Author: Dawn Goldberg

Let’s talk all about how to create more hours in the day.  Teaching better time management to accountants is one of my superpowers.  It’s also why I’ve been able to have stress-free tax seasons.

Time management is a topic I’ll probably be discussing often on this podcast, but for now, I want to start by asking you to consider a few questions:

Have you ever found yourself wishing for more hours in a day? What would you like to do with that extra time?

What are your top time-related challenges as an accountant?

Do you ever feel overwhelmed with your workload? How do you usually cope with it?

What’s your relationship with time like? Is it your friend, a foe, or something in between?

As accountants, I think we all have a love/hate relationship with time.  Most of us have said things like, “I don’t have enough time,” “There simply aren’t enough hours in the day,” or perhaps, “I wish I had more time for the family.” Sound familiar?

You’ve probably experienced the relentless ticking of the clock, especially during frenzied tax seasons, quarterly reports, or year-end audits. 

The funny thing about time is that, on the one hand, it can be your worst enemy, adding stress, anxiety, and overwhelm. But on the other hand, it can also be your best friend, offering you moments of rest and satisfaction. 

In today’s episode I want to help you turn time into your most loyal ally.

The truth is that your struggle with time isn’t unique to you; it’s a universal challenge within the accounting profession. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting your accounting journey, the battle against the clock is real. 

I’m going to be diving into the complexities of your relationship with time and uncover the two main culprits behind time wastage: overwhelm and perfectionism. By understanding these issues, you can regain control and create more time for yourself.

My purpose with this episode is to provide you with practical insights and real-world strategies to revolutionize your approach to time management. Whether you’re working in a firm, managing your own practice, or starting your career, the principles I’ll discuss can be tailored to suit your unique circumstances.

I want to help you conquer time, boost your productivity, and attain a healthier balance between your professional and personal life.

Your Relationship with Time

The first thing I want to discuss is your unique relationship with time. Just like you have relationships with the people, places, and things in your life, you also have a relationship with time.

To simplify this, think of time like that mysterious friend you can’t quite figure out. Sometimes, it seems like it’s got your back, and other times, it’s just playing tricks on you. Your relationship with time can be quite complex.

Now, here’s where brain science comes into play. Your brain is like a sophisticated control center, managing everything you do, and it has a few quirky ways of handling time. It’s not just a clock on the wall; it’s deeply intertwined with your thoughts and feelings.

As I’ve shared before on this podcast, your lower, primitive brain is motivated by three things, referred to as the Motivational Triad.  It’s motivated to seek pleasure, avoid pain, and, most interestingly for our topic, it tries to use as little energy as possible.

Imagine this: Your work and personal life pile up with tasks and responsibilities. The more you load onto your mental plate, the more your brain can start to freak out. 

Next thing you know, you’ve got thoughts like, “There’s no way I can accomplish all this,” “I don’t have enough time,” and “This is too much!”

These thoughts create a feeling we all know well: overwhelm. It’s like your brain’s warning sign that it’s about to go into overdrive. But here’s where it gets tricky. 

Your brain, in its quest for conserving energy, sees overwhelm as a sweet escape. You see, it’s not a fan of spending a lot of energy, and it thinks that when you’re overwhelmed, you’ll take less action and do less things.

So, it sort of lures you into procrastination and distraction, like email, social media scrolling, or easier tasks, because it’s less effort than tackling your to-do list. In other words, your brain prefers less action and more distraction to save energy, even if it leaves you feeling overwhelmed.

Basically, the trick your brain is playing here is that it equates overwhelm with doing less, which, in its energy-saving logic, seems like a win. But in reality, you’re not getting more done; you’re getting less done, and you’re wasting time in the process.

But that’s not the only time thief. There’s also perfectionism, which is a common challenge for accountants. It’s this belief that you can always do better, but unfortunately it often leads to overthinking.

Here’s where brain science comes into play again. When you spend a lot of time thinking about how to do things perfectly, your brain expends a ton of energy, leaving you feeling exhausted and less productive.

Picture this scenario: You have to prepare a financial report for a client. Instead of diving straight into the data analysis and number crunching, you find yourself obsessing over the formatting, font choices, and layout of the report. You meticulously go over every detail, fearing that even the tiniest imperfection might cost you a client.

In the process, your brain is working overtime, expending precious energy on these non-essential aspects. Unfortunately, your brain can’t distinguish between overthinking and productive action. 

So, by the time you’ve finally completed the report, you’re mentally drained, and the hours have slipped away. You’ve spent so much time perfecting the appearance of the report that you’ve lost valuable time for the actual financial analysis.

This kind of perfectionist thinking can be a major time waster for accountants. It’s important to recognize when it’s happening and learn how to strike a balance between attention to detail and efficient time management, which we’ll delve into in the sections that follow.

So it’s important to understand that your brain often chooses shortcuts that, in the end, waste more of your time rather than save it. Overwhelm and perfectionism are the two major culprits here.

How to Create More Time – The GPA System

Now I want to share a simple system that I teach my time management clients – the GPA system.  It’s a simple yet incredibly helpful framework designed to help you make the most of your time.

Getting Things Out of Your Brain

While your brain is fantastic at processing information, it’s not the ideal place to store your to-dos. Imagine it as a computer overloaded with too many applications – it slows down and gets confused.

As an accountant managing client meetings, financial reports, and personal commitments, trying to remember everything can lead to chaos. To alleviate this burden, the first step in the GPA system involves offloading tasks from your mind onto paper. 

Although digital tools have their place, I recommend starting with traditional writing. Why? Because physically jotting things down triggers a part of your brain that aids in processing and remembering, unlike digital tools that often lead to distractions.

For example, if you have various tasks cluttering your mind, such as “Client meeting at 10 AM,” “Submit quarterly financials,” “Remember to get a birthday card,” and “Contact the client about open items,” centralizing them on paper frees your brain from the burden of remembering every detail.

By externalizing your tasks, you create a mental space where your brain can perform at its best, focusing on the actual work rather than worrying about what needs to be done.

Putting it on the Calendar

The GPA system’s true strength lies in scheduling, not just listing tasks. Instead of vague to-do lists, you’ll craft a well-structured plan for your day.

Here’s what you need to know about to-do lists – they are incredibly overwhelming to your brain.  And do you know what doesn’t help you get more done in less time? An overwhelmed brain.

You must learn to calendar everything and make as many decisions ahead of time as possible. Here’s why – when you are deciding and planning, you are using your higher brain.

For instance, instead of noting “Work on Client X’s financials” on your to-do list, take it a step further. Insert it into your calendar as “Work on Client X’s financials from 2 PM to 4 PM on Thursday.”

This level of detail brings clarity to your day. Your brain gets a clear roadmap, knowing when and where each task is happening, eliminating confusion and overwhelm.

While scheduling, I advise my clients to begin with planning their free time first. Just like dessert, knowing there are rewards at specific times can maintain motivation throughout the day.

Why Bite-Size Pieces Matter

As accountants, we excel at breaking down complex financial tasks into manageable steps. The GPA system mirrors this approach. By dividing your day into smaller, actionable pieces, you make it easier to tackle.

Take, for example, handling a tax return with numerous K-1 forms and brokerage statements. Breaking it down into smaller, manageable tasks, such as collecting documents, reviewing them, checking deductions, inputting data, and reviewing the return, makes the overwhelming task more achievable.

By following this method, you turn a daunting project into a series of smaller, doable tasks, ensuring that you make steady progress while maintaining focus and energy throughout the day. In simpler terms, you’re taking a big task and breaking it down into smaller, doable parts, making it less intimidating and conducive to effective time management. The best part? You get more done in less time.

Assessing Your Follow-Through

The final piece of our GPA system involves assessing your ability to follow through. Reflect on what went well and what didn’t by asking questions like:

Where was my time well spent?

What made me follow through?

Where did I waste time?

Why did I fail to follow through?

Where did I get stuck in confusion or overwhelm?

What led to distractions?

What can I do differently next time?

By assessing your follow-through, you gain insights into your own actions and self-awareness, empowering you to fine-tune your time management skills.

The GPA system is one part of The Smarter Accountant Time Management Program and enables you to create more time by working efficiently, moving tasks from your brain to your calendar, breaking them into manageable pieces, and self-assessing to maximize your productivity.  There’s much more to better time management, but this will definitely help you to create more time.

Becoming a Smarter Accountant: Tackling Time Wasters To Create More Time

Now that I’ve explained the process for creating more time with the GPA system, let’s tackle the elephant in the room – time wasters. These sneaky culprits can steal precious hours from your day, leaving you feeling overwhelmed and unproductive. 

Let’s go over some of the biggest time wasters and I’ll show you how regaining control over them can help you create more time.

1. Email Overload:

Raise your hand if you’ve ever spent hours digging through your email inbox, responding to messages, and feeling like you’ve achieved very little. Email can be a notorious time waster, especially when it’s disorganized and filled with unnecessary messages.

Solution: Set specific times to check and respond to emails. Use filters to categorize messages, and unsubscribe from newsletters that clutter your inbox. By taming your email, you free up substantial chunks of time for productive work.

2. Procrastination:

Procrastination is one of the biggest time wasters for accountants. It often stems from feeling overwhelmed or unsure of where to start. Instead of tackling important tasks, you find yourself lost in minor distractions.

Solution: First, become aware of the feelings that typically drive you to procrastinate and then learn how to manage your mind.  When you learn the skill of managing your mind, you’ll be able to eliminate stress and overwhelm.  Second, break tasks into smaller, manageable parts, as we’ve discussed with the GPA system. Set clear deadlines and reward yourself for completing them. By conquering procrastination, you regain control of your time and productivity.

3. Unplanned Meetings:

Endless meetings can be a significant time waster, especially when they lack a clear agenda or drag on without purpose. When your calendar is crammed with unnecessary meetings, your actual work suffers.

Solution: Before agreeing to a meeting, ask for a clear agenda and objective. Suggest shorter meetings or utilize video conferencing to save time. By reclaiming your schedule from aimless meetings, you create more time for meaningful tasks.

4. Multitasking:

Contrary to popular belief, multitasking actually slows you down instead of making you more efficient. When you juggle several tasks at once, your brain frequently switches between them, causing time and mental energy to be wasted.

Solution: Focus on one task at a time. Prioritize your to-do list, allocate dedicated time for each item on your calendar, and only do what’s in one block of time at a time. This method enhances your concentration and productivity.

5. Perfectionism:

Striving for perfection can lead to excessive time spent on tasks. While attention to detail is essential for accountants, perfectionism often means spending more time than necessary on a task.

Solution: Set clear standards for your work and recognize when something is “good enough.” This approach can help you complete tasks more efficiently, freeing up time for other responsibilities.

6. Social Media and Digital Distractions:

The digital age has brought many benefits, but it also offers endless distractions. Scrolling through social media, checking news websites, or watching YouTube videos can easily devour your time.

Solution: Use website blockers or productivity apps to limit your access to distracting sites during work hours. The truth is that our lower, Toddler brain is not onboard with accounting work and will look for distractions any way that it can.  By curbing digital distractions, you gain extra time for meaningful work.

7. Not Having Effective Boundaries:

The truth is that setting clear boundaries regarding your availability is crucial, especially when dealing with well-intentioned colleagues who might not be aware of the impact of their interruptions..

Solution: If possible, establish specific “focus time” during your workday when you’ll avoid interruptions. Communicate this to your team and let them know that you’ll be available for discussions or questions during certain hours. This creates a balance between collaboration and focused work.  If the interruptions often come from clients, turn on your away message to say when you will be answering emails throughout the day. 

Hopefully you now see that these common time wasters can significantly impact your productivity and work-life balance. By recognizing them and taking steps to control them, you’ll create more time for what truly matters. 

As an accountant, efficient time management is your superpower, and taming these time wasters will help you harness that power to the fullest.

Well, that’s what I have for you.  Thank you for joining me on this exploration of creating more hours in the day. I hope you’ve gained valuable insights and practical tools to better manage your time.

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.

I’ll explain The Smarter Accountant 6-week Program and how you can apply it to whatever you’re struggling with.

That’s what I have for you, but make sure you check back each week as I help you go from being a stressed accountant to a Smarter Accountant.

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

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

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

Have you ever been in a situation where you had to make a choice, and it felt like you were lost in a maze of uncertainty? You’re not alone; we all face decisions every day, from simple ones like what to eat for lunch to more significant ones like career or financial choices. 

Some decisions are easy, like obeying traffic lights, while others can be so overwhelming that they leave us feeling stuck.

Why is it that we can confidently follow traffic rules but struggle with something as simple as picking a meal? The reason is that decision-making can be complicated, and we often find ourselves caught in a web of doubt and hesitation. Unfortunately, the fear of making the wrong decision can lead to confusion, and sometimes, we end up not making any decision at all.

Have you ever been so afraid of making a wrong choice that you ended up not making any decision? Many of us have experienced this, spending too much time worrying about what to do and ending up feeling confused and fearful.

Now, think about how this fear of decision-making might be affecting various aspects of your life. For example, it might lead to clutter in your home because you’re afraid to throw things away, thinking you might need them later. It could also impact your career choices, leaving you unsure about whether to pursue a promotion because you’re not certain about your professional goals.

In my experience coaching clients, I’ve noticed that challenges in decision-making often happen in two stages: “before” and “after.”

The “before” stage is when you’re stuck in indecision and hesitation, not knowing which path to choose. The “after” stage comes after you’ve made a decision, and that’s when doubt and regret can kick in.

But here’s a secret I want to share with you: feeling confused doesn’t necessarily mean you’re lost or unsure. More often than not, it’s your brain’s way of resisting change and trying to maintain the status quo. Your brain prefers things to stay as they are, even when change could be better for you.

In this episode, I’m going to explore the roots of this confusion and fear. I’ll show you how these feelings can become habits if you don’t address them, leading to inaction. You’ll discover why your brain often defaults to saying, “I don’t know.” 

The exciting part is that once you understand where this confusion comes from, you can learn to use the decision-making part of your brain to your advantage.

I’m going to uncover the source of your confusion and help you make choices that empower you in all aspects of your life. If you’re curious about techniques to overcome indecision and hesitation, I’ve got you covered. By diving into the mechanics of decision-making, you’ll gain more confidence and lead a more fulfilling life.

The Origin of Confusion

Let’s start by diving into where confusion comes from and why it feels like a fog when we make choices. In this episode, I want you to imagine that I’m handing you a flashlight to clear that fog.

Have you ever noticed how many times a day you might say, “I don’t know” or “I’m not sure”? It happens more often than you might realize.

These phrases are like verbal shrugs, a way of saying you’re unsure when you’re faced with a decision. But here’s the thing: confusion is an interesting feeling. If you’re not careful, it can become a habit, a common reaction when you have to decide something.

Here’s what’s intriguing: I call confusion an “indulgent emotion.” It’s like a warm, comfortable blanket you wrap around yourself. It might feel cozy, but it also keeps you stuck, making you hesitate and feel like making decisions is as difficult as climbing a mountain in a snowstorm.

Let’s illustrate with an example: Imagine you’re the accountant for a small business owner, and your job is to help them invest their money wisely for retirement. Sounds simple, right? But as you delve into it, things start to get a bit complicated.

You start researching different investment options like stocks, bonds, and real estate. The more you read, the more choices you find, each with its own pros and cons. It’s like looking at a menu with a hundred delicious-sounding dishes, but you can’t decide what to order.

You’re diligent; you gather tons of information, crunch numbers, and even ask for advice from other financial experts. But here’s the problem: you end up stuck in what we call “analysis paralysis.”

It’s not that you lack information; you have plenty of it. But the pressure to pick the perfect investment strategy becomes overwhelming.

So, what happens next? You hesitate. You can’t make a decision. Your client’s financial future remains uncertain, and you’re trapped in a whirlpool of confusion.

What’s important to take away from this is that even in the professional world of accounting, we can face the same decision-making challenges we encounter in everyday life. In this example, the fear of making the wrong financial choice can lead to confusion, causing hesitation and inaction.

The tricky part is that the decision-making part of your brain is different from the part of your brain that usually runs your life, often called the primitive brain. If you haven’t learned how to use the decision-making part effectively, it’s no wonder you struggle with decisions, both big and small.

Here’s the thing: your primitive brain likes things the way they are and resists change. Over time, you might unintentionally develop a habit of avoiding decisions, to the point where your brain hesitates to even decide where to have lunch.

And here’s the most important thing to understand about your brain and confusion: your primitive brain prefers it when you’re confused. Why? Because it means you won’t take action.

Remember what I talked about in a previous episode: your brain is motivated by three things, known as The Motivational Triad – seeking pleasure, avoiding pain, and conserving energy. When you’re confused about making a decision, it conserves energy by not making a decision. Sneaky, right?

Tackling Decisions in Advance (Before Stage)

Now that we’ve figured out the root of confusion, let’s dive into some practical tools to empower you in making decisions with ease, even before they seem overwhelming. Think of it as a tool box of strategies to become a better decision maker..

I want to help you to consider decision-making as a superpower that can simplify your life in a world filled with endless choices. With it, you can breeze through the decision-making process without getting lost in the maze of options, saving time and sparing yourself from unnecessary stress.

