuck, or like you’re the only one who feels this way… please know, you’re not. You’re actually in really good company.

That’s why I created The Smarter Accountant Quiz. It’s not fluff—it’s designed to help you spot the deeper issue that’s running in the background. And once you see it, everything can start to shift.

You can take the quiz in under five minutes at www.thesmarteraccountant.com. And if you want help figuring out what it all means for you, schedule a free 30-minute call with me at www.thesmarteraccountant.com/calendar. No pressure, just clarity.

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