Author: Dawn Goldberg

This is a subject that I’ve done a lot of research on and have incorporated into my own life as well as teaching my coaching clients how to do.  I believe it’s one of the keys to better time management and having a sustainable accounting career.

So let me start by asking, have you ever found yourself juggling tasks at work and home? You finish one project, and before you know it, another one comes your way.

At the same time, you’re juggling personal responsibilities—family events, social commitments, and maybe even a new hobby you’re trying to dive into. It all starts with the best of intentions, but soon enough, that initial thrill fades, and you’re left feeling overwhelmed and stressed.

Many of us feel this way. We’re constantly bombarded with new demands, and we often think, ‘I can handle this,’ until we’re overwhelmed. What once seemed doable quickly turns into a scramble just to keep up.

So, why do we do this to ourselves? Often, it feels like we’re in a race to prove our worth or to make sure we’re seizing every opportunity. At work, we might say yes to every new project or training course that comes our way. In our personal lives, it can mean overloading our schedules with family activities, volunteering, or extra chores at home.

This juggling act leads to burnout. Instead of feeling accomplished, we feel stretched too thin and struggle to manage everything. We lose sight of what truly matters.

In this episode, we’re going to dig into why we’re so prone to overcommitting and how this habit affects our lives. We’ll also explore some fascinating insights from brain science that explain why trying to focus on too many things at once can actually work against us.

Understanding these concepts will show you how focusing on fewer priorities can make a big difference, helping you achieve more with less stress.

If you’ve ever felt like you’re constantly on a treadmill, trying to keep up with a never-ending list of tasks, you’re definitely not alone. We’re about to uncover why we behave this way and look at practical ways to regain control and find a better balance.

Now that I’ve set the stage, let’s dive into why we find ourselves taking on so much in the first place. What drives us to overload our plates with tasks, both at work and at home?

Why We Try to Do Too Much

You know how it feels when you’ve got a million things on your plate and you just can’t say no? It’s like every time you turn around, there’s another opportunity or request. You might think, “I can handle it,” but then, before you know it, you’re buried in tasks and feeling completely overwhelmed.

Why do we do this? It’s not just about ambition or poor time management. There are deeper reasons we overcommit.

First off, there’s this pressure we feel from society. Everywhere you look, there are messages about being successful and having it all—whether it’s at work, in your personal life, or even how you manage your home. 

It seems like we’re all expected to juggle career achievements, personal development, and an exciting social life, all while looking flawless. It’s no wonder we end up taking on too much!

Then there’s the issue of high expectations. Sometimes, these expectations come from ourselves. 

We set the bar so high that anything less feels like a failure. It’s like we have this internal scoreboard constantly ticking away, and we’re always trying to win. It’s exhausting trying to meet every single one of those expectations, but we push ourselves because we don’t want to fall short.

Another reason we end up overcommitting is our desire to excel in every area of life. We think that if we take on more, we’ll achieve more. 

Maybe we want to be the top performer at work, the perfect parent, and still have time for a side project or two. It’s easy to get caught up in wanting to be good at everything, but that often means we spread ourselves too thin.

And let’s not forget about the fear of missing out. Sometimes we take on more because we’re afraid of missing out on opportunities. 

We worry that if we say no, we’ll miss something important or lose our edge. So, we say yes to everything, even when we know deep down that we might not have the time or energy to handle it all.

Now, this doesn’t mean that wanting to do well or achieve great things is a bad thing. It’s actually a sign of your ambition and drive. But understanding why we tend to overcommit can help us make better choices about what to take on and what to let go of.

Next, we’ll explore how our brains handle focus and why concentrating on fewer things is key to getting more done. It’s about finding a balance that leaves you feeling accomplished, not overwhelmed.

Let’s take a closer look at what’s happening in our brains when we try to do it all.

The Brain Science Behind Focus

Let’s start by talking about why juggling too many things at once can be a real productivity killer. You might have heard of cognitive overload and decision fatigue—these aren’t just fancy terms; they’re actual brain phenomena that explain why focusing on too many tasks can backfire.

Imagine your brain as a computer. When you have too many tabs open, everything slows down, right? That’s what happens when we try to multitask. 

Our brains are pretty amazing, but they’re not built for handling a million things at once. When we overload them with too many tasks, we hit cognitive overload. 

This is where our brain gets overwhelmed because it’s trying to process too much information at once. Just like a computer with too many programs running, our brain starts to slow down and can’t function as efficiently.

Then there’s decision fatigue. This is when the more decisions you make, the harder it becomes to make good ones. 

Have you ever had a day where you’ve made so many choices that by the end, you just don’t have the energy to decide what to have for dinner? That’s decision fatigue in action. 

When you’re trying to handle a lot of different tasks, your brain uses up a lot of mental energy making decisions. Over time, this makes it harder to focus and make smart choices.

Think about when you’re working on a big project at work. If you’re constantly switching between that and checking emails, answering calls, and handling other interruptions, your brain is having to juggle all these tasks. 

It’s like trying to read a book while someone keeps interrupting you with questions. You end up losing track of what you were reading, and nothing really gets done well.

When you narrow your focus to one thing at a time, your brain can really get into a flow state. This is where you’re deeply engaged and working at your best. 

You’re not wasting energy switching gears or trying to remember what you were doing. Instead, you’re concentrating on one task and getting it done efficiently.

Understanding this helps you see why focusing on fewer things at a time can actually boost your productivity. It’s not just about being busy; it’s about being smart with your time and energy. 

By recognizing how cognitive overload and decision fatigue affect your brain, you can start making changes that help you manage your tasks more effectively and reduce stress.

So, if you’re feeling overwhelmed with everything on your plate, remember that your brain works best when you give it a chance to focus. Streamlining your tasks and giving yourself permission to focus on fewer things at a time isn’t just good for your sanity; it’s good for your productivity, too.

Now that we understand how our brains handle focus, it’s time to explore how good time management practices can make focusing on fewer tasks more achievable.

The Role of Time Management in Effective Focus

Let’s talk about how managing your time well can actually make focusing on fewer tasks a lot easier. Think of time management like your trusty toolbox for getting things done. With the right tools, you can handle your tasks more effectively and avoid feeling overwhelmed.

First up, let’s talk about time blocking. This is creating a schedule for your day where you set aside specific chunks of time for different tasks. 

Imagine it as making reservations on your calendar just for working on one project. Instead of jumping between tasks all day, you’re giving your brain a chance to zero in on one thing at a time. 

It’s like setting up a “do not disturb” zone for your work. When you’re in a time block, you’re focused and in the zone, making it easier to get things done without constantly switching gears.

Next, setting boundaries is another crucial part of time management. This means defining clear limits for when and where you’ll handle certain tasks. 

For example, you might decide to answer emails only during specific times of the day. This helps keep those tasks from spilling over into your focused work time. 

By setting boundaries, you’re telling yourself and others when it’s time to focus and when it’s okay to step away and handle other things.

Good time management also means giving yourself breaks and not overloading your schedule. When you plan your time wisely, you’re not cramming too many tasks into a single day. 

Instead, you’re allowing space for rest and recovery, which is key for maintaining your focus and productivity.

By using time blocking and setting clear boundaries, you’re not just managing your time better; you’re actually setting yourself up for success. It’s like creating a structured plan that helps you focus on fewer tasks at once, making it easier to complete them efficiently. 

And when you’re able to focus better, you’re not just getting more done; you’re also reducing stress and avoiding burnout.

So, if you’re feeling like you’re constantly racing against the clock, try incorporating some time management practices into your routine. It’s all about making your time work for you, so you can focus on what really matters and get things done without the stress.

But, how do we put all of this into practice? Let’s explore some strategies to help you achieve more by actually focusing on less.

How to Achieve More by Focusing on Less

It might sound counterintuitive, but narrowing your focus can lead to some pretty amazing benefits.  Before I explain how to achieve more by focusing on less, let me explain some of those benefits.

First off, think about how prioritizing works. When you choose a few key tasks to focus on, you’re giving yourself the chance to put your energy where it really counts. 

Instead of spreading yourself thin across a million different things, you’re honing in on what’s most important. This means you’re not just ticking off boxes—you’re making real progress on the things that matter most.

Imagine you’re working on a big client presentation that includes research, data analysis, and slide creation. Trying to juggle all these tasks at once can quickly become overwhelming. Instead, break it down into chunks. 

Spend one focused block of time just on research, and then tackle data analysis the next day. By concentrating on one part at a time, you’ll make more progress and ensure each piece of your presentation is top-notch. 

Think about how focusing on fewer tasks can really cut down on stress. Imagine your to-do list has a report to prepare, a team meeting to organize, and a project proposal to finish. Trying to tackle all of these at once can feel like a lot to handle. Instead, try setting aside specific days for each task—like Monday for the report and Tuesday for the meeting. 

This way, you’re giving yourself space to dive deep into one thing at a time, which can make everything feel less overwhelming. Not only does this approach help lower your stress, but it also gives your brain a chance to recharge between tasks. 

You also find that when you focus on one thing at a time, the quality of your work improves, and you feel more relaxed overall.

Plus, there’s a big bonus when it comes to results. Concentrating on fewer tasks means you can put more thought and effort into each one. This often leads to higher quality outcomes because you’re not rushed or distracted. 

Think of it like this: it’s better to do a few things really well than to do a bunch of things halfway. When you prioritize and focus, you’re setting yourself up to achieve better results in less time.

So, how can you put this into practice? Here are some suggestions:

• High Impact Tasks – Start by identifying the most high impact tasks on your list and calendar them to give them your full attention. It might mean saying no to some other things or delegating tasks to others. But by focusing on what truly matters, you’re not just getting things done—you’re doing them well.
  
• Create a Clutter-Free Workspace – Whether you’re working in the office or from home, keeping your workspace tidy and organized is key. In the office, make sure your desk is clear of unnecessary items to help you stay focused. If you’re working from home, set up a dedicated area—even if it’s just a small corner—and keep it free from distractions. A clutter-free environment helps reduce mental clutter too, signaling to your brain that it’s time to focus and get work done.
  
• Establish a Routine – Start your workday with a consistent ritual, such as a brief meditation, a cup of coffee, or reviewing your to-do list. This ritual signals to your brain that it’s time to shift into work mode. Having a routine helps create a predictable structure, which can enhance your focus and make it easier to transition into tasks.
  
• Minimize Distractions – Use apps like Freedom or Focus@Will to block distracting websites and manage notifications. This helps keep your attention on the task at hand.

Inform family members or colleagues of your focused work times and use do-not-disturb modes to prevent interruptions.

• Set Clear, Specific Goals – Break down your tasks into specific, actionable items. For instance, instead of “work on client project,” set a goal like “finish the client presentation slides by 2 PM.”  Clear goals provide direction and make it easier to stay on track, reducing the likelihood of getting sidetracked by less important tasks.
  
• Get Adequate Rest and Nutrition – Ensure you get 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night and eat balanced meals throughout the day. This provides the necessary energy and mental clarity for effective focus.  Avoid excessive caffeine or sugary snacks that can lead to energy crashes and affect your concentration.
  
• Take Regular Breaks – Schedule short breaks into your workday, such as a 5-minute walk or some stretching exercises. Regular breaks help refresh your mind and prevent mental fatigue.  Taking breaks also helps maintain high levels of productivity and focus over longer periods, keeping you from feeling overwhelmed or burned out.

In the end, focusing on less isn’t about doing less work; it’s about working smarter. It’s about giving yourself the space to excel at the things that make the biggest difference. 

So if you’re feeling overwhelmed, try narrowing your focus and see how it transforms your productivity and peace of mind. You might find that less really is more.

Becoming a Smarter Accountant: Learning To Achieve More By Focusing On Less

Let me share a story about a coaching client who learned how powerful it can be to focus on less—and ended up achieving more because of it.

One of my clients was drowning in work. He had multiple projects on his plate, endless meetings, and personal commitments that never seemed to end. No matter how hard he worked, everything felt chaotic, and he struggled to keep up. 

Deadlines were slipping, stress levels were through the roof, and it seemed like nothing was ever getting done the way it should.

When we started working together, the first thing we did was take a step back and look at everything he had going on. It was a lot. So, we decided to focus on the tasks that would have the biggest impact on his work. 

Instead of trying to do everything at once, we honed in on the projects that really mattered. He learned how to effectively time-block his calendar, where he dedicated specific hours of his day to these key tasks—no interruptions, no distractions.

Next, we mapped out a daily schedule that wasn’t just about work. We made sure to include break times too, so he wouldn’t burn out halfway through the day. We also worked on setting boundaries around his work hours and personal life. 

For example, he started checking emails only at certain times instead of constantly throughout the day. This simple change made a huge difference—it cut down distractions and let him dive deep into his most important work.

We even tackled his physical workspace. He cleared out the clutter and set up a dedicated spot where he could focus on one task at a time. This helped him shift into “focus mode” every time he sat down to work, making a big difference in his productivity.

The change was huge. He went from feeling completely overwhelmed to having a clear plan for each day. With fewer tasks to juggle, he found that he could complete his projects more efficiently and at a higher quality. 

Deadlines stopped being a source of stress, and he actually had more free time to enjoy his personal life. He was amazed at how much less stressed he felt, and he started to feel more in control and accomplished.

By zeroing in on what really mattered and using practical strategies like time-blocking and setting boundaries, he was able to achieve more without the constant stress. It was a game-changer, proving that focusing on less can help you achieve so much more.

Okay, now let’s wrap up with the key takeaway from everything we’ve discussed and a simple action step you can start implementing right away.

Key Takeaway and Action Item

The key takeaway here is that focusing on fewer tasks can actually lead to greater success and less stress. When you prioritize what’s truly important and give yourself the mental space to concentrate, you not only get more done, but you also do it better. 

By understanding why we overcommit and learning how to manage our time and focus more effectively, you can start to regain control and achieve more in a more balanced way.

For the upcoming week, ask yourself, “What’s one task or project that, if I focused on it fully, would make the biggest impact on my work or personal life?” Set aside dedicated time to tackle this priority and see how narrowing your focus can change your results.

Well, that’s what I have for you.  Thank you for joining me as I discussed the power of achieving more by focusing on less.  I hope you’ve gained valuable insights and practical tools.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Today, I want to talk about something that can be uncomfortable for us as accountants—making mistakes. Mistakes happen, no matter how careful we are.

Think about the last mistake you made. How did it make you feel? Maybe you felt annoyed, disappointed, or even embarrassed. Maybe you kept thinking about it, wishing you could go back and fix it. This is normal, and you’re definitely not alone.

Even the people who seem upset or angry about your mistake have made their own at some point. The truth is, everyone makes mistakes. What really matters is how we deal with them.

As accountants, people expect us to be perfect with numbers, but we’re only human, and mistakes can happen. It’s important to face these mistakes because it helps us grow, both personally and professionally.

When we make a mistake, it can feel like the end of the world. We might worry about what will happen to our job, our reputation, or our relationships with clients and colleagues.

This fear can be overwhelming, leading to stress, anxiety, and feelings of failure. But it’s important to remember that making mistakes is part of life and can actually help us learn and get better.

By talking about our mistakes openly, we can get rid of the negative feelings that often come with them. This helps us approach our work with a healthier mindset, reducing the pressure to be perfect and creating a space where growth and learning are what really matter.

When we can admit our mistakes without fear, we become stronger and better at handling challenges in the future.

The truth is, understanding why we make mistakes can help us avoid them in the future. Whether it’s because we’re trying to do too many things at once, dealing with too much information, or just making a simple human error, figuring out what went wrong helps us prevent it next time.

This not only makes us better at our jobs but also gives us more confidence and peace of mind.

In today’s fast-paced world, especially in the accounting profession, mistakes can happen more often because of the high demands and pressures we face. Learning how to bounce back from these mistakes is essential for taking care of ourselves and continuing to do well in our careers.

Instead of letting mistakes define us, we can use them as steps to become better accountants and more well-rounded people.

In this episode, I want to help you bounce back from a mistake and stop letting it define who you are. I want to help you stop being so hard on yourself so that you can get back to being human, someone who sometimes makes mistakes.

Now that we know mistakes happen, let’s talk about why we feel so much pressure to be perfect as accountants.

Understanding the Pressure of Perfection

As accountants, we often set really high standards for ourselves. We’re trained to be detail-oriented, precise, and accurate, which is what makes us good at our jobs.

But this drive for perfection can be a lot to handle. How often do you feel like you have to get everything right, with no room for mistakes? This pressure can be overwhelming, and even a small mistake can feel like a big failure.

When you think about it, it’s not really our fault because the accounting profession demands perfection. The financial data we work with has to be accurate, follow the rules, and be reliable for making decisions.

The truth is, mistakes can have big consequences, from financial errors to legal problems, and this high-pressure environment makes us feel like we have to avoid mistakes at all costs. We may not have the same pressure as, say, a brain surgeon, but it can sometimes feel just as intense.

Unfortunately, when we do make a mistake, fear can take over. We might worry about what it means for our job, if our boss will be disappointed or angry, or if we could lose a client. What will our colleagues think?

These worries run through our minds, adding to our stress and anxiety. We worry about our job security, our relationships at work, and our reputation. The fear of being judged or seen as not good enough can be overwhelming.

The problem is that this pressure to be perfect doesn’t just stay at work; it spills into our personal lives too. We might feel like we’re always being watched and judged.

This can make personal mistakes feel even bigger. We worry about letting people down, being seen as less capable, or not living up to the idea of a flawless professional.

This constant pressure to be perfect can be exhausting. It can lead to burnout, stress, and always feeling like we’re not good enough.

I think this is why so many accountants feel like imposters—like they’re not really good enough, even when they are. When they can’t meet the impossible goal of being perfect, they start to doubt themselves.

But it’s important to remember that we’re human. Mistakes are a normal part of life, and they don’t define who we are or what we’re capable of.

The bottom line is, we need to give ourselves and others permission to be imperfect. It’s okay to make mistakes. It’s okay to learn and grow from them.

When we do this, we not only feel better ourselves, but we also set a good example for others. After all, being able to bounce back from mistakes is just as important—maybe even more important—than never making mistakes at all.