Here’s the key: You have to decide what you’re going to think before you decide what you’re going to do. It might sound deceptively simple, but it’s the key to making decisions with confidence. 

For example, let’s say you’re eyeing a new car. The truth is that it’s not just about deciding which car to buy; it’s also about determining how you’ll think about that choice before you make it. This is where the magic happens, and it’s a step that many people tend to overlook.

Learning how to manage your brain and intentionally choosing how you’re going to think about your decision before you make your decision gives you the ability to easily make better decisions.  It’s like setting the stage for success before taking action.

Without deciding how you want to think about your decision before you take action, you’re leaving the door wide open for the negative tendencies of your primitive brain, and, as a result, confusion can creep in.

So, the trick here is to do the thought work before taking action. To help you with this process, let’s explore a few practical techniques:

1. Visualize Success for Both Choices: When torn between options, imagine both choices leading to success. This eliminates doubt and helps you make a decision. For example, think about adopting new accounting software.

In one scenario, you adopt the new software, and it significantly boosts your productivity and client satisfaction. In the other, you stick with your current setup, and it continues to serve you well. By seeing success in both options, you’ll alleviate doubt and be more inclined to make a decision because fear of making the wrong decision is taken off the table.

2. Redefine Failure as Learning: Speaking of fear of failure, if that’s what’s holding you back, remember that labeling something as a failure is just a thought, and thoughts are optional. Instead of viewing decisions as win-lose scenarios, reframe them as opportunities to learn and grow. This shift can help you embrace each decision as a valuable experience.

For this technique, imagine you’re considering expanding your services to include financial consulting, but you’re worried about potential setbacks. Instead of fearing failure, reframe it as a chance to learn and grow. If you take on financial consulting and it doesn’t go as planned, view it as an opportunity to gain experience and refine your approach for future success.

3. Consult Your Future Self: For this technique, take a moment to envision yourself a decade from now. What advice would your future self give you about the decision at hand and why? The primitive brain tends to lean toward instant gratification, making it challenging to think long-term. By tapping into your future self’s perspective, you can override short-term discomfort and gain insights into the bigger picture.

For example, let’s say you’re at a crossroads in your accounting career, contemplating whether to specialize in tax law or pursue a path in forensic accounting. Your current self is leaning towards tax law for immediate financial gain. However, when you consult your future self, you see a successful forensic accountant who is passionate about their work and has no regrets. Your future self’s perspective can guide you towards the decision that aligns with your long-term goals.

4. Check Your Current Emotions: No matter the decision, it’s crucial that you like your reason for making it. If you find yourself making choices driven by fear, impatience, or negative emotions, it’s a clear signal to pause. Dive into the thoughts behind those emotions, do some thought work to feel better, and then make your decision from a place of clarity.

Let’s say you’re deciding whether to take on a complex audit project. You’re feeling impatient and anxious about meeting the deadlines. Instead of making a hasty decision out of fear, pause to acknowledge that you’re feeling impatient.  By addressing this feeling and seeking a calm, logical approach, you can make a decision you’ll be satisfied with in the long run.

5. Give Yourself Permission Not to Decide: Sometimes, you might find yourself facing a decision without all the information you need. The pressure to make a choice becomes so overwhelming that it distracts you from other important areas of your life. In such situations, it’s perfectly acceptable to consciously choose not to decide for a set period, like 30 days. This pause gives your brain the space it needs to focus on what genuinely matters at the moment.

For example, let’s say you’re overwhelmed by the choice between two accounting software options. The constant back-and-forth is affecting your work and causing stress. To alleviate the pressure, you decide not to make a choice right away. You give yourself 30 days to focus on your current tasks and responsibilities without the distraction of making a decision. This breather allows you to come back to the decision with a clearer mind and make a more confident choice.

No matter which technique you choose to apply, the fundamental principle remains the same: decide how you want to think before you decide what to do. This is your secret weapon to banish confusion, regain control, and make choices that serve your best interests.

Avoiding Regret (After Stage)

Now let’s dive into the fascinating realm of post-decision stages. You’ve learned how to tackle decisions with confidence before you make them, but what happens once you’ve committed to a choice? Often, the fear of regret rears its head, and that’s what we’re going to tackle now.

The issue in the after stage is that regret can be a nagging companion, whispering in your ear, “What if you’ve chosen wrong? What if you look back and wish you’d taken a different path?” These doubts can cast a shadow over even the most well-thought-out decisions.

The first thing to remember is that there’s no such thing as a wrong decision. It’s all about how you perceive and frame your choices. 

The truth is that your thoughts define your experience, and the beauty is that your thoughts are 100% optional.  In other words, you always get to decide what to think about a decision.  .

To illustrate this concept, let me share a personal example that might resonate. A number of years ago I was dealing with the prospect of getting a divorce. My self-confidence was at rock bottom, and I turned to everyone I knew for advice, seeking external validation for what was the “right” decision.

In my fear of making the “wrong” choice, I had difficulty making any choice at all.  But eventually it dawned on me that I was the one who needed to believe that I was making the “right” decision. 

Why? Because my thoughts about my decision would shape my experience.

Once I chose to get divorced and then chose to believe that I had made the “right” decision in the “after stage”, my perspective shifted. I started seeing evidence that supported my choice. 

I began noticing how my children thrived in a home free from the stress of their parents’ arguments. I found the strength to navigate the challenges of single parenthood and embraced a newfound sense of peace. 

I also realized that my marriage had run its course, and I felt grateful for the years we’d spent together.

Now, let’s flip the scenario. Had I chosen to believe that I’d made the “wrong” decision in the after stage, my thoughts would have painted an entirely different picture. 

I’d have constantly questioned my children’s moods and attributed them to my choice. I’d have felt overwhelmed by the responsibilities of single parenting and felt envious of those in healthy marriages. 

I would have scrutinized my original reasons for wanting a divorce.

The core message here is that the way you perceive your decision both before and after it’s made can drastically alter your experience. If you continue to second-guess yourself, you’re essentially reopening the door to confusion.

Here’s another example – imagine you’re an accountant who has recently decided to transition from working at a traditional accounting firm to starting your own practice. Initially, you felt a surge of excitement and motivation to be your boss, set your hours, and offer specialized services.

However, as you navigate the complexities of running a business, self-doubt starts creeping in. You begin questioning your decision, wondering if it was the right move. Thoughts like, “Was it a mistake to leave the security of a stable job?” and “What if I can’t find enough clients to sustain my practice?” start to dominate your mind.

This is a common experience for many accountants who venture into entrepreneurship. The fear of regret can be paralyzing, causing sleepless nights and anxiety.

To overcome this, you can apply the decision-making techniques mentioned earlier:

Reframe Regret as Learning: Instead of seeing your transition as a potential failure, reframe it as an opportunity to learn and grow. Every challenge and setback can be a valuable experience that contributes to your professional development.

Consult Your Future Self: Imagine yourself a few years down the line. What would your future, successful practice look like? How would you feel about the decision you made? Consulting your future self can provide guidance and assurance that you’re on the right path.

Address Negative Thoughts: Whenever self-doubt arises, take the time to identify and challenge the negative thoughts that lead to regret. For example, if you’re worried about not finding enough clients, consider focusing on your marketing strategies and networking efforts. By taking action, you can address the source of your concerns.

By applying these techniques, you can shift your perspective from doubt and regret to a proactive, growth-oriented mindset. Over time, your accounting practice may thrive, and you’ll view your decision to become an entrepreneur as a positive and transformative step in your career.

The key to overcoming this “after” stage is learning how to manage your mind and support the decision you’ve made. By deciding that your choice is the right one, you’ll prompt your mind to gather evidence that backs that belief. 

Any opposing thoughts that crop up can be gently questioned and addressed.  By following these principles, you’ll not only make decisions confidently but also sidestep post-decision regret. 

Becoming a Smarter Accountant: Mastering The Art of Making Better Decisions

In conclusion, becoming a Smarter Accountant isn’t some complex puzzle – it’s about  understanding yourself and gaining control over your choices.

Hopefully, in today’s episode you’ve learned that decision-making happens in two stages: before and after.  The truth is that in the before stage, what you decide to think about a decision is as important as the decision itself.

Just know that there’s no such thing as a “wrong” choice – it’s all about how you choose to think about your decisions after they’re made. In order to reduce the chance of regret, make sure you’re choosing to think about your decision in a way that supports you rather than chastises you. 

A Smarter Accountant understands that in mastering the art of making better decisions, your thoughts are your secret weapon. By learning the skill of managing your mind, you make it possible to make decisions easily and have your own back once the decision is made.

For example, I was working with an accounting employee who wanted to become an entrepreneur.  She was tired of answering to a micro-managing boss, working for clients she didn’t resonate with, and being beholden to her boss’ idea of working hours but she was also nervous about making such a big decision.

We worked together and decided that consulting her future self was the most helpful.  She imagined herself 5 years from now having her own successful firm, working with clients she hand-picked, having an amazing supportive team, and running her firm with the value of work-life balance.

Fast forward to about a year after she started her own practice and she was bumping up against challenges that were making her start to regret her decision.  We talked about why she had originally made the decision, how she needed to support her past self for making the decision, and how to continue tapping into her future self who had the success.

She’s now running the firm of her dreams, making more money than she ever dreamed, and uses the before and after decision-making techniques all the time in her firm.  As a Smarter Accountant, she’s honed the art of making better decisions, even when they’re uncomfortable.

When dealing with decision regret, my husband and I came up with the concept of“The Snowglobe Effect.” I’m sure you’ve seen a snow globe before – a flat bottom with a plastic bubble on top containing an image inside, filled with water and glitter.  

When you shake it, it looks like it’s snowing because all the glitter swirling around in the water.

When the snow globe is sitting on a flat surface, sitting still, there’s no swirling glitter

The same thing happens in our brains.  We can be going about our day with the snow globe of our minds sitting still, but then someone says something or does something and our snow globe is all cloudy with swirling glitter, creating mind drama.  

When we came up with this idea it’s because my husband had started a new job and was having some regrets about his decision.  We began saying, “You shook your snow globe didn’t you?” when there’s some mind drama

After weeks of mind drama, he finally decided to look for all the ways that taking the new job was the right decision.  His brain began giving him all the proof that it was the right decision 

And then one day he bumped into a former coworker.  They talked about the former job, about some drama going on there and that was all it took – his snow globe was shook and swirling with negative thoughts 

He called me to tell me what happened and that he realized he shook his snow globe, but then something amazing happened. He said, “I picked it up and shook it which means I can put it down and let it settle down”  He got it!

If you want negative thoughts swirling around in your head about a decision, then keep shaking it.  Or you can leave it on a flat surface, let it settle and enjoy the clean, clear view

You always have a choice.  To shake or not to shake…that is the question.  It all comes down to how you want to feel

Annoyed, frustrated and regretful; or peaceful, drama-free and grateful

Remember that the art of making better decisions is an ongoing journey, and as you consistently practice and refine these skills, you’ll evolve into a Smarter Accountant. The skills you’ve acquired will not only enhance your capabilities but also strengthen your position as a trusted financial advisor.

If you find yourself facing challenges in your accounting career or simply want to explore ‘The Smarter Accountant 6-week Program’ further, don’t hesitate to reach out. You can schedule a free session at www.thesmarteraccountant.com/calendar to delve deeper into how this program can help you overcome obstacles and become a Smarter Accountant.  

Thank you for joining me as we explored mastering the art of making better decisions.  It’s important to remember that self-improvement is an ongoing process, and I encourage you to keep returning each week as I guide you from being a stressed accountant to becoming a truly 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.

What if I told you that a seemingly simple question could be the key to unlocking your full potential as an accountant? Are you curious?

Good! Because today, I’m going to unravel the mystery behind this important question that most of us accountants tend to brush aside. 

It’s a question that can change your career, how you work with colleagues and clients, and ultimately, how good you are at your job. But first, consider this:

• When was the last time you noticed that your emotions affected your work, whether it was a big decision or a routine task?
  
• Have you ever wondered why some days you’re super productive, while other days it’s a struggle to concentrate on the numbers?
  
• Do you think that understanding and managing your emotions could make you a better accountant?

Get ready, because today, I’m taking a deep dive into an area that can make or break your career in accounting, reduce stress and overwhelm, help you get more done in less time, and make it possible to have a sustainable career.. 

So, stay tuned as I explore the science behind this question, share stories, and provide strategies that will change the way you approach your role as an accountant.

The most important question 

Let’s start things off by addressing the most important question every accountant needs to ask, every day, and it’s this: “How am I feeling?” Yes, you heard that right.

Whether you realize it or not, emotions matter in the world of accounting. Why?  Because our emotions play a crucial factor in our daily work.  In fact, emotions are a bigger deal in the world of accounting than you probably are aware of.

First, think about what makes a good accountant truly exceptional. Is it all about your accounting knowledge, or is there something more going on?

Well, here’s the surprise: in the world of accounting, where we often think of everything as numbers and spreadsheets, emotions play a vital role. Yes, you heard me right—emotions. They’re truly like the secret ingredient that makes a good dish extraordinary.

For example, imagine two accountants, both equally skilled in accounting. One is in tune with their emotions, while the other doesn’t pay much attention to how they’re feeling.

Now, let’s say a stressful situation arises. The emotionally aware accountant pauses and asks themselves, “How am I feeling?” This simple self-check helps them pause before they take action.

It gives them a moment of choice to choose to feel calm and make better decisions or stay stressed and spin in confusion.  Because they checked in with how they were feeling before taking any action, they’re better able to handle their work and their interactions with clients and colleagues with ease.

The second accountant, however, doesn’t pause to consider their emotions. Because they’re stressed, they might react impulsively, complain, procrastinate, or make choices driven by unchecked feelings, which leads to ineffective action and results.

What this means is that our emotions aren’t just fleeting sensations. They’re like the gears we’re putting the car in, influencing how we work, manage our time, and make decisions. 

It’s also not about pushing emotions away; it’s about understanding them and using that understanding to our advantage.

The truth is that studies have found that accountants with higher Emotional Intelligence tend to outperform their peers in client satisfaction, problem-solving, time management, productivity, and job satisfaction.  

In fact, the AICPA offers a course on Emotional Intelligence, which they describe as “teaching competencies and strategies to identify and manage your own emotions and the emotions of others, greatly increasing your chances of personal and professional success.”

Here’s the thing – how you react, and everything you do or don’t do is only ever because of an emotion.

In other words, the work you get done when you’re stressed and overwhelmed will be vastly different than when you’re focused and determined.  How you handle things like tax season or client demands is directly related to how you feel.  

I promise you that if you’re not asking yourself every day how you feel, you’re not as effective as you could be.  

Before I move on, I want you to think about the last time you were stressed or overwhelmed.  Whether it was 10 minutes ago or last week, I guarantee you weren’t as effective as you could have been if you had been managing your emotions.  

The brain’s impact on emotions

I’ve talked about how our brains work in previous episodes, but if you’re new to what I teach, here’s a super quick synopsis.  We have a lower, primitive brain that I refer to as the “Toddler” and a higher brain that I refer to as the “Supervising Parent.”

Our lower, primitive brain has been with us since humans lived in caves.  Our higher brain developed over time and this part of the brain is only present in humans.

Understanding these two parts of your brain is essential if you want to become a Smarter Accountant.

Now consider this – have you ever wondered why you feel the way you do in different situations? What’s happening in your brain when emotions come into play?

Well, it all starts with the lower, Toddler part of our brain.  This part of our brain is like an emotional alarm system. 

When something happens—say, a surprise deadline or a challenging client meeting—it sends signals to your brain, saying, “Hey, pay attention! This matters!”

Now, here’s where it gets interesting: your lower brain not only sounds the alarm but also stirs up those familiar emotions we all experience, like happiness, anger, fear, or stress. These emotions feel great or not so great, impacting how you perceive and react to situations.

So, why is this relevant to accounting? Imagine you’re tasked with solving a complex financial puzzle. Your Toddler brain senses the challenge, and suddenly, you’re feeling the pressure. 

This heightened emotion can either help you stay laser-focused and sharp or, if not managed well, overwhelm you.

Thankfully, you also have the higher, prefrontal cortex part of your brain.  I refer to this part as the Supervising Parent and it is like the brain’s logical center. 

It helps you think rationally, make decisions, and plan. It’s what you rely on to keep things organized and on track.

But here’s the thing – when strong emotions, especially the negative ones, take center stage, your prefrontal cortex can sometimes take a back seat. This can lead to impulsive decisions, difficulty concentrating, or even forgetfulness—all of which aren’t ideal in the world of accounting. 

For example, imagine you’re working on a crucial financial report, and suddenly, you receive an unexpected email from a frustrated client, complaining about an error in a previous report. Your lower brain registers the urgency and triggers feelings of stress and frustration. 

In this emotional state, your higher brain may struggle to focus on the task at hand, making it more challenging to review and correct the report accurately.

Or imagine you’re in the midst of tax season, juggling multiple clients’ tax returns with upcoming deadlines. The pressure is heavy, and your lower brain is on high alert due to the mounting workload and client expectations so it sends signals of stress and urgency throughout your brain.

