Month: November 2025

Before I get started I wanted to wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving whether you are in the United States or not.  Thanksgiving is one of those holidays that I believe everyone can celebrate.

It’s a moment to pause, breathe, and appreciate the things we often rush right past—like the people who support us, the work we get to do, and the small pockets of peace we can find in a busy season.

I also want to say how grateful I am for you—whether you’ve been listening from the beginning or you’re brand new to The Smarter Accountant Podcast. You being here matters, and I don’t take it for granted.

I also want to share a fun memory of growing up and watching the Thanksgiving Day Parade with my family.  When I was younger my parents would tell us that when we saw Santa on the screen at the end of the parade, we needed to shout out loud what we wanted for Christmas so he would hear us.

As an adult, I realized the brilliance in what they had us do.  We were shouting out what we wanted so they could jot it down and get a jump on shopping!  So smart!

Okay, let’s get started with this week’s show….

Let’s be honest—email is one of the biggest parts of an accountant’s day. From the moment you sit down at your desk, the inbox is waiting for you, full of messages that seem to grow by the minute.

It can feel like a never-ending game of whack-a-mole. You answer one email, and two more pop up. No matter how hard you try, there’s always more waiting for you.

That’s why so many accountants talk about “Inbox Zero.” The idea sounds simple—clear out every email until there’s nothing left. On paper, it feels like the perfect solution to the constant flood.

The thought of having no emails sitting there can feel so calming. For a moment, you picture yourself with a clean slate, free of the nagging little red number staring at you all day long.

But here’s the thing—email has a funny way of pulling us in. Every ding or ping feels urgent, and before you know it, you’ve spent half your day clicking, reading, and replying. It’s like your whole schedule gets hijacked by the inbox.

For accountants especially, this hits close to home. Clients, colleagues, and even family members expect fast responses. You want to be helpful, but it’s easy to feel chained to your inbox instead of working on the things that really matter.

Sometimes it almost feels like email runs the show. You might even notice how you get a little rush when you see a new message come in, like it’s more exciting than the work sitting in front of you.

That’s what makes the promise of Inbox Zero so tempting. It feels like a way to finally get control, to take back some peace of mind. And who doesn’t want that?

Still, there’s a reason so many accountants struggle with it. The idea sounds freeing, but actually living it out often feels overwhelming. It raises an important question—what does it really mean to be “on top of your email”?

That’s what we’re going to dig into. Because the truth is, Inbox Zero might not mean what you think it means. And once you see it differently, it changes the way you work.

Why Chasing Inbox Zero Doesn’t Always Work

For a lot of accountants, Inbox Zero feels like the ultimate goal. The idea is that if you can just clear out every single email, you’ll finally feel productive and in control.

But here’s the problem—clearing your inbox doesn’t actually mean you’ve done meaningful work. It just means you’ve spent time answering, deleting, or filing messages. That might feel good in the moment, but it doesn’t always move your most important work forward.

The bigger issue is how emails can trick your brain into thinking they’re urgent. A new message comes in and suddenly it feels like it has to be handled right away. Even when you have more valuable work waiting, the pull of the inbox is hard to resist.

And when you give in, you pay a price. Every time you check your email, you’re pulled out of focus. 

It breaks your flow and makes it harder to get back into deeper work. The more often you do it, the more your day gets chopped into little distracted pieces.

Before you know it, email has become your to-do list. Instead of making choices about what matters most, you let your inbox dictate your priorities. And that means you’re reacting all day instead of planning with intention.

This is why Inbox Zero isn’t the solution it promises to be. It’s not about the number of emails sitting in your inbox—it’s about the way you’re managing your time and attention.

So if chasing Inbox Zero isn’t the answer, what’s the real problem? To understand that, we need to look at why Inbox Zero creates more stress than it solves.

Why Inbox Zero Can Create More Stress Than It Solves

The truth is, email was never designed to be a productivity tool. It was created as a way to communicate, and most of the time it’s built around other people’s needs, not your own. That means your inbox is full of requests, reminders, and demands that might not match your actual priorities.

The tricky part is how your brain reacts to it. There’s something called the Mere Urgency Effect, which simply means your brain treats anything sitting in your inbox as urgent, whether it really is or not. An unread message can feel like an alarm bell going off, even when it’s not important.

For example, looking at a long to-do list or an overflowing inbox can instantly trigger a feeling of overwhelm.

To your brain, it’s not just a list—it feels like a threat, like something you have to conquer right now or else you’re falling behind.

That emotional reaction—especially when you’re unaware of it—is what leads to racing through tasks, avoiding important work, or staying in constant motion without feeling accomplished.