Understanding the pressure we face is important, but it’s also key to know how our brains can lead us to make mistakes.

9 Reasons Why Mistakes Happen

We all know that mistakes are a part of life, but that doesn’t make it any easier to accept when we mess up. Today, I want to help you understand why mistakes happen so you can manage them better.

In Joseph T. Hallinan’s book Why We Make Mistakes, he explains nine common reasons why we slip up.

The first reason is that we see only what we expect to see. Our brains focus on what’s familiar or where we think something should be.

This narrow view can cause us to miss things. For example, a study found that airport baggage screeners often miss firearms because they don’t really expect to find them.

The second reason is that we struggle to remember random information compared to things that mean something to us. For instance, it’s much harder to memorize a list of random numbers than to remember your best friend’s phone number.

Our brains are wired to make connections, so remembering your friend’s number is easier because it’s linked to a meaningful relationship, while random numbers don’t have any context.

The third reason is that we make quick judgments based on surface details. For example, when hiring someone, you might judge them quickly based on their appearance or first impression during the interview.

This ability to make fast decisions has helped us survive, but it can also lead us to overlook someone who might not seem like a perfect fit at first but has the skills and experience needed for the job.

The fourth reason is that we simplify complex information to make it easier to understand. For example, when summarizing a financial report for a client, you might focus on the main points.

But in doing so, you might accidentally leave out important details, like specific expenses or income sources. This could lead to misunderstandings or wrong conclusions about the company’s financial health.

The fifth reason is that our brains look for patterns to save time and energy. For example, if you see the same expense every month on a financial statement, you might assume it’s a regular monthly bill.

But this pattern-seeking can cause us to miss details, like an unusual charge that looks similar but is actually a one-time mistake or even fraud.

The sixth reason is that we tend to remember our past actions more positively than they really were. For instance, you might recall managing a project with tight deadlines and little stress.

This rose-colored memory can make you underestimate the time and effort needed for a similar new project, leading to repeated mistakes like poor planning and not anticipating challenges.

The seventh reason is that we overestimate our ability to multitask. For example, you might think you can review a financial report while responding to client emails at the same time.

But our brains can only focus on one thing at a time, so trying to do too much at once can lead to missing important details or making mistakes in your emails.

The eighth reason is that we often misjudge how much we can get done in a short time versus a long time. For example, you might think you can finish a complex audit in just a few days, underestimating the time and effort it really takes.

This overestimation can lead to overcommitting and making mistakes, like rushing through the audit and missing important details, resulting in incomplete or incorrect work.

The ninth and final reason is that being overwhelmed with information and making too many decisions can lead to mistakes. For example, after spending hours going through emails, reports, and data, you might feel mentally drained.

In today’s world, we’re bombarded with information, and this overload can make us rush decisions or miss important details, like accidentally approving the wrong financial transaction or overlooking a critical compliance issue.

When you look at all these reasons, it’s clear that mistakes often happen simply because we have human brains. Being overwhelmed with responsibilities, especially as an accountant, makes mistakes even more likely.

Understanding why we make mistakes helps us see that they’re a normal part of life. When we recognize these patterns, we can be kinder to ourselves and learn to handle mistakes better.

Knowing why we make mistakes is one thing, but how our brains handle those mistakes is just as important.

The Brain’s Role in Dealing with a Mistake

Now that we’ve talked about why we make mistakes, let’s look at how our brains deal with them. When we make a mistake, our brain processes it and can cause us to feel some pretty strong emotions.

The moment we realize we’ve messed up, we might feel a rush of fear or shame. This reaction comes from the primitive part of our brain, which I’ve called the “Toddler brain” on the podcast before. It kicks into overdrive, making us feel like the mistake is a serious threat to our safety or well-being.

For example, imagine you just realized you sent an important email to the wrong client. The fear of what might happen and what others will think can be overwhelming. You might start worrying about your reputation and job security, making it hard to think clearly and respond calmly.

Our brain is known for expecting the worst, which is why this response can be so intense, causing us to feel embarrassed or even panicked. We might start worrying about the consequences and what others will think of us.

The good news is that our brains are also really good at learning and adapting, thanks to something called neuroplasticity, which is just a fancy way of saying that our brain can change and grow by making new connections.

This means that when we make a mistake, our brains can learn from it and change how we respond in the future. It’s like our brain has its own built-in way to help us grow and improve.

For example, if you’ve ever miscalculated taxes for a client, your brain can learn from that mistake, help you improve your methods, and avoid similar mistakes in the future. Over time, your brain gets better at recognizing and fixing potential errors.

To make the most of this ability, it’s important to practice self-compassion. Instead of beating ourselves up over mistakes, we can see them as valuable chances to learn.

By being kind to ourselves and remembering that everyone makes mistakes, we can take the emotional sting out of it and focus on what we can learn from the situation.

Seeing mistakes this way helps us realize they’re not failures, but steps on the path to growth. It’s about changing how we think of mistakes—not as something bad, but as a natural part of learning.

For example, after making a mistake in data entry, instead of harshly criticizing yourself, see it as a chance to review your processes and put in place double-check systems. This simple change in mindset can make a big difference in how we handle mistakes and bounce back from them.

So, the next time you make a mistake, remember that it’s your brain’s way of learning and adapting. Embrace the chance to grow, and give yourself the compassion and understanding you need to move forward.

By doing this, you’ll not only improve your skills and resilience but also create a healthier, more positive relationship with your work and yourself.

Now that we understand how our brains react, let’s dive into some simple ways to recover and move on from mistakes.

How to Bounce Back After Making a Mistake

We all know that stress and feeling overwhelmed can make us more likely to make mistakes. That’s why, as accountants, we need to cut ourselves some slack when we mess up. When we’re always trying to be perfect, despite being stressed out and overloaded, it’s no wonder we struggle with handling mistakes.

But there are some helpful strategies that can make it easier to bounce back after a mistake:

First, own the mistake. Admit it and fix it if you can. Taking responsibility is a good first step toward making things right. It shows honesty and helps rebuild trust with your colleagues or clients.

Next, correct the mistake if possible and learn from it. Figure out what went wrong and think about how to stop it from happening again. Taking action like this turns a bad experience into a chance to learn something valuable.

Finding humor in the situation can also lighten the load. This is one of my favorite strategies when I make a mistake. Sometimes, laughing at our mistakes helps us see them in perspective. It’s a reminder that we’re human and that everyone makes mistakes.

For example, I recently cc’d the wrong person on an email. It was a simple mistake, but at first, I felt that familiar rush of embarrassment. 

Instead of spiraling into stress, I decided to laugh it off. I reached out to the unintended recipient, explained the mix-up, and made sure the right person got the information they needed. By finding the humor in the situation, I was able to handle it more calmly and move on quickly.

Next, avoid beating yourself up and practice being kind to yourself. Remember that everyone makes mistakes. Treat yourself with the same understanding and patience you’d show a friend in the same situation.

Another helpful strategy is to judge others less harshly. When we let others be human and make mistakes without being too critical, we create a more compassionate environment for ourselves. This also helps build a more supportive and positive workplace.

Honestly, this might be the most important strategy because it sets the tone for how mistakes are handled in your work environment. When you practice kindness and understanding toward others, you not only make it easier for them to recover from their mistakes, but you also pave the way for that same understanding to be extended to you when you inevitably slip up.

The final strategy is to focus on having a supportive mindset. Show yourself the same kindness you’d show your kids when they mess up. Encourage yourself to learn and grow instead of getting stuck on the mistake.

Bottom line: Bouncing back from mistakes is about taking responsibility, learning, and being kind to yourself. By using these strategies, you can recover from mistakes more easily and build resilience while improving your overall well-being.

Remember, it’s not about being perfect; it’s about how you handle imperfections that really matters.

Becoming a Smarter Accountant: Successfully Bouncing Back From A Mistake

Let me share a story about a coaching client who learned how to bounce back from a mistake.

This client was a CPA for over 20 years and always took pride in his accuracy and attention to detail. But during a particularly stressful tax season, he accidentally submitted a client’s tax return with a significant error.

Understandably, the client was upset, and the accountant was overwhelmed with guilt and anxiety. He worried about his professional reputation and feared he might lose the client.

As his confidence dropped, he became increasingly stressed, doubting his abilities and fearing he’d make more mistakes in the future.

After joining The Smarter Accountant Program, he learned to confront the mistake head-on. He admitted his error to the client, apologized sincerely, and worked quickly to correct the return.

With my support, he began to see the mistake as an opportunity to learn. He implemented new checks and balances in his workflow to prevent similar errors in the future.

He also started practicing self-compassion, recognizing that everyone makes mistakes and that this didn’t define his professional worth. Over time, he regained his confidence and felt stronger.

By taking charge of his approach, his new mindset helped him manage stress better, leading to a stronger professional and personal life.

Again, we all make mistakes, but what really matters is how we bounce back from them.

Key Takeaway and Action Item

Mistakes are a natural and inevitable part of life, especially in the demanding field of accounting. How we handle these mistakes is far more important than the mistakes themselves. 

By acknowledging our errors, taking responsibility, and learning from them, we can transform these experiences into valuable opportunities for growth. Practicing self-compassion and reframing mistakes as stepping stones rather than setbacks can significantly enhance our resilience and overall well-being.

The next time you make a mistake, take a moment to reflect and ask yourself: “What can I learn from this experience to improve my skills and processes? How can I use this mistake as an opportunity to grow rather than letting it negatively impact my self-worth?” 

This shift in perspective can help you bounce back more effectively and create a healthier approach to both your professional and personal life.

Well, that’s what I have for you.  Thank you for joining me as I discussed bouncing back from a mistake.  I hope you’ve gained valuable insights and practical tools.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Today I want to talk about a topic that we can all relate to: gossip.  The reason this is important is because you probably have no idea how it’s affecting your accountant brain.

The truth is, we’ve all been there: sitting with a friend or coworker, sharing the latest juicy news about someone we know. Gossiping has become such a common part of our culture that it often feels like a natural and harmless way to bond with others.

Think about the last time you gossiped. Maybe you were talking about a celebrity’s latest scandal or sharing some drama about a difficult coworker. It might have felt exciting to share that piece of information, and you probably felt a sense of connection with the person you were talking to.

I remember a time when I used to gossip frequently. It seemed like a fun and easy way to pass the time and connect with friends. We would sit around and exchange stories about other people, feeling a mix of excitement and camaraderie.

In fact, I was in a book club for years that eventually morphed into discussing more about the biggest pain in the ass in the PTA and less about the book we had chosen.

At first, it didn’t seem like a big deal. Everyone does it, right? Sharing a bit of gossip felt like a harmless indulgence, a small pleasure that added a bit of spice to our conversations.

However, I started to notice something unsettling. After a gossip session, I often felt a bit uneasy. There was a lingering sense of guilt or discomfort, as if I had crossed a line without fully realizing it.

It made me wonder why something that felt so normal could leave me feeling bad afterward. I began to pay more attention to the effects gossip had on me and those around me. I noticed that it sometimes created tension and distrust, even among close friends.

But let’s face it – the excitement of gossip is undeniable. It’s thrilling to be “in the know” and to share that knowledge with others. But the truth is that that thrill is fleeting, and the aftermath can be less enjoyable.

Looking back, I can see that gossip often served as a distraction from my own life. It was easier to focus on someone else’s drama than to deal with my own challenges. But this avoidance didn’t solve any problems; it just postponed facing them.

As I reflected more, I realized that gossip didn’t just affect my relationships; it also had a subtle but significant impact on my own well-being. It fed into a cycle of negativity that was hard to break. The more I gossiped, the more I found myself looking for faults and flaws in others.

Here’s the thing – gossip can seem like a minor, inconsequential habit, but its effects can be far-reaching. It can shape the way we see the world and interact with the people around us. What starts as a seemingly harmless conversation can end up fostering negativity and mistrust.

So, while gossip may be a common and even enjoyable part of our culture, it’s important to understand why we engage in it and the deeper reasons behind our actions. Let’s start with  why we gossip.

Why We Gossip

Gossip is something many of us do without thinking twice. It’s pretty normal in social interactions and often feels like a harmless way to connect with others.

The thing is, when you’re chatting with friends or colleagues, sharing a bit of gossip can seem like a natural part of the conversation. It’s so ingrained in our culture that it doesn’t feel like a big deal.

I remember attending Al-Anon meetings years ago to cope with the effects of my ex-husband’s alcoholism. At the end of each meeting, they would read a statement reminding everyone to avoid gossip and criticism.

I remember being struck by that statement the first time I heard it.  This simple message had a profound impact on me. It made me realize how often I gossiped without considering its consequences.

Before those meetings, I saw gossip as an innocent part of life. It felt like something everyone did, especially when we got together with friends or coworkers.

Sharing the latest news about someone else seemed like a way to bond and fill the conversation. I never thought of it as harmful.

The truth is, gossip provides a psychological escape. When we talk about someone else’s drama, it’s a way to momentarily forget about our own problems.

It distracts us and gives us something interesting to discuss. For a few moments, we can focus on someone else’s life instead of our own challenges.

There’s also a chemical reason why we gossip. When we share gossip, our brain releases dopamine, which makes us feel good.

This is the same chemical that gets released when we eat our favorite food or win a game. That little rush of pleasure encourages us to keep gossiping because our brain craves that feeling.

But while gossip can feel exciting and enjoyable in the moment, it’s important to recognize its underlying motivations. The truth is that it’s a way to seek short-term pleasure and distraction.

This temporary high can make us overlook the long-term negative effects gossip can have on our relationships and our own well-being. In the end, understanding why we gossip can help us make more mindful choices about our conversations.

While it may seem like a harmless part of socializing, it’s worth considering the impact it has on ourselves and those around us. 

Now that we’ve explored why we gossip, let’s dive deeper into the science behind it. Understanding how our brains are wired for gossip can shed light on why it feels so irresistible.

Your Brain’s Role in Gossip

It’s important to understand that gossip might feel like a casual conversation, but your brain has a natural inclination towards it. It’s not just a social habit; it’s rooted in how our brains are wired.

When you gossip, your brain’s reward system is activated. Like I said before, this releases dopamine, the same chemical that makes you feel good when you eat your favorite food or achieve something exciting.

This dopamine release makes gossip feel pleasurable. Your brain craves that little burst of happiness, encouraging you to keep gossiping.

Gossip also plays a role in social bonding. When we share gossip, it can create a sense of connection and strengthen group cohesion.

This social bonding is important because humans are naturally social creatures. Our brains are wired to seek out and maintain relationships.

From an evolutionary perspective, gossip helped our ancestors survive. Think about it – sharing important social information about who could be trusted and who couldn’t was crucial for staying safe and thriving in a community.

Understanding who was reliable and who wasn’t helped our ancestors make better decisions. This kind of social knowledge was key to survival in a group setting.

Gossip also helps your brain resolve conflicting emotions. This process is known as cognitive dissonance.

Cognitive dissonance is the discomfort you feel when you hold two conflicting beliefs or attitudes. For example, if you believe in being honest but find yourself gossiping about a friend, you might justify the gossip to ease the discomfort by thinking, “They deserve it for how they treated me.”

When you gossip, it can help justify your own actions or feelings. If you feel jealous or insecure, gossiping about someone else can make you feel better about your own situation.

This justification can temporarily ease the discomfort of conflicting emotions. Your brain uses gossip as a way to balance out these feelings.

The bottom line is that gossip isn’t just idle chatter. It’s deeply rooted in how our brains function, from seeking pleasure to bonding with others and navigating social dynamics.

Understanding your brain’s role in gossip can help you see why it’s so tempting. Recognizing this can also make you more mindful of the effects gossip has on your mind and relationships.

With this understanding of how gossip activates our brain’s reward system, let’s now consider the specific impact this has on you as an accountant. How does gossip shape your thinking, and what does that mean for your work and well-being?

How Gossip Affects Your Accountant Brain

Many people believe gossip is just sharing facts about someone else. It seems innocent enough, but this belief can be misleading.

When you gossip, you might think you’re simply informing others. In reality, the motivation behind gossip is often to make yourself feel better temporarily.

The truth is that gossip works as a buffer, similar to behaviors like overeating or overspending. It’s a way to distract yourself from your own problems and emotions by focusing on someone else’s life.

It’s also important to understand that your brain is wired with what’s called the Reticular Activating System (RAS) that filters what you notice in the world. Gossip trains your RAS to focus on negativity, making you more attuned to the flaws and mistakes of others.

Think about it like this: if you decide you want a specific car, suddenly you see that car everywhere. That’s your RAS in action, highlighting what you’ve told it is important.

The same thing happens with gossip. When you habitually gossip, your brain starts to notice more negative things because that’s what you’ve trained it to focus on.

As an accountant, this can be particularly harmful. Constantly looking for drama and negativity can make you more critical and less objective, impacting your ability to work accurately and effectively. It can create an environment of distrust and tension, affecting teamwork and client relationships.

Unfortunately, this focus on negativity can have a long-term impact on your outlook on life. It makes you more likely to see and dwell on the negative aspects of your own life and the world around you.

Over time, this negative focus can affect your mental health and relationships. It can lead to a more pessimistic and critical view of everything.

If you’ve ever been around someone who is notorious for gossiping, I’m going to bet they’re pretty pessimistic and have a critical view of everything and everyone.  If you are that someone who is notorious for gossiping, it’s probably time to pay attention.

The bottom line is that gossip might seem harmless, but it has significant effects on your brain. By understanding how gossip impacts your focus and outlook, you can begin to see why it’s worth curbing this habit.

Now that you understand how gossip can negatively impact your brain, let’s explore how these effects can play out in your day-to-day work as an accountant, potentially leading to some serious professional consequences.

The Hidden Dangers of Gossip in Your Accounting Career

Gossip might seem like harmless talk, but it can create problems in your work life that you might not expect. Let’s look at a few ways gossip could cause trouble for your accounting career.

Slipping Work Performance: Imagine you’re reviewing important financial statements. But instead of focusing, your mind keeps wandering to the latest office gossip. This distraction doesn’t just slow you down—it increases the chance of making mistakes. In accounting, even small errors can lead to big problems for your clients and your reputation.