During this time, your higher brain, the logical thinker, should ideally be in the driver’s seat, ensuring every tax return is reviewed and accurate. However, the emotional storm triggered by the lower brain can sometimes overpower your logical thinking.

When this happens you might find yourself rushing through calculations, missing out on potential deductions, or making data entry errors. It’s not because you lack the skills; it’s because your brain is contending with the emotional turbulence of tax season.

So, what’s the key takeaway here? Understanding how your brain processes emotions can be a game-changer for accountants in two significant ways: First, by recognizing when your emotions are taking the wheel, you can step back and regain control. Second, knowing how your brain operates emotionally can empower you to work more effectively with it.

Before I move on, think about this: can you recall a situation at work where your emotions had a clear influence on a decision or action you took? How do you think your brain was functioning during that moment?

Take a minute to consider your answers to those questions.    

The power of self-awareness

Now let’s talk about the incredible power of self-awareness and how it can transform your career as an accountant. But let’s start with a simple question: What does it mean to be self-aware, and why does it matter, especially for accountants like us?

Being self-aware is like having a mirror inside your mind, reflecting your thoughts, feelings, and actions. It’s about understanding yourself—your strengths, weaknesses, and the impact of your emotions on your decisions.

So, why is self-awareness essential in the world of accounting? Think of it as a superpower that enables you to navigate challenges, but also makes it possible to have an easier career as an accountant.

For example, imagine you’re working on a complex financial analysis, and you notice a wave of frustration welling up. That’s where self-awareness kicks in. 

The first, most important question to ask is, “How am I feeling?” and name the feeling.  For example, let’s say the feeling is frustrated.  The next step is to pause and ask yourself, “Why am I feeling frustrated?” This simple act of reflection can unlock valuable insights.

But here’s the key – the only reason you felt frustrated was because of a thought your lower brain is having, not because of anything or anyone.  In other words, it’s not the complexity of the financial analysis or the workload that’s making you feel frustrated because your feelings are never created by circumstances.

The only reason you feel frustrated is because of your thoughts about the financial analysis or the workload.    

Unfortunately, if you don’t make the connection between the fact that your thoughts create your feelings, you’ll either stay stuck in frustration or try to take action to fix the feeling.  The problem is that you can never change a feeling by taking action.

In fact, it’s your feelings that drive your actions, not the other way around.  Whatever actions you try to take from the feeling of frustration will be ineffective actions.

It’s also important to look at the power of self-awareness in dealing with others. As an accountant, you’re not just dealing with numbers; you’re also interacting with clients and colleagues. 

Understanding your emotions and how they affect your communication can be a game-changer.

For example, imagine you’re meeting with a client to discuss their financial strategy, and they’re expressing concerns about their investments. Your self-awareness helps you recognize that their worries are triggering your own anxiety, as you want to provide the best guidance.

In this moment, your self-awareness allows you to take a step back. You can acknowledge you’re feeling anxiety and remind yourself that it’s only being caused by a thought, not by the client.  

By choosing to intentionally think something like, “I can help this client” or “I can put their mind at ease,” those thoughts would create a feeling like compassion instead of anxiety.  By doing so, you can communicate more effectively, addressing their concerns and providing valuable guidance.

Another example where self-awareness is crucial is during tax season.  I’ve had over 30 tax seasons in my career and I can tell you this – the truth is that when deadlines loom and the pressure mounts, self-awareness can help you stay on top of your game. 

When you make it a habit of checking in and asking how you’re feeling, then if you start to feel overwhelmed, you can do something about it before it derails you.  Pause, recognize that the feeling of overwhelm is coming from thoughts in your brain, decide how you want to feel instead, and then choose a believable thought that creates that feeling.

This is one of the reasons I now have stress-free tax seasons – I know how to handle stress and overwhelm as soon as I’m aware of their presence..

It’s also important to understand that the power of self-awareness extends beyond the confines of your workspace. It also enhances your relationships. 

As you understand your emotional triggers and reactions better, you can build trust and foster a positive working environment.

Take a second and think of a situation at work where being self-aware did help or would have helped you make a better decision or navigate a challenging interaction more effectively? Based on what you’ve learned so far in this episode, what could you do differently next time?

Emotional Intelligence in accounting

Whether you’ve heard of the term Emotional Intelligence or not, I’m telling you that you should get more familiar with it, especially as an accountant.

Think of Emotional Intelligence as your compass in the world of emotions. It’s about understanding, managing, and using your feelings effectively, both within yourself and in your interactions with others.

So, why does Emotional Intelligence matter in the accounting world? Because it can make you a better accountant and colleague.

Consider this: Emotional Intelligence is composed of several key components. One of them is “self-awareness,” which I just discussed. It’s about recognizing your emotions and their impact on your work.

Another vital component is “self-regulation.” This means managing your emotions, especially when the pressure is on. It’s about staying cool under fire and not letting stress or frustration dictate your actions.

“Social awareness” is the next element. It’s about understanding the emotions of those around you—your clients, colleagues, and even your boss. This skill helps you navigate challenging conversations and build stronger relationships.

Last but not least, there’s “relationship management.” This is all about using your Emotional Intelligence to influence, inspire, and collaborate effectively. It’s about turning those accounting numbers into connections and solutions.

But how does all this translate into the accounting world? Let’s simplify it with an example:

Imagine you’re working with a team on a complex financial audit. The project is running behind schedule, and tensions are rising. You notice that one of your colleagues seems particularly stressed.

Your Emotional Intelligence kicks in. You recognize their anxiety because you’re exhibiting social awareness, and you approach them with empathy. You offer support, whether it’s helping with their workload or just being a listening ear. 

By doing so, you not only ease their stress but also contribute to a more collaborative and efficient work environment.

Now, let’s delve a bit deeper into how Emotional Intelligence can make your work as an accountant even more manageable.

Consider a scenario where you’re dealing with a demanding client who’s frustrated with a financial report error. Your Emotional Intelligence toolkit, honed through self-awareness and self-regulation, allows you to remain calm and composed. 

Instead of reacting defensively, you actively listen to their concerns, again displaying social awareness, and respond with empathy.  You acknowledge the error, take responsibility, and reassure the client that steps will be taken to rectify it. 

In this example, your relationship management skills come into play as you work collaboratively with the client to address the issue. The outcome? The client not only appreciates your professionalism but also continues to trust your expertise.

So now it’s your turn – can you think of a situation where your Emotional Intelligence played a significant role in a work-related scenario, making a positive difference? How did it affect the outcome?

Or can you think of a situation where your Emotional Intelligence was low and things didn’t go as well as you would have liked?

No matter where you lie on the spectrum of Emotional Intelligence, just know that it’s an incredibly beneficial skill for all accountants, no matter how long you’ve been an accountant.

Becoming a Smarter Accountant: Practical tips

Becoming a Smarter Accountant isn’t just about crunching numbers or studying tax code—it’s about mastering the art of managing emotions, making better decisions, and nurturing productive relationships.

Here are some tips to get you started:

1. Cultivate Self-awareness: Take time to reflect on your emotions regularly. Ask yourself, “How am I feeling?” as often as you possibly can.  Recognizing your emotional state is the first step towards using it to your advantage. No matter what is happening at work, your feelings are always going to drive your actions so make sure you cultivate self-awareness to ensure you’re using the best feelings to take action from.  

To become a Smarter Accountant, start by setting aside a few moments each day to check in with yourself. Ask questions like, “What emotions am I experiencing right now, and why?” 

2. Practice Self-regulation: When the pressure mounts, and the deadline looms, don’t let your emotions run the show. Self-regulation is about being intentional with your feelings.  Take deep breaths, pause, and think before you react. This can prevent impulsive decisions and maintain your focus on that work at hand.

When faced with high-stress situations, use techniques like mindfulness or a meditation app like Calm to regain your composure. Remember, it’s okay to take short breaks during the workday to reset and refocus. Avoid knee-jerk reactions and strive for a calm, measured response.

3. Develop Social Awareness: Pay attention to the emotions of those around you without making them mean anything about you. Understand that your clients, colleagues, and even your boss might be experiencing their own emotional rollercoaster based on thoughts in their brain. By recognizing their feelings, you can navigate conversations and relationships more effectively.

Enhance your social awareness by actively listening to others. During client meetings, pay attention not just to the words spoken but also to the tone and body language. Empathize with their concerns and ask open-ended questions to gain deeper insights into their emotional state.

4. Master Relationship Management: Building strong relationships is at the core of being a Smarter Accountant. Use your Emotional Intelligence to inspire, influence, and collaborate with others. Turn challenges into opportunities for growth, and transform the work you do as an accountant into an opportunity to be an example of what’s possible.  .

Hopefully, these practical tips, coupled with a solid understanding of emotions and Emotional Intelligence, can elevate your career as an accountant.

So before I end this episode, think about this: How do you envision applying these tips in your accounting career? Can you see yourself becoming a Smarter Accountant by integrating Emotional Intelligence into your daily work?

Hopefully you now see that the most important question every accountant needs to ask, every day is, “How do I feel?”  Until you’re willing to acknowledge how you feel, and choose more helpful and useful emotions, you will not be as effective as you could be.

Remember, becoming a Smarter Accountant isn’t just about mastering numbers; it’s also about mastering yourself.

Well, that’s what I have for you.  Thank you for joining me as I shared the most important question every accountant needs to ask, every day.  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.

I’ll explain The Smarter Accountant 6-week Program and how you can apply it to whatever you’re struggling with.

That’s what I have for you, but 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.

Let’s talk about a subject that most accountants have experience in – complaining.  But before we dive in, let me ask you some questions to think about:

Have you ever noticed how often you catch yourself complaining throughout the day? Maybe it’s about the traffic during your morning commute, the mountain of paperwork on your desk, or perhaps even the occasional issue with the weather. 

We all complain about various things, but have you ever stopped to think about the impact of all that complaining on your life or your career?

Or maybe you were intrigued to participate in one of those challenges to help you stop from complaining, like John Gordon’s 7-Day Challenge. How long did you last before something or someone triggered a complaint? 

It’s surprising how difficult it can be to break this sneaky habit.  But unfortunately, the hard truth is that complaining is actually making us dumber and I’ll be explaining how in a minute. 

While we all complain, you might be interested to know that the average person complains anywhere between 15 and 30 times a day.

Here’s another question: Are you aware that your brain is wired to find faults, to identify potential threats, and to, in a way, complain? It’s a natural survival mechanism, but what happens when this tendency seeps into your daily conversations, especially at work?

Now, think about this: how often do you find yourself surrounded by constant complainers, be it coworkers, friends, or family members? Do you ever feel drained by their negativity? 

Have you ever noticed how you end up discussing their bad attitudes with others, as if you can’t help but complain about the complainers?

And here’s the ultimate question: Did you know that complaining is affecting your intelligence, and in turn, your accounting career? It’s not just a matter of your mood; it’s about the very asset that fuels your professional success—your brain.

In today’s episode, I’m going to explain the science behind complaining, why it’s more problematic than you might think, and most importantly, how you can stop or at least become more purposeful in your complaints.

If you’re ready to delve into this intriguing topic, stay tuned because by the end of this episode, you’ll have valuable insights and practical strategies to make your complaints work for you rather than against you.

Why we complain

So let’s start with why we complain. It’s a behavior so ingrained in our daily lives that we often do it without even realizing. So, why do we complain so much?

As I mentioned earlier, challenges like John Gordon’s 7-Day Challenge can shed some light. The goal of the challenge is to go a whole week without complaining. Sounds simple, right? Well, not quite. 

Most people who take this challenge can’t make it past the 10-minute mark without finding something or someone to complain about.  But why is it so tough to stop complaining? 

The answer lies in the sneaky nature of this habit. Most of the time, we believe we’re just stating the facts, much like a news reporter delivering the daily headlines. 

We think we’re merely observing our world and expressing what’s true for us. For example, we say things like, “There’s a ton of work to do” or “The weather is pretty crappy.”

However, here’s the catch – our brains are wired to be natural complainers. They constantly scan our environment, seeking out what’s wrong or potentially threatening to keep us safe. 

Complaining is a survival mechanism deeply rooted in our biology. In fact, research has shown that during typical conversations, especially at work, most people complain approximately once a minute. 

The truth is that our negative-biased brains tend to interpret more things as wrong than right, and they want to share these observations as a sort of “public service.”

Now, here’s why it becomes even more prevalent in work environments and why it’s so tricky to break this complaining habit – it can become a form of bonding. Complaining and gossip often go hand in hand, sometimes forming the basis of relationships, especially in challenging work situations.

As I’ve shared on the podcast before, because our primitive brains are motivated to avoid pain, seek pleasure, and be efficient, the practice of complaining can easily become hardwired into our habits. It becomes our unconscious default. 

In other words, until we rewire our brains, they will continue to do what they do best – complain.

Let’s go over some examples by starting with a scenario that most of us deal with – daily commuting.  Let’s say you find yourself inching along in traffic, late for work yet again. Again, it’s a situation many of us can relate to. 

As your frustration mounts, you might express your aggravation by saying something like, “This traffic is unbearable every day! It’s a complete nightmare.”  It seems harmless, right? You’re just venting your frustration about the situation. 

But here’s the catch – this seemingly innocent complaint reflects a natural inclination of our brains to focus on what’s going wrong, in this case, the traffic. Our brains are wired to spot potential threats and inconveniences, even in the mundane, as a survival mechanism..

Or here’s another example for those of us in public accounting – tax season. Let’s say you’re knee-deep in spreadsheets, drowning in tax forms, and your coffee consumption has hit an all-time high. It’s a situation that many of us can relate to. 

As the stress mounts, you might express your frustration by saying something like, “This workload during tax season is unbearable every year! It’s a complete nightmare.”

It might feel like you’re just venting your frustration about the situation, but there’s more to it. This complaint reflects the natural tendency of our brains, as humans, to focus on what’s going wrong – in this case, the overwhelming workload. 

Again, our brains are wired to spot potential problems and inconveniences, even in the intricacies of accounting. When this default part of our brain goes unchecked, it can become a bigger problem than you realize.  

So, just know that when complaining becomes your unconscious default, it can hurt your intelligence and, as I’ll explore in a minute, become a problem for you and your accounting career.

Why it’s a problem

As accountants, we need to be sharp and analytical in order to do the challenging work we do.  Our accountant brain must operate at its highest level, especially when tackling complex financial challenges and navigating the intricacies of the financial world.

But here’s where the trouble starts – research has shown that complaining can literally shrink a critical area of your brain, the hippocampus. This small but mighty region is responsible for problem-solving, memory retention, and intelligent thought processes. 

It’s essentially the vault where all those accounting facts, tips, and analytical strategies are securely stored.  Unfortunately, complaining is killing your brain cells.

While it might sound like a humorous exaggeration, it’s true. Research conducted by Professor Robert Sapolsky at Stanford University has shown that chronic complaining can indeed have detrimental effects on the hippocampus. 

It’s the constant stream of stress hormones, like cortisol, flooding your bloodstream that does the damage.  If you’re not familiar with cortisol, it’s referred to as the stress hormone. 

When you complain persistently, you’re essentially flooding your bloodstream with cortisol. This hormone, in excess, puts you at risk for increased blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, and a host of other health concerns.

When you add juggling a demanding career with family responsibilities, the stress from both sides can be immense. You may find yourself complaining to your colleagues about it regularly.

Your complaint might sound like, “I don’t know how much more stress I can handle – between tax deadlines and family commitments, it’s too much!”

Unfortunately, this stress, compounded by chronic complaining, creates a toxic cocktail in your body, wreaking havoc on your health. And, let’s be honest, we could all use a little less stress in our lives.

Now, you might wonder, “Why does complaining feel so good if it’s causing all these problems?” The answer lies in how you feel before you complain.

Here’s the thing – just before you let out that complaint, there’s typically a strong negative feeling – frustration, judgment, or stress. Complaining seems like a welcomed relief from those negative emotions, especially when others join in.

For example, let’s say it’s another tough day at work, and your coworker joins you in a complaining session about the management’s decisions. You vent your frustrations together, feeling the relief of shared grievances.

In this moment, it feels like you’re releasing some of the pressure built up inside you. It’s as though you’re a dam about to burst, and complaining allows you to let off some steam. 

The issue, however, is that your brain is like a sponge, absorbing everything you spill – including all that complaining.

The truth is that your brain absorbs the complaints and begins to wire itself to include them in your thought patterns. As you rinse and repeat this process, your brain strengthens these connections, making it easier and easier to complain. 

Over time, complaining can become as natural as breathing but as damaging as smoking.

The interesting thing is that the damage isn’t limited to how you perceive the world; it extends to how others perceive you. It might be draining for you to be around constant complainers, but it’s equally draining for others to be around your complaining.

For example, let’s say you’re at a family gathering, and your cousin always brings up something to complain about. You might share an exasperated look with your sibling about your cousin’s attitude, creating a subtle alliance of complaint. 

It’s a bonding experience, but it’s not exactly conducive to positive relationships.

While it might not seem like a big deal, the truth is that it’s not helpful to you, your intelligence, or your accounting career to let complaining go unaddressed.

How to stop or become more purposeful

So far I’ve uncovered why we complain and why it can be problematic. Now, it’s time to explore the practical steps to stop complaining or, at the very least, complain with purpose.