When you chase Inbox Zero, it can feel like you’re gaining control. But that sense of control is short-lived. 

Within minutes, another batch of emails shows up, and the cycle starts all over again. Instead of feeling calmer, you feel pressured to keep up.

This is where so many accountants get stuck. They spend their day reacting to what’s in the inbox instead of deciding what actually matters. The inbox sets the agenda, and the important work ends up waiting.

So what’s really going on here? To understand why email pulls us in so strongly, we need to take a closer look at how the brain works when it comes to messages, pings, and notifications.

The Brain Science Behind Inbox Zero for Accountants

For many accountants, email has become the drug of choice. What I mean by that is, every ping, ding, or notification gives your brain a quick hit of dopamine, the feel good hormone, making you want to jump on that message like a cat pouncing on a mouse.

That little burst of reward feels good in the moment. Clearing an email gives you a quick sense of control, almost like you’ve accomplished something important. But the truth is, answering an email doesn’t always move your real work forward.

The problem is that your brain doesn’t care about the difference. It craves that fast relief, that quick high, so you keep chasing it. The dopamine hit tricks you into thinking that clearing email equals being productive.

But there’s a hidden cost. Every time you switch from focused work to checking your inbox, your brain has to reset. That constant switching drains your energy, scatters your attention, and leaves you feeling more exhausted by the end of the day.

Smarter Accountants understand that the brain will always push for the easy win. That’s why having controlled systems—set times to check email and set times to organize it—matters so much. It’s not about avoiding email, but about keeping it in its place.

So if the brain is wired to keep chasing those little rewards, how can you work with it instead of against it? That’s where a smarter approach to Inbox Zero comes in.

What Accountants Need to Know About Inbox Zero

As I said before, Inbox Zero is often misunderstood. It’s not always about having no emails at all—it’s about having no mental clutter weighing you down. In other words, a cluttered inbox leads to a cluttered mind, and that’s what makes email feel so draining.

The key is control. When you have set times to check email and set times to organize it, the inbox becomes a tool you manage instead of something that manages you. Without boundaries, it’s all too easy to fall into the trap of reacting to every ping or ding, which leaves you scattered and behind.

The truth is, chasing a perfectly empty inbox every single day isn’t realistic, and trying to keep up can actually create more stress. What matters more is creating a steady, sustainable process that you can maintain over time. A rhythm that supports you, rather than one that wears you out.

The bottom line is that you can still aim for Inbox Zero if you want, but it should never come at the cost of your most important work. The truth is, your value as an accountant doesn’t come from how quickly you clear emails. It comes from the deeper work that only you can do.

Inbox Zero only matters if it helps you stay focused on what matters most. That’s why Smarter Accountants use email boundaries to protect their focus and energy, instead of letting the inbox set the pace.

And to show you how this shift actually plays out, I want to share a real example from a coaching client who once felt completely run by their inbox.

Becoming a Smarter Accountant: A Better Inbox Approach

I once worked with a client who thought the best way to stay on top of things was to check his email all day long. Every time a new message popped up, he felt like he needed to respond right away. On the surface, it looked like he was being responsive and responsible.

But underneath, he always felt behind. No matter how many emails he answered, there were always more waiting. He’d end the day drained, frustrated, and wondering why he hadn’t gotten to the projects that really mattered.

When we looked at his schedule together, it was clear that email had completely taken over. Instead of him using it as a tool, it was running the show. That constant back-and-forth of checking and responding was eating up more time and energy than he realized.

So we set up what I call “email containers” on his calendar. These were specific blocks of time set aside for checking messages and organizing them. Instead of reacting all day long, he started handling his email in batches.

The change was incredible. Once he began sticking to his containers, he noticed the stress start to fade. He wasn’t jumping every time he heard a ping. He was able to focus on his accounting work without being pulled away every few minutes.

For the first time in a long time, he felt in control of his day instead of constantly playing catch-up. And that shift—from scattered and overwhelmed to calm and steady—changed the way he approached not just email, but his work as a whole.

The bottom line is that this is what happens when you stop letting your inbox run you and start putting boundaries around it. Now let me share the key takeaway from this episode and an action item for you this week.

Key Takeaway and Action Item

The big takeaway from today is that Inbox Zero isn’t really about having no emails at all—it’s about having no mental clutter. If you clear your inbox every day but still feel stressed and behind, you’re missing the point. The real goal is to feel in control of your time and attention, not just your messages.

A good question to ask yourself is, “Am I using email as a tool, or am I letting it run my day?” The answer can tell you a lot about why you may feel drained or distracted, even after hours of checking and replying.