Losing Client Trust: What if a client hears that you’ve been talking about other clients or coworkers behind their backs? They might start to worry if their own private information is safe with you. Even just the idea that you gossip can make clients lose trust, causing them to hold back important information or take their business elsewhere.

Harming Teamwork: Gossip can also create a negative atmosphere at work. When people feel like they might be the subject of gossip, trust breaks down, and teamwork suffers. Instead of sharing information and working together, colleagues might start keeping things to themselves, leading to poor communication and less effective work. This can turn the workplace into a tense, stressful environment.

Holding Back Your Career: Lastly, think about how gossip could hurt your chances of moving up in your career. Managers and leaders pay attention to how you behave. If they see you as someone who spreads negativity, they might pass you over for promotions or important projects. Your reputation as a gossiper could stop you from getting the opportunities you deserve.

These examples show how gossip, even though it seems small, can have big consequences for your work life. What feels like a little fun in the moment can actually cause serious damage to your career and well-being. Knowing these risks is the first step to making better choices at work.

Seeing how gossip can harm your career and well-being, it’s clear that taking steps to reduce this habit is crucial. Let’s look at some practical ways you can cut down on gossip and create a more positive environment for yourself and others.

How to Reduce Gossip

Here are some steps to help you reduce gossip:

Self-Reflection: Recognize the emotions driving your desire to gossip. Common emotions that might lead someone to gossip include jealousy, resentment, boredom, and insecurity. This step involves looking inward to understand why you feel the urge to gossip in the first place.

Evaluate Relationships: Assess your friendships and workplace relationships. Determine if these connections are based on genuine mutual respect or if they are fueled by shared gossip.

Positive vs. Negative Motivations: Reflect on whether your conversation is driven by love and concern or by boredom, annoyance, or insecurity.

Manage Your Mind: Your thoughts create your feelings and your feelings drive your behaviors, so start to become more aware of the thoughts your brain is offering you.  If you feel the pressure to gossip, what is the thought causing you to feel pressure?

Notice Patterns and Triggers: Pay attention to the situations and emotions that lead you to gossip. Are there certain people that trigger you gossiping more than others?  Recognizing these can help you avoid gossiping.

Choose Positive Connections: Build relationships based on positive interactions rather than gossip. Who already has stopped gossiping?  Focus on creating meaningful and respectful connections.

Share Positive Attributes: Make a habit of finding and sharing positive things about others. Highlighting good qualities instead of negative ones can improve your outlook and relationships.

By following these steps, you’ll not only feel better about yourself but also improve your relationships. The bottom line is that replacing gossip with positivity can create a ripple effect of kindness and respect in your life.

Becoming a Smarter Accountant: Reducing Gossip

Now let me share an example of a coaching client who wanted to learn how to reduce gossip.  

She was a well-respected accountant at a mid-sized firm, however, she had a habit of gossiping, sharing tidbits about clients or colleagues during coffee breaks to feel connected.

Over time, she noticed the office environment becoming more tense and less collaborative. Her relationships with colleagues suffered, and she could sense growing mistrust as some started to avoid her.

One day, she overheard colleagues whispering about a confidential client matter she had mentioned. She realized that her gossip had led to a breach of confidentiality and she felt a wave of guilt and anxiety.

She came to me at one of her coaching sessions explaining what happened and looking at why she felt the need to gossip. She recognized feelings of boredom, insecurity, and a desire to fit in were often behind her actions.

She began practicing emotional awareness, paying attention to her feelings before engaging in conversations. By shifting her motivations from negative emotions to positive ones, she made a conscious effort to avoid gossip triggers.

She also worked on becoming more aware of her thoughts and emotions. Whenever she felt the urge to gossip, she made an effort to share something positive about the person instead.

Over time, she noticed significant improvements in her work environment. Her relationships with colleagues improved as they saw her as more trustworthy and respectful.

The office atmosphere became more collaborative and supportive, with less tension and more open communication. She also found that she was more focused and productive at work.

Each time she was tempted to gossip she reminded herself that it wasn’t worth the after effects.  She noticed she also started to feel more positive and energized, and that that was having an impact on how she felt about all aspects of her professional and personal life.

So hopefully you can see that although gossip is common, it’s not all that it’s cracked up to be.  When you learn what’s driving you to gossip, you can get a better handle on it, helping you to be a better accountant and a better person.  

Key Takeaway and Action Item

Gossip might seem like a harmless way to connect with others, but it can actually have a big impact on your professional relationships, your mental health, and how you view the world. By understanding why we gossip and how it affects our brains, you can start to see the downsides of this habit. 

Learning to recognize the emotions that drive you to gossip and replacing negative talk with positive interactions can help you create a more positive and productive environment at work and in your personal life.

For this week, ask yourself, “How does engaging in gossip affect my relationships and my own mindset, and what steps can I take to focus on more positive and constructive interactions?”

Well, that’s what I have for you.  Thank you for joining me as I discussed how gossip is affecting your accountant brain.  I hope you’ve gained valuable insights and practical tools.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Today I want to talk about interviews because they’re a critical part of any accounting career, whether you’re just starting out or looking to move up the ladder. If you’re an entrepreneur in the accounting field, interviews are just as crucial for hiring the right people to grow your business.

But let’s be honest—most accountants would much rather talk about numbers than themselves. Discussing your skills, experiences, and why you’re the right fit for a job can feel awkward and challenging.

It’s not always easy to know what to say, how to act, or how to handle those nerve-wracking moments during an interview. When you walk into an interview, whether you’re asking the questions or answering them, there’s always that feeling of being evaluated.

As an interviewee, you’re being sized up by a potential employer to see if you fit their needs. But remember—it’s a two-way street.  You should be evaluating them just as much to ensure the job and company are the right fit for you. 

In today’s tech-driven world, you might think that virtual interviews would make things easier.

After all, you can do them from the comfort of your home, and there’s less hassle compared to traveling to an office. However, virtual interviews come with their own set of challenges.

There’s a layer of awkwardness and disconnection that’s hard to ignore. Without the ability to shake hands and sit across from someone in person, it’s tougher to gauge reactions and build a genuine connection.

This can make the whole process feel more overwhelming for everyone involved. The convenience of virtual interviews has expanded the pool of applicants and job opportunities, which is great.

But it also means more competition and, often, more stress. You might feel the pressure of standing out among a larger group of applicants.

The lack of face-to-face interaction can make it harder to make a memorable impression. 

But, what’s really key in navigating interviews successfully, whether virtual or in-person, is self-confidence and self-awareness.

It’s not just about having a polished resume or knowing the right answers to common interview questions. It’s about understanding yourself—your strengths, your weaknesses, and how to present yourself in the best light.

This self-awareness helps you manage your thoughts and emotions during the interview, allowing you to stay calm and focused. When you’re confident and self-aware, you can better understand the interviewer’s perspective as well.

You’ll be able to connect with them more effectively, showing that you’re not just another candidate, but the right candidate. Remember, interviews are as much about showcasing your professional skills as they are about demonstrating your ability to connect with others and handle stressful situations with grace.

In the end, nailing a job interview is about more than just your resume, technical knowledge or experience. It’s about how well you know yourself and how effectively you can communicate that knowledge.

Whether you’re aiming for a new job, a promotion, or trying to hire the best people for your team, mastering the art of interviews can make all the difference in your accounting career.

Your Brain’s Role In The Interview Process

Let’s dive into what really goes on during an interview. First things first—self-awareness and managing your thoughts are game-changers.

You might not realize it, but what you’re thinking before, during, and even after an interview can significantly impact your performance. Imagine you’re about to walk into an interview, and you’re thinking, “I’m not good enough” or “Everyone else has more experience than me.”

Those thoughts can lead to feelings of doubt and insecurity, which can show up in how you present yourself. It’s normal to have a whirlwind of thoughts and fears before an interview.

Maybe you’re worried about coming off as too needy or too arrogant. Maybe you’re scared of freezing up and not knowing how to answer a question.

Perhaps you’re anxious about whether you’re truly qualified for the job. These are all common pre-interview thoughts that many people experience.

These thoughts don’t just stay in your head—they influence how you behave during the interview. If you’re feeling doubtful or insecure, you might come across as timid or unsure of yourself.

You might struggle to articulate your answers or fail to highlight your strengths effectively. On the flip side, if you go into an interview with a positive mindset, believing in your abilities and feeling confident, you’re more likely to communicate clearly and make a strong impression.

This is why preparation is so important, and not just the kind that involves rehearsing answers or researching the company. Preparing mentally and emotionally is just as crucial.

It’s about understanding your thoughts and managing them in a way that boosts your confidence and helps you stay calm and focused. It’s also important to understand that your brain plays a huge role in this process.

When you’re anxious or stressed, your brain releases stress hormones like cortisol, which can affect your ability to think clearly and respond effectively. When you’re confident and relaxed, your brain is in a better state to access your knowledge and skills.

Managing your thoughts and emotions helps keep your brain in the optimal state for performing well during the interview. You can have the most polished resume and know the answers to all the typical interview questions, but if you’re filled with self-doubt and negative thoughts, it’s going to be hard to shine.

Preparation beyond the resume means getting to know yourself better and learning how to manage your thoughts and emotions effectively. This deeper level of preparation can help you walk into an interview with the confidence and self-assurance needed to truly stand out.

As you prepare for your next interview, take some time to reflect on your thoughts and feelings. Identify any negative or unhelpful thoughts and work on reframing them in a more positive light.

Remember, the way you think and feel about yourself can significantly impact how you perform in an interview. By managing your thoughts and being self-aware, you can improve your chances of success and make a lasting impression on your potential employer.

Understanding how your brain works can give you an edge. Knowing that your brain responds to your thoughts and feelings means you can train it to be your ally.

The interview process is not just about showcasing your skills and experience. It’s about presenting the best version of yourself, which starts with how you manage your mind. 

A Better Type of Interview Prep

Preparing for an interview isn’t just about brushing up your resume and practicing answers to common questions. A crucial part of preparation involves getting your mind in the right place. 

Let’s talk about identifying and acknowledging those pre-interview thoughts that can either set you up for success or trip you up before you even walk in the door (or log in, for virtual interviews).

First, you need to identify those pre-interview thoughts. What’s running through your mind as you gear up for the big day? Maybe you’re thinking, “I’m afraid I’m going to blow it,” “Everyone else has more experience than me,” or “I don’t like how I sound in interviews.” 

These thoughts are completely normal. Almost everyone experiences some level of anxiety before an interview. But here’s the catch—what you think directly affects how you feel and, ultimately, how you behave during the interview.

Let’s take an example thought: “I’m worried that they won’t think I’m qualified enough.” This thought can lead to feelings of doubt and insecurity. When you’re feeling doubtful, you might come across as timid or unsure of yourself. 

You might fidget, struggle to make eye contact, or have trouble articulating your thoughts. These behaviors can reinforce the interviewer’s perception that you’re not confident or prepared, creating a self-fulfilling prophecy.

This example shows the power of a single thought on your interview behavior. It’s amazing how one negative thought can spiral into a series of actions that don’t reflect your true capabilities. 

On the flip side, imagine if your thought was, “I have valuable experience and skills to offer.” This thought can lead to feelings of confidence and assurance. You’d likely walk into the interview with your head held high, make strong eye contact, and articulate your answers clearly, showcasing your best self.

So, how do you manage and reframe those pre-interview thoughts to set yourself up for success? Here are some strategies:

Acknowledge Your Thoughts: The first step is to simply notice what you’re thinking. Don’t try to push away negative thoughts or pretend they don’t exist. Acknowledge them. Write them down if it helps to see them on paper.

Question Your Thoughts: Once you’ve identified your thoughts, question their validity. Are they based on facts or assumptions? For instance, if you’re thinking, “Everyone else has more experience than me,” ask yourself, “Do I know this for sure?” Often, you’ll find that these thoughts are based on fears rather than facts.

Reframe Negative Thoughts: Replace negative thoughts with more positive, realistic ones. If you’re thinking, “I’m afraid I’ll blow it,” reframe it to, “I’ve prepared for this, and I’m ready to do my best.” Focus on your strengths and past successes to boost your confidence.

Visualization Techniques: Athletes do this all the time; visualizing themselves succeeding in whatever they’re asked to do.  Visualize yourself succeeding in the interview. Imagine walking in confidently, answering questions clearly, and connecting well with the interviewer. Visualization can help reduce anxiety and build a positive mental image of the interview.

Mindfulness and Relaxation: Techniques like deep breathing, meditation, or even a quick walk can help calm your mind and reduce stress. When your mind is calm, it’s easier to manage your thoughts and stay focused.

By taking the time to identify, acknowledge, and reframe your pre-interview thoughts, you can create a more positive and confident mindset. Remember, how you think influences how you feel, and how you feel influences how you act. 

Preparing mentally and emotionally is just as important as preparing your resume and practicing your answers. With the right mindset, you can walk into any interview ready to showcase your best self.

Managing Self-Doubt and Imposter Syndrome

Let’s talk about something many of us face but don’t often discuss—self-doubt and imposter syndrome. Have you ever felt like you don’t belong, like you’re just waiting for someone to figure out you’re not as capable as they think? That’s imposter syndrome, and it’s more common than you might think, especially for accountants.

Imposter syndrome is the belief that you’re out of your league, that you’re not good enough, and that you’re only in your current position because you got lucky. It’s that nagging feeling that sooner or later, everyone will realize you’re a fraud. Sounds harsh, right? 

But the truth is, an estimated 70% of people have experienced imposter syndrome at some point in their lives. For accountants, who are often expected to have it all together, we can get hit with this feeling more often than we’d like.

In fact, studies have shown that imposter syndrome is higher among professionals in high-achieving fields, including accounting. The constant need for accuracy, the pressure to perform, and the competitive nature of the industry can contribute to these feelings of inadequacy. 

Unfortunately, even when you’ve got the credentials, the experience, and the skills, self-doubt can still creep in, making you question your worth and capabilities.

But when it comes to nailing that job interview, overcoming imposter syndrome, especially before, during, and after interviews, is crucial for showcasing your true abilities and potential. 

If you struggle with self-doubt or imposter syndrome, here’s how you can tackle it:

Recognize It: The first step to overcoming imposter syndrome is recognizing it. Acknowledge that those feelings of self-doubt and inadequacy are part of imposter syndrome. Once you name it, you can start to deal with it.

Understand Your Achievements: Take a step back and look at your accomplishments. Write them down if it helps. You’ve earned your place through hard work, dedication, and skill—not luck. Remind yourself of your successes and the effort you’ve put in to get where you are.

Challenge Negative Thoughts: Just like with pre-interview thoughts, challenge the negative thoughts that feed into imposter syndrome. Ask yourself if there’s concrete evidence for these thoughts or if they’re just fears and assumptions.

Talk About It: You’re not alone in feeling this way. Talking about your experiences with friends, mentors, or colleagues can help. Often, you’ll find that others have felt the same way and can offer support and perspective.

Prepare Mentally: Before an interview, take time to mentally prepare. Practice mindfulness, use positive affirmations, and visualize your success. Remind yourself of your qualifications and why you deserve to be there.

During the Interview: During the interview, stay focused on your strengths and what you bring to the table. If self-doubt starts to creep in, take a deep breath and refocus on your positive attributes. Remember, the interviewer is interested in you for a reason.

After the Interview: After the interview, don’t let imposter syndrome take over. Reflect on what went well and what you can improve, but don’t dwell on perceived mistakes. Use constructive feedback to grow, not to undermine your confidence.

Bottom line: Managing self-doubt and imposter syndrome is an ongoing process, but with awareness and the right strategies, you can keep it in check. By recognizing your value, challenging negative thoughts, and preparing mentally, you can present your best self during this and future interviews. 

My Secret Weapon – Managing The Interviewer’s Mind

I’ve talked a lot about your brain’s role in the interview process and managing your mind, but my secret weapon for nailing that job interview is understanding how to manage the interviewer’s mind.

When it comes to interviews, we often get so caught up in our own thoughts and nerves that we start making assumptions about what the interviewer is thinking. Unfortunately, these assumptions are rarely positive. 

For example, it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking, “They probably think I’m not experienced enough,” or “They don’t seem interested in what I’m saying.” These negative assumptions can quickly spiral, creating unnecessary stress and self-doubt that can impact your performance.

However, just as you can manage your own thoughts, you can also manage your assumptions about the interviewer’s thoughts. Here are some strategies to help you reframe those assumptions positively:

Choose Positive Assumptions: Instead of assuming the worst, make a conscious decision to assume the best. For example, instead of thinking, “They probably think I’m not experienced enough,” reframe it to, “The interviewer is interested in learning more about me.” 

If you catch yourself thinking, “They don’t seem interested,” change it to, “They see potential in me, which is why I’m here.” Positive assumptions can help reduce anxiety and boost your confidence, allowing you to perform at your best.

Focus on Connection: Think of the interview as a two-way conversation where both parties are trying to find a good fit. The interviewer isn’t just looking to trip you up; they want to find the right person for the job. 

Assume the interviewer wants you to succeed and is looking for reasons to hire you, not to reject you. This mindset helps you relax and engage more naturally in the conversation, making it easier to connect and showcase your abilities.

So what would be the impact of these positive assumptions on your interview performance?  Why is this so important?

Because when you assume the interviewer is on your side, you’ll naturally feel more relaxed and confident. This positive mindset allows you to connect better with the interviewer, showcase your skills effectively, and handle questions with ease.

For example, if you believe the interviewer is genuinely interested in what you have to say, you’re more likely to speak with enthusiasm and clarity. You’ll be more focused on sharing your experiences and strengths rather than worrying about being judged. This approach not only helps you perform better but also makes the interview more enjoyable and less stressful.

Remember, your thoughts shape your reality. By managing both your own mind and your assumptions about the interviewer’s mind, you create a more positive and productive interview experience. 

You will be amazed at how this shift in perspective can make a significant difference in how you present yourself and how you’re perceived by the interviewer.  The truth is that when you manage your mind effectively, you’re not just saying the right things—you’re thinking and feeling in a way that truly supports your success.

