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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Understanding the Reasons Behind Your Feelings

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Slowing Down and Reflecting

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Making Informed Decisions

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Becoming a Smarter Accountant: Using Current Challenges As Opportunities

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Key Takeaway and Action Item

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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