Since complaining is a habit deeply rooted in our brains, it’s not easy to break. The truth is that our brain processes approximately 60,000 thoughts a day, therefore, it’s impractical to try to stop negative thoughts from occurring altogether. 

However, you do have control over what you choose to focus on.

Let me explain a simple yet effective process that I like to call the “Pass the Hors D’oeuvres” technique. Imagine yourself at a fancy cocktail party, with waiters and waitresses passing around silver platters filled with delicious hors d’oeuvres.

Now, here’s how this process works:

Imagine that each silver platter holds a thought your brain is offering you, just like an hors d’oeuvre.  Understand that there’s nothing inherently wrong with any of the thoughts on those platters.

The key to this process is that you get to decide, purposefully, whether you want the thought on the platter or not.  Before you pick up a thought, ask yourself a few questions:

“Is this thought helpful or useful?”

“Does this thought serve me?”

“Will it ‘taste’ good?”

You only need to spend a second or two to decide. If a thought is useful, pick it up and savor it. If it’s not, simply let the waiter pass by without judgment.

The power of this process lies in its elegant simplicity. Instead of resisting the negative, complaining thoughts that naturally pop up in your brain, you’re making conscious choices about which thoughts are worth your attention. 

You’re essentially curating your mental menu.

What’s truly remarkable is that this process will reveal how optional your thoughts truly are. The thoughts about the circumstances in your life, much like the hors d’oeuvres on the silver platters, can be chosen or passed on – it’s always within your power.

So, whether you’re faced with a challenging accounting situation or dealing with someone else’s complaints, remember that you have the option to decide what you want to think about it all.

Instead of letting the default part of your brain keep thinking and complaining the way it’s always done, you also have the option to decide whether you want to complain with purpose. Complaining with purpose means having a specific goal in mind when you feel the urge to vent. 

It’s about communicating without blame and aiming to find viable solutions.

For example, let’s say you have an issue with something you purchased, and you call customer service to complain. Instead of merely venting your frustration, you pause and evaluate whether your complaint will lead to a constructive conversation.

You might ask yourself, “Do I know what I want as a resolution? How might they be able to resolve the situation?” Complaining with purpose means that your complaint isn’t just a release; it’s a step toward finding a solution.

When you choose what’s worth complaining about with a clear goal of being part of the solution, you give your brain and intelligence a chance to switch into problem-solving mode instead of being depleted by complaining mode.

The best part is that complaining with a purpose not only benefits you but also makes it easier for others to join in the solution. It helps calm emotions and fosters better communication.

So remember, complaining is a habit, and like any habit, it can be transformed. By applying these techniques, you can break free from the complaining cycle, boost your intelligence, lower your stress, and enhance your communication skills.

The Smarter Accountant Way: How to not let complaining affect your intelligence

As accountants, our intelligence is our most valuable asset. It’s what enables us to tackle complex financial challenges, solve intricate problems, and provide essential financial guidance to our clients and organizations.

So now let’s go over some real-world examples of how you can break free from the complaining cycle and protect your intelligence.

If you’re in public accounting like me, you know that tax season is the time we tend to love to complain due to our workload. There was even an Accounting Today headline a few years ago that said something like, “Brace yourself for another horrible tax season.”  

Thankfully, the Smarter Accountant way can help with the issue of complaining affecting your intelligence.  So the question you probably now have is, “What’s the Smarter Accountant way?”

Well, instead of complaining about the never-ending stream of tax returns, consider this approach: view each tax return as a unique challenge, an opportunity to showcase your expertise and problem-solving skills.  The reason I no longer have stressful tax seasons and have stopped complaining is because I learned how to manage my mind.

I learned how to recognize the natural tendency to complain and instead, pivot using my higher brain.  By adopting a new mindset, you will not only transform your experience of tax season, but you will also preserve your intelligence. 

Remember, your hippocampus is the part of your brain that is responsible for problem-solving, memory retention, and intelligent thought processes. You want to help maintain a healthy and agile brain that’s ready to tackle even the most intricate financial puzzles.

Another common source of complaint among accountants is workplace dynamics, especially when dealing with challenging colleagues or demanding bosses.  Believe me, I’ve had colleagues that didn’t pull their weight and dealt with the difficult, micromanaging bosses.

I know first hand that it isn’t easy, but instead of dwelling on office frustrations and complaining about coworkers, try “The Smarter Accountant Way.” Shift your focus from complaining to problem-solving.

For instance, if you’re facing a conflict with a coworker, either approach the situation as an opportunity to enhance your communication skills or learn to pivot your focus to the less challenging coworkers. 

Instead of venting your frustration, either initiate a constructive conversation or accept that the coworker is not your favorite and that life is 50/50; you may only like 50% of the people you’re surrounded by, saving your intelligence for what truly matters..

Another example is personal development. We are often pressed for time due to our busy schedules, but instead of complaining about the lack of time for self-improvement, embrace “The Smarter Accountant Way.”

Suppose you’ve been longing to improve your time management skills by learning a new, brain-based time management system like I teach in The Smarter Accountant Time Management Program.  Instead of complaining that there’s never enough time, recognize that it is possible to make time for things that are important to you.

Since The Smarter Accountant Time Management Program is only six weeks, you can simply choose to dedicate this short amount of time to learning and application.  In doing so, you not only acquire new knowledge but also keep your hippocampus active and engaged.

Hopefully, you can now see that by applying “The Smarter Accountant Way” in these scenarios and countless others, you can transform complaining into a powerful tool for personal and professional growth.

Remember, while complaining might feel natural, it’s also affecting your intelligence so it’s probably worth noticing and addressing as often as you can.

Well, that’s what I have for you.  Thank you for joining me on this exploration of complaining and its impact on our intelligence and our lives. I hope you’ve gained valuable insights and practical tools to navigate this part of your human experience.

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.

I’ll explain The Smarter Accountant 6-week Program and how you can apply it to whatever you’re struggling with.

That’s what I have for you, but 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.

If you’ve ever wondered what it really takes to succeed in this challenging profession, you’re in the right place.

With over three decades of experience as a CPA, and having worked for some of the Big 4, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing the evolution of this profession, and it’s been interesting, to say the least.

To start, I want you to consider the following questions:

Have you ever wondered what it takes to have a sustainable accounting career?

Are there things you’re currently struggling with as a CPA?

Have you thought that there’s got to be an easier way but not sure what that is?

Reflecting on my career in public accounting, there are three pivotal aspects that, if I had known about them earlier, they could have made my journey as a CPA easier.

Whether you’re a student studying accounting and dreaming of becoming a CPA, a new graduate entering the finance field, or an experienced professional dealing with the challenges of accounting, I hope my experience will give you some useful advice.

I’m going to be sharing the three most important things I wish I knew when I started my journey to become a CPA. These lessons have had a huge impact on my career, and I think they’ll give you valuable insight.

In other words, today I’m going to share what I know now, that I wish I knew years ago.

While my path as a CPA has been a rewarding one, it has also come with its fair share of challenges. I hope that by sharing these insights, you can embark on your own path to being a successful CPA.

Remember, the accounting profession offers immense opportunities for growth and impact, and with the right knowledge and perspective, you can navigate it successfully and thrive in the world of accounting.

1 – Stress is optional

The first crucial lesson I wish I had known before becoming a CPA: Stress is optional. The accounting profession is notorious for its high-pressure environment, but over the years, I’ve come to realize that it doesn’t have to be a constant source of stress.

What I learned about 10 years ago has literally changed how I approach every aspect of being a CPA. What did I learn? Where stress actually comes from.

Here’s what I know now that I wish I had learned much earlier on – stress is not caused by things like the amount of work we have, deadlines, difficult clients, or the IRS. It’s caused by our unmanaged brains.

The hard truth is that your smart accountant brain is being underutilized if you feel stressed. In other words, you feel stressed and overwhelmed because you are underutilizing the part of your brain that can eliminate stress and overwhelm.

As I shared in episode #2 – The Place Where Brain Science Meets Accounting – if you were using the higher, prefrontal cortex part of your brain more intentionally and more often you would not feel stressed.

It’s literally like having the “off” switch to stress when you learn how to use your higher brain more often.

The reason you feel stressed and overwhelmed, especially during times of deadlines, is because you’re letting the lower, default part of your brain, run the show. Believe me, I get it because I was doing the same thing for over 20 years.

Unfortunately, when you don’t learn how to manage your accountant brain, you end up day after day, year after year, feeling stressed and overwhelmed, often ending in burnout. Thankfully though, you’re listening to this podcast which means you’re probably willing to learn how to do things differently..

I promise you that by understanding the truth behind my stress and overwhelm, especially as an accountant in public accounting my entire career, I have changed everything in my life for the better. I cannot emphasize this enough—stress and overwhelm are OPTIONAL for accountants!

Here’s what it boils down to – to become a Smarter Accountant, you have to understand this fact: circumstances do not cause feelings. In other words, a Smarter Accountant knows that feelings are only ever caused by the optional thoughts their brain has about circumstances.

For example, the truth is that the tax season doesn’t cause stress; it’s just dates on the calendar: it’s a block of time. A circumstance, like dates on a calendar, cannot create the feeling of stress or overwhelm.

The only thing that CAN cause those feelings are our thoughts about the fact that it’s tax season. In other words, the only thing that is causing you to feel stressed and overwhelmed is your unmanaged brain’s thoughts about circumstances like the dates on the calendar, the number of tax returns that need to be filed, the client requests, etc.

I promise you that your unmanaged accountant brain is the issue, not dates on the calendar, the amount of work you have to get done, or the expectations of your clients.

The beauty in becoming a Smarter Accountant is that you don’t need any circumstance to be different in order to feel better or have a better result. The solution to feeling stressed and overwhelmed, especially during deadlines, is to intentionally choose how you want to feel.

I can tell you that trying to do accounting work from a feeling of stress or overwhelm is like trying to drive 100 mph with the parking brake on. It slows down your ability to get more done in less time and burns you out in the process.

For example, one of my coaching clients was a partner in a small firm and was on the verge of burnout. He was constantly feeling stressed and overwhelmed, and had tried many different things over the years to try to feel more in control.

Once he worked with me and learned how optional stress was, he was able to handle the workload, get more done in less time, and be a more effective leader in the firm. His wife even said he was much happier at home.

I want you to imagine if you could approach a high-pressure client meeting with complete confidence, knowing that stress wouldn’t cloud your judgment. How might that positively impact your client relationships and the outcomes of those meetings?

Or picture this: you’re working on a complex financial audit, and the deadlines are tight. Now, imagine if you knew exactly how to eliminate stress and feel calm and in control. How might that change your experience and results?

Think about the last time you felt stressed during tax season. Now, envision knowing how to stay focused instead of stressed. How might that have improved your overall well-being and performance?

The reason I now have stress-free tax seasons is because I’ve come to understand that stress is optional when you understand how to manage your accountant brain. The bottom line is that stress is optional because it’s within your control when you understand how to manage your mind.

2 – Effective time management is essential

The second vital lesson I wish I had known before becoming a CPA: the importance of effective time management. Being a CPA means juggling lots of tasks, deadlines, and responsibilities.

The truth is that learning to handle your time well isn’t just helpful; it’s crucial for success in this demanding career. If you want an easier, more sustainable career, you must learn effective time management.

The issue is that no one is teaching accountants the most effective way to manage our time. There are plenty of apps, software, and workflow systems, but they’re like putting temporary bandaids on.

Effective time management is like a superpower that can help you stay on top of it all and not drown in working too many hours, or feel the effects of never-ending stress and overwhelm. But here’s the thing – there’s a huge difference between time management and effective time management.

Most accountants are managing their time ineffectively. How would you know if that’s you?

If you often find yourself rushing to meet deadlines, feeling overwhelmed by your workload, and working more than you want to, you’re not managing your time effectively. If you struggle to prioritize tasks and often find yourself working on less important items while critical tasks get delayed, you may need to refine your time management skills.

If you spend most of your day reacting to urgent matters instead of proactively tackling your planned tasks, it may be a sign that your time management needs improvement. If you frequently feel burned out, exhausted, or mentally drained from your work, it’s due to poor time management, which can lead to overexertion.

The good news is that recognizing these signs is the first step toward improvement. By implementing effective time management strategies, you can regain control over your schedule, reduce stress, and enhance your productivity as an accountant.

For example, imagine you’re in the middle of tax season. You have a big project ahead, and several clients are waiting for your help. Deadlines are coming at you from all sides.

Without an effective time management plan, you might feel like you’re drowning in work, struggling to figure out what to do first, and worried you might miss a crucial deadline. Many CPAs, whether they’re just starting out or have been at this for a long time, face this kind of challenge.

So what can help you uplevel your time management to be more effective? You have to first understand how to manage your mind before you can better manage your time.

For example, one of my coaching clients was trying to run her small firm with a team of 4. She was constantly complaining that there just weren’t enough hours in the day to get everything done.

But once she learned how to first manage her mind and then learned a more effective method for managing her time, she was not only able to handle her current workload, but she was able to start growing her business. She had been putting that off for a few years because she felt she just didn’t have the time or the bandwidth to take on more.

She shared that learning how to manage her mind was a game changer. Not only was her time management much more effective, but she got more done in less time and was able to do everything she needed to do without feeling overwhelmed.

Bottom line – if you’re going to have any shot at having a sustainable career as a CPA, you have to learn how to have effective time management. What no one else is teaching you about time management is that it’s less about managing your time, and more about managing your mind.

3 – Work-life balance is attainable

Now, let’s discuss the third crucial aspect of the CPA journey that often gets overlooked but is essential for long-term success and well-being – maintaining a healthy work-life balance. This is something I wish I had understood better when I was starting out, as it plays a significant role in your career as a CPA.

Over the years, through much trial and error, I have been able to consistently achieve work-life balance, but it wasn’t easy. Here are some things I wish I knew before becoming a CPA:

The Demands of a CPA Career: One of the first lessons I learned on this journey is that a CPA career is demanding, to say the least. During certain periods, such as tax season, the workload can be intense. Long hours, tight deadlines, and a high level of responsibility are par for the course. Knowing this upfront is crucial to avoid being caught off guard by the intensity of the profession.

Balancing Work and Personal Life: Balancing work and personal life is like a dance, and setting boundaries plays a pivotal role. Clear boundaries are essential to prevent work from spilling over into your personal life and vice versa. Establishing these boundaries is a continuous process, but it’s well worth the effort in maintaining your overall well-being. To set better boundaries, you first have to build your self-confidence. Once I worked on that, it became much easier to say No and set healthy boundaries.

Recognizing Signs of Burnout: Burnout is a genuine concern in the accounting profession. Unfortunately, it can manifest as constant fatigue, increased stress, decreased enthusiasm for your work, and even physical health issues. Recognizing these signs early is crucial. If you notice them, don’t hesitate to address them. Whether through self-care practices or seeking professional support, taking action is vital to prevent burnout from derailing your career. Your health and well being are more important than a paycheck.

Effective Time Management: As I shared before, effective time management is essential, especially when juggling a demanding career and personal life. It involves developing strong organizational and time management skills to optimize work hours and ensure quality time for personal pursuits. Because of my experience as a CPA, one of the things I’m the most passionate about is teaching accountants how to better manage their time. No one is teaching accountants what I teach about effective time management.

Setting Realistic Expectations: Striking a balance requires setting realistic expectations. Understand that there will be busy seasons and times when work takes precedence. However, there are also quieter periods when you can recharge and focus on personal interests. Recognizing this ebb and flow can help you manage your expectations and reduce stress. To have a sustainable career, you have to level out the highs and lows so that you’re not feeling like you’re on a constant roller coaster ride.

Prioritizing Self-Care: Don’t underestimate the power of self-care. It’s not selfish; it’s necessary. Prioritizing your physical and mental health is fundamental. Regular exercise, a balanced diet, and adequate sleep are the cornerstones of self-care. Beyond these, finding hobbies and activities that bring you joy outside of work is equally important. If your greatest sense of joy and accomplishment is work, you might want to challenge yourself on that.

Seeking Support: Remember that you don’t have to navigate this journey alone. Lean on your support system, whether it’s family, friends, a coach like me, or colleagues who understand the demands of the profession. We can provide not only a listening ear but also valuable advice and encouragement when you’re faced with challenges.

The truth is that work-life balance is not a luxury but a necessity for a sustainable CPA career. It involves understanding profession demands, setting boundaries, avoiding burnout, managing time, having realistic expectations, self-care, and seeking support to find harmony between work and personal life.

For example, one of my coaching clients came to me because he said he was too much of a people-pleaser. He had moved his way up the large firm he worked at, but it was now catching up to him how much his inability to say no or set boundaries had created a complete lack of work-life balance.

Once we worked together, he was able to understand what was causing his people-pleasing tendencies. He was then able to learn how to have difficult conversations, how to say no more often, and how to set better boundaries with colleagues and with clients.

The bottom line is that an equilibrium between your professional and personal life not only contributes to your well-being but also enhances your performance and longevity in the field of accounting.

Bonus – Brain management is the secret to an easier, more sustainable career

From my 30+ years as a CPA in public accounting and over a decade being a Professional Certified Coach, I decided to distill what has made the biggest difference for me into my book “The Smarter Accountant.”