Becoming a Smarter Accountant: Nailing That Job Interview

It’s not easy to put yourself out there during the job search process, but just know that although it feels awkward, it can be a lot easier when you learn and implement what I’ve shared.

For example, one of my coaching clients was an accountant with impressive qualifications but a lack of confidence. She had decided to leave the firm she had been with, had gone on a few interviews, but knew they didn’t go as well as she’d like.

Before her next major job interview, she was consumed with self-doubt, thinking, “I’m not good enough,” and “They’ll see through me.” 

She knew her resume was stellar so we instead focused on managing her mind. We got clear on what her Toddler, negatively-biased brain was thinking and then worked on reframing those negative thoughts.

By replacing “I’m not good enough” with “I have valuable skills and experience” she was much more calm and confident.  We worked together on getting her brain to see that any employer would be lucky to have her.

At her next interview, the difference was clear. She walked in with confidence, spoke clearly, and effectively highlighted her strengths. 

Her positive mindset and calm demeanor impressed the interviewers, and she landed the job. She shared with me that managing her thoughts and emotions made all the difference in presenting her best self.

So hopefully you can see that you can have the most impressive resume possible, but learning how to manage your mind is your secret weapon.  It affects how you feel, what you do or don’t do, and how other people experience you.

Key Takeaway and Action Item

The key takeaway from today is that self-awareness and mental preparation are crucial for nailing job interviews. Managing your thoughts and emotions, understanding your strengths and weaknesses, and maintaining a positive mindset can significantly impact your performance and help you present your best self during an interview.

Your resume is important, but the mindset you bring before, during and after an interview is even more crucial.

For this week, ask yourself, “What negative or unhelpful thoughts do I have about my upcoming interview, and how can I reframe them into positive, confidence-boosting thoughts?”

Well, that’s what I have for you.  Thank you for joining me as I discussed nailing that job interview.  I hope you’ve gained valuable insights and practical tools.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Do you ever feel like your life is just a never-ending series of decisions? From handling client needs to figuring out what’s for dinner, it can get pretty overwhelming, right? 

As accountants, we’re constantly bombarded with choices to make, both big and small. It’s part of the job, but sometimes it feels like it never stops.

I don’t know about you, but even though I’m capable and organized, there are days when I just wish someone could take a few decisions off my plate. Just think about it – wouldn’t it be amazing if you didn’t have to decide on every little thing? 

But if I’m being honest, I’d probably still want to double-check their decisions anyway!

Recently, I was listening to my mentor, a highly successful businessperson, talk about decision-making. She humorously described herself as a “control enthusiast,” and I couldn’t help but laugh. 

For most of my life, I’ve felt the need to control the people and things around me to feel secure and content.  But trying to control everything is exhausting, right? 

It’s like trying to juggle too many balls in the air at once. This constant need to manage every detail drained me and led to decision fatigue, where the number of choices I had to make left me feeling overwhelmed and burnt out.

If you haven’t experienced decision fatigue, trust me, it’s one of the most draining things ever. And often, we don’t even realize it’s happening until we’re already exhausted. 

We’re so busy trying to keep everything under control that we forget to step back and see the bigger picture.

Have you ever felt that way? Like no matter how many decisions you make, there’s always another one waiting around the corner? As accountants, it’s easy to fall into this trap. 

We’re trained to be meticulous, detail-oriented, and always on top of things. But sometimes, the sheer volume of decisions can just be too much.

In fact, did you know that the average adult makes 33,000 to 35,000 total decisions each day!  It’s no wonder decision fatigue can be so common.

The interesting thing is that as I was doing the research for this topic a while back, I was reflecting on all the decisions I had to make and realized that not all decisions carry the same weight. Some decisions are trivial, while others can have a significant impact on our lives. 

That’s when it hit me – if we could identify and focus on the most important decisions, we could potentially alleviate some of that overwhelming pressure.

This realization was a game-changer for me. I started to think about the areas of my life where making wise decisions could create a domino effect, making other choices easier and less stressful. It was about being strategic and intentional with my decision-making process.

I remember my mentor’s words vividly: “If you’re not taking the time to make intentional, conscious decisions about your life, don’t be surprised when your life isn’t what you want it to be.” 

It was a wake-up call. I realized that by taking control of a few key decisions, I could steer my life in a more positive direction.

That’s why in today’s podcast I want to share three decisions that every accountant needs to make wisely.  By focusing on the right decisions, you can create a ripple effect that leads to greater fulfillment and success. 

Decision #1: Who You Spend Your Time With

Have you ever noticed how the people around you can really affect your mood and even how productive you are? It’s like their energy rubs off on you, whether it’s good or bad. 

The truth is that who we spend our time with plays a huge role in shaping our thoughts, attitudes, and even our success.

See if you can relate to this: A few years ago, I was constantly feeling drained and uninspired at work. I couldn’t figure out why until I started paying attention to my surroundings. 

I realized that I was spending a lot of time with colleagues who were always complaining or stressed out. Their negativity was bringing me down without me even realizing it.

So, I made a conscious decision to change that. I started seeking out colleagues and friends who were positive, motivated, and supportive. It wasn’t easy at first, but the difference it made was incredible. 

Once my mindset shifted, I began to feel more energized and enthusiastic about my work. It was like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders.

Here’s the thing: who you spend your time with really matters. The people around you can either lift you up or bring you down, and it’s important to choose wisely. 

In fact, research from the University of California, San Diego, shows that happiness spreads through social networks up to three degrees of separation, meaning your friends, their friends, and their friends’ friends can all impact your well-being.

Think about it this way – if you surround yourself with people who are always focused on the negative, it’s easy to start seeing the world through that same lens. On the other hand, if you’re around people who are positive and forward-thinking, it encourages you to adopt a similar mindset. 

Why is this important for accountants?  Because as an accountant typically surrounded by other stressed accountants, this can significantly impact your productivity and overall happiness.

Here are some practical tips to help you evaluate and improve your personal and professional relationships:

Evaluate Your Relationships: Take a moment to think about the people you spend the most time with. Are they positive and supportive, or do they drain your energy? Sometimes, we don’t realize the impact someone has on us until we step back and assess it. Make a list of the people you interact with most frequently and consider how each one makes you feel. Do they inspire you, or do they leave you feeling exhausted?

Prioritize Positivity: Make an effort to spend more time with people who uplift and inspire you. This could be friends, family, or colleagues who have a positive outlook on life and encourage you to be your best self. It might mean making some tough choices about who you spend less time with, but it’s worth it. Surround yourself with those who bring out the best in you and make you feel good about yourself.   

Leverage Technology: In today’s digital age, you can surround yourself with positive influences even if they’re not physically nearby. Listen to uplifting podcasts like this one, read inspiring books, and join online communities that align with your interests and goals. These virtual connections can be just as powerful, if not more, as in-person ones. 

Be Intentional with Your Time: Make a plan to incorporate more positive influences into your daily routine. Schedule regular catch-ups with uplifting friends or colleagues, join a professional group that inspires you, or set aside dedicated time each week to listen to a helpful podcast or read a motivational book. By being intentional about who and what you let into your life, you can create a more positive environment for yourself.

Reflect and Adjust: Periodically reflect on how your interactions are affecting you. If you find that certain relationships are consistently bringing you down, it might be time to reassess their place in your life. It’s okay to step back from relationships that aren’t serving you well and seek out new, more positive connections.

By making these small but significant changes, you’ll start to notice a big difference in your mindset and productivity. Surrounding yourself with the right people can create a ripple effect that improves many areas of your life. 

So, take control of this decision and choose to spend your time with those who make you feel good and help you grow. Remember, you have the power to create a supportive and inspiring network that will lift you up and help you achieve your goals.

Decision #2: How You Make a Living

Have you ever stopped to ask yourself if you’re truly happy with your job? As accountants, it’s easy to get caught up in the daily grind and forget to check in with ourselves about our career satisfaction. 

But taking the time to assess how we make a living and whether it aligns with our personal goals is crucial for long-term happiness and success.

To be honest, a few years ago, I found myself feeling unfulfilled in my accounting job. I had been working in the same role for years and felt stuck in a routine that didn’t excite me anymore. I realized I needed to re-evaluate my career path and make some intentional choices about my future.

So, I started by conducting a self-assessment. I asked myself tough questions: Was I passionate about my work? Did it align with my long-term goals? What did I really want to achieve in my career? This was eye-opening and helped me understand what changes I needed to make.

Next, I explored different career options within accounting. I looked into public accounting versus private accounting, considered whether I wanted to be a specialist or a generalist, and thought about the possibility of becoming an entrepreneur. This exploration was exciting and opened my eyes to new opportunities I hadn’t considered before.

Ultimately, I decided to pursue further professional development and personal growth. 

I studied to become a Professional Certified Coach for Accountants, wrote my book “The Smarter Accountant” and built a successful coaching business in addition to being a CPA in public accounting.  

The truth was, I knew I didn’t want to give up being a CPA, but I also knew I had so much to teach the accounting profession.  As I became a smarter accountant, I wanted other accountants to learn the same. 

So if you’re feeling unsure about the direction you’re going, here are some practical tips to help you assess and improve your career satisfaction:

Conduct a Self-Assessment: Take some time to reflect on your current job. Ask yourself if you’re truly satisfied with your work and if it aligns with your personal goals. Write down your thoughts and identify areas where you feel fulfilled and areas where you feel lacking. This self-assessment can provide clarity and guide your next steps.

Explore Different Career Options: I did an entire episode last week titled “Before You Leave The Accounting Profession, Hear Me Out”, but for this episode I suggest you look into various paths within the accounting field. Consider whether you prefer public accounting or private accounting, and think about whether you want to specialize in a specific area or remain a generalist. Don’t be afraid to explore options that might seem unconventional. Sometimes, the right fit for you might be something you haven’t considered before.

Invest in Professional Development: Continuous learning is key to staying engaged and growing in your career. Take courses, attend workshops, and participate in industry events. Seek out opportunities to expand your knowledge and skills. Professional development not only enhances your expertise but also keeps your job exciting and challenging.

Seek Mentorship and Networking: Connect with others in your field who can offer guidance and support. A mentor or coach can provide valuable insights and help you navigate your career path. Networking with peers can also open doors to new opportunities and collaborations.

Set Personal and Professional Goals: Define what success looks like for you. Set both short-term and long-term goals for your career. Having clear objectives can motivate you and give you a sense of direction. Regularly revisit and adjust these goals as needed to ensure they remain aligned with your aspirations.

Just know this – it’s never too late to make changes and pursue what truly makes you happy. Take the time to evaluate how you make a living and ensure it aligns with your personal goals and passions.

By thoughtfully making the decision about how I make a living, I have found the perfect balance between being a CPA and helping accountants have easier accounting careers and more successful businesses..

Decision #3: How You Manage Your Health

How often do you prioritize your own health with all you have going on professionally and personally? It’s easy to let our health take a backseat when we’re busy with work, family, and everything else life throws at us. 

But the truth is, without good health, everything else falls apart. Managing stress and maintaining physical health are crucial for long-term success and happiness.

Honestly, I used to ignore my health, thinking that work and family came first. I believed that as long as I kept pushing through, everything would be fine. 

But over time, I started feeling constantly tired, stressed, and less productive. I realized that neglecting my health was affecting every aspect of my life.

So, I decided to make a change and began prioritizing my well-being.  My energy levels went up, my productivity increased, and I felt happier overall. It was a wake-up call that taking care of myself was not just important but essential.

Especially in light of my recent cancer diagnosis, I am beyond grateful that I had already put things in place to help with my physical, mental and emotional health.  I don’t think I would be dealing so well with everything I have going on if I hadn’t already prioritized my health.

Since I want the same for you, here are some practical tips to help you manage your health:

Balanced Approach: Incorporate regular exercise, balanced nutrition, and sufficient sleep into your routine. It doesn’t have to be complicated. Start with small steps like going for a walk, eating more fruits and vegetables, and ensuring you get enough rest each night. These simple changes can make a big difference in how you feel.

Stress Management: This is the #1 biggest benefit from learning what I teach in The Smarter Accountant Program – how to manage your mind so that you can decrease and even eliminate stress.  Ever since I learned what I teach in my book, I have been able to have stress-free tax seasons and I promise you, you can too.

Seek Help: Don’t hesitate to get professional help if you’re struggling with your mental health. There’s no shame in it. There are too many accountants who have normalized their health issues so make sure you’re not one of them.  Sometimes, we need a little extra help to manage our mental health, and that’s okay.

By making these changes, you’ll notice improvements in your energy, mood, and productivity. Remember, taking care of your health is not selfish; it’s necessary. When you prioritize your well-being, you’re better equipped to handle all your responsibilities and enjoy life more fully.

So, take a moment to assess how you’re managing your health. Are there areas where you can make small improvements? Start today by incorporating some of these tips into your routine.

Your body and mind will thank you, and you’ll be on your way to a healthier, happier life and a more sustainable accounting career.

Becoming a Smarter Accountant: Wisely Making The 3 Decisions

I already shared some of my story throughout this episode, but now I’m going to share a little about a few coaching clients who wisely made each of the 3 decisions.

One client worked at a mid-sized firm. She often felt drained and unmotivated. After some reflection, she realized that her work environment was filled with colleagues who were negative and constantly complaining. This negative atmosphere was affecting her mood and productivity.

After working together she decided to make a change. She looked for more positive and supportive colleagues, both within her firm and through networking groups. She also started listening to inspiring podcasts during her commute. 

She felt more energized, her work improved, and she even started taking on leadership roles within her firm. She realized that by surrounding herself with positive influences, it helped her rediscover her passion for her career.

Another client had been in public accounting for over a decade. Although he was successful, he felt unfulfilled and questioned whether he was on the right career path. He was afraid of making a change because he had invested so much time and effort into his current role.

After working together he realized that his true passion lay in teaching and mentoring. He started to explore different options and eventually transitioned to a role where he could train and mentor new accountants. 

This change really lit him up and gave him a renewed sense of purpose. 

The last client I want to share was a hardworking accountant and a mother of two. Like most working moms, she always put her family and work first, neglecting her own health. Over time, she felt constantly exhausted and stressed, which affected her performance at work and her patience at home.

Once we started working together she realized she needed to make a change for her well-being. She first learned the invaluable skill of managing her mind so that she could significantly reduce her stress.  

She was amazed at how much better she felt, how productive she was at work and more present with her family. Prioritizing her mental health allowed her to find a better balance and improve her quality of life.

She realized that, just like all the accountants she worked with, she had normalized stress.  But, once she learned how to reduce and even eliminate stress, everything in her life, professionally and personally, became easier.

So hopefully by these examples you can see how empowering it can be to wisely make  decisions about who to spend your time with, how to make a living, and how to manage your health.  If you’re going to be making tens of thousands of decisions in a day, make sure these three are the ones you make wisely.

Key Takeaway and Action Item

The key takeaway is that making intentional and wise decisions about who you spend your time with, how you make a living, and how you manage your health can transform your professional and personal life. These decisions create a ripple effect that enhances your overall well-being, productivity, and happiness. 

Remember, by taking control of these key areas, you can steer your life in a more positive and fulfilling direction.

This week, ask yourself: “Which of the three decisions – who I spend my time with, how I make a living, or how I manage my health – needs the most attention in my life right now, and what is one small step I can take today to improve it?”

Well, that’s what I have for you.  Thank you for joining me as I discussed the 3 decisions every accountant needs to make wisely.  I hope you’ve gained valuable insights and practical tools.

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

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

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

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

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

The past few years have thrown more at us than we could have ever imagined. We’ve faced a global pandemic, tried to keep ourselves and our families safe, and dealt with countless changes in our daily lives. 

And if you’re an accountant, you know that the demands on our profession have skyrocketed. Clients are more anxious than ever, and the pressure to help them navigate these uncertain times can be overwhelming. 

It’s no wonder many of us are feeling burned out and questioning if this career is still right for us.

You might feel like you’re running on empty, struggling to find the motivation to get through each day. Maybe you’re tired of the long hours, the endless paperwork, or the constant stress of meeting deadlines. 

You might even be listening to this and saying out loud, “Preach!!”  Maybe you’re one of the many accountants who are at their breaking point, trying to juggle too much and wondering if it’s time to walk away from the profession.

Believe me, I get it. I’ve been in public accounting for over 30 years, and I’ve seen it all. There have been times when I’ve felt just as frustrated and overwhelmed as you do now. 

I’ve had days where I wanted to throw in the towel and find a different path. But before you make any big decisions, I want to share a few things with you. Things that might help you see your situation a little differently and make your decision with a clearer mind.

So let me ask you, have you found yourself feeling more stressed than usual? Are you waking up with a sense of dread, knowing you have a full day of work ahead of you? 

These feelings are typically signs that you’re dealing with burnout, but it’s important to recognize them and understand that you’re not alone. Many accountants are feeling the same way, struggling to keep up with the relentless pace of our profession.

But here’s something I want you to think about: What if the problem isn’t just the job itself.  What if there are ways to make our work more manageable, less stressful, and even enjoyable again? I know it might sound impossible right now, but stay with me.

Over my 30 years in this field, I’ve learned a lot about dealing with stress and avoiding burnout. I’ve seen colleagues leave the profession, thinking it would solve all their problems, only to find that they face similar issues in their new jobs or new careers. That’s because the root of the problem often isn’t necessarily our workload, our career choice, or the job itself.

But before you decide to leave accounting, let me just share some things that you probably haven’t been taught.  As I’ve talked a lot about, this is the podcast where brain science meets accounting, so you probably aren’t aware of a few helpful things that only I teach accountants.

Remember, it’s okay to feel frustrated and overwhelmed. It’s okay to question whether this is the right path for you. But before you make any decisions, I want to help you explore all your options and see if there’s a way to make your current situation work better for you. 

Sometimes, a few small changes can make a big difference. And who knows? You might find that with the right adjustments, you can rekindle your passion for accounting and continue to thrive in this profession.

Understanding the Reasons Behind Your Feelings

Let’s start with why you might be feeling so dissatisfied right now. Again, it’s not just about the heavy workload or the stress from demanding clients. A lot of it has to do with the way we’ve been taught to think about our feelings and our jobs.