The truth is, your brain wants the quick relief that comes from answering emails, but that doesn’t mean you’re being productive. The smarter approach is to set clear boundaries, create controlled times for checking and organizing email, and keep your focus on the bigger work that really matters. 

The bottom line is that Inbox Zero shouldn’t be a badge of honor that costs you your time and sanity.  It should be a suggestion, not a rule.  When you do that, you’ll start to feel more calm and clear without letting your inbox take over.

Pulling Back the Curtain

Pulling back the curtain…

I’ll be honest, for a long time I used to chase Inbox Zero every single week. It felt like if I could just clear everything out, I’d finally be on top of things. And for a short moment, I did feel that way—like I had it all under control. 

But the truth was, it didn’t always last. By the next day, or sometimes even the next hour, more emails had piled in and I was right back where I started.

After a while, I realized it was unsustainable. I was spending so much time trying to get my inbox to zero that it was stealing energy and focus away from the work that actually mattered. It became this endless game that I could never really win.

Now I’ve shifted my approach. Instead of stressing about clearing my inbox every week, I dedicate one hour once a month to really clean things up. 

In between, I stick to my controlled system of checking and organizing at specific times throughout the day. It’s not perfect, but it’s sustainable, and more importantly—it doesn’t run my life anymore.

That’s why I say Inbox Zero isn’t about the number of emails sitting in your inbox. You’re not going to win a prize for having zero emails in your inbox when you’re also stressed and overwhelmed.

It’s about whether you feel calm and in control, instead of pulled in a hundred directions. And once you experience that shift, everything about how you work starts to feel easier.

So if you’ve been chasing Inbox Zero and finding it exhausting, I want you to know there’s another way. You don’t have to let your inbox run the show. 

And if you want help creating a system that works for your brain and your schedule, I’d love to talk with you. You can take The Smarter Accountant Quiz at www.thesmarteraccountant.com, and you can also schedule a free 30-minute call with me at www.thesmarteraccountant.com/calendar.

Lastly, if you know another accountant who could use this episode—someone who’s drowning in email overload—please share this with them. We all deserve to feel better about the work we do and the life we’re creating.

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

Before I get started, I wanted to mention that this month’s CPE webinar is all about something every accountant struggles with — interruptions. Whether it’s constant emails, client requests, team questions, or even your own brain pulling you in ten different directions, interruptions are one of the biggest reasons accountants feel behind, overwhelmed, and mentally drained.

In this CPE course, The Smarter Accountant Guide To Handling Interruptions, I’m going to break down why interruptions feel so disruptive, what’s actually happening in your brain when your focus gets hijacked, and how smarter accountants protect their attention so they can get more done in less time — without stress running the show.

If your days feel scattered or you end most afternoons wondering where your time went, you won’t want to miss this.

Join me on Tuesday, November 25th at 12 pm EST.  You can register at www.thesmarteraccountant.com/cpe

Okay, let’s get started with this week’s episode….

Have you ever felt like no matter how hard you work, things in your accounting career never get easier? Like you’re always spinning your wheels and just trying to keep up?

It can feel exhausting, and sometimes it makes you wonder if there’s a smarter way to handle your day. Something that doesn’t involve working longer hours or stressing over every little task.

Most of us think that hard work alone is the answer. But there’s more to getting things done than just putting in the time. There’s a way to work that feels smoother, less stressful, and even a little exciting.

What if the secret isn’t about doing more, but thinking differently? Not about learning new software or new tricks, but seeing the work you already do in a new way?

It might sound strange, but some ideas from science—ideas that seem far away from accounting—can actually change how you approach your career. Ideas that help you notice things you didn’t see before and make small shifts that create bigger results.

The truth is, your brain is constantly noticing patterns and making decisions, even when you’re not aware of it. The way it does that can make work feel heavy or make it feel lighter, depending on how you approach it.

Some of these concepts come from a place that seems complicated, but they’re really about understanding how your mind reacts to the world. Once you start seeing it this way, things that used to feel impossible can start to feel possible.

You might start to notice opportunities to do things faster, handle stress better, or even enjoy the work that used to feel like a grind. I believe that that’s the kind of change that can make a real 

difference in how you feel every single day.

It’s not about magic. It’s about small shifts that give you more control over your work and your time. And once you see how it works, it’s surprisingly simple to apply.

So, what would it feel like if your work didn’t feel so heavy? If you could get more done without wearing yourself out? That’s what we’re going to explore today.

Why Accountants Struggle to Get Ahead

Many accountants feel like no matter how much effort they put in, they’re not moving forward. It’s easy to think, “If I just work harder, I’ll get more done.” You start the day with a long list, check off a few tasks, and by the end, it feels like you barely made a dent.