Here’s what I know for sure – what I teach isn’t found in any classroom, CPE seminar, or accounting webinar. In fact, every client that I’ve worked with has said, “Why aren’t we taught this earlier?”

That’s why I wrote the book “The Smarter Accountant” and I teach accountants how to be Smarter Accountants – because we’re not taught the most helpful thing we could learn as accountants – how to stop underutilizing our accountant brain.

The truth is that you’re already smart or you wouldn’t be an accountant or considering becoming an accountant. No one is denying your intelligence, but what I want to explain is that you’re not being as smart as you could be.

And that all comes down to the fact that there’s nothing you can’t manage when you learn how to manage your brain.

That is what no one is teaching us as accountants. The most valuable thing we could learn – how to manage our brain.

The truth is that you have the best piece of machinery on the planet and no one has ever given you the instruction manual for it…until now! You are going to want to know your particular instruction manual.

We’ve all heard the saying, “Knowledge is power,” but that’s actually not correct. As accountants, we have plenty of knowledge but often feel pretty powerless.

The truth is that knowledge isn’t power; applied knowledge is power. In other words, ACTION is power. Becoming more knowledgeable is one thing but doing something with that knowledge is much more powerful.

That’s why my 6-week Smarter Accountant Program is one of a kind. It’s where I teach smart accountants how to be smarter. As I said before, what I teach isn’t found in any classroom, CPE seminar, or accounting webinar.

So what does it mean to become a Smarter Accountant? Well once I became a Smarter Accountant, everything changed for me both professionally and personally:

• I rarely experience stress, even during tax season
• I work only the hours I want to work
• My life is incredibly balanced
• I get more done than anyone else in less time
• I am highly productive and efficient
• I am much better about not comparing myself to others
• I choose to interpret things as feedback rather than criticism
• I’m making more money than I’ve ever made
• My relationships have improved dramatically
• My health is better than its been in years
• I have more self-confidence than I’ve ever had
• I set healthy boundaries and have no problem keeping them
• I am happier than I’ve ever been

The best part is that you can do the same. Not only can you create a sustainable and fulfilling career but you’ll also be able to gain a competitive advantage.

Just consider the following:

• If you knew how to eliminate stress and overwhelm so that you could easily handle deadlines, how would you stand out from the crowd of burned-out accountants?
• If you had self-confidence and stopped using the number of hours you work as a sign of your value, what else would make you more valuable?
• If you had incredible time management, how much more could you get done in less time than everyone else?
• If you could be more productive, how would you excel?
• If you knew how to set better boundaries, how much more effective would you be at your job?
• If you felt happier and more fulfilled, how would you stand out from the crowd of unhappy CPAs?

By investing a small amount of your time, you can have that sustainable accounting career that you deserve.

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

I’ll explain The Smarter Accountant 6-week Program and how you can apply it to whatever you’re struggling with.

That’s what I have for you, but 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, we’re going to talk about one of my favorite topics: time management. It’s one of those topics that is essential to being a successful accountant, but unfortunately, no one is teaching it correctly.  

Let’s start with a few questions: have you ever felt like you’re racing against the clock? Like you’re trying to do a million things, but there just isn’t enough time? It happens to most of us 

Think about the last time you had a loooong list of things to do. Did you ever wonder why it felt so overwhelming even before you got started? Is there more to it than just having lots of things to do?

Sometimes, we try to make everything absolutely perfect, spending tons of time on tiny details. Or on the other hand, we might procrastinate and then beat ourselves up afterwards.  Do any of those sound familiar?

And how about this: your schedule is jam-packed with things to do, but you still can’t get it all done in a day. Ever felt that way?

Well, guess what? There are three tricky things hiding behind these problems that mess with our time management. They’re like sneaky little troublemakers!

I’ve been teaching accountants better time management for years, and I’ve noticed these problems coming up again and again. They’re like secret challenges that mess with our schedules and make us feel stressed and overwhelmed.

But don’t worry! In this episode, I’m going to shine a light on these hidden issues, look at them closely, and I’ll give you some tips and tricks to beat them. Whether you’re an accountant working for a company or even starting your own business, I’ve got some great tips for you.

I want you to know these secret truths about time management because once you do, you’ll feel like you have superpowers over your time management. No more feeling like there aren’t enough hours in the day or being buried under a never-ending to-do list.

So, if you’ve ever felt like there aren’t enough hours in the day or found yourself overwhelmed by an endless to-do list, you’re in the right place. 

Hidden Truth #1 – The Power of Simplification

Let’s begin by acknowledging a universal fact—we all have too much to do and not enough time. It’s a reality of our lives in this fast-paced, information-packed era. But the real question is, how do we respond to this fact?

Picture this scenario: your to-do list seems never-ending, your calendar is overflowing, and you’re constantly feeling the pressure of time. It’s a common experience for us accountants. 

But here’s where it gets interesting. If it’s indeed true that we have more to do than time allows, what will you do about it? Will you, as author and entrepreneur Tim Ferriss suggests, ‘ruthlessly eliminate the extraneous’?

Here’s the thing – simplifying your life, your tasks, and your commitments can be an incredibly liberating and effective way to regain control of your time. The key is focusing on the essential, refining your priorities, and making simplification a daily practice.

Think about it this way—everything naturally tends towards chaos and disorder, including our schedules. If we don’t actively work to simplify and prioritize, we’re bound to be overwhelmed by the chaos of life’s demands.

The truth is that simplification isn’t just about decluttering physical spaces; it’s about decluttering our schedules, our minds, and our priorities. When we commit to this process, we free up precious time and mental bandwidth.

Consider this scenario: your to-do list is so packed that you feel like you’re carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders. Emails, meetings, projects, and personal commitments all seem to be piling up, leaving you overwhelmed and perpetually racing against the clock. 

If this resonates with you, you’re not alone; many of us experience this daily grind.

But here’s the catch – it’s not about how much you have to do; it’s about how you handle it. It’s about your willingness to simplify your approach. Let’s delve into this further with a couple of relatable examples:

One of my clients was dealing with back-to-back meetings, endless emails, and a never-ending to-do list. She used to think she needed to do it all, which led to exhaustion and burnout. 

As we worked together she decided to take a step back and eliminate non-essential meetings and tasks. By doing so, she created pockets of uninterrupted time for focused work and personal well-being.

Another client worked from home and his workspace was cluttered with papers, old gadgets, and unnecessary knick-knacks. This clutter not only disrupted his concentration but also added stress to his workday. 

As we worked together he decided to declutter his workspace, keeping only what was essential for his daily tasks. The result? A clean, organized workspace that boosted his productivity and reduced stress.

These examples illustrate that simplification isn’t just a lofty idea; it’s a practical approach that can transform the way we manage our time. By ruthlessly eliminating the extraneous – whether it’s unnecessary meetings, clutter in our physical spaces, or commitments that don’t align with our goals – we can regain control over our time and mental clarity.

Think of simplification as a constant companion in your time management journey. It’s about consciously choosing what truly matters and making room for it in your life. Remember, it’s not about doing less; it’s about doing more of what matters most.

Now, let’s explore some practical tips on how to start simplifying your life today. One of the first steps is to perform a comprehensive audit of your commitments and tasks. Ask yourself, ‘What can I eliminate? What can I delegate? What truly aligns with my goals and values?’ This exercise alone can help you reclaim significant time and energy.

Other tips include decluttering your space by going through your home or office and getting rid of things you no longer need or use. A clutter-free environment can lead to a clearer mind.

Another suggestion is doing a digital detox.  Here you’re going to want to delete unused apps, organize your emails, and unsubscribe from newsletters you no longer read. A tidy digital space can reduce distractions.

The next suggestion is learning how to effectively prioritize tasks.  My time management clients learn an incredibly effective tool called the Decision Matrix that helps you organize and prioritize everything you have to get done based on the ease and impact of the task.  It creates momentum and streamlines your productivity.

The last tip is time blocking, but not in the traditional way.  Most of us know how to schedule things in blocks of time on our calendar, but it’s our ability to follow through no matter what that makes all the difference.  My time management clients learn my uniquely effective Container Calendaring process which teaches you how to get more done in less time.

It teaches exactly how to handle those moments when you do not want to do what was scheduled or you’re already feeling overwhelmed before you even get started.  

Remember, simplification isn’t a one-time event—it’s an ongoing process. It’s about setting boundaries, learning to say ‘no’ when necessary, and focusing on the few things that bring the most value to your life.

Hidden Truth #2 – Managing Perfectionism

In many professions, especially accounting, a certain level of precision is essential. As accountants, we are trained to spot even the tiniest discrepancies, ensuring financial accuracy.

However, this meticulous attention to detail can sometimes evolve into unmanaged perfectionism, which can significantly affect our time management.

On the one hand, our brain is wired to seek perfection and precision, traits that make us exceptional at our jobs. On the other hand, this dedication to perfection can have unintended consequences.

For example, I worked with a coaching client who was an audit manager in a mid-sized firm.  Her keen eye for detail was her greatest strength. 

However, this strength often turned into unmanaged perfectionism. She frequently found herself poring over spreadsheets, double-checking every entry, and spending hours ensuring that every number aligned flawlessly. 

While her dedication to accuracy was commendable, it came at a cost. Her meticulousness often led to extended working hours and constant stress, leaving her with less time for other essential tasks.

Another example is a small firm owner I coached.  He was a tax consultant with a reputation for impeccable work. 

His clients trusted their financial well-being to him because of his attention to detail. However, this commitment to perfection led to unmanaged perfectionism.

During the tax season, he meticulously reviewed every line of his clients’ tax returns, ensuring not a single deduction was missed. He often worked late into the night, triple-checking calculations and cross-referencing tax codes. 

While his clients appreciate his dedication, he often found himself mentally exhausted, with little time left for anything else in his life. His pursuit of tax perfection made him feel like he’s constantly racing against the clock, causing unnecessary stress, impacting his overall well-being, and affecting his personal relationships.

While precision is crucial in tax consulting, finding a balance between delivering exceptional service and managing time effectively becomes paramount.

So whether you find yourself spending excessive time reviewing spreadsheets, double-checking numbers, or obsessing over calculations, the drive for perfection can become a problem if it compels you to go beyond the necessary, leading to overworking.  This loop of perfectionism can consume valuable time, leaving you with less capacity for other things.

The interesting thing is that, on the one hand, when unchecked, perfectionism can lead to overpreparation, overwork, and an obsession with flawless outcomes. On the other hand, repressive perfectionism can result in procrastination, as the fear of not meeting impossibly high standards can paralyze you.

So, how can we manage perfectionism, particularly in a profession like accounting where perfectionism is often rewarded?  Here are some suggestions:

Set Clear Standards: Redefine what ‘good enough’ means for different tasks. In accounting, some reconciliations may require near-perfection, while others can meet a ‘good enough’ standard without compromising accuracy.  As I share with my coaching clients, know when B+ work is enough.

Prioritize and Delegate: Identify tasks where perfection is necessary and prioritize them. For others, consider whether they can be delegated or completed to a ‘good enough’ standard without compromising quality.

Challenge Negative Thoughts: Become aware of and change your negative thoughts associated with perfectionism. Remind yourself that perfection is unattainable and that striving for excellence is different from seeking perfection.

Self-Compassion: Cultivate self-compassion and self-acceptance. Understand that mistakes are part of growth and learning, and they don’t diminish your worth or competence.

Remember that perfectionism can be managed, and doing so can free up valuable time and reduce stress, allowing for more effective time management.

Hidden Truth #3 – Embracing Realistic Time Management

Picture this scenario: you have a mental list of all the tasks you want to accomplish, from work assignments to personal projects, household chores, and social commitments. You believe you can conquer it all, but time seems to slip away faster than you’d ever imagined. 

Unfortunately, this is a common experience, and it often stems from living in a perpetual state of fantasy, believing that everything you want and need to get done is humanly possible within your available time.

Living without an awareness of reality is a scenario where you continually overcommit without acknowledging the practical limitations of time. You add one more client, one more project, and one more report, hoping that somehow, you’ll find the time to complete it all. 

The issue is that this often leads to an unrealistic workload, missed deadlines, and the sacrifice of personal and family time.  I see this time and time again with my coaching clients.  

For example, one of my clients was a Tax Manager.  During the tax season, he described his office like a bee’s hive, with a never-ending buzz of activity. 

He took on any and all new clients, confident in his ability to provide meticulous service. However, as the filing deadline approached, his work hours stretched late into the night, and his weekends were consumed by paperwork. 

He believed he could handle it all, often to the detriment of his well-being.  He also lost some key employees because of his inability to see the big picture.

Another example was a client who was a forensic accountant with an ever-growing client list.  She was known for her thorough investigations and reports. 

However, she had a habit of consistently overbooking herself. Her calendar became a puzzle of overlapping appointments and back-to-back meetings. 

Despite her determination to accommodate everyone, she often found herself rushing through important tasks, compromising the quality of her work.

The truth is that living without awareness of reality in the accounting profession can result in a constant battle against unattainable goals. It leads to stress, burnout, and a diminished ability to deliver the quality of work expected.

Thankfully, there is a solution.  It begins with recognizing that time is finite, and there’s a limit to what you can realistically accomplish. It involves things like:

Realistic Scheduling: Take a step back and assess the practicality of your commitments. Be honest about how much time each task or project genuinely requires. Prioritize your most critical tasks and consider delegating or declining less essential ones.

Effective Time Management: As I tell accountants, there’s time management and then there’s effective time management.  You have to learn more effective time management skills to allocate dedicated periods for focused work. This can help you regain control over your schedule.

Tracking Your Time: When I work with my time management clients, I suggest doing a time audit.  That involves keeping a time log for a week or two to understand how you’re currently allocating your time. This can help you identify areas where you might be overcommitting.

Learning to Say ‘No’: Recognize the importance of setting boundaries and saying ‘no’ when your plate is already full. This allows you to protect your time and maintain your well-being.

By living in alignment with reality and understanding your limits, you’ll be better equipped to manage your time effectively and make choices that lead to more realistic and achievable goals. Remember, time is a finite resource, and the key to mastering it lies in being aware of the reality of how you allocate and commit to it.

The Smarter Accountant Way: Managing Your Brain For Better Time Management

Here’s the #1 thing that no one is teaching accountants about time management – before we can truly master our time, we must first master our minds. A managed mind makes it possible to feel less stressed and overwhelmed, to overcome procrastination, to not overcommit, to be more focused and productive, and to get more done in less time.

At its core, The Smarter Accountant Way recognizes that managing your brain is the cornerstone to better time management. It serves as the foundation upon which the other hidden truths we’ve discussed become not only attainable but also sustainable. 

Here’s why:Imagine you have a meticulously organized schedule, realistic commitments, and a clear understanding of time constraints. However, your day is continually hijacked by distractions, procrastination, and a persistent inner critic. This is where brain management comes into play.

Managing your brain first makes better time management possible because of the following:

Improved Focus: By learning how to effectively manage your brain it improves your ability to stay present and focused during work hours. Brain management makes it possible to get more done in less time and reduces the impact of distractions.

Emotional Intelligence: Developing emotional intelligence is crucial for managing stress and navigating challenging situations effectively. The truth is that every accountant can benefit from understanding and regulating their emotions, which can lead to improved decision-making and more effective time management.

Overcoming Procrastination: Procrastination is a common challenge for everyone, but even more so for accountants. By addressing the root causes of procrastination, such as fear of failure or perfectionism, you can learn to tackle tasks more efficiently.

Building Resilience: As we all know, the accounting profession often comes with high-pressure scenarios. Building mental resilience equips us to handle stress and setbacks gracefully, preventing these challenges from derailing our time management efforts.

Self-Compassion: As accountants, we can often be our own harshest critics. Practicing self-compassion helps in mitigating the negative impact of self-criticism and fosters a more positive and productive mindset.

By incorporating brain management practices into your daily routines, you can unlock your full potential for effective time management. ‘The Smarter Accountant Way’ recognizes that it’s not just about managing time but also about managing the thoughts and emotions that shape our relationship with time.

This approach empowers you to navigate the intricacies of our profession while maintaining a healthy work-life balance. It fosters a mindset that is adaptable, resilient, and conducive to excellence in both work and life.

Just know that The Smarter Accountant Way places you in the driver’s seat of your time management journey, offering the tools and insights you need to thrive in a dynamic and demanding field like accounting.

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

I’ll explain The Smarter Accountant 6-week Program and how you can apply it to whatever you’re struggling with.

That’s what I have for you, but 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.

Let’s talk about the pros and cons of healthy skepticism when you’re an accountant. I believe this topic is important because skepticism can be tricky.    .

To start off, consider the following questions:

Have you ever been in a situation where being a bit skeptical was helpful, but at the same time, it made you hesitate to try new things?

Does skepticism sometimes help your career, but also slow it down?

Can you recall times when being skeptical was good, but it also caused challenges when you wanted to grow and come up with new ideas?

The reason I wanted to discuss this topic is because I recently had a coaching consultation call with an accountant who was working between 60 to 80 hours a week. When I asked how many hours they’d prefer to work, they laughed and said they didn’t even know because they thought working less wasn’t possible. 