First off, many of us grew up with the idea that if we want something more or different, it means we’re being selfish or ungrateful. Maybe you’ve heard things like, “You should be happy you even have a job,” or “Other people have it worse.” These kinds of societal beliefs can make us feel guilty for wanting a change, even if that change is necessary for our well-being.

We’ve also been conditioned to believe that we need to hate something before we can justify leaving it. It’s like we need a dramatic reason to make a change, otherwise, it doesn’t feel valid. 

The truth is that you don’t have to hate your job to want something different. It’s okay to seek out a better fit for your life and your happiness without feeling like you’re abandoning ship in a storm.

But now, let’s talk about a common misconception: the idea that changing your circumstances will solve your problems. It might seem logical to think that a new job, a different workplace, or even a whole new career will make everything better. But there’s more to it than that.

Our brains are incredibly powerful, and the way we think about our situations plays a huge role in how we feel. If you’re feeling stressed, frustrated, or burned out in your current job, those feelings are tied to how you’re interpreting your experiences and reacting to them. 

Bottom line – when you change jobs, you take your brain—and all those thought patterns—with you.

Now, here’s where brain science comes in. Our brains are wired to seek pleasure and avoid discomfort. When we’re unhappy, our brain’s natural reaction is to look for an escape. 

It tells us that if we change our environment, we’ll feel better. This is why you might think, “If I just had a different job, I’d be happier.”

But the truth is, until you address how your feelings are coming from your thoughts, not your circumstances, you’ll likely encounter the same feelings of dissatisfaction wherever you go. It’s like trying to fix a leaky pipe by moving to a different house. It sounds silly but that’s what we’re doing.

What you need to do instead is become what I refer to as an “emotional adult.” This means taking responsibility for your feelings and understanding that they’re only ever caused by your thoughts, not your circumstances. 

By learning to take back control of your thoughts and reactions, you can improve your current situation or make a more informed decision about your future.

For example, if you’re constantly thinking, “I’m overwhelmed and can’t handle this,” you’re reinforcing feelings of stress and anxiety. But if you start to challenge those thoughts and replace them with more empowering ones, like “I can handle this one step at a time,” you’ll start to feel more in control and less stressed, even if your workload hasn’t changed.

So, before you decide to leave your accounting career, take a moment to reflect on your thought patterns. Are you blaming your job for all your stress and dissatisfaction? Are you hoping that a change of scenery will magically make everything better? If so, it’s time to rethink those beliefs.

By understanding and managing your thoughts, you can make more deliberate and effective changes in your life. Whether you stay in accounting or move on to something new, you’ll be better equipped to handle challenges and create a sense of satisfaction. 

Remember, your happiness starts with your mindset, not your circumstances.

Slowing Down and Reflecting

So whether you’ve been thinking about leaving the accounting profession for a while or just recently started to consider it, let’s take a deep breath together. When you’re feeling overwhelmed, it’s crucial to slow down and take stock of your thoughts and feelings. 

It might sound simple, but it’s incredibly powerful.  Why?  Because when we’re caught up in the hustle and bustle, it’s easy to act on autopilot. 

Our minds race, and we make snap decisions just to get through the day. But this frantic pace can cloud our judgment.

If you’re constantly stressed and burned out, it might feel like quitting is the only option. But that’s your burnout talking, not your clear-headed self.

Making decisions from a place of hate, frustration, or burnout is like trying to see clearly through a fogged-up windshield. Your emotions can distort your perspective and lead to choices you might regret later. Instead, it’s essential to pause, reflect, and get a clearer view of your situation.

So, how do you do that? Start by becoming aware of your thoughts and feelings. First start with how you’re feeling.  Are you overwhelmed, stressed, angry, anxious, or frustrated?  You need to name how you’re feeling with a one word emotion.

Next, notice what’s going on in your mind prior to those feelings. Are you constantly thinking, “I can’t handle this” or “I hate my job”? Recognizing these thoughts are incredibly important.

Once you’ve identified your feelings and the thoughts causing them, you can start to challenge and change them. Ask yourself, “Is this thought helping me or hurting me?” If it’s hurting you, try to reframe it. 

For example, instead of thinking, “This is too much,” try thinking, “I can break this down into simpler tasks.” This shift in mindset can reduce stress and give you a more balanced view.

By slowing down and reflecting, you give yourself the chance to make decisions from a place of calm and clarity rather than stress and frustration. This doesn’t mean ignoring your feelings or pretending everything is okay. It means acknowledging your emotions, understanding them, and using that insight to make better choices.

Remember, your goal is to make decisions that serve you now and in the future. Rushing into a decision because you’re burned out might bring temporary relief, but it won’t address the underlying issues. 

By taking the time to reflect, you can find solutions that truly work for you, whether that means staying in your current job with some adjustments or exploring new opportunities.

So, before you make any big career moves, slow down. Reflect on your thoughts and feelings. Give yourself the gift of time and clarity. You’ll be better equipped to make decisions that lead to lasting satisfaction and success.

Making Informed Decisions

Let’s talk about making decisions that truly serve you in the long run. It’s not just about deciding to stay or leave your job on a whim. It’s about making thoughtful, informed choices that align with your goals and values.

First, let’s break down the process of making a good decision. It starts with understanding what you really want and need. 

Take a moment to reflect on your career goals, personal values, and what makes you happy. This self-awareness is crucial because it helps you make choices that are in line with who you are and where you want to go.

Now, let’s discuss the two common pitfalls: fight or flight and analysis paralysis.

When we’re stressed or unhappy, our brains go into survival mode. We might feel an urgent need to either escape the situation (flight) or confront it head-on with drastic measures (fight). 

For example, you might feel like quitting your job immediately because you’re so frustrated (flight), or you might try to overhaul your entire work process in one go (fight). These reactions are natural, but they often lead to hasty decisions that we might regret later.

On the flip side, there’s analysis paralysis. This is when you get so caught up in weighing every possible option and outcome that you end up stuck, unable to make any decision at all. 

You might spend weeks or even months overthinking every little detail, afraid to make the wrong choice. This can leave you feeling even more stressed and uncertain.

So, how do you avoid these pitfalls? By committing to both the action and the belief behind your decision. Here’s what that means – once you’ve made a decision, commit to taking the necessary steps. 

For example, if you decide to stay in your current job but set new boundaries to reduce stress, follow through with implementing those changes. Take concrete actions like talking to your boss about workload, scheduling regular breaks, or setting a firm end time for your workday.

Just as important as the action of committing is believing in your decision. This means having confidence that you’ve made the right choice based on your self-reflection and understanding of your needs. 

If you’ve decided to stay and make changes, believe that these changes will improve your situation. If you’ve decided to leave, trust that this decision is the best for your long-term happiness and growth.

By committing to both the action and the belief, you create a sense of purpose and direction. This helps reduce second-guessing and regret. You’re not just making a change; you’re embracing it with confidence and a clear understanding of why it’s the right choice for you.

In short, making informed decisions means taking the time to understand your true needs, avoiding impulsive or overly cautious behavior, and fully committing to your choices with both actions and beliefs. 

Becoming a Smarter Accountant: Using Current Challenges As Opportunities

Let me share a story about one of my Smarter Accountant coaching clients that might help you to see this all in action.  She had been working in accounting for ten years and recently felt overwhelmed by the mounting pressures of her job. 

She was at a breaking point, thinking seriously about leaving the profession she had once loved.  She was dealing with an increased workload, demanding clients, and the constant stress of meeting tight deadlines. 

Every day felt like a grind, and she often thought, “I can’t keep doing this.” She felt trapped and believed that leaving her job was the only way to find relief and happiness. The stress was affecting her health, her relationships, and her overall sense of well-being.

But before making any drastic decisions, we decided that she should take a step back and really evaluate her situation. She began to explore how she could use her current challenges as opportunities to develop better decision-making skills and improve her overall mindset.

She started by slowing down and reflecting on her thoughts and feelings. She realized that her constant stress was due to how she was thinking about her work. 

She often felt like she had no control and that everything was happening to her. With this awareness, she decided to shift her mindset.

She began to see her challenges as opportunities for growth. Instead of thinking, “I can’t handle this workload,” she started thinking, “I can prioritize my tasks and ask for help when needed.” 

She also set boundaries to protect her personal time, ensuring she had moments to relax and recharge.

I taught her the concept of becoming an emotional adult, which meant taking responsibility for her feelings and reactions. She stopped blaming her job and clients for her stress and started focusing on what she could control: her responses and attitudes. 

This shift was empowering and allowed her to tackle her challenges with a clearer, more positive mindset.

Thankfully, it wasn’t too long until she noticed significant changes. She felt more in control and less overwhelmed. By prioritizing her tasks and setting boundaries, she managed her workload more effectively. 

Her stress levels decreased, and she began to enjoy her work again. She even found herself looking forward to new projects and challenges.

Sarah also saw personal growth. She became more confident in her decision-making and felt a greater sense of satisfaction in her career. 

By upleveling her accountant brain, she not only improved her professional skills but also enhanced her overall quality of life.

Hopefully you can see that my client’s story shows that by using current challenges as opportunities for growth, you can transform your experience in the accounting profession. It’s about shifting your mindset and developing better decision-making skills. Instead of seeing obstacles as insurmountable, view them as chances to learn and improve.

Remember, staying in the profession might become a more attractive option once you address your mindset issues. Like my client, you might find that with the right approach, you can rekindle your passion for accounting and thrive both personally and professionally. 

So, before you decide to leave, consider how you can turn your challenges into opportunities for growth and success.

Key Takeaway and Action Item

The key takeaway is that before making any major decisions about leaving the accounting profession, it’s crucial to slow down, reflect on your current thoughts and feelings, and consider how your mindset is influencing your experience. 

By shifting your perspective and addressing your thought patterns, you can transform your challenges into opportunities for personal and professional growth, potentially rekindling your passion for accounting.

If you do decide to leave, at least you will have the awareness that your decision is based on a thoughtful and informed evaluation of your true needs and desires, rather than an impulsive reaction to temporary stress.

This week, ask yourself: “Am I blaming my job for my dissatisfaction, or can I change my mindset to see opportunities for growth and improvement in my current situation?”

Well, that’s what I have for you.  Thank you for joining me as I discussed before you leave the accounting profession.  I hope you’ve gained valuable insights and practical tools.

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

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

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

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

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

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

So be honest – have you ever double-checked your work, then triple-checked it, just to make sure there are no mistakes? Or maybe you’ve stayed late at the office, not because you were behind, but because you wanted everything to be perfect? If this sounds familiar, you might be dealing with perfectionism.

Perfectionism basically means wanting everything to be flawless. For accountants, this can be a big deal because our job involves handling financial records, making sure we follow rules, and giving important information for decisions. 

It’s easy to see why we strive for perfection. However, always trying to be perfect can lead to stress, burnout, and other problems.

For many accountants, perfectionism means working very hard to avoid mistakes and to produce perfect work. It’s not just about doing a good job; it’s about feeling that anything less than perfect is unacceptable. 

The truth is that this mindset can be both a help and a burden.

Think about your daily tasks as an accountant. Even a small error can have big consequences. 

It’s no wonder many of us set very high standards. But here’s the thing: no one is perfect. 

Mistakes happen, and trying to be perfect can sometimes set us up for disappointment. Imagine spending hours checking your work, unable to finish because you’re convinced it’s not right. 

Think about the toll on your mental and physical health when you’re always pushing yourself to meet unrealistic expectations. Unfortunately, perfectionism can lead to anxiety, stress, and burnout.

But let’s also recognize the good side of perfectionism. Yes, there’s actually a good side!  Many  accountants who proclaim to be perfectionists are known for their strong work ethic and dedication. 

Their commitment to high standards results in high-quality work that employers and clients appreciate. The key though is finding a balance – using the positive sides of perfectionism without letting it take over.

If you’ve been a long-time perfectionist and see it as a badge of honor, I completely understand. But you need to admit the toll it’s taking on you and be open to change. 

As accountants, we often resist change, especially when it feels like we might fail if we don’t keep doing things the same way. This resistance is understandable. 

Our profession relies on consistency, and changing tried-and-true methods can seem risky. This is why completely getting rid of perfectionism is often impossible and unnecessary. 

Instead, the goal should be to find a balance that allows us to maintain high standards without harming our well-being. In other words, find the sweet spot between the pros and cons of perfectionism.  Now I’m going to talk about understanding perfectionism better.

Understanding Perfectionism

First, I’ll admit that as a Professional Certified Coach for Accountants, I have definitely been guilty of bashing perfectionism and will most likely continue.  I’ve waved my judgmental finger at our tendency to strive for perfection and get an A on our tests because I have those tendencies myself.

But then I dug a little deeper, did some research, and learned that there’s more to perfectionism than meets the eye.  In fact, there are two types of perfectionism.

The first type is adaptive perfectionism.  This is the “good” kind of perfectionism. 

Adaptive perfectionists set high standards for themselves, but they do it in a healthy way. They are motivated by their goals and feel satisfied when they meet them. 

They understand that mistakes are part of learning and growing. For example, an adaptive perfectionist might double-check their work to ensure accuracy, but they won’t panic if they find a small error—they’ll fix it and move on.

They also don’t waste too much time and are able to move forward.  They’re not so obsessed that they lose track of the big picture.

The second type of perfectionism is maladaptive perfectionism.  This is the “bad” kind of perfectionism. 

Maladaptive perfectionists set unrealistically high standards and become extremely self-critical if they don’t meet them. They fear making mistakes and often feel anxious or stressed. 

They might spend excessive time on a task, unable to finish because they’re never satisfied with their work. For example, a maladaptive perfectionist might keep revising a financial report endlessly, worried that it’s not perfect enough to submit.

As I researched this topic, I also came across some common traits and behaviors of perfectionists that I wanted to share.  Here are a few you might recognize:

High Standards: You always aim for the best possible outcome and are never satisfied with “good enough.”  You might find yourself setting goals that are exceptionally high, sometimes even unrealistic, which can lead to frustration when they are not met.

Attention to Detail: You pay close attention to every detail, sometimes to the point of obsessing over small things.  For accountants, this can be beneficial in many situations, but it might also cause you to spend excessive time on trivial aspects, which can slow down your overall progress.

Fear of Failure: You worry a lot about making mistakes and often see errors as personal failures.  This fear can be paralyzing, preventing you from taking risks or trying new things because the possibility of failing feels too daunting.

Procrastination: You might delay starting or finishing tasks because you fear you won’t do them perfectly.  This can create a cycle of stress and anxiety, as deadlines approach and the pressure to perform flawlessly becomes overwhelming.

Overworking: You often work long hours, believing that more effort will lead to perfect results. This belief can lead to burnout and exhaustion, as you push yourself beyond healthy limits, neglecting self-care and personal time.

Self-Criticism: You are very hard on yourself and often have a critical inner voice that tells you that you’re not good enough.  This self-criticism can undermine your confidence and self-esteem, making it difficult to celebrate achievements or recognize your worth.  I often see imposter syndrome in my perfectionistic coaching clients.

Hopefully, by understanding these aspects of perfectionism, we can start to see how it can both help and hurt us in our accounting careers. Recognizing whether we lean more towards adaptive or maladaptive perfectionism can be the first step towards finding a healthier balance.

Now let’s talk about your brain’s role in perfectionism.

Your Brain’s Role In Perfectionism

As I’ve shared before, this is the podcast where brain science meets accounting.  The thing is, understanding how our brain works can help us see why we might strive for perfection. 

When it comes to perfectionism, certain parts of our brain and certain chemicals play key roles.

I’ve discussed this before, but the higher part of our brain, the part that is only present in humans and that I refer to as the Supervising Parent, is in charge of things like setting goals, planning, and controlling impulses. Think of it as the brain’s “manager.” 

When you’re trying to be perfect, your higher brain is working hard to set high standards and keep you focused on reaching them. The problem is that this can create an unsustainable situation.  

It’s also important to understand that there are chemicals in your brain that affect how you feel and what you do or don’t do.  

The first is serotonin which helps regulate mood and anxiety. Low levels of serotonin can make you feel anxious and stressed, which can push you to try even harder to be perfect. 

If you’re constantly worried about making mistakes, it might be because your serotonin levels are off balance.

The second chemical is dopamine which is linked to the brain’s reward system. When you achieve something, like completing a project perfectly, your brain releases dopamine, which makes you feel good. 

For perfectionists, the brain might be especially sensitive to dopamine, making you constantly seek that rewarding feeling of getting everything just right.

It’s also important to understand that stress and anxiety can have a big impact on the brain, especially for perfectionists. When you’re stressed, your brain releases a hormone called cortisol. 

High levels of cortisol over time can make it harder to think clearly and make decisions. It can also lead to feeling overwhelmed and burned out.

For perfectionists accountants, the fear of making mistakes and the constant push to be perfect can create a lot of stress and anxiety. 

This can make the higher brain work even harder, which can be exhausting. It’s like running a marathon every day – eventually, you’re going to get tired.

The thing is, when stress and anxiety are high, it’s harder to focus, make decisions, and feel satisfied with your work. This can create a cycle where the more you try to be perfect, the more stressed and anxious you become, and the harder it is to actually achieve that perfection.

The reason I’m always trying to incorporate brain science in each episode is because understanding how your brain processes something like perfectionism can help you find ways to manage it. Knowing that your brain is wired to seek rewards and avoid mistakes can help you be kinder to yourself when things aren’t perfect. 

Again, it’s about finding a balance that allows you to maintain high standards without overwhelming yourself.

By recognizing the roles of your higher brain, serotonin, dopamine, and cortisol, you can start to see perfectionism not just as a personality trait but as a series of brain processes. This understanding can be the first step in learning to manage perfectionism in a healthier, more balanced way.

Now let’s talk about the surprising pros of perfectionism in accounting.

The Surprising Pros of Perfectionism in Accounting

To truly benefit from perfectionism, we need to redefine what we mean by “perfect.” If we let other people define what perfect is, we can fall into maladaptive perfectionism, the bad kind I mentioned a few minutes ago. 

This is where perfectionism turns negative, leading to stress and burnout. Instead, we should define perfection for ourselves.