But the truth is, working longer hours doesn’t always solve the problem. Stress piles up, interruptions happen constantly, and tasks never seem to end. 

Some days it feels like you’re running on a treadmill—moving, but never really getting anywhere. That sense of “busy but not productive” can make even simple tasks feel overwhelming.

A lot of productivity advice focuses on the surface-level stuff: making lists, scheduling, using software, or managing time better. And while those things can help, they often miss the most important piece—the way your brain naturally reacts to work, deadlines, and stress. 

These invisible patterns shape how you think, what you notice, and even the decisions you make throughout the day.

Your brain is wired to respond to what feels urgent, scary, or important first—even if those things aren’t the best use of your time. That’s why you might find yourself jumping on a client email that just came in while a report due tomorrow sits unfinished. 

Or answering a colleague’s question about a minor detail instead of tackling a project that actually moves the needle. It’s not laziness—it’s your brain doing exactly what it was designed to do.

These patterns also affect energy and focus. You might notice yourself getting distracted by emails, small tasks, or what other people want from you, instead of spending your energy on the things that matter most. And the more stressed or tired you feel, the harder it becomes to break the cycle.

This is why smarter accountants don’t just focus on time or tools—they take a step back to understand how their brain works and how it’s influencing their work. By recognizing these hidden patterns, you can start to see where the friction comes from and begin thinking differently about how to get things done.

Next, I want to explore what you need to know about these patterns and how understanding them can help you work smarter, reduce stress, and finally feel like your accounting career is moving forward.

How Quantum Concepts Can Make Your Accounting Career Easier

There’s something fascinating about the way our brains work, and it lines up in surprising ways with ideas from quantum physics. Although this can be a complicated subject, I believe that understanding a few key concepts can help you see your work differently and make your day feel less stressful.

The first idea is called superposition. In quantum physics, it means multiple possibilities exist at the same time. 

For accountants, this is like realizing you don’t have to stick with the first solution that pops into your head or see things like everyone else sees them. You can pause, consider different ways to approach a task, and choose the one that will save time or reduce stress. 

Your brain is capable of seeing more than one path—you just have to give it permission.

Next is the observer effect, which says that observation changes reality. In simple terms, what you focus on expands. 

For example, if you concentrate on problems, that’s all you’ll notice. But if you focus on what’s possible, your mindset shapes what you see and what you accomplish. 

Paying attention to how you approach deadlines, client emails, or prioritization can literally change the outcome. For instance, if you notice that you always answer emails the moment they arrive, try batching them into two 30-minute sessions. Suddenly, that 10-minute task doesn’t derail your morning, and you finish that report faster than usual.

The third concept is entanglement, which reminds us that everything is connected. A small shift in one part of your workday can ripple through the rest of it. 

For example, setting a clear boundary around one client call can improve your energy for other tasks, help you stay focused, and reduce stress. Your actions aren’t isolated—they impact the bigger picture.

The fourth and final concept is energy fields, which means that the environment and energy around particles affect their behavior. For your brain, this translates to your mental state influencing how effectively you work. 

In other words, tuning your energy—calming yourself before tackling a difficult report, or taking a short break to reset—can make challenging tasks feel easier and your day flow better.

These ideas might sound abstract at first, but they’re actually very practical. They show that your attention, mindset, and small choices can change how your day feels and how much you get done. 

The bottom line is that deadlines, emails, interruptions, and prioritization aren’t just external challenges—they’re opportunities to work smarter by working with your brain, not against it.

Understanding these concepts is the first step. The next step is learning how to apply them in real ways that fit your daily work.

Next, I want to look at practical examples and strategies you can use to put these ideas into action, so you can see real results in your career and feel more in control of your day.

Quantum-Inspired Strategies Accountants Can Use Every Day

Now that we’ve looked at some key quantum ideas, let’s see what they actually look like in your accounting work. These aren’t just theories—they can change how you handle tasks, deadlines, and client interactions.

For superposition, which states that multiple possibilities exist at the same time, try this: when you start a task, pause before jumping to the first solution. Ask yourself, “Is there another way to do this that might be faster or easier?” 

Maybe a client report can be summarized differently, or a spreadsheet formula can be tweaked to save time. Even small adjustments can reduce stress and make your workday feel smoother.

With the observer effect, which says that observation changes reality, notice where your attention goes. If you spend the morning worrying about missed deadlines, that’s all you’ll see. 

Instead, focus on what’s working or what progress you’ve made. You’ll start noticing opportunities—like a client responding quickly or a task that’s easier than expected—that might have been invisible before.