This accountant said, “I just have a healthy skepticism. I can’t see how you could teach me to work less and still get everything done.”

I explained that it’s normal to doubt change at first. But I also asked them, “What’s the upside of sticking to the belief that it’s not possible to work less and still get everything done?” They paused and admitted that there was no upside, but that their skepticism made them question everything.

Believe me, I completely understand their hesitation because I have conversations like this with accountants all the time. That’s why I want to explore this paradox: how skepticism affects our growth.

The interesting thing about skepticism is that it can often be like a reliable compass for accountants. It helps us find hidden problems and keep financial records accurate. The issue is that too much skepticism can actually hold us back from trying new things and growing.

In this episode, I’m going to unravel how skepticism and growth are connected. We’ll see how skepticism can affect our decision-making and sometimes slow us down. 

But I’ll also show you how to use skepticism wisely as a guide and a way to spark new ideas, all while avoiding the trap of too much doubt.

Understanding healthy skepticism

Like the accountant I spoke to, we often say we have “healthy skepticism”, but what does that even mean?  I look at healthy skepticism as being like a detective in a mystery novel, asking questions and having doubts when needed, just like Sherlock Holmes. 

In accounting, it can help us find mistakes, discover hidden financial facts, and keep financial information accurate.

You can also think of it like having a toolbox. In this toolbox, you have a trusty hammer, which is your skepticism. 

This hammer is great for solving problems (like driving in nails) and finding errors (like pulling out nails). But, if you use the hammer all the time, even when there are no nails (meaning you doubt everything), it can cause more problems than solutions.

So, why is understanding healthy skepticism important? Well, on one side, skepticism helps us find the truth and keep our data accurate. But on the other side, it’s equally important to know when to put the hammer down and realize that not every situation needs skepticism.

The belief that skepticism always reveals truth

Let’s talk about a tricky part of skepticism: believing it always finds the truth.

Using the analogy of the detective, imagine skepticism as a detective’s magnifying glass. A detective uses that magnifying glass to look at every tiny detail, no matter how small, to solve their case. 

However, in our world of accounting, sometimes skepticism makes us think that every tiny detail, even the really small stuff, has a big secret hidden in it.  We’re trained to be problem solvers, but unfortunately, that leads us to assume there are more problems than there actually are.

Here’s another issue – while it’s good to be careful and thorough, sometimes too much skepticism slows us down. It’s like going to a magic show and trying to figure out how every trick works. 

You’re probably not going to enjoy the show because you’re too busy trying to figure out every hidden secret.  It’s the same with skepticism – if you doubt everything, even when things are simple, you miss the magic.

It can also affect how well you work with others. Imagine if you had a friend who questioned everything you said, even when you were telling the truth. That kind of skepticism can make it hard to work together or hard to be friends.

So, while skepticism is useful, it can also be a problem when you always think it finds hidden truths. It’s important to know when to use skepticism and when to trust that things aren’t as complicated as they seem.

For example, remember the accountant I talked to? They were skeptical about working fewer hours because everyone they knew worked long hours. 

Their skepticism made them think it was impossible to work less and still get things done. But that skepticism held them back from exploring new ways of doing things and from me teaching them a better, more effective way to manage their time so that they could work less..

On the other hand, some of my coaching clients were skeptical at first too. But here’s the difference – they knew that what they were doing wasn’t working, so they were willing to push past their doubts and try something new. 

They were able to push themselves out of the comfort zone that their skepticism offered and to have game-changing results.  They learned how to eliminate stress and overwhelm, how to improve their productivity, how to improve their relationships, how to deal with imposter syndrome, and more.

So, while skepticism can be valuable at times, it’s also important to know when to trust and try new things.

The brain’s role in skepticism

Now let’s talk about how our brains are connected to skepticism. 

The truth is that our brains play a significant role in shaping our skeptical tendencies.

Think of our brain as a highly advanced computer. It processes information, makes decisions, and stores our beliefs and biases. In the world of skepticism, our brain’s processes can either be our greatest asset or our biggest liability.

Research in neuroscience has shown that our brains are wired to take shortcuts when making decisions. These shortcuts, known as cognitive biases, can lead us in the wrong direction. For example, confirmation bias, where we often look for information that agrees with what we already believe, can cloud our judgment.

Now, here’s where skepticism comes into play. It acts as a sort of mental filter, helping us question those biases. 

It’s like having an inner skeptic saying, “Hold on a minute, let’s examine this from all angles.” This is a valuable function of skepticism—it helps us break free from cognitive biases and see the bigger picture.

Imagine you’re looking at a magic trick and your brain immediately jumps to a conclusion about how it’s done. Your skepticism steps in and says, “Wait, there might be more to this than meets the eye.” It encourages you to dig deeper, question assumptions, and seek the truth.

But here’s the catch: our brains are also wired for efficiency. It likes to conserve energy which means that if we lean too heavily on skepticism, we might fall into the trap of overanalyzing or doubting everything, which can become mentally exhausting and counterproductive.

The important thing is to find a balance between skepticism and trusting our brains. It’s like knowing when to question things and when to believe in ourselves.

The cons of skepticism

While healthy skepticism is undoubtedly a powerful tool in the world of accounting, it’s essential to recognize that, like any tool, it can have drawbacks. Let’s take a look at the potential downsides of being overly skeptical and how it can sometimes hinder progress and innovation.

Think about an accountant who is overly suspicious when looking at financial reports. They may spend excessive time scrutinizing every detail, doubting the accuracy of even the most straightforward transactions. 

While this level of scrutiny may uncover errors, it can also lead to delays in financial reporting and decision-making. At the end of the day it’s really all about finding balance.

Interestingly, there is a phenomenon known as “audit fatigue” or “skepticism fatigue.” This occurs when auditors or accountants become overly skeptical and constantly question the integrity of every transaction or piece of information they encounter. 

This heightened skepticism can lead to fatigue, decreased effectiveness, and a higher likelihood of missing important red flags.

In the field of auditing and forensic accounting, auditors are encouraged to strike a balance between skepticism and professional judgment. We need to be vigilant in identifying potential fraud indicators but also avoid becoming so skeptical that we become ineffective in our roles.

Another issue is that skepticism can create an atmosphere of mistrust within an organization. When colleagues and superiors feel that their work is constantly under scrutiny, it can stifle collaboration. 

Teams may become reluctant to propose solutions or share their ideas for fear of being met with skepticism.

A study conducted by Gallup found that workplaces with a culture of excessive skepticism experienced lower levels of employee engagement. Employees in these environments were less likely to feel valued, motivated, or enthusiastic about their work. 

The study emphasized the importance of balancing healthy skepticism with trust to foster a more positive workplace culture.

A research paper published in the Journal of Applied Psychology explored the impact of skepticism on team dynamics. The study found that teams with a leader or member who exhibited excessive skepticism had lower levels of trust and cohesion. 

This lack of trust hindered communication and collaboration, ultimately affecting the team’s performance.

Another significant drawback of excessive skepticism is the potential for missed personal and professional growth opportunities. 

Imagine an individual who is skeptical about new career opportunities within their organization. They keep asking themselves if they’re ready for a promotion or a tougher job. 

As a result, they pass up on opportunities for career advancement, missing the chance to develop new skills, take on leadership roles, and expand their professional goals.

Or picture an individual attending a professional conference who may be overly skeptical about networking and approaching potential mentors. They worry about rejection or perceive networking as insincere.

Consequently, they miss opportunities to connect with experienced professionals who could offer guidance and open doors for personal and career growth.

Or imagine someone with an entrepreneurial spirit who may be excessively skeptical about launching their own business. They doubt whether their ideas are viable or if they have the skills required for entrepreneurship. 

This skepticism can lead to missed opportunities for personal and professional growth through the pursuit of entrepreneurship, including gaining valuable experience and learning from failures.

Ultimately, the goal should be finding the right balance between skepticism and trust. While skepticism is vital for ensuring financial accuracy and integrity, it’s equally important to recognize when it’s inhibiting our progress and growth.

Overcoming limiting beliefs

Now let’s shift the focus from the challenges of excessive skepticism to the strategies for overcoming limiting beliefs and striking a balance.  While we’ve already established that skepticism can be a valuable tool, when it becomes a hindrance, it’s time to take action and challenge some limiting beliefs..

The most important thing in overcoming limiting beliefs is to become more aware of them. This means noticing when skepticism goes from being a useful tool to something that’s stopping you from growing.

Here are some simple strategies:

Self-Reflection: Take a moment to think about how skeptical you are in different situations. Ask yourself if your skepticism has ever stopped you from taking risks that could have turned out to be opportunities.

Mindfulness: Try practicing mindfulness. This helps you become more aware of your thoughts and feelings. It lets you see your skepticism without judging it, and makes it possible to adjust as needed.

Seek Feedback: Talk to your colleagues, mentors, or supervisors. They might have insights about when your skepticism is helpful and when it gets in your way. Their feedback can help you make changes.

Balanced Decision-Making: Aim to find a balance between skepticism and trust. Learn when to be cautious and when to have confidence in your decisions.

Risk Assessment: Instead of being skeptical about all risks, learn to tell the difference between risks that need careful thinking and those that you can handle or accept. This way, you can take informed risks that lead to growth.

Lifelong Learning: Keep seeking opportunities to learn and grow professionally. This shift in mindset can help you overcome limiting beliefs and focus on growing.

Challenging Comfort Zones: Often, growth comes when you step out of your comfort zone and take on new challenges. Be open to new experiences, roles, and responsibilities that push your abilities.

By using these strategies, you can strike a balance between skepticism and growth. It’s about knowing when skepticism helps and when it’s holding you back, so you can overcome beliefs that limit your personal and professional development.

The Smarter Accountant approach: Striking the balance

Okay, now that I’ve discussed the pros and cons of healthy skepticism, it’s time to emphasize the importance of striking the right balance while aspiring to be a Smarter Accountant. 

Being a Smarter Accountant means understanding when skepticism is helpful and when it might hold you back from growing. Imagine it as a balancing act.

On one side, you have skepticism. It’s like a watchful eye that helps catch mistakes and keeps financial data reliable. On the other side, you have personal growth – that’s your journey of learning, coming up with new ideas, and advancing your career.

To become a Smarter Accountant, you need to balance these two.

First, realize that the right level of skepticism depends on the situation. Sometimes, you need to be more skeptical, like when you’re checking financial records. Other times, it’s better to be open-minded, especially when exploring new business opportunities or personal development.

Second, base your skepticism on facts, evidence, and good reasoning. This way, your skepticism is useful and in line with making decisions based on data. Stop arguing for your limitations and be open to possibilities.

Third, think about risks and rewards carefully. Use skepticism to handle risks, but don’t be afraid to take calculated risks for your personal and professional growth.  If the net result would be positive, then be willing to step out of your comfort zone.

Fourth, keep learning. Stay up-to-date with your professional continuing education, but also place as much importance on your personal continuing education.  Be willing to adapt and grow.

Fifth, connect with experienced mentors, coaches, and work with your peers. Experienced individuals can guide you on when to be skeptical and when it might be holding you back.  Remember, your brain naturally resists change, so it’s helpful to work with someone to help you make a wanted change.

Sixth, remember that skepticism and innovation can go together. Create an environment where people can share their doubts and ideas freely.  Be willing to be wrong and give others the opportunity to share their thoughts.

Lastly, regularly check your approach to skepticism. If you notice it’s stopping you from moving forward, be ready to make changes.  If you don’t like your current results, professionally or personally, be open to seeing things differently.

By following these tips, you can balance skepticism and personal growth. Being a Smarter Accountant means using skepticism as a useful tool when needed, and embracing opportunities for growth with confidence. 

Keep in mind that when you strike the right balance, skepticism becomes a driving force for an improved career and life.  .

And since my mission is to provide accountants with new growth opportunities, 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.

I’ll explain The Smarter Accountant 6-week Program and how you can apply it to whatever you’re struggling with.

That’s what I have for you, but 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.

Let’s talk about how to be happier at work without quitting.  I’m going to start by having you consider a few questions:

Have you ever found yourself daydreaming about a happier work life while stuck in a meeting or at your desk?

Have you ever felt like you’re on the verge of quitting your job due to unhappiness?

On a scale of 1 to 10, how satisfied are you with your current job? What would it take to move that number closer to a 10 without leaving your job?

In this episode, I’m going to tackle a common question: Why do so many of us feel unhappy at work? This is especially relevant in today’s job market, with the Great Resignation changing the landscape, especially for accountants.

According to a 2017 CNN article, job dissatisfaction often stems from limited career growth, company culture, feeling underpaid, and challenging colleagues or managers. While these factors have always mattered, the Great Resignation has made us rethink job satisfaction more than ever.

But here’s the twist when it comes to finding happiness at work: It’s not just about waiting for the workplace to change; it’s about changing how we view and engage with our job.

How? In a previous episode (#14 – The Skill of Self-Coaching For Accountants), I introduced a tool called The Model. This game-changing tool teaches that our thoughts, not external factors, create our emotions and job satisfaction.

I promise that this insight can literally transform how you experience work and navigate today’s job market.

By the end of this episode, you’ll have practical strategies to not just survive but thrive in your accounting career, even during the Great Resignation. I’ll guide you on reframing your thinking, taking control of your emotions, and finding more satisfaction in your current job. 

You’ll see that you don’t need to think about quitting to find happiness elsewhere.

I want you to get ready to challenge your perspective, unlock workplace happiness, and start a more fulfilling career journey.

Common reasons for discontentment in accounting jobs

Now, let’s talk about why some of us believe we are unhappy at our jobs. Here are some common reasons:

Same Old, Same Old: In some accounting jobs, the tasks can become so repetitive that we begin to question whether this is really what we want to be doing with our careers. When I started working at Deloitte over 30 years ago, my main job was calculating the Federal and State depreciation and I did that for 2 years!  As you can imagine, it got pretty boring after awhile. 

Stress and Pressure: Think of a time when you had lots to do, and it felt like a mountain of work was piling up. That kind of stress and pressure, especially during tax season or other quarterly deadlines, can make many of us want to switch jobs or careers.  I’ve had over 30 years of tax seasons and have considered walking away and doing something else many times.

Feeling Undervalued: Have you ever done a great job but didn’t get recognized for it?  For many of us, when we feel like our hard work goes unnoticed, it can take the wind out of our sails. I’ve worked with many coaching clients who feel undervalued and underappreciated. .

Difficult People: Sometimes, it’s not the work itself but the people you work with or for. Dealing with difficult colleagues, clients, or managers can seem to make any job less enjoyable.  I’m going to be doing an entire episode soon on dealing with difficult people, so make sure you stay tuned.

Lack of Growth: Imagine you’re climbing a ladder, but it doesn’t seem to go anywhere. That’s how some of us feel when we see limited opportunities for advancement or career growth.  One of my clients did everything he could to make partner, but kept getting shot down, eventually leading him to want to walk away.

Work-Life Balance: Balancing work and personal life can be like a juggling act in the circus. Some of us feel like we’re working too much and not getting enough time for ourselves or our families. This is probably the #1 reason thing my coaching clients want to work on.  They’re drowning and need someone to give them a life raft.

The Effects Of The Pandemic: Lastly, I think after the impact of the pandemic on the accounting profession and what seemed like a two year never-ending tax season, many of us are rethinking our jobs and looking for something that makes us happier.  If there’s anything we learned the past few years is that life is too short.

So, whether you relate to any of these or you have your own reasons for your discontentment at work,  it’s important to acknowledge what’s bothering you.  It’s the first step to making things better.

But once you have the awareness of why you believe you’re unhappy at your job, it’s time to understand the role of your brain in your job dissatisfaction. 

Understanding the role of your brain in job satisfaction

Your brain plays a crucial role in determining how you feel about your job, and it’s simpler than you might think. Imagine your brain as the control center for your emotions at work.

Here’s the basic idea: Your brain uses special chemicals to create your emotions. These chemicals can make you feel happy or stressed, and they play a significant role in your job satisfaction.

Think of these chemicals as little mood managers in your brain. When your brain perceives things going well at work, it releases chemicals like serotonin and dopamine, making you feel happy and satisfied.

On the other hand, when your brain interprets work as highly stressful, it produces cortisol, which signals discomfort.

The key takeaway is that it’s your brain’s interpretation of work situations that influences your feelings, not the actual job itself. .

For example, if you have a job with repetitive tasks, face challenging work, or don’t feel appreciated, your brain may not release as many happy chemicals, leading to job dissatisfaction. But here’s the empowering part: You don’t need to quit your job to feel better about it.

The hard truth is that your job isn’t responsible for making you happy; it’s your thoughts about your job that matter. Managing your accountant brain is the secret to finding happiness at work.

Many accountants have learned this lesson the hard way, blaming different jobs or situations when it’s their brain’s interpretation that’s at the core of their dissatisfaction.

As a coach, I’ve witnessed clients transform their work outlook by learning to manage their minds and become Smarter Accountants. They realize the power they have to be happier, regardless of their work circumstances.

Remember, you take your brain with you wherever you go. Until you master managing it effectively, you risk allowing the Toddler brain to run your career and life—a scenario best avoided in your accounting journey.

Why we feel the way we feel

Ever wondered why work can sometimes feel like a rollercoaster of emotions? It all boils down to how our brains operate.