For example, if you decide that doing B+ or A- work is perfect for you, instead of always aiming for A++, you’re setting your own boundary. You’re creating a doable goal. 

This way, you can still maintain high standards without exhausting yourself. By defining what’s perfect for yourself, it’s much easier to avoid the slippery slope of burnout.

One of the big advantages of perfectionism in accounting is the attention to detail. When you’re more apt to focus on the details, you check your work before passing it off to someone else.

This means financial statements and reports are more accurate. For example, you might catch small errors that others might miss. 

This level of detail can often be crucial in accounting, where even a tiny mistake may have big consequences.  It’s okay to pay attention to the details, but to balance that with letting go and moving on.

The second pro is that perfectionists set very high standards for themselves. This drive can push you to deliver excellent work consistently. 

When I have coaching clients who are perfectionists, they’re the most diligent about our work together in The Smarter Accountant 6-week program .  They like to go the extra mile to make sure everything is top-notch. 

In fact, when a perfectionist hires me as their coach, I feel honored because I know I am meeting their high standards and that our partnership is going to achieve some remarkable results.  

The third pro is a strong work ethic.  Perfectionists are typically reliable and dedicated to their job. 

They care about what they produce and are willing to put in the time to make sure things are perfect. Again, this is where it’s crucial for my perfectionist clients to redefine what “perfect” means for them and to set self-imposed boundaries with themselves.

While their strong work effort is commendable, it’s important to not have tunnel vision.  I remind them that life outside of work is as important as life at work.

Their commitment can set a positive example for others in the workplace as long as they are not becoming an example of how other accountants do NOT want to be.

Before I move onto the cons of perfectionism, I want to mention time management for a perfectionist.  In The Smarter Accountant Time Management Program I suggest scheduling what I refer to as “overflow time” at the end of the day.

This is 30 – 60 minutes blocked off to tie up loose ends.  But here’s why this is so important – when my coaching clients are learning to manage their time, they create time blocks with boundaries that cannot be crossed.

For example, if they calendar working on a tax return from 9 am to 11 am, they stop working on the return at 11 am and move onto whatever was calendared in the next time block.  But what happens if they haven’t finished?

For my perfectionist coaching clients, this is extremely difficult.  Their perfectionist brain is screaming, “You can’t stop!  It’s not perfect yet!”

But here’s where the beauty of overflow time comes in – by giving themself a buffer of time to stop working on the tax return and then look at it during overflow time, they very often realize that it doesn’t need much more to be done, if anything at all.

In other words, because they unplugged their perfectionist brain obsessed with getting the tax return done perfectly, they give their brain time to let it go for a bit.

Clients are always amazed when it’s overflow time and they realize that whatever they originally felt they couldn’t stop working on, is now seen through a different lens.

Bottom line – by paying close attention to detail, setting high standards, and having a strong work ethic, perfectionist accountants can achieve great things.  But remember, it’s crucial to define what perfect means to you. 

Setting your own standards can help you stay motivated and avoid burnout, ensuring a sustainable and fulfilling career.

Now let’s talk about the unfortunate cons of perfectionism in accounting.

The Unfortunate Cons of Perfectionism in Accounting

You’ve probably heard about the cons of perfectionism before, but don’t tune me out.  They’re worth revisiting.

The first major downside of perfectionism is burnout. When you’re always trying to be flawless, it can be exhausting. 

You might find yourself working late nights, weekends, and never feeling like you can take a break. This constant pressure can leave you feeling drained and overwhelmed. 

Last week I did an entire episode on burnout so if you haven’t checked it out, it’s episode #61, but here’s the thing – we need to stop normalizing burnout in the accounting profession.  Burnout doesn’t just affect your work; it impacts your overall well-being, making it hard to enjoy life outside of work.

I also think it’s a major contributing factor to the decrease in the number of students majoring in accounting and why the industry is having a pipeline issue.  

The second downside to perfectionism for accountants is analysis paralysis.  This happens when you overthink every detail and delay making decisions because you’re afraid of making mistakes. 

In accounting, this can become a big problem.  It can slow down your work and lead to missed deadlines. 

You might spend so much time perfecting one part of a project that you don’t finish the rest on time. This can be frustrating for you and your team.

The third downside is that perfectionism can take a toll on your mental health. Constantly striving for perfection can lead to stress, anxiety, and low self-esteem. 

When you’re dealing with perfectionism, you might feel like you’re never good enough, no matter how hard you work. This can create a cycle of negative beliefs that affect your happiness and productivity. 

And the final downside to perfectionism for accountants is that it can also strain your professional relationships. I want you to honestly ask yourself this question, “How much fun do you think it is to work for you or with you?”

The hard truth is that when you set unrealistic expectations for yourself, you might do the same for others. This can lead to conflicts with coworkers who may feel pressured or judged. 

And if you haven’t noticed, perfectionists often have trouble delegating tasks because they believe no one else can do the job as well as they can. This can create tension and resentment within your team.

This is another reason why I have an entire mini-training in The Smarter Accountant Time Management Program on effective delegation because I know how challenging it can be, especially if you’re a perfectionist.

The bottom line – while aiming for high standards is good, it’s crucial to find a balance. Recognizing and addressing the negative aspects of perfectionism can help you maintain a healthy, productive, and enjoyable career.

Now let me share a relatable story about an accountant who learned to strike a balance.

Becoming a Smarter Accountant: Striking A Balance

I’ve dealt with perfectionism myself and coached many accountants on this topic, but let me just share the story of one particular coaching client.

One client stands out for me because he had been struggling with perfectionism his whole life.  Now that he was midway in his accounting career and was noticing the impact his perfectionism was having on him and his family, he knew something needed to change.

He often found himself with too much work and not enough time to get it done.  He also realized that perfectionism was a huge contributing factor so we worked on him redefining what “perfect” looked like.

He began by setting more realistic deadlines for his projects. Instead of trying to complete everything perfectly in one go, he broke his tasks into smaller steps. 

For example, instead of aiming to finish a comprehensive report in one day, he set a goal to complete the data collection on the first day, analysis on the second, and writing on the third. 

This made his workload more manageable and less stressful.

Next, whenever he made a mistake, he took a moment to reflect on what he could learn from it. If he missed a detail in a report, he would note it and find ways to improve his process for the next time. 

This shift in thinking helped him to see mistakes as part of his learning process, rather than as failures.  He also began to change the way he thought about materiality and stopped making everything seem like if it wasn’t done perfectly, it was a failure.

Lastly, he also started practicing self-compassion. He realized his inner critic was another huge contributing factor to his perfectionism.

So when he felt overwhelmed or criticized himself harshly, he took a step back and reminded himself that he was doing his best. He started jotting down his achievements and positive feedback from colleagues to remind himself of his strengths and progress.

This let his brain see that he didn’t need to keep proving himself as valuable; he already was.

By becoming a Smarter Accountant he managed to reduce his stress and improve his overall well-being. He was still able to maintain high standards, but without the constant pressure to be perfect.

He was also able to get more work done in less time which made it possible to get home at a decent hour.  His family was thrilled which gave him an incredible sense of pride.

So no matter where you are on the spectrum of perfectionism, just remember this – it’s not about being perfect; it’s about doing your best and learning along the way.

Key Takeaway and Action Item

Finding balance in perfectionism is essential. It’s okay to strive for high standards, but set realistic goals, embrace mistakes as learning opportunities, and practice self-compassion. 

This balance will help you maintain your well-being and productivity in your accounting career, without becoming a burnout statistic.

For this week ask yourself, “What is one area in my work where I can set a more realistic goal instead of aiming for perfection? How can I redefine “perfect” to make it more achievable for myself this week?

Well, that’s what I have for you.  Thank you for joining me as I discussed the pros and cons of perfectionism.  I hope you’ve gained valuable insights and practical tools.

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

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

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

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

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

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

So, as I was going through the list of topics we’ve covered on this podcast, I was pretty surprised to realize we haven’t talked about burnout yet. It’s such a common issue these days, especially for us accountants, that I originally assumed I must have already discussed it.

With all the demands of our profession, it’s no wonder so many of us feel overwhelmed, stressed, and just plain exhausted. Whether it’s the chaos of tax season, the pressures of financial reporting, or managing client expectations, the intense workload can really take a toll on both our mental and physical well-being.

But burnout isn’t just about being tired after a long day at work. It’s a state of chronic physical and emotional exhaustion that can lead to all sorts of problems, like reduced productivity, more sick days, and a higher chance of making mistakes. And for those of us who pride ourselves on our attention to detail and accuracy, the effects of burnout can be especially tough.

One of the trickiest parts about burnout is that it sneaks up on you. It often starts with small signs like feeling low on energy, having trouble sleeping, or finding it hard to concentrate. 

You might get more irritable, or notice you’re catching colds more often. Over time, these symptoms can escalate into feelings of hopelessness, losing enjoyment in your work, and feeling detached from your colleagues and clients.

For many accountants, burnout isn’t just a work issue—it’s personal too. Balancing a busy accounting career with personal responsibilities, like taking care of kids or elderly parents, can feel impossible. The pressure to excel in both areas can leave you feeling like you’re running on empty with no time to recharge.

It’s really important to know that burnout isn’t a sign of weakness or failure, and there’s no shame in it. It’s a natural response to prolonged stress and overwork that needs to be addressed. In fact, chronic stress from burnout can increase your risk of serious health issues, like heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.

But here’s the good news: burnout isn’t inevitable, and it doesn’t have to be permanent. By recognizing the signs early on and taking proactive steps to manage stress, you can reduce your risk of burnout and improve your overall well-being.

This episode is all about helping you understand the root causes of burnout and giving you practical strategies to overcome it. I’ll explain where burnout comes from, why it hits accountants so hard, and what you can do to find balance in your life. 

Whether you’re an employee or an entrepreneur, a seasoned pro or just starting out, the tips and insights shared here can help you handle the challenges of your profession with more ease and resilience.

Remember, you’re not alone in this. Burnout is common among accountants, but it can be managed and even prevented with the right approach. By taking the time to understand and address what’s stressing you out, you can reclaim your energy, enthusiasm, and passion for your work, or at least not dread it so much.

Understanding Burnout

In order to understand burnout better, let’s start with signs of burnout.  As I said before, the truth is that burnout can sneak up on you if you’re not paying attention.

Thankfully, there are clear signs that indicate if you’re heading towards or already experiencing it.  I’m going to share some of the common symptoms a little more in depth:

Lack of Energy: Feeling exhausted, even after a full night’s sleep, can be a sign of burnout. You might find it hard to have the energy to tackle your daily tasks.  You might notice you’re drinking more caffeine to counteract the lack of energy.

Sleep Disturbances: Trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking up feeling unrefreshed can all be linked to burnout. Your mind might be racing with thoughts about work, making it hard to relax.  If you can’t remember the last time you had a good night’s sleep, that’s something to take a look at.

Lack of Focus or Forgetfulness: Finding it difficult to concentrate, remember things, or make decisions can be a sign that your brain is overwhelmed and needs a break.  Of course, as we get older our brains aren’t as sharp as they used to be, but burnout makes it even harder to focus.

Frequent Illnesses: When you’re constantly stressed, your immune system can weaken, making you more susceptible to colds, flu, and other illnesses.  With Covid-19 still affecting many of us globally, it’s even more important to support your immune system.

Feeling On Edge or Hopeless: Burnout can make you feel anxious, edgy, or even hopeless. You might feel like you’re always waiting for the other shoe to drop.  If you feel a sense of dread on a regular basis, that’s something to pay attention to.

Increased Irritability: You might notice that you’re more irritable or quick to anger. Small annoyances that you could usually brush off might feel overwhelming.  It’s important to be willing to hear people who are close to you when they say you seem off or more irritable than usual.

Loss of Enjoyment: Activities you used to enjoy, whether at work or in your personal life, might no longer bring you pleasure. It can feel like the joy has been sucked out of your daily routine.  When each day blends into the next and you find yourself not looking forward to anything, it could be a sign of burnout.

Negative Self-Talk: Burnout often comes with a lot of negative self-talk. You might catch yourself thinking, “I’m not good enough” or “I can’t do this.”  Although our brain is wired with a negativity bias, when we’re experiencing burnout, that negative voice is loud and heard often.

Isolation: Feeling detached from others or withdrawing from social interactions can be a sign of burnout. You might feel too tired or overwhelmed to engage with friends or family.  Even if you’re an introvert, isolating yourself from others is something to look at to see whether it’s extreme or not.

Reduced Productivity: Despite working long hours, you might find that you’re getting less done. Tasks that used to be easy now take much longer to complete.  This is a big one to pay attention to as an accountant because burnout makes it nearly impossible to get more done in less time.

If you can relate to any of these, just know that you’re not alone, but you’ll want to not sweep these issues under the rug, or worse, normalize them.  I think that’s why burnout is such a common issue in the accounting profession – because we’re surrounded by other burned out accountants so we just assume that’s the way things are.

While burnout can hit anyone, in any profession, as accountants we face some unique challenges that can make us especially susceptible due to the nature of the work we do and the deadlines we deal with.

A Tragic Story Of The Effects Of Burnout

If you haven’t read my book, “The Smarter Accountant”, or listened to previous episodes of this podcast, I shared the story of Jim.  Jim was a partner in an accounting firm and a father to 5 young children – 2 boys and 3 girls.  He worked hard to support his wife and children, doing what he could to afford a home in a good school district.

As a partner in a firm at only 38 years old, with a stay-at-home wife, 5 children, and a new home, he was very stressed and on the verge of burnout.  He tried not to bring that stress and overwhelm home, but it wasn’t easy.  

His wife was concerned for his health, especially with him having had a heart attack the prior year.  

One day Jim and his family went to the beach with some friends, and he had the opportunity to go water skiing on one of his friend’s boats.  It seemed like something fun to try and a nice way to relax and detach from the pressures of work.

Unfortunately, that day Jim had a heart attack on the beach, in front of his wife and young children, and didn’t survive.  He left a young wife with 5 young children, trying to make sense of what happened.

As more studies have shown the effects of stress on the body, it’s safe to assume stress most likely contributed to his heart attacks at such a young age.  Stress was poisoning his body and had unfortunately become a silent killer.

The truth is that Jim’s story is personal to me because he was my husband’s father.  I never got to meet him, but I have been married to the 8-year-old boy who watched his father die on the beach that day.

When my husband told me the story of his dad’s death, I couldn’t help but wonder how many accountants have no idea how much stress is detrimentally affecting them.  How many accountants need to be burned out, or worse, before something changes?

Whether you have children or not, please do not let Jim’s story become your story.  Consider becoming a Smarter Accountant not just for your sake, but for everyone’s sake. 

Understanding the signs I’ve shared and the impact of burnout is the first step toward addressing it. By recognizing the symptoms early, you can take proactive steps to manage stress and prevent burnout from taking over your life. Remember, it’s about finding balance and taking care of yourself, both professionally and personally.

Your Brain’s Role In Burnout

Burnout isn’t just about external pressures and responsibilities; it’s also deeply connected to how your brain processes and responds to stress. Understanding this can help you take control and reduce its impact on your life.

When you’re stressed, your brain triggers a “fight-or-flight” response, a primitive reaction designed to help you survive immediate dangers by flooding your body with stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. While this response is helpful in short bursts, constant stress keeps your brain and body in a heightened state of alert, leading to exhaustion and burnout.

Our brains are wired to notice and react to potential threats. In the modern world of accounting, these threats often come in the form of deadlines, workloads, and other stressors. 

This can lead to negative thought patterns, where your brain focuses on what’s wrong rather than what’s right. For accountants, this might mean fixating on mistakes, looming deadlines, or high expectations, which can amplify feelings of stress and burnout.

Your beliefs about work and stress play a significant role in how your brain responds to burnout. If you believe that being busy and stressed is just part of being an accountant, your brain will continue to reinforce that belief, making it harder to break the cycle of burnout. This is often seen in the narrative of the “busy accountant,” where long hours and high stress are viewed as badges of honor.

It’s also important to understand that how you perceive your work and responsibilities can influence your level of burnout. If you see your workload as overwhelming and never-ending, your brain will react accordingly, keeping you in a state of stress. 

However, if you can shift your perception to view challenges as manageable and opportunities for growth, you can reduce the stress response.

The key is understanding that your brain and body are in constant communication. When you’re stressed, your brain sends signals to your body, which can lead to physical symptoms like fatigue, headaches, and muscle tension. 

Thankfully, when you learn how to manage your brain, you also learn how to reduce stress and prevent burnout.  The good news is that you can rewire your brain to respond to stress more positively. 

This involves changing your thought patterns and beliefs about work and stress. As I tell my coaching clients all the time, when you learn how to manage your brain, you can manage everything else. Until you learn that skill, burnout will always be an option.

The bottom line is that by understanding your brain’s role in burnout, you can take proactive steps to manage stress and protect your mental health. It’s about recognizing that while you can’t always control external pressures, you can control how you respond to them. 

This shift in perspective can make a significant difference in reducing burnout and improving your overall well-being. Remember, taking care of your brain is just as important as taking care of your workload.

Practical Strategies to Reduce Burnout

Now I want to talk about steps you can take to reduce burnout.  One of the most powerful ways to beat burnout is by shifting your mindset. 

How do you do that?  By recognizing that unaddressed stress and overwhelm create burnout.  

When an average week looks like a roller coaster ride of stress, overwhelm, and frustration, it’s no wonder you’re on the verge of burnout.  But thankfully, it doesn’t have to be this way.

My first tip is to understand that feelings of stress and overwhelm are only ever created by your thoughts.  In other words, no person, place, or thing is ever causing you to burnout.

In fact, it’s the constant feelings of stress and overwhelm which lead to ineffective action that lead to burnout.  If you constantly tell yourself that your workload is overwhelming and unmanageable, your brain will respond accordingly, keeping you in a state of stress. 

Instead of thinking, “I’ll never get through all this work,” try reframing it to, “I’ll tackle one task at a time.” By changing your self-talk, you can reduce feelings of stress and overwhelm and increase your sense of control.

Another culprit of burnout is issues with decision-making.  The truth is that indecision can be a major source of mental fatigue and stress, contributing to burnout. 