Entanglement,  which reminds us that everything is connected, shows up when you make small changes that ripple outward. For example, setting a boundary around one phone call—deciding it will only take 15 minutes—can leave you more energy for other tasks. 

That little choice can improve your focus, reduce stress, and even positively affect how colleagues or clients interact with you. Everything is connected, and your choices matter more than you realize.

For energy fields, which means that the environment and energy around particles affect their behavior, pay attention to your mental state before important tasks. If you’re tired or frustrated, take a short break, stretch, or reset your focus.

Entering the task with calmer, more intentional energy makes reports, reconciliations, or emails feel easier and helps you work more efficiently. Your brain responds to your state, so tuning your energy can have an outsized impact.

The beauty of these ideas is that they’re simple to apply. You don’t need fancy tools or new software—just awareness and small shifts in how you think and act. Over time, they add up to bigger results: less stress, better focus, and more control over your day.

Understanding and applying these concepts shows a smarter way to approach work. You’re no longer just reacting to the next email or deadline—you’re intentionally shaping your day to get the most out of your brain and your time.

Next, I want to share a coaching client story that brings these concepts to life, so you can see how these shifts look in real-world accounting work and the difference they can make.

Becoming a Smarter Accountant: Using Quantum Physics To Have An Easier Accounting Career 

Here’s a story about one of my coaching clients who always felt like their day was out of control. No matter how early they started or how late they stayed, they ended the day stressed, behind, and frustrated.

The problem was clear: they were reacting to every email, every client request, and every internal deadline. There was never a pause to think about different ways to approach tasks or how focus and attention shaped the day.

The first shift came with superposition. Instead of automatically doing tasks the same way every time, she started considering alternative approaches. A small tweak in how monthly reports were prepared cut hours of work without sacrificing quality.

Next was the observer effect. By focusing on what was going well rather than only urgent problems, she began noticing small wins—clients responding quickly, processes running smoothly—that had gone unseen before. Attention shifted, and the day felt more manageable.

Then came entanglement. Small intentional changes, like limiting one long client call to 20 minutes, had ripple effects throughout the day. 

After that call ended on time, there was energy left for reviewing that month-end reconciliation without feeling drained. Even a follow-up email that used to feel tedious became easier to tackle. These small tweaks show how connected even tiny actions can be.

Finally, energy fields made a difference. Taking a short mental reset before challenging work—breathing, stretching, or visualizing the task going smoothly—helped difficult tasks feel easier and more manageable.

Within a few weeks, the changes added up. The workday felt more controlled, stress levels dropped, and even challenging tasks became less overwhelming. It wasn’t about working fewer hours—it was about working smarter and using the brain differently.

Hopefully you can see that these concepts aren’t just abstract ideas—they’re practical ways to make your accounting workday easier, more focused, and more satisfying.

Next, I’m going to recap the key takeaways from today’s episode so you can start applying these small but powerful shifts in your own work.

Key Takeaway and Action Item

Today we explored how a few ideas from quantum physics can actually help accountants work smarter. We looked at how your brain naturally reacts to tasks, stress, and deadlines—and how small shifts in thinking can make a big difference.

We covered superposition, which reminds you that multiple possibilities exist. You don’t have to stick with the first solution that comes to mind. Pausing and considering alternatives can save time and reduce stress.

We talked about the observer effect, which shows that what you focus on shapes your reality. Paying attention to progress, small wins, and opportunities instead of just urgent problems can change the way your day feels.

We also explored entanglement, which highlights how small actions ripple across your day. Setting boundaries or making small changes in one area can improve energy, focus, and effectiveness in others.

Finally, energy fields reminded us that your mental state matters. Taking a moment to reset, breathe, or visualize success can make difficult work feel easier and help you stay focused.

Here’s a question to ask yourself today: “Where in my day am I reacting instead of creating?”

Think about your answer. Is it a specific task, client call, or type of email? By noticing where you’re stuck in reaction mode, you can start experimenting with small shifts—trying a different approach, focusing on wins, or adjusting your energy—to see how it changes your day.

Even one small change can create a ripple effect. Over time, these tiny adjustments can make your workday feel more manageable, less stressful, and even more enjoyable.

As I end this episode, I’m going to share a personal story from my own accounting career that shows how using these ideas changed the way I worked—and how they can work for you too.

Pulling Back the Curtain

Now let me pull back the curtain…

I want to share a personal story about a time in my own accounting career when everything felt overwhelming. I was juggling client deadlines, staff questions, and endless emails, and no matter how hard I worked, I felt like I was falling behind.

At first, I just reacted. I answered every email immediately, tried to solve every problem as it popped up, and worked late nights to keep up. But the stress was constant, and I knew there had to be a better way.