Your brain has a crucial role in overseeing your well-being. However, your lower, primitive part of your brain, that I refer to as the “Toddler,” is in charge 80 – 90% of the time and it does not find accounting work enjoyable.

It often takes considerable effort to get your Toddler brain on board with the demands of an accountant’s role. Your lower brain prefers the comfort of familiar patterns and may resist change or challenges.

What’s vital to grasp is that everything at work is essentially neutral. I mean everything. Nothing at work inherently carries meaning until your brain assigns it meaning.

For example, let’s say a colleague walks past your desk without saying a word. That’s a neutral event. But here’s where it gets interesting. Your brain doesn’t let neutral things remain neutral. It starts generating thoughts about these events.

In simpler terms, your brain attaches meaning to these neutral occurrences. For instance, if your thought is, “My colleague didn’t say hi because they don’t like me,” it might make you feel a bit sad or angry. Yet, if your thought is, “Maybe they didn’t notice me because they were busy,” you’d probably feel more accepting.

The crucial takeaway here is that everything at work—the people, the tasks, the environment—are all neutral. They don’t have the power to make you feel good or bad. It’s your thoughts, your unique accountant brain’s interpretations, that dictate how you feel.

The good news is that you can take control of your thoughts by tapping into the higher, more rational part of your brain—the part I refer to as the “Supervising Parent.” You have the ability to choose what thoughts to intentionally think about your job, your boss, and every aspect of your work.

Your job isn’t a magical happiness switch; it doesn’t automatically make you happy or unhappy. Your feelings are a direct result of what your brain is thinking.

Let me give you my own example.  Some time ago, I was dealing with a challenging financial analysis for a client. Initially, I thought, “I can’t believe I’m struggling with this. I should know better.” This thought led to frustration and stress, affecting my overall job satisfaction.

However, on another occasion with a similar challenge, my thought was, “This is complicated, but I’ve tackled similar challenges before. I’ll take it step by step.” This thought left me feeling calmer and more confident. These positive emotions not only helped me resolve the issue but also contributed to my overall job satisfaction, reinforcing my sense of competence.

In both instances, the neutral event was the same—a complex financial analysis. What made the difference were my thoughts about it and, subsequently, my emotions and job satisfaction.

Another example is with a coaching client who was working in what she described as a “toxic” work environment.  She had a difficult boss, her coworkers weren’t pulling their weight, and she found herself working more hours than she wanted to.

But once we worked together, she discovered that she could feel better about her job even with the exact same situation.  The best part is that once she didn’t make her happiness dependent on those things changing, the boss became easier to get along with, the coworkers started doing their fair share, and she set better boundaries around her work hours.

The truth is that when you blame external factors for your job satisfaction, you’re quite powerless.  But when you learn that how you feel is only ever created by your thoughts, you take your power back to feel more helpful and useful emotions,   

The more positively you view your work and yourself, the more content and fulfilled you’ll feel.  

Here’s my advice to all my coaching clients: When you understand the cause, you gain the power to change the effect.

The Smarter Accountant way: How to feel better at work

Hopefully you now understand that your thoughts play a pivotal role in how you feel at work. Now, let’s dive deeper into practical strategies that can empower you to feel better and boost your job satisfaction, regardless of external circumstances.

Feeling better at work starts with the understanding that you hold the reins to your emotions. 

Here are some actionable steps:

Self-Awareness: Identify what’s making you unhappy at work. Is it a specific task, coworker, or feeling undervalued? The more specific, the easier to address.

Thoughts and Feelings: Keep a journal to record thoughts and corresponding emotions. This helps spot recurring thought patterns.

Challenge Unhelpful Thoughts: When negative thoughts arise, ask if there’s concrete evidence to support them. Replace them with constructive, balanced, and helpful thoughts.

Gradual Thought Shift: Make incremental shifts in your thinking. Choose thoughts that feel believable and resonate with you.

Seek Support: Don’t hesitate to seek guidance when needed. Support is available to help you manage your thoughts and emotions effectively.

Remember, your job satisfaction isn’t passive; you have the power to shape it. 

Additional tips to create a happier work life

Clarify Your Values: Identify what truly matters in your work. Is it recognition, growth, work-life balance, or purpose?

Set Realistic Expectations: Ensure your expectations align with your job and industry’s nature. Adjust them to be more realistic.

Effective Communication: Open and honest communication can address workplace issues positively. Voice your concerns constructively, not just complain behind the scenes.

Focus on What You Can Control: Acknowledge you can’t control everything at work. Focus on your reactions, thoughts, and actions.

Pursue Growth and Learning: Invest in personal development. Consider taking my 6-week Smarter Accountant Program for fulfillment and engagement.

Practice Self-Care: Prioritize self-care for stress management and work-life balance. Exercise, mindfulness, boundaries, and breaks are valuable.

Explore Other Opportunities: Lastly, if despite your best efforts, your current job consistently makes you unhappy, consider exploring other career opportunities or roles that better align with your values and goals. But here’s what I tell my coaching clients – the best job to learn the skill of managing your mind is your current job.  

Remember, you’re bringing your brain with you so you want to make sure you’re not continuing to blame circumstances for how you feel.  Otherwise, you will inevitably do the same thing at the next job.  

Hopefully you now understand that your job doesn’t possess magical happiness powers. Your thoughts, actions, and choices determine your job satisfaction. 

By applying these comprehensive strategies and taking control of your emotions, you can create a more enjoyable, fulfilling, and satisfying work life.

And since my mission is to teach smart accountants how to work smarter, if you’re interested in learning how to be happier without needing to quit, you can simply go to www.thesmarteraccountant.com/calendar and book a free session with me.

I’ll explain The Smarter Accountant 6-week Program and how you can apply it to whatever you’re struggling with.

That’s what I have for you, but 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.

In the fast-paced world of accounting, the ability to maintain intense focus and produce high-quality work is paramount. Unfortunately, as technology and constant connectivity infiltrate our lives, the challenge to stay undistracted and deeply engaged in our tasks has become more challenging than ever.

Let me start by asking, how often do distractions, be it emails, notifications, or constant interruptions, impact your work as an accountant? Can you recall a recent instance where you lost valuable time due to these distractions? 

Imagine a workday where you accomplish more in a few focused hours than you usually do in an entire day. How would that feel? What could you achieve with that kind of productivity?

That’s where the concept of “deep work” comes into play. Coined by productivity expert Cal Newport, deep work refers to those precious, uninterrupted periods of time when we’re fully immersed in challenging tasks, fostering a level of concentration that leads to remarkable results.

In this episode, I’m going to unpack the essence of deep work, explore why it’s especially crucial for accountants, and provide you with actionable strategies to integrate deep work practices into your accounting routine. From minimizing the impact of distractions to creating effective deep work rituals and finding that delicate balance between solo focus and collaborative efforts, I’m covering it all.  

So, whether you’re a seasoned accountant looking to sharpen your skills or new to the accounting world and aiming to establish effective work habits from the start, stay tuned as I share how to master deep work and take your productivity as an accountant to new heights.

Understanding deep work

Here’s the thing about deep work – it’s not just about being busy or putting in long hours; it’s about immersing yourself in cognitively demanding tasks with a level of focus and concentration that leads to high-quality outcomes. 

Deep work is a state of flow where distractions fade away, and your mind operates at its optimal level. This kind of work enables you to produce your best work efficiently and effectively.

To fully grasp the value of deep work, it’s important to contrast it with shallow work. Shallow work involves tasks that are often logistical, repetitive, and can be accomplished while multitasking or in a state of distraction. 

These tasks might include replying to unimportant emails, attending meetings, or skimming through reports. Deep work, on the other hand, demands your full intellectual capacity and undivided attention.

As we all know, accounting is a profession that thrives on accuracy, analysis, and critical thinking. Whether you’re untangling complex financial data, conducting audits, or preparing detailed reports or tax returns, the nature of accounting tasks requires a deep level of concentration. 

This is where the power of deep work comes in. By engaging in deep work, we can enhance our ability to identify patterns, make accurate decisions, and ultimately deliver exceptional value to clients and organizations.

The truth is that when we embrace deep work, we experience several notable benefits. 

First, the quality of our work improves significantly as errors are reduced and insights become clearer. Second, the efficiency of completing tasks increases, enabling us to accomplish more in less time. 

Finally, the sense of accomplishment and mastery that comes from deep work contributes to job satisfaction and professional growth.

As we move forward in this episode, keep in mind that deep work isn’t just a concept – it’s a practice that can transform the way you approach your accounting tasks.

The impact of distractions

In our hyperconnected world, we are surrounded by distractions. From the constant barrage of emails to the allure of social media and the ever-present notifications, it’s easy to see why maintaining focused attention has become a challenge. 

Even within the accounting environment, distractions can manifest in the form of colleagues’ interruptions, phone calls, and the appeal of quick tasks that pull us away from the deeper, more demanding work.

But here’s the thing: did you know that every time you shift your attention from one task to another, you’re incurring a cognitive cost? Task-switching, or multitasking, might feel like a way to get more done, but research shows that it leads to decreased productivity, increased errors, and a shallower level of understanding. 

For accountants, these consequences can be particularly damaging, as precision and accuracy are of utmost importance.

Another issue is the diminished quality of shallow work.  The truth is that engaging in shallow work – those quick tasks that don’t demand much cognitive effort – might seem harmless, but it often comes at the expense of the quality of your deeper, more meaningful work. 

The constant back-and-forth between shallow tasks prevents you from entering the cognitive state necessary for deep work, robbing you of the opportunity to produce your best work.

Research in cognitive psychology has also shown the impact of distractions on our ability to focus and retain information. Even brief interruptions can lead to “attention residue,” where a part of our mind remains occupied with the previous task, hindering the transition to deep work.

This phenomenon is particularly relevant for us accountants who require a high degree of concentration to ensure financial accuracy and compliance.

So what’s the solution?  Recognizing the detrimental effects of distractions is the first step toward combating them. 

As accountants, it’s essential we take control of our work environment and implement strategies that minimize distractions. Now let’s discuss practical techniques that we can adopt to create an environment conducive to deep work. 

Overcoming distractions and embracing deep work

In order to overcome distractions and embrace deep work, here are a few things to put into practice:

1. Minimize digital temptations:  In a world where digital distractions are just a click away, it’s crucial to take control of your technology usage. Consider using website blockers or apps that limit your access to social media during designated deep work periods. By intentionally disconnecting from the online world, you create a focused space for concentrated thinking.

2. Establish email boundaries:  Email can be a significant source of interruptions. Set specific times to check and respond to emails, rather than allowing them to disrupt your workflow throughout the day. This approach not only reduces distractions but also sets clear expectations for colleagues or clients regarding your email response times.

3. Create a distraction-free zone:  Designate a physical space that’s free from distractions. Let your colleagues know that when you’re in this space, you’re in deep work mode. This can be as simple as using noise-canceling headphones or finding a quiet corner away from high-traffic areas.

4. Time blocking for deep work:  Embrace the concept of time blocking by scheduling specific blocks of time exclusively for deep work. Treat these time blocks as non-negotiable appointments with yourself, and protect them from meetings and other interruptions.

5. Leverage deep work rituals:  Create rituals that signal your brain it’s time to enter deep work mode is really helpful. This could be as simple as brewing a cup of tea, putting on a specific playlist, or clearing your desk of non-essential items. Rituals help you transition smoothly into the focused mindset required for deep work.

6. Communicate boundaries effectively:  Openly communicate your commitment to deep work to colleagues, clients, and superiors. Let them know that while you’re dedicated to collaboration and communication, you also recognize the value of undistracted focus for producing high-quality work.

7. Regularly evaluate and adjust:  Deep work practices aren’t set in stone. Regularly evaluate their effectiveness and adjust as needed. Experiment with different techniques to find what works best for your unique working style and preferences.

By adopting these strategies and making a conscious effort to overcome distractions, you’ll be paving the way for better productivity and the ability to get more done in less time.  

Deep work and skill development

It’s also important to understand that deep work isn’t just about churning out work; it’s about deliberate practice – a concept popularized by psychologist Anders Ericsson. Deliberate practice involves pushing yourself beyond your comfort zone, consistently tackling challenges that stretch your abilities. 

Engaging in deep work provides the optimal environment for this deliberate practice, allowing you to refine your skills and move closer to mastery.

You see, when you’re in a state of deep work, your cognitive abilities are heightened. Your brain can process complex information more effectively, leading to a deeper understanding of intricate accounting concepts. 

This heightened state of focus enables you to spot patterns, analyze data with precision, and make well-informed decisions that drive your work forward.

As accountants, we often encounter intricate problems that demand thorough analysis and creative solutions. Deep work nurtures your ability to engage in deep, systematic thinking. 

And since the accounting landscape is ever-evolving, with new regulations, technologies, and methodologies constantly emerging, engaging in deep work keeps you adaptable and open to learning. As you delve deeply into your work, you’ll naturally stay attuned to industry shifts and be better prepared to adapt your skills to these changes.

The truth is that as you commit to deep work and progressively enhance your skills, your work’s quality and impact will stand out. Your ability to produce valuable insights and solutions will make you a sought-after asset in the accounting realm.

You may even want to consider deep work as the foundation on which you build your accounting expertise. Just as a skilled craftsman hones their technique through dedicated practice, you can refine your accounting skills through focused, deep work sessions. 

Each engagement with deep work contributes to your growth as an accountant, making your work increasingly valuable and impactful.

Your brain’s role in making deep work possible

It’s important to understand that your brain plays a central role in deep work.  Here’s how:

Attention control: Deep work needs strong focus. Your higher brain, The Supervising Parent,  helps you focus, make decisions, and set goals. When you’re in deep work, this part of your brain works hard to keep you on track.

Brain energy: Deep work is mentally tough. Your brain gives more power to tasks it thinks are important and tricky. It puts effort into problem-solving, thinking deeply, and processing information.

Flow mode: Deep work often leads to “flow,” where you’re totally into your work. Your brain rewards you with a chemical called dopamine, which keeps you motivated and focused. It also quiets down the part that wanders and thinks about other things.

Learning and memory: Deep work helps your brain remember and learn better. It builds strong connections in your brain, helping you remember, make connections, and learn new things.

Better efficiency: Deep work makes your brain better at hard tasks. The more you practice deep work, the more skilled your brain becomes at handling complicated work. This means you can do things faster and with fewer mistakes over time.

Less brain stress: Deep work cuts down on brain stress. Distractions and doing many things at once make your brain work too hard. Deep work lets you focus on one thing at a time, making it easier for your brain to process information.

Problem solving: Deep work is great for solving tough problems. Your brain uses its knowledge to find new solutions and think creatively when you’re in deep work mode.

Basically, deep work is like your brain’s super-efficient mode. It helps you focus, remember, learn, and solve problems easier. By understanding and harnessing the brain’s capacity for deep work, you can achieve higher levels of productivity and produce work of exceptional quality.

The Smarter Accountant way: building a deep work culture in accounting firms

In order for deep work to work in accounting firms, you must create a culture that encourages and supports deep work, fostering an environment where accountants can thrive and produce their best work.

The first thing to focus on is leadership buy-in because cultivating a deep work culture begins at the top. Leadership’s endorsement of deep work practices sends a powerful message throughout the organization. When leaders prioritize focused, high-quality work, it sets the tone for the entire firm.

Second, is defining deep work expectations by clearly outlining what deep work means within your accounting firm. Communicate the importance of undistracted focus, and provide guidelines on how and when deep work should take place. This clarity ensures that all employees are on the same page.

The third thing to focus on is providing dedicated deep work time and designating specific periods for deep work on the firm’s calendar. These intervals should be free from meetings, non-urgent communications, and other distractions. These time blocks need to be respected as sacred for focused, uninterrupted work.

Fourth, is providing training on the principles and benefits of deep work to both employees and management. Equip your team with techniques to overcome distractions and effectively engage in deep work. Offering resources such as noise-canceling headphones or dedicated quiet spaces can also enhance the deep work experience.

Fifth is to encourage flexibility.  Deep work doesn’t have to adhere to a rigid structure. Allow employees to choose the time and environment that suit their deep work preferences. 

Some may find early mornings or late evenings most conducive to focus, while others thrive during traditional work hours.  For me, my deepest work is early in the morning.  My brain doesn’t process numbers and data later in the day.

Sixth is recognizing and celebrating deep work achievements.  Acknowledge and celebrate instances where deep work leads to exceptional outcomes. This recognition reinforces the value of deep work within the firm and motivates employees to continue prioritizing it.

The seventh thing is to foster collaborative deep work.  While deep work is often associated with solitary work, collaborative deep work is also valuable. Encourage team members to engage in joint focused sessions, where they collectively tackle complex tasks. 

This not only enhances teamwork but also deepens the quality of their work.  But don’t force anyone to have to do collaborative deep work.  Make it available, but optional.  Some people, like me, work much better alone than others.

Eighth is to incorporate evaluating and adapting.  Periodically assess the effectiveness of the deep work culture. Solicit feedback from employees to understand what’s working and what could be improved. Flexibility is key – adjust strategies based on the evolving needs of the firm and its workforce.