So my second suggestion is to focus on improving your decision-making skills by using the “Do it, dump it, delegate it” method. For example, if you have an email that requires a quick response, do it immediately. 

If there’s a task that’s not essential, dump it. If there’s something that someone else can handle, delegate it. This method helps clear your to-do list efficiently and reduce chances of burnout.

It’s also important to avoid perfectionism, which can paralyze decision-making and increase stress. I’m going to do an upcoming episode on perfectionism, but if you’re noticing signs of burnout, perfectionism might be the culprit.

That’s why my third suggestion is to become aware of perfectionist tendencies and to remember that making timely decisions, even if they aren’t perfect, is better than procrastinating and letting tasks pile up.

Another issue that can quickly lead to burnout is overworking without productive results.  I’ve said this before on the podcast, but trying to get accounting work done when you’re feeling stressed and overwhelmed is like putting the parking brake on and trying to drive 100 mph.

It doesn’t work and it leads to the engine of the car seizing or things burning out.  The same goes for you.

My fourth tip is to learn to identify and eliminate distractions that waste your time. One of the keys to better time management that no one else teaches is to plan your time based on the results you want to achieve, not just the actions you need to take. 

For example, set a goal to complete a specific task within a set time frame, such as reviewing a tax return in one hour, if that’s reasonable. This approach forces your brain to focus and reduces the likelihood of getting sidetracked by less important activities. 

Personally I believe that effective time management is one of the keys to beating burnout for accountants.  That’s why I created The Smarter Accountant Time Management Program.

The truth is that when you can effectively manage your brain and your time, you’ll feel much more focused and less stressed and overwhelmed.  In other words, when feelings like focused and confident are fueling your day, you’re less likely to succumb to burnout.

Another issue I see all the time with my coaching clients is not being able to set and stick to boundaries.  Setting clear boundaries is crucial for protecting your well-being and reducing burnout. 

That’s why my sixth tip is to start by scheduling your free time first, before work and family commitments. This ensures you have dedicated time to relax and recharge. 

It’s important to have a long-term vision for your career and life, and establish boundaries that support this vision. For example, set specific work hours and stick to them, even if it means saying no to additional tasks or requests. 

For me, I have non-negotiable boundaries throughout the week but especially on Wednesdays – my husband and I have had a date night every Wednesday for 16 years and I will not schedule anything that will conflict with that, whether someone else likes it or not.

The truth is that boundaries not only protect your mental health but also help you maintain a healthier work-life balance.

Another thing that often gets overlooked when trying to beat burnout is self-care.  It’s important to understand that incorporating self-care into your routine is essential for combating burnout. 

For this, my seventh tip is to create healthier habits like going for a 30-minute walk every morning to start your day with exercise and fresh air. Prepare healthy meals in advance to ensure you’re eating well-balanced food instead of reaching for the sugary snack or the 4th cup of coffee to get through the day.

Spend an hour each weekend on a hobby you love to help you relax and recharge.  Or limit the amount of time you check email on the weekends in order to leave work at work.

Remember, taking care of yourself is not a luxury but a necessity for maintaining your productivity and mental health.

And don’t be ashamed to seek professional support if you’re dealing with burnout.  Reach out to colleagues, mentors, or professional organizations for guidance and support. 

For this, my tip is to share your experiences and challenges with others because it can provide valuable insights and help you feel less isolated. Consider speaking with a therapist or a coach who can offer strategies for managing stress and preventing burnout. 

The truth is that burnout is more common than you think, but professional support can provide a fresh perspective and practical advice tailored to your specific situation.  Just know that sweeping signs of burnout under the rug only puts you in more danger than necessary.

And lastly, you need to be willing to advocate for reasonable workloads and realistic deadlines. Be willing to say something.

I’m going to bet you’re surrounded by others who are struggling with burnout which means that open and honest discussions about burnout and mental health can help create a supportive work environment. 

For this, I would suggest you encourage your employer to implement policies that promote work-life balance, such as flexible working hours or remote work options. By creating a culture of openness and support, you can help reduce burnout not only for yourself but also for your colleagues.

To be honest, I think the accounting profession has turned a blind eye to burnout for way too long, creating some very unhealthy beliefs about what it takes to be a good accountant.  If we aren’t willing to do something about it now, we’re just going to keep creating burned out accountants.

Just know this – reducing burnout is not about making drastic changes overnight but about making small, consistent adjustments that lead to a healthier, more balanced life. Prioritize your mental health, seek support when needed, and set boundaries to protect your well-being. 

The accounting profession needs you, so do what you can to address burnout before it’s too late.  

Becoming a Smarter Accountant: Transforming Burnout To Balance

I’ve dealt with burnout myself and coached many accountants on this topic, but let me just share the story of one particular coaching client.

When she first came to me for coaching, she was at her wit’s end. She had always been a high achiever, known for her work ethic and her ability to handle a heavy workload. 

However, over the past few years, the demands of her job had steadily increased, and she found herself working longer hours, often late into the night.  Her personal life was equally demanding. 

As a mother of two young children, she was juggling school runs, homework help, and family activities alongside her professional responsibilities. Her husband also had a demanding job, which meant that much of the household management fell on her shoulders. 

She felt like she was constantly racing against the clock, with no time left for herself.  The signs of burnout were clear. 

She felt exhausted all the time, struggled with insomnia, and found it hard to concentrate at work. She became increasingly irritable with her colleagues and family, and tasks that she once enjoyed now felt like burdens. 

Despite her efforts, her productivity at work was declining, and she began to fear that she was failing both professionally and personally.

When we first met she told me that she believed that her burnout was an inevitable consequence of her responsibilities and that there was no way out. But together, we started by identifying the key areas contributing to her burnout and discussed strategies to address them.

First, we worked on changing her internal dialogue. Instead of seeing her workload as “insurmountable”, we reframed it into manageable tasks. For example, she began to tell herself, “I can tackle one thing at a time and make progress,” rather than, “I’ll never get this done.”

Second, she adopted the “Do it, dump it, delegate it” method by handling small tasks immediately, discarding non-essential activities, and delegating where possible. This streamlined her workload and reduced her mental fatigue.

Third, we focused on effective time management. She began setting specific goals for her work sessions, such as completing a tax return review in one hour, and used timers to maintain focus. This helped her to avoid distractions and complete tasks more efficiently.

Fourth, she learned to set clear boundaries between her work and personal life by scheduling personal activities, like her morning jog and family dinners, before filling in her work commitments. She also started saying no to additional tasks that fell outside her work hours.

After becoming a Smarter Accountant, she no longer felt like she was constantly running on empty. Her energy levels improved, and she began to sleep better at night.  She also found herself more productive at work, completing tasks with greater efficiency and less stress.

Her relationships at home improved as well. Her newfound ability to set boundaries meant she could spend quality time with her family without the constant worry of unfinished work hanging over her head. She felt more present and engaged with her children and husband.

Bottom line: No matter what is contributing to your burnout, just know that you no longer have to accept that it’s normal.  You can do something about it.

Key Takeaway and Action Item

While burnout is a common issue among accountants, it doesn’t have to be a permanent state. By shifting your mindset, improving decision-making, managing your time effectively, setting clear boundaries, and prioritizing self-care, you can significantly reduce burnout and enhance your overall well-being. 

Remember, burnout isn’t because of your workload, but how you perceive and respond to it. Taking proactive steps to manage stress and seeking professional support when needed can help you reclaim your energy, productivity, and happiness in both your professional and personal life.

For this week, ask yourself, “What one change can I make today to start shifting my mindset or routine to reduce stress and prevent burnout in my accounting career?

You’d be surprised at how powerful just one small change can be.

Well, that’s what I have for you.  Thank you for joining me as I discussed beating burnout.  I hope you’ve gained valuable insights and practical tools.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Today, I want to talk about social anxiety, a topic many of us deal with but don’t often discuss. According to the World Health Organization, social anxiety affects millions of people worldwide.

So let me start by asking – Have you ever felt nervous or uneasy in social situations at work? Imagine being at a company event, surrounded by colleagues and clients, and you feel your heart racing, your palms sweating, and your mind filled with worries about how others see you.

If you can relate, you’re not alone. Social anxiety is common and affects many people, including accountants. It’s something I’ve experienced too.

If you’re not sure if you have social anxiety, think about this: do you worry about how others perceive you during client meetings or networking events? For accountants, the pressure to perform and maintain professionalism can be overwhelming.

For example, the holidays bring many social events – company parties and client gatherings – that can increase anxiety. But social anxiety isn’t limited to any time of year; it can happen anytime, in person or online.

How about this: Do you often replay social interactions in your mind, wondering if you said or did the right thing? For accountants, this anxiety can be intensified by the high expectations and critical nature of our profession. The need for accuracy and precision can make any social misstep feel like a significant blunder, adding to the stress.

In today’s world, where virtual meetings are as common as in-person ones, social anxiety has found new ways to manifest. Speaking up in a Zoom meeting can be just as daunting as doing so in a conference room. Technology doesn’t always reduce the pressure; for some, it can even increase it.

When you Google social anxiety, you might find many suggestions for stress-relieving medications or therapies. While these can be helpful, it’s also important to understand the root causes of social anxiety.

The good news is that social anxiety is manageable. You don’t have to avoid social situations or rely solely on medication to cope. By understanding the causes of social anxiety and adopting practical strategies to manage it, you can navigate social interactions with more confidence and ease.

In today’s episode I want to dive into what causes social anxiety and how you can deal with it more effectively. I’m going to explore the specific challenges accountants face and provide practical tips to help you manage anxiety in various professional settings. 

Whether you’re attending a client meeting, a networking event, or a team gathering, you can learn to handle social anxiety in a way that empowers you rather than hinders you. Let’s look at what causes social anxiety for accountants.

Social Anxiety Triggers For Accountants

The truth is that social anxiety is more than just feeling a bit shy or nervous in social situations. It’s often a persistent and intense fear of being judged, negatively evaluated, or rejected in a social or performance situation. 

This fear can sometimes be so severe that it interferes with your daily activities, work, and relationships.  Personally, being a classic introvert, I’ve had my fair share of dealing with social anxiety in many situations. 

In my experience, it’s not just about feeling uneasy; it comes with physical and psychological symptoms, from my heart racing, to my palms sweating, or even feeling like I’m going to be sick. 

Psychologically, the intense worry about upcoming social situations, the overwhelming fear of embarrassment, and the strong urge to avoid these scenarios altogether can take a huge toll.

As an accountant, certain professional scenarios can be particularly nerve-wracking. Here are some common triggers:

Client Meetings: The pressure to present accurate and comprehensive financial data can be intense. You might worry about making mistakes or not meeting client expectations. It’s a lot to handle, especially if you’re already prone to anxiety.

Networking Events: These can be especially problematic. The need to make small talk, present yourself professionally, and leave a good impression on potential clients or partners can be a major source of stress. It feels like you’re constantly under a microscope.

Team Gatherings: Even within your own organization, social events or meetings can trigger anxiety. Speaking up in meetings or interacting with higher-ups can make your heart race.

Presentations: Public speaking is a common fear for many of us. It’s like all eyes are on you, waiting for a slip-up.

While social anxiety is uncomfortable and sometimes embarrassing, understanding these triggers is crucial because it’s the first step toward managing it. When you know what sets off your anxiety, you can start to develop strategies to cope with it.

Bottom line: by addressing these triggers head-on, you can take control of your anxiety instead of letting it control you.

The Causes of Social Anxiety

It might be uncomfortable, but understanding the causes of social anxiety can really help. Besides the typical triggers that I just shared, it’s important to understand that one of the main causes is how we think about and perceive social interactions. 

The truth is, if you’ve got social anxiety, you probably have a bunch of negative thoughts making social situations seem way scarier than they are.  For example, you might catch yourself thinking, “Everyone is going to notice if I make a mistake,” or “People will think I’m incompetent.” 

These thoughts can create a self-fulfilling prophecy. How? Well, when you expect to be judged or embarrassed, you might get so nervous that you actually stumble over your words, which then makes you think, “See, I knew I’d mess up!”

Another big factor is negative self-talk. This is that little voice in your head that keeps criticizing you and expecting the worst. 

Thoughts like “I’m going to mess up” or “They’ll think I’m boring” are common. Unfortunately, this kind of thinking ramps up anxiety and makes social interactions even tougher.

There’s also something called projection. This is when you assume that others are thinking the same critical thoughts about you that you have about yourself. 

For example, if you’re self-conscious about your appearance, you might believe others are judging you negatively too, even if they’re not.

Since my cancer diagnosis and losing my hair once I started chemo, I had to have my head shaved.  Even though I’ve been wearing bandanas and cute hats, my brain keeps believing that others are judging me negatively because I’m not fully comfortable with the effects of chemo myself.

But it’s not just about our thoughts. There are biological and psychological factors at play too. Here’s a quick rundown:

Biological Factors – Genetics can play a role. If social anxiety runs in your family, you might be more prone to experiencing it. Plus, brain chemistry and how neurotransmitters like serotonin function can affect anxiety levels.

Psychological Factors – Past experiences, such as bullying, rejection, or humiliation, can contribute to social anxiety. These experiences make you more sensitive to the possibility of the same thing happening in the future.

Evolutionary Perspective – From an evolutionary standpoint, being tuned into social cues and seeking social approval had survival advantages. In other words, being accepted by the tribe was important for our survival.  But in today’s world, this can show up as excessive worry about social acceptance and fear of rejection.

Understanding all this can help you see that social anxiety isn’t just about “being shy” or “lacking confidence.” It’s often a mix of how we think, our past experiences, and our biology.

So what’s the good news? By working on both the mental and emotional aspects of social anxiety, you can find ways to manage and reduce its impact on your life.  Next, let’s explore how your brain plays a part in social anxiety.

Your Brain’s Role in Social Anxiety

As I’ve shared numerous times, this is the place where brain science meets accounting.  That’s why I think it’s important to understand your brain’s role in social anxiety.

First off, your brain has a built in alarm system called the primitive brain or what I refer to as The Toddler.  It’s the part of your brain that gets activated when you feel threatened. 

When you’re about to speak in a meeting or meet new people, and you start feeling anxious, that’s your Toddler brain kicking into gear. It sends out alarms that make your heart race and palms sweat, preparing you to either fight or run away. 

For those of us with social anxiety, this alarm system is extra sensitive, even when there’s no real danger.

Thankfully, we also have the higher brain that I refer to as The Supervising Parent.  This part of the brain helps you think things through and decide if something is really a threat. It’s like the brain’s manager, keeping the alarm system, the Toddler, in check. 

But if you have social anxiety, your higher, Supervising Parent part of your brain might struggle to calm things down, making you feel more anxious than necessary.

It’s also important to know that your brain uses chemicals called neurotransmitters to send signals. Two key players here are serotonin and dopamine. 

Serotonin helps regulate your mood and anxiety levels. If you don’t have enough serotonin, you might feel more anxious. 

Dopamine is linked to how you feel pleasure and reward. If dopamine levels are off, it can affect how anxious you feel in social situations.

As I said before, from an evolutionary standpoint, our ancestors had to stay in groups to survive. Being part of a group meant protection and resources, so they were very attuned to social cues and approval. 

Fast forward to today, and this survival mechanism can make us overly worried about social acceptance and rejection. This is why you might feel anxious about being judged or not fitting in.

The truth is that when you have social anxiety, your brain often defaults to negative thoughts like “Everyone is judging me” or “I’ll mess up.” These thoughts become habits and reinforce your anxiety. Your brain gets used to these patterns, making it hard to think positively without conscious effort.

But, here’s the good news: your brain can change! This ability is called neuroplasticity. 

With practice, you can create new, healthier thought patterns. This is part of what I work on with my coaching clients in The Smarter Accountant Program – teaching them how to rewire their brain.   

By using The Supervising Parent part of the brain more intentionally, it retrains their brain to handle social situations with less anxiety.

The truth is that understanding how your brain works can help you see that social anxiety isn’t just about being shy or lacking confidence. It’s about how your brain processes and reacts to social situations. 

The best part is, you can train your brain to respond differently, reducing the impact of social anxiety on your life.  Now that we understand the brain’s role in social anxiety, let’s look at some strategies to manage it.

Strategies to Manage Social Anxiety

In order to handle social anxiety, the first strategy is to recognize the signs. These can include physical symptoms like a racing heart, sweating, or trembling, and psychological symptoms like intense worry, fear of embarrassment, and a strong desire to avoid social situations. The more you understand these signs, the better prepared you’ll be to address them.

It’s also important to accept that social anxiety is a common experience. Many people feel the same way, even if it doesn’t always seem like it. 

I promise you, in a room of 10 accountants, there are at least two or more who have varying degrees of social anxiety.  The truth is that accepting that social anxiety is a part of your life can help you stop fighting it and start finding ways to manage it.

The second strategy is to challenge negative thoughts and beliefs. When you catch yourself thinking, “They’re not going to like me,” or “They’re going to judge me,” question these thoughts. 

Are they really true? Often, you’ll find that these fears are exaggerated or unfounded.

Since losing my hair I’ve learned to use the concept of projection in a positive way.  For example, if I retrain my brain to think something like, “I’m beautiful whether I have hair or not” then I project that onto other people and assume they’re thinking the same thing about me.

It’s amazing what’s possible when you learn how to manage your brain! 

The third strategy is, instead of focusing on negative outcomes, try to reframe your thoughts to be more positive and realistic. For example, instead of thinking, “I’ll definitely embarrass myself,” try thinking, “I’ve prepared well, and I’ll do my best.” 

This shift in perspective can reduce anxiety and help you feel more confident.

Here are some practical techniques that might help:

Deep Breathing and Relaxation Exercises – simple techniques like deep breathing and relaxation exercises can do wonders for reducing anxiety. Practice taking slow, deep breaths to calm your nervous system. You can also try progressive muscle relaxation, where you tense and then relax different muscle groups in your body.

Mindfulness and Meditation Practices – mindfulness and meditation can also help you stay present and reduce anxiety. Mindfulness involves paying attention to the present moment without judgment, which can help you break free from negative thought patterns. Meditation can also help you relax and center yourself before social interactions.  Apps like Calm and Headspace are super helpful.