That’s when I started thinking differently. I realized I was stuck in the same reactive cycle every day. I began experimenting with small shifts in how I approached tasks. Instead of always doing the first thing that came to mind, I paused and asked, “Is there another way to handle this?” That’s the superposition concept in action.

I also started noticing where I was putting my attention. Focusing on progress and small wins, rather than just problems, changed how I felt about my day. That’s the observer effect at work—my focus was shaping my reality.

I made tiny adjustments that had ripple effects. Setting boundaries around calls, planning time for focused work, and taking short mental resets made the rest of the day flow better. That’s entanglement and energy fields combined—small actions and intentional mental states transformed everything else.

Over time, these small shifts added up. Initially, I wasn’t working fewer hours, but my days felt lighter, I had more focus, and I actually started enjoying accounting work again. Stress levels dropped, tasks felt manageable, and I finally felt in control of my time.

The takeaway is simple: these ideas aren’t just theory—they’re practical ways to work smarter and feel better in your career. You don’t need fancy tools or new systems; you just need to notice your brain’s default patterns and make small, intentional shifts.

If you take one thing from today’s episode, let it be this: start noticing where you’re reacting instead of creating, and experiment with one small shift today. That’s how you turn your accounting work into something that feels manageable, even easier, and maybe even enjoyable.

If you’re feeling like you need to make a change, I encourage you to take The Smarter Accountant Quiz at www.thesmarteraccountant.com and schedule a free 30-minute call with me at www.thesmarteraccoutnant.com/calender. 

And as always, if you found this episode helpful, share it with another accountant. You never know who needs to hear this.

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

Before I get started I wanted to give you an update on my health.  I just had a lovely woman sign up for a consultation call and at the end she asked how I was doing.  I realized that I probably haven’t updated you all on my health in awhile.

Well, I am still having chemo and immunotherapy treatments.  A few CT scans ago showed that my cancer had decreased quite a lot and my last CT scan showed that things are “stable.”  

The funny thing is that the word stable wasn’t as exciting to my brain as it was to everyone close to me.  I realized that what my brain was making the word “stable” mean was “no forward progress” instead of making it mean good news.

Thankfully, I apply what I teach my coaching clients every day so I was able to see how being stable is very good news.  I’ve been working on rewiring my brain to see cancer in a neutral way and to live in a more positive way.

Here’s what I tell myself everyday: Today I celebrate stable; stable means strong; stable means time; stable means my body is still fighting and winning quietly.

Okay, let’s get started with this week’s show.  Have you ever had one of those days where you’re so busy, but later you can’t even remember what you actually did?

You’re rushing from one thing to the next, answering emails, going to meetings, crossing stuff off your list—and still, it feels like something’s off.

It’s almost like the day happened to you, instead of you being in charge of it.

That used to happen to me all the time. I would sit down to work and suddenly it was dinner time, and I’d wonder where the hours went.

It wasn’t that I wasn’t working. I was always working.  But deep down, I felt like I was missing something.

At first, I thought I just needed a better calendar or a new system. Maybe if I planned better or worked harder, the day would feel more manageable.

But the more I tried to fix it with planning and doing, the more tired I felt.

I started to realize that maybe the problem wasn’t my schedule. Maybe the problem was that I wasn’t really paying attention to me.

Most of us don’t think about how we feel during the day. We just get up and go.

We do what needs to get done, handle what’s urgent, and try to squeeze in everything else in between.

But our days aren’t just made up of what we do. They’re also made up of how we feel while we’re doing it.

That’s the part a lot of accountants forget. And it’s the part that changes everything once you start noticing it.

We don’t need more motivation or a better to-do list. We need a better connection to ourselves.

I promise you, just a few seconds of awareness during the day can shift everything—from how we work to how we treat the people around us.

It might sound too simple to matter. But small things can have a big impact, especially when we’re not used to slowing down.

The truth is, your feelings are always with you. Whether you stop to notice them or not, they’re still there.

And more importantly, they’re driving everything you do and everything you don’t do.  They are in charge of your day more than anything else.

So the question then is, what if checking in with how you feel isn’t just a nice idea—but the missing piece to having more control in your day?

Let’s talk about what that check-in really means—and why it might be the most important thing you do all day.

Why Ignoring Your Feelings Is Hurting Your Productivity as an Accountant

For most accountants, the day is all about getting things done.

There’s always a deadline, a meeting, a client email, or a report waiting. So it makes sense that you just keep moving.

You start the day with a list and try your best to power through it.  But here’s the problem—somewhere along the way, you stop paying attention to yourself.

You don’t stop to ask, “How am I doing right now?” or “What’s going on with me emotionally?”