And lastly, is leading by example.  Leaders and managers play a pivotal role in modeling deep work behavior. When your firm’s leaders prioritize deep work, employees are more likely to follow suit. This commitment from leadership fosters a culture of dedication and excellence.

The truth is that by fostering a deep work culture within accounting firms, you’re not only nurturing individual productivity but also creating an environment that amplifies the firm’s collective achievements. 

And since my mission is to teach smart accountants how to work smarter, if you’re interested in learning how to do deep work by learning the skill of managing your brain, you can simply go to www.thesmarteraccountant.com/calendar and book a free session with me.

I’ll explain The Smarter Accountant 6-week Program and how you can apply it to whatever you’re struggling with.

That’s what I have for you, but 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’s episode is going to be a game-changer.  I’m going to be talking about a concept that every accountant should know.  In fact, time and time again, my coaching clients tell me, “You do know that this is life-changing, right?”.  To which I answer time and time again, “I know!  That’s why more accountants need to know this”.

If there’s one thing I see repeatedly, it’s accountants arguing for their limitations.  What this means is that you believe that things like stress and overwhelm are just par for the course for accountants, and you tend to argue that that’s just the way it is.  I’m here to tell you that that is a lie.

When you learn the process of self-coaching and become a Smarter Accountant, you’ll see through the lies you’ve been telling yourself about what is “normal” for accountants.  You’ll be able to have the career and the life you want.

Once you learn what I’m going to teach you, you’ll gradually be able to see how much control you have over things in your work and personal life and how to achieve any goals you’ve set.

Once you understand the step-by-step formula that I’ll be teaching you and you learn how to apply it, you can expect to:

• Feel less stressed and overwhelmed, especially during deadlines.
• Not work so many hours because you’ll get more done in less time.
• Have a more balanced life (whatever balance means to you).
• Be more productive and efficient,
• Stop comparing yourself to others.
• Be able to handle criticism.
• Make more money.
• Improve your relationships. 
• Improve your health by reducing stress and overwhelm.
• Feel more confident.
• Be able to set better boundaries and detach from work when you’re not at work.
• Feel happier/better.

What I shared in my book, “The Smarter Accountant,” and I’m going to share in this episode, has literally changed every area of my life, and I know it can change yours too.  I hope that in learning how to be a Smarter Accountant, you will not just tolerate your career, but thrive in your career.  

I hope that you become the person others say, “Wow, you’ve changed (for the better).  What’s the secret?”.

I hope that by listening to this podcast, you’ll see how you are currently underutilizing your brain, how there’s so much more you are in control of than you realize, and that understanding how to be a Smarter Accountant will change how you work and live.

I also hope you become an example of what’s possible for other accountants who have the same struggles you had; that learning how to be a Smarter Accountant opens the door to more options than you previously had.  No matter where you are in your accounting career when you learn to become a Smarter Accountant, you also expand your options as well.

The best part is that once you understand and learn how to apply the formula, you’ll see it affecting every other area of your life, not just your accounting career.  I promise you that once you understand how you have been underutilizing your accountant’s brain, and how to start utilizing it in a smarter way, everything will change for the better.

Learning the skill of self-coaching not only benefits accounting employees, but also benefits accounting entrepreneurs and accounting firms in many ways.  Stay tuned because I’ll be discussing the top benefits in a few minutes..

The Motivational Triad – Why your brain does what it does

As I shared in episode #2 “The Place Where Brain Science Meetings Accounting,” it’s important to understand something about your human brain – we have two main operating systems going on in our brains that we need to get familiar with.  Knowing the difference between the two and understanding how to manage them is going to be the starting point to help you become a Smarter Accountant.

In the simplest terms possible, System 1, your primitive brain, the part that I refer to as The Toddler, is the part of your brain that runs the show more than 80% of the time.  This part of your brain is referred to as the reptilian brain and has anatomically been with us since before we were cave dwellers.

One of the key elements to understand is that this primitive part of your brain is motivated by three things (also referred to as the Motivational Triad):

1. Seek pleasure;
2. Avoid pain;
3. Be efficient/save energy;

System 1’s job is to keep you safe and alive, and it takes that job very seriously.  It releases feel-good chemicals when it interprets that pleasure is present, it releases fear-based chemicals when it senses danger is present, and it likes things to be in familiar, comfortable patterns.  

As a species we had to figure out how to avoid pain, seek pleasure, and do it all with the least amount of effort in order to be comfortable, fed, connected, and alive.  But those days are mostly gone.

Since we no longer have to put much effort into being safe, fed, warm, and connected our next evolution needs to be purposeful.  That’s where System 2, your higher brain, comes in; the part of your human brain that has evolved since those cave dwelling days.

As humans, we have the incredible ability to think about what we are thinking about.  We have the ability to learn that our thoughts, not our circumstances, create our feelings.

That our feelings are the most important thing to know and pay attention to.  Because our feelings drive our actions.

Learning how to utilize your higher brain more often is the foundation of self-coaching for accountants.  This is why I say that I help smart accountants work smarter; understanding how your lower brain is run by the Motivational Triad will make it easier to become a Smarter Accountant.  

Self-Coaching basics – What you need to know

Here’s the key – instead of letting System 1, your primitive brain, the Toddler, run your life, you need to start using System 2, the higher part of your human brain more often and more intentionally.  

This is the part of the brain that I refer to as the Supervising Parent because when the Toddler brain freaks out, the Supervising Parent can take charge.  You want to use the Supervising Parent part of your brain much more often.  

As I explain to my coaching clients, you do not want a Toddler running your career, your business, or your life.  In order to use the Supervising Parent more often and become a Smarter Accountant, it all comes down to learning how to coach yourself.

So why would a coach want to teach you how to coach yourself?  Yes, I am a Professional Certified Coach for Accountants, but I am also a student and a teacher.  Learning the skill of self-coaching has made it possible for me, and my coaching clients, to improve every aspect of our accounting careers and our lives.

I teach accountants to become Smarter Accountants so that, no matter what issue they’re dealing with, they have the skill to manage their mind.  As I said before, learning, applying, and mastering this skill is a game changer for accountants.

Here’s the best news – to coach ourselves, we only have to understand five things.  Just five.  The truth is that all aspects of our lives are categorized into five things: Circumstances, Thoughts, Feelings, Actions, and Results.

There is nothing in this world that can’t be categorized and understood within this framework.  Once we see how things are categorized, we can very easily see how our interaction with these five  things determines the whole of our lives.

In other words, how we think about things determines how we feel about things.  How we feel about things determines what we do or don’t do.

What we do or don’t do creates our results.  The sum of the results creates our lives.  Period.

Here is how the five categories are defined:

Circumstances: Things that happen in the world that we cannot control.  They are the facts of a situation.  For example, what someone said, the weather, the state of the economy, what’s on your to-do list, the fact that it’s tax season.  Circumstances are the neutral facts of our lives.

Thoughts: Sentences that happen in your mind.  This is where you self coach.  We each have over 60,000 thoughts a day and 90% of them we are unaware of.  More times than you may realize, it’s the Toddler part of your brain that is offering you thoughts.  You want to be more aware and in control of your thoughts than you are right now.  

Feelings: Vibrations that happen in your body – caused by thoughts, not circumstances.  They are one word emotions.  For example, stressed, overwhelmed, happy, sad, confused; they are incredibly important as you’ll understand in a little bit.

Actions: Behaviors – what we do or don’t do in the world.  How we act and how we react. It’s also important to understand that not taking action is an action. For example, procrastinating is the action of not getting something done.  Yelling or complaining is an action because it’s a reaction.

Results:  What we see in our lives as an effect of our actions.  The result will always be evidence for the original thought.  Every result you have in your life is because of your action and inactions.  For example, the result of having to work late is because you procrastinated or didn’t set boundaries with your time.

In a second I’ll explain the formula I use and teach in order to self coach, but first you need to understand that the fact that we have the incredible ability to think about what we’re thinking about means we also have the powerful ability to self coach.  Becoming a Smarter Accountant simply comes down to learning how to self coach and manage your mind.

The tool every accountant needs to learn – The Model

To learn how to self coach, I’m going to share the formula, The Model, that I explained in my book. This tool was created by my mentor, Brooke Castillo of The Life Coach School.

This tool has changed hundreds of thousands of people’s lives and has become the backbone of some of the most successful businesses to date. This is why I’m so passionate about teaching it to accountants. 

You can apply this awareness tool to work on anything that you’re struggling with, anything you’d like to improve, or any goal you have.  The Model will show you why you currently have the issues you’re experiencing and more importantly, what to do about them.

As I shared before, in order to self coach, the only thing you need to know is one of 5 things – what’s the situation, what are you thinking, what you are feeling, what you are doing or not doing, or what results you currently have.  That’s it.

The Model is the formula that puts those five categories of things into their respective order:

1. Circumstance
2. Thought
3. Feeling
4. Actions
5. Result

It seems simple, right?  Don’t be fooled by its simplicity because this formula will bust those myths you have about what’s “normal,” and will help you become a Smarter Accountant in the process.

The Model is like a magnifying glass that helps us to see what’s going on with us; why we feel how we feel, why we do or don’t do certain things, and why we have the results we have in a different way than we usually do.

Let me give you a quick example of The Model at work: let’s say you need to get quarterly financials done for a client in 2 weeks.  That would be the Circumstance because it’s factual.

And let’s say your thought about that circumstance is “I don’t see how I’m ever going to get this done.”  That thought would likely create a feeling like self-doubt.  

And because of the feeling of self-doubt, your actions would probably be complaining about the project; procrastinating; beating yourself up; spinning in self-judgment; questioning whether you have what it takes; spending time indulging in confusion; working too many hours; and not creating a plan of action.

And the result of those actions?  You’re less likely to get it done.  As you can see, the actions, including procrastinating, were fueled by the feeling of self-doubt. 

But the key here is that it wasn’t the circumstance of the quarterly financials for the XYZ client that were due in 2 weeks that created the feeling of self-doubt—it was the thought, “I don’t see how I’m ever going to get this done” that created the feeling of self-doubt.

First there’s a circumstance, then your brain has a thought about that circumstance which causes a feeling.  That feeling drives your actions, and your actions create your results.  That’s how The Model works.

The #1 reason we do Models is to become more aware of what’s happening with us and to understand what we have control over. The Model is not only an awareness tool, but it’s also a formula to help you understand everything about your life.  

Like any formula, it helps you see the components that lead to a particular result.  It gives you so much information and perspective.

The Model allows you to take a birds’ eye view of what’s happening in your life, as opposed to feeling like you have no control.  It helps you live intentionally instead of being a victim of your circumstances.

Once my clients learn how to effectively use The Model so that they can self-coach, they start choosing their life more intentionally.  They can see the components of the equation that give them an unintentional result and the components of the equation that can give them an intentional result.

They become Smarter Accountants by understanding the power of managing their brains.

The top benefits of self-coaching for accountant employees and entrepreneurs

Self-coaching skills are highly advantageous for accountant employees and entrepreneurs because it enables you to enhance your personal and professional development. Here are ten benefits for accountant employees and entrepreneurs to learn the skill of self-coaching:

1. Improved Problem-Solving: Self-coaching helps you develop a structured approach to identify and solve problems, making you more efficient and effective in handling complex financial issues.

2. Enhanced Decision Making: By learning self-coaching techniques, you can clarify your goals, values, and priorities, leading to better decision-making in financial matters.

3. Increased Productivity: Self-coaching empowers you to set clear objectives, create action plans, and manage your time more efficiently, resulting in increased productivity and reduced time wastage.

4. Personal Accountability: Self-coaching instills a sense of personal responsibility, enabling you to take ownership of your actions and results, which can lead to improved performance and better outcomes.

5. Stress Management: As accountants, we often face high-pressure situations. Self-coaching equips you with tools to manage stress, build resilience, and maintain a healthy work-life balance.

6. Continuous Learning and Growth: By engaging in self-coaching, you cultivate a growth mindset, fostering a desire for continuous learning and professional development.

7. Better Communication Skills: Self-coaching helps you improve your communication skills, allowing you to convey financial information more effectively to clients, colleagues, and stakeholders.

8. Increased Confidence: As you gain clarity and develop strategies through self-coaching, you become more confident in your abilities and judgments.

9. Goal Achievement: Self-coaching helps you set realistic and achievable goals, increasing your motivation and focus on accomplishing targets.

10. Client Relationships: Accountants who practice self-coaching are better equipped to understand their clients’ needs and concerns, leading to stronger and more trusting relationships.

By harnessing the benefits of self-coaching, you can continuously evolve as a professional, positively impact your clients and organizations, and lead fulfilling careers in the financial field.

Top benefits to accounting firms for their employees to learn the skill of self-coaching

From an accounting firm’s viewpoint, encouraging their employees to learn the skill of self-coaching can yield several benefits for the firm as a whole:

1. Increased Employee Productivity: Self-coaching equips employees with effective goal-setting and time management skills, leading to increased productivity and efficiency in their work.

2. Enhanced Problem-Solving Abilities: Self-coached accountants become more adept at analyzing complex financial issues independently, resulting in quicker and more effective problem-solving.

3. Improved Client Satisfaction: Accountants who practice self-coaching are better equipped to understand client needs, communicate effectively, and deliver tailored financial solutions, leading to higher client satisfaction and retention.

4. Empowered Decision-Making: Self-coaching fosters confident decision-making in employees, allowing them to make informed choices without excessive reliance on supervision.

5. Adaptability to Change: Self-coached accountants develop resilience and adaptability, enabling them to navigate changes in financial regulations, technology, and client demands more smoothly.

6. Reduced Employee Burnout: Self-coaching emphasizes work-life balance and stress management, reducing the risk of employee burnout and turnover, which can be costly for the firm.

7. Personal Accountability and Responsibility: Accountants practicing self-coaching take ownership of their professional development and performance, contributing to a culture of accountability within the firm.

8. Continuous Learning and Development: Self-coached employees have a growth mindset and seek opportunities for continuous learning, staying up-to-date with industry trends and innovations, benefitting the firm’s overall knowledge base.

9. Positive Workplace Culture: Embracing self-coaching promotes a positive and proactive workplace culture, fostering collaboration, creativity, and open communication among employees.

10. Leadership Development: Self-coaching can identify and nurture potential leaders within the firm, as individuals take the initiative to develop their skills and take on more significant responsibilities.

Thankfully, encouraging employees to learn self-coaching skills creates a workforce that is more motivated, self-reliant, and adaptable, leading to improved client service, increased employee satisfaction, and overall success for the accounting firm. It also contributes to a culture of continuous improvement and growth, positioning the firm as a competitive and forward-thinking organization within the financial industry.

Becoming a Smarter Accountant: How I have stress-free tax seasons

When I learned The Model and how to self-coach, I applied it to every area of my life except my accounting career.  I honestly didn’t think it would apply since, like most accountants, I had normalized so many aspects of being an accountant.

And then one day, everything changed.  I was working with my own coach and I flippantly said, “Tax season is so stressful.”  She said to me, “You know that’s a thought, not a fact, right?”

In my head I thought, “Oh you silly woman.  You clearly aren’t an accountant or you would agree that tax season is stressful.”  But then she reminded me that a fact, or a circumstance in The Model, is neutral and everyone on the planet would agree.

So I pushed back and said, “Well, if the sentence ‘tax season is stressful’ would go in the thought line of The Model, then what would go in the circumstance line?  What would be the neutral fact?”

She explained that the deadline like April 15th, the actual work that had to get done, or how many days were left until the deadline could be factual circumstances.  But my brain’s interpretation of any of those facts would be an optional thought like “Tax season is so stressful.”

The key that changed everything for me that day was getting clear that “Tax season is so stressful” was an optional thought and it wasn’t helpful or useful.  In other words, when I had the thought “Tax season is so stressful” it made me feel overwhelmed, complain, stress out, look for relief in the form of distractions, and not manage my time effectively.

From that day forward, I began self-coaching during tax season and catching my brain thinking the typical unhelpful thoughts that most accountants think.  I’m happy to say that I now get more done in less time, I don’t complain about tax season, and I don’t feel stressed or overwhelmed.

I now have stress-free tax seasons.  That my friends is the power of self-coaching for accountants.

As my coaching clients have discovered, the power of learning the process for self-coaching is a game changer, both professionally and personally.  By learning how to properly use The Model, you learn how to manage your mind and become a Smarter Accountant.

The truth is that your brain is the most important asset an accountant has; you’ve just been underutilizing yours.  Every client I’ve worked with has said, “Why aren’t we taught this sooner?  This is a game-changer.”

Thankfully, I can teach you The Model, but as you already know, learning something is one thing; implementing it is another.

This is why I have created a 6-week program called The Smarter Accountant Program.  It’s where I can personally teach you and guide you on your way to becoming a Smarter Accountant.

Once you have a clearer picture of your unique accountant brain, you can use the formula of The Model to take back control.  

If you have difficulty with any area I’ve discussed, let’s talk.  Schedule a quick, free coaching session with me and I’ll help you understand what to do.

The truth is that learning the skill of self-coaching will be a game-changer for you both professionally and personally.  And thankfully, it only takes 6 weeks to learn

If you want to learn how, just go to www.thesmarteraccountant.com/calendar and book a free session with me.

That’s what I have for you, but 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.