Gradual Exposure to Social Situations to Build Confidence – gradually exposing yourself to social situations can help build confidence over time. Start with smaller, less intimidating situations and work your way up to more challenging ones. This gradual exposure can help you become more comfortable in social settings.

I’ve recently decided to seek out speaking opportunities in order to gradually expose myself to social situations and build confidence.  The more I can desensitize myself, the easier it will be to be able to feel a little more comfortable.

Also, one of the most helpful things for me is preparing for social interactions in advance.  The truth is that preparation can make a big difference in how you feel about social interactions. 

If you’re nervous about a meeting or event, take some time to prepare. Think about what you want to say and how you want to present yourself. The more prepared you feel, the less anxious you’ll be.

Another suggestion is to set small, achievable goals for yourself in social situations. Instead of aiming to be the life of the party, set a goal to have one meaningful conversation or to introduce yourself to someone new. 

In fact, I heard someone share once that they make a game out of having a certain number of meaningful conversations during a social setting and once they’ve hit their mark, they give themselves permission to leave if they want.  I love this idea because it helps you to achieve small goals and can build your confidence over time.

For me, it’s often setting a goal to stay for a specific amount of time, but to always have my own car so that I don’t feel trapped.  Knowing there’s an end point in mind makes it easier for me to relax in social situations.

I once heard author Glennon Doyle share that if she’s invited to a party and there’s no start and end time, she’s less likely to say yes.  Again, the thought of no end in sight can just be too overwhelming when you deal with social anxiety.

Another suggestion is having a good support system. Be willing to talk to mentors, colleagues, or friends who understand what you’re going through. 

There’s no reason to be ashamed.  Reaching out to others can provide support, advice, and encouragement, helping you feel less alone and more capable of managing social anxiety.

Hopefully you can see that by incorporating these strategies into your routine, you can start to manage social anxiety more effectively and feel more confident in social situations. Remember, it’s a journey, and it’s okay to take small steps along the way.

With these strategies in mind, let’s move on to becoming a smarter accountant by effectively handling social anxiety.

Becoming a Smarter Accountant: Handling Social Anxiety

Now let me share how one of my coaching clients was able to become a Smarter Accountant and handle social anxiety.

She was an experienced accountant with over a decade in the field, but found herself struggling with social anxiety, especially in professional settings. Despite her technical expertise, she dreaded client meetings and presentations. 

The thought of speaking in front of a group made her heart race and palms sweat. She often found herself avoiding networking events and team gatherings, which affected her career growth and professional relationships. 

She felt isolated and frustrated, knowing her anxiety was holding her back.

Once we started working together, she decided to tackle her social anxiety head-on. Through our sessions, we focused on several key areas like awareness, mindset, and practical techniques.

First, she learned to recognize her anxiety triggers and accept that social anxiety is a common experience. This helped her feel less alone and more in control.

Next, we worked on challenging her negative thoughts and reframing them into positive, realistic ones. For example, instead of thinking, “I’ll embarrass myself,” she practiced thinking, “I’m prepared, and I can handle this.”

Next, she started practicing deep breathing exercises and mindfulness to calm her nerves before meetings. She also used gradual exposure techniques to build her confidence in social situations.

Lastly, we developed a strategy for her to prepare thoroughly for client meetings and set small, achievable goals for networking events.

Over time, her confidence grew. She started participating more actively in team meetings, attended networking events, and even led a successful client presentation. 

As her confidence grew, she not only improved her professional relationships but also opened up new career opportunities. She shared that she now feels empowered and ready to take on social challenges with a positive mindset.

Bottom line: Handling social anxiety is more manageable than you might think when you’re willing to ask for help.

Key Takeaway and Action Item

Social anxiety is something many of us deal with.  Understanding that not only is it common, but that it’s rooted in our thoughts, biology, and past experiences can be really empowering. 

Ask yourself, “What specific thoughts or situations trigger my social anxiety, and how can I reframe my thinking to manage it more effectively?”

Hopefully you can see that while everyone’s experience with social anxiety is unique, the first step to managing it is becoming aware of it and accepting it. Recognize that you have the power to change how you think and react. 

Embrace this insight, and let it guide you to find your own ways to handle social situations with more confidence. Your journey is personal, but you’re not alone in it.

Well, that’s what I have for you.  Thank you for joining me as I discussed how to handle social anxiety.  I hope you’ve gained valuable insights and practical tools.

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

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

And make sure you download The Smarter Accountant Podcast Guide.  This one-of-a-kind guide will help you not just passively listen to the podcast, but actually do something with what i teach in each episode.  To download the podcast guide, simply to go https://thesmarteraccountant.com/podcast-guide/

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

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

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

Today is all about dealing with the place where we spend one-third of our time and what to do when it’s a toxic work environment.  I believe this is important because too many of us dread not only Monday mornings, but Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays.

These days, complaints about toxic workplaces are on the rise. In fact, recent studies highlight the significant issue of toxic work environments, especially among accountants. 

One survey found that one in three employees have left their job due to negative work culture and ineffective management. Additionally, 82% of workers who entered management roles had no formal management training, exacerbating the issue of poor leadership and toxic environments

In the accounting profession specifically, a study revealed that 50% of surveyed accountants reported issues such as poor communication, cliquey colleagues, and bullying as major problems in their workplaces​. Another survey indicated that 22% of employees across various sectors, including accounting, experience harm to their mental health due to workplace toxicity​. 

It’s interesting to note that, fifty years ago, ‘toxic’ often meant actual hazardous chemicals. Now, it covers a spectrum of issues—bad management, office gossip, harassment, and poor work-life balance.

Dealing with toxic work environments isn’t just about making the office a nicer place. It’s about protecting our mental and emotional health. Being stuck in a toxic workplace feels like carrying a heavy burden that drags down both our work and personal lives.

The good news is that as more people are willing to step up and call out unacceptable behavior, many more people and companies are being held accountable and setting an example of what not to do. Where a decade ago everyone tolerated bad bosses and bad work environments, we now need to pay attention when ethical lines are crossed, and speak up, address the issue, or leave if necessary.

But what about the less extreme issues like a demanding boss, office gossip, unmotivated coworkers, or lack of work-life balance? How do you handle these kinds of toxic environments?

In a large company, you might go to HR or consider finding a new job. But what if there’s no HR, or you can’t or don’t want to leave?

If you’ve been in a toxic work environment, you know it creates unrest, constant stress, and low morale. It’s like a fog of frustration, distraction, and overwhelm.

If ignored, these issues seep into your home life, dominate conversations with loved ones, disrupt your sleep, and lead to burnout.

The upside is that even when HR isn’t helpful or quitting isn’t an option, there are ways to manage a toxic work environment. You don’t have to feel hopeless or suffer through the daily grind anymore.

In this episode, we’ll explore why toxic work environments happen, how they affect us, and most importantly, what we can do about them.

Why You Might Be Dreading Your Job

It’s normal for job satisfaction to fluctuate, especially in a demanding field like accounting. Sometimes, you feel proud of your work, and other times, you question your career choices.

This ebb and flow is part of any profession, but accounting can make those lows particularly tough. Just like you, I’ve met very few people who love their job all the time and are okay with every aspect of it.

Here are some common complaints among accountants:

Demanding Deadlines: Constant pressure to meet quarterly reports and tax filing deadlines can be overwhelming.

Work Overload: Handling multiple clients or projects can lead to burnout, especially when work isn’t fairly allocated.

Lack of Recognition: Doing your best without acknowledgment can be disheartening. We don’t need a gold star on everything, but lack of recognition can wear you down.

Office Politics: One of the biggest complaints. Navigating gossip and favoritism can be exhausting.

Poor Management: Ever heard the quote, “People don’t leave jobs; they leave managers”? Dealing with demanding, uncommunicative, or micromanaging bosses can drain your motivation.

Work-Life Imbalance: Long hours and the expectation to be available around the clock can make it hard to maintain a healthy balance.

These issues can crush morale and take a toll on mental health, leading to anxiety, depression, and even physical problems.

But here’s the thing: Often, the reason you dread your job has more to do with your mindset and how you perceive the demands, the people, and the environment than the actual job itself.

This might not sound like good news, but it actually is. Recognizing that you have the power to change your perspective can help reduce anxiety, frustration, and overwhelm.

This doesn’t mean you should tolerate unacceptable behavior or stay in a situation where you feel mistreated. If you feel unsafe or unfairly treated, speak up, set firm boundaries, or consider leaving.

For those dealing with moderate toxicity—like stress, difficult coworkers, or lack of balance—there are ways to improve your situation. If you’re frustrated but not in immediate danger, you can take steps to make your job more manageable.

The hard truth is, it’s not your job’s responsibility to make you happy, nor can your job inherently make you unhappy. It’s your relationship with your job, or the thoughts you have about your job, that creates how you feel about your job.

Understanding and accepting this is crucial because feeling powerless at work can impact your personal and professional life. This sense of powerlessness can become a major distraction, affecting your performance and well-being at home.

And let’s be honest—the added stress can mess with your mood, productivity, and even your sleep.

Thankfully, by shifting your focus from external issues to what you can control—your internal responses—you can take charge of your work experience and improve your overall quality of life.

Understanding Your Relationship with Your Job

Let’s be real—if we all quit our accounting jobs every time work or people got tough, we’d never stick around anywhere for long. We’ve all faced challenging work environments to some extent, some more toxic than others.

The key to dealing with a toxic work environment is understanding your relationship with your job. Just like with people, you have relationships with things like money, time, and yes, your job.

Every relationship is shaped by your thoughts about the person, place, or thing involved. This includes your job.

So, how do you feel when you think about your job? Excited, energized, respected? Or stressed, overwhelmed, and anxious?

Understanding how you currently feel about your job is crucial because changing any relationship starts with knowing where you stand. You need to be clear about your current feelings to move toward where you want to be.

Don’t just assume you hate your job and leave it at that. Take some time to really sit with it and ask yourself what your predominant feeling is toward your job.

Think of it this way: if you had the same relationship with a person, how would you describe your feelings about them? By examining your feelings about your job, you can better understand your relationship with it and take steps to improve it, even in a toxic environment.

Let me share a personal story. A few years ago, I had an incident with my bosses that left me feeling deeply mistrustful of them and my job.

In my personal time, I became certified as a life coach and started coaching clients on moving on after divorce. My bosses found out and brought it up during my annual review, even though it didn’t affect my accounting work at all.

This boundary-crossing made me feel like I was doing something wrong, even though I wasn’t. Up until then, I had enjoyed many aspects of my job, but suddenly, it felt toxic, like I was being watched all the time, even outside of work.

Dealing with the aftermath of that review was tough. I had to decide whether to stay at the firm or leave. There were many good aspects of the job, like flexibility and proximity to home, but my relationship with my job was strained.

Here’s the thing—there are plenty of valid reasons to change jobs or leave entirely, but it’s crucial to do it for the right reasons. If you’re just trying to escape feelings of stress or anxiety, those feelings are likely to follow you to your next job.

Bottom line: It’s important to address the underlying issues rather than just running away from them.

Your Brain’s Role in Dealing with a Toxic Work Environment

Understanding how your brain deals with a toxic work environment is crucial. Our brains are incredibly powerful, shaping our perceptions, reactions, and overall experiences.

From a young age, our brains start forming patterns based on our experiences and the information we receive. These patterns help us navigate life by creating shortcuts for how we think and react.

For example, if you’ve had a demanding boss in the past, your brain might automatically associate certain behaviors or situations with stress and anxiety.

Over time, these patterns get ingrained, influencing how we perceive and respond to various situations. In a toxic work environment, past negative experiences can shape how you view your current job, even if things have changed.

The problem is, when you’re in what you consider a toxic work environment, your brain’s negative patterns can become even more pronounced. These patterns can make it hard to see any positive aspects of your job, leading to a cycle of stress and dissatisfaction. If you’re used to being criticized, you might start expecting criticism even when it’s not there, which ramps up your anxiety and stress.

Negative thought patterns also impact your physical health. Chronic stress from a toxic work environment can lead to headaches, fatigue, and even long-term conditions like heart disease.

Understanding how your brain’s patterns contribute to stress is the first step in breaking the cycle.

Bottom line: Our brains develop patterns of thoughts and beliefs through our personal and work experiences, and these patterns stick with us until we actively change them.

So, what can you do when leaving isn’t an option?  Let me explain.

What to Do When You Work in a Toxic Work Environment

Dealing with a toxic work environment is tough, and the urge to leave can be strong. But before making any big decisions, remember that you have the power to change your relationship with your job.

The good news is our brains can change. This concept, called neuroplasticity, means you can rewire your brain with intentional effort to develop healthier thoughts and reactions.

By changing your perspective, you can improve your experience and possibly transform your work environment.

Here are some practical steps to help you improve your relationship with your job:

Awareness: Start by noticing your thought patterns. How do you react to situations at work? Do you assume the worst? Focus more on negative interactions than positive ones? Recognizing these patterns is the first step to change.

Challenge Negative Thoughts: Once you’re aware of negative thoughts, challenge them. Ask if your thoughts are based on facts or assumptions. If you think, “My boss hates me,” ask if that’s really true. Maybe your boss’s behavior is more about their stress than your performance.

Reframe Your Thoughts: Replace negative thoughts with positive or neutral ones. Instead of “I can’t handle this workload,” try “This workload is challenging, but I have the skills to manage it.” This practice helps shift your brain from negative to balanced thinking.

Seek Positive Experiences: Look for positive experiences at work. Acknowledge a job well done, build supportive relationships with colleagues, or set small, achievable goals. Positive reinforcement helps create healthier neural pathways.

By understanding and changing your thought patterns, you can better manage and improve your experience in a toxic work environment. This not only boosts your professional life but also your overall well-being.

Here are more tips for dealing with a toxic work environment:

Acknowledge Your Feelings: Recognize how you feel about your job. Are you stressed, anxious, or overwhelmed? Understanding your emotions is the first step to addressing them.

Set Boundaries: Define boundaries to protect your well-being. This might mean setting limits on work hours or avoiding office gossip. Boundaries help create a healthier work-life balance and reduce stress.

Focus on What You Can Control: Concentrate on aspects of your job you can control, like your attitude, work ethic, and interactions with colleagues. This makes you feel more empowered and less affected by external circumstances.

Seek Support: Don’t hesitate to seek support from trusted colleagues, mentors, or coaches. Talking about your experiences can provide new insights and help you feel less isolated. If you need to talk to someone outside your organization, that’s what I’m here for.

Take Care of Yourself: Take care of your physical and mental health. Regular exercise, a healthy diet, and adequate sleep can improve your resilience and overall outlook on life and work.

While it may not happen overnight, these steps can help you feel more in control and improve your job satisfaction over time.

But if you need to leave, that’s okay too. Just know you can always improve your current relationship with your job by thinking about the kind of relationship you want to have.

Would you prefer to feel focused, supported, and engaged? That doesn’t depend on anyone or anything changing.

Think about a long-term relationship you’ve had with a partner or a close friend. You’ve probably had disagreements and challenges but worked through them. You chose to improve that relationship, learning and growing along the way.

The same approach applies to your job. By working towards the relationship you want with your job, you can create a deeper, more fulfilling connection, especially during tough times when leaving seems easier than staying and working things out.

The truth is, when you learn to feel how you want to feel, you’ll be amazed at how much better you’ll feel about your job. You’ll take your power back and create the environment that works best for you.

Becoming a Smarter Accountant: How I Dealt With a Toxic Work Environment

After that tough annual review I mentioned, I knew I needed to make a change—not necessarily by leaving my job, but by changing how I thought about it. I realized that if I didn’t address my feelings of mistrust and stress, they’d just follow me to any new job, causing the same issues all over again.

First, I stepped back and thought about my relationship with my job. I admitted to myself that I felt mistrust and saw how it was affecting my daily work life. Instead of viewing my bosses’ actions as personal attacks, I tried to understand their point of view—they were probably worried about my focus and commitment to the firm.

Next, I worked on changing my thoughts. Instead of thinking, “They’re watching my every move,” I started to think, “They want to make sure my work here is my top priority.” This shift helped me feel less like I was under constant surveillance and allowed me to appreciate the positive aspects of my job.

Setting clear boundaries was also important. I openly talked with my bosses about my side business, reassuring them that it didn’t interfere with my responsibilities at the firm. I made sure to keep my coaching activities completely separate from my accounting work, both physically and mentally.

I also sought out positive experiences at work. I built stronger relationships with my colleagues, which helped create a more supportive environment. I began to acknowledge and celebrate my achievements at work, no matter how small, to remind myself of my value and competence.

Over time, I noticed a shift in my relationship with my job. By changing my perspective and dealing with my feelings directly, I began to feel more empowered and less overwhelmed. The work environment, while still challenging at times, felt less toxic because I wasn’t seeing it through a lens of mistrust and stress anymore.

Ultimately, this transformation had a big impact on both my professional and personal life. I became more productive and engaged at work, which improved my overall job satisfaction. At home, I was able to relax and enjoy my time without constantly worrying about work.

What this experience taught me is that while you can’t always change your external circumstances, you can change how you respond to them. By understanding and reshaping my relationship with my job, I was able to create a healthier, more fulfilling work experience.

This empowered approach is something I carry with me, no matter where my career takes me.

Key Takeaway and Action Item

If you’re struggling with a toxic work environment, remember that you have the power to change your experience by shifting your perspective. It’s not just about the external circumstances—it’s about how you respond to them. 

Ask yourself, “What changes in my mindset or approach can I make to improve my experience in my current work environment?”

Start by becoming aware of your thought patterns, challenge negative thoughts, and reframe them into positive or neutral ones. Set clear boundaries, seek support, and focus on what you can control. 

By taking these steps, you can improve your relationship with your job and create a healthier, more fulfilling work environment. Empower yourself to take control, and you’ll see positive changes in both your professional and personal life.

Well, that’s what I have for you.  Thank you for joining me as I discussed how to deal with a toxic work environment.  I hope you’ve gained valuable insights and practical tools.

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

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

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

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

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

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