And when that happens, you start operating on autopilot.  You may not even notice if you’re feeling frustrated, anxious, overwhelmed, or discouraged.

But those feelings are still there, quietly running in the background.  And whether you’re aware of them or not, they’re affecting everything you do.

I’ve discussed this fact in my book, The Smarter Accountant, but our feelings drive our actions, inaction, and reactions.  In other words, everything you do, everything you don’t do, and how you react is 100% because of a feeling.

For example, feelings shape how you respond to emails, how you show up in meetings, and how much focus you bring to your work.

When you’re disconnected from your emotional state, it’s like driving with a foggy windshield. You can still move forward, but you’re not really seeing clearly.

The truth is, most accountants are so focused on doing the next thing, they forget to check in with themselves along the way.  And that lack of awareness can lead to actions and decisions that don’t really serve you.

You end up reacting instead of responding. Rushing instead of thinking. Avoiding instead of addressing.  It’s not about blaming yourself—it’s about understanding the real issue.

When you don’t know how you feel, you can’t see how much your feelings are steering the wheel.

Now let’s look at why this becomes such a big problem for your productivity.

The Hidden Link Between Your Feelings and Your Productivity

Most accountants try to push through the day with willpower.  You might think, “I just need to focus,” or “I don’t have time to deal with how I feel right now.”

But here’s the truth—your feelings are in charge of what you do, whether you’re aware of them or not.

If you’re feeling stressed, your brain might push you to avoid the task that’s stressing you out.

If you’re feeling frustrated, you might respond sharply in an email or rush through something important.

If you’re feeling anxious, you might keep checking your inbox over and over, trying to feel in control.

These reactions aren’t random. They’re emotional habits.  And when you don’t notice how you feel, those habits start to run your day without you realizing it.

The problem is, most accountants blame the task or the circumstance for how they feel. They think it’s the deadline, or the client, or the meeting, or the time of year.

But it’s actually the emotion behind the action that’s creating the trouble.

This is why so many accountants end the day feeling burned out, distracted, or frustrated—without understanding why.  They’re trying to fix the wrong thing.

Until you understand what’s driving your actions, you’ll stay stuck in the same loop, and negatively affect your productivity.  The truth is, your brain is wired to repeat what feels familiar, even if it’s not helpful.

That’s why awareness is so powerful—and why ignoring how you feel keeps you in patterns you don’t want.

So how do you change that pattern? The first step is understanding what’s going on in your brain.

How a Simple Daily Check-In Rewires Your Brain for Better Focus

Your brain is always working behind the scenes, guiding what you do—whether you notice it or not.

And it has two very different systems doing that job.

There’s the part of your brain that’s fast, emotional, and reactive. I call this your Toddler Brain. It wants comfort and quick relief. It doesn’t care about long-term goals. It just wants to feel better now.

Then there’s the part of your brain that’s slower, calmer, and more thoughtful. That’s your Supervising Parent Brain—also known as your prefrontal cortex. This is the part of your brain that helps you focus, plan, and make smart decisions.

When you go through your day without checking in on how you feel, your Toddler Brain stays in charge.

It will guide you to avoid hard tasks, say yes when you don’t mean to, or scroll through email when you really need to concentrate.

But when you stop—even for just a few seconds—and ask, “How do I feel right now?”, something changes.

That moment of awareness flips a mental switch. You shift from reacting to responding. You stop running on autopilot.  And most importantly, you give your higher brain a chance to take back the wheel.

Why does this matter?

Because everything you do—every email you send, every conversation you have, every decision you make, everything you avoid—is powered by how you feel.  And how you feel is always coming from something you’re thinking, whether you realize it or not.

The daily check-in gives you access to that connection. It helps you see what’s going on before it turns into overwhelm, avoidance, or burnout.

That’s what Smarter Accountants do differently. They don’t just push through. They understand what’s happening in their brain—and that’s why they get better results.

The bottom line is that recognizing that you’re not feeling a productive emotion is a powerful first step—but it’s only the beginning. The real shift happens when you learn how to generate a feeling that does help you focus, follow through, or lead your day more intentionally. 

That’s what I work on with my coaching clients one-on-one, and honestly, it’s a game changer. It’s not about forcing yourself to feel something fake—it’s about learning how to use your brain in a way that finally works for you, not against you.

Now that you understand what’s happening behind the scenes, let’s look at how one of my clients used this check-in to completely change her workday.

Becoming a Smarter Accountant: Using The Daily Check-In Successfully 

Not too long ago, one of my coaching clients came to me feeling completely worn out.  She told me that even though she was working nonstop, she still felt behind every single day.

Her calendar was packed, her inbox was overflowing, and she was jumping from one thing to the next.  No matter how early she started or how late she worked, it never felt like enough.

She wasn’t lazy or disorganized—she just couldn’t figure out why she was always so drained.  It felt like her day was controlling her, instead of the other way around.

When we started working together, I asked her to try something small.  I had her pause throughout the day and simply ask herself, “How do I feel right now?”

At first, she didn’t think it would help.  She even joked that it felt silly to stop and notice her feelings.

But within a few days, she started to see a pattern.  She realized she was spending most of her day feeling rushed and pressured.

That feeling was driving her to multitask, avoid harder projects, and over-check her email.  Even when there was no real urgency, her brain kept acting like everything was on fire.

The check-in helped her slow down just enough to notice what was happening.  And once she saw it, she had a real chance to change it.

Her days started to feel less chaotic and more in control.  She was still busy, but she wasn’t burning herself out in the process.

What she realized was that it wasn’t about doing more—it was about being more aware.  And that simple shift changed how she worked, how she felt, and how she ended each day.

Now that you’ve seen what this kind of awareness can do in real life, let’s wrap up with the biggest takeaways to remember.

Key Takeaway and Action Item

The way you feel throughout the day isn’t just a passing mood—it’s the engine behind every decision you make. Whether you realize it or not, your feelings are what drive your actions.

If you’re feeling anxious, you might avoid a task or check email again just to feel a bit more in control. If you’re feeling calm and focused, you’re more likely to follow through on what really matters.

The difference between reacting and responding often comes down to one small habit: checking in with yourself. When you pause to ask how you feel, you shift out of autopilot and back into control.

This isn’t about becoming overly emotional or trying to fix everything. It’s simply about building awareness—because once you know what’s happening inside, you can choose how to handle what’s happening outside.

The daily check-in might seem like a small step, but it creates a big shift. And that’s what smarter accountants do: they lead with awareness, not just effort.

Here’s a question you can ask yourself this week: “How do I feel right now—and is that feeling helping me do what I actually want to do?”

This question gives you a moment to pause and see if the emotion you’re in is serving you or steering you off course. It’s not about judging your feelings—it’s about noticing them and deciding what you want to do with them.

When you start asking this question regularly, you’ll notice patterns. You’ll also start catching yourself before you slip into habits that don’t help you. And that’s where real change begins.

Okay, as I finish up, let me pull back the curtain and share a personal story of how I can relate to this topic.

Pulling Back the Curtain

Now let me pull back the curtain…

I remember a day not too long ago when everything felt like too much. I had a packed schedule, my inbox was overflowing, and I was running on autopilot from the moment I opened my laptop.

I had barely taken a sip of coffee before I was already in catch-up mode. I jumped straight into emails, responding quickly and trying to clear space before the first meeting of the day.

By 10 a.m., I’d already rescheduled something important to make room for something “urgent.” I was behind on one task, distracted during another, and starting to feel the pressure build in my chest.

Then it happened—my dogs started acting up, and I snapped. It wasn’t what they were doing, it was the timing, and I could hear the sharpness in my voice the moment it left my mouth.

That was my signal that something was off. Not with them—but with me.

I took a breath, walked away from my desk, and quietly asked myself, “How do I feel right now?” The answer came fast: pressured, scattered, and honestly, kind of resentful.

I realized I had started the day in reaction mode, racing to keep up with everything, without ever checking in with how I was doing. My brain had taken one look at my calendar and inbox and jumped straight into panic.

Just naming those feelings gave me enough space to slow down. I could see how I’d let the pressure take over before the day had even started.

Instead of continuing to push through like I normally would, I chose to pause. I reminded myself that pressure doesn’t create productivity—it creates chaos.

I closed the tabs I didn’t need, reset my expectations for the day, and made one small decision at a time. No rushing. No reacting. Just being a little more intentional.

That one check-in didn’t magically fix the whole day—but it absolutely changed the direction it was heading. And by the end of the day, I felt more grounded and more like myself again.

I share this because I know how easy it is to think we just need to try harder. But sometimes, what we really need is to stop and feel what’s happening first.

This is exactly what I teach my coaching clients—how to manage their brain so they can manage everything else more effectively. It’s not about changing who you are; it’s about giving yourself permission to lead differently.

If you want to understand your own brain patterns and finally feel more in control of your day, take The Smarter Accountant Quiz at www.thesmarteraccountant.com, and schedule your free 30-minute call with me at www.thesmarteraccountant.com/calendar.

And if this episode helped you, share it with another accountant who needs to hear it too. You never know who might need the reminder that one small question—“How do I feel right now?”—can change everything.

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