Before I get started I wanted to remind you that The Smarter Accountant CPE Course “Everything You Need To Know About Procrastination” is on Wednesday, May 21st at 4 pm EST. You can sign up at https://thesmarteraccountant.com/cpe/. You’ll not only get CPE credit but I will also be sending the replay and a workbook so that you can apply what you learned.
If you don’t know this about me, one of my favorite topics to discuss is time management. As accountants, we’re taught a lot of things and have a lot of knowledge, but ironically, effective time management is not one of them.
The thing is, there’s a lot of advice out there about how to get more done, but a lot of it isn’t from an accountant who’s been in the trenches, it’s not helpful, and it might actually be holding you back. What if the things you’ve been told about managing your time aren’t even true?
Think about it: how often do you push yourself to work harder or longer, only to feel more drained and less productive? Or maybe you’ve followed all the so-called “rules” but still feel like you’re barely keeping your head above water.
The problem isn’t you—it’s the lies we’ve been told about how time management should work. And these lies can make life even harder for us with deadlines, demanding clients, and long to-do lists.
So today, I want to explore some of the biggest myths about time management that could be holding you back. By the end of this, you might just see time—and yourself—a little differently.
Lie #1 – Waking up an hour earlier is the answer to having a more balanced day
This advice is everywhere—“Wake up earlier, and you’ll get more done!” It sounds simple, right? But what if the problem isn’t about when you wake up, but how you’re using the time you already have?
The truth is, waking up earlier doesn’t magically make you more productive. Productivity is about how well you manage your energy and focus throughout the day, not how early your alarm goes off. If you’re running on fumes, waking up earlier just gives you more tired hours to struggle through.
Honestly, I am an early riser, but that doesn’t guarantee I’ll have a more balanced, productive day. What makes it possible for me to be so productive is effectively planning my time, no matter what time I wake up.
Since this is the podcast that blends brain science and accounting, here’s where the brain science comes in: your brain needs enough sleep to function at its best. When you cut your sleep short, even by an hour, it has an impact on your ability to concentrate, make decisions, and manage your emotions.
You might think staying up late or pushing through exhaustion helps you get more done—but the science says otherwise. Research shows that lack of sleep makes it harder to focus, remember things, make decisions, and stay calm. Even if you’re putting in the hours, your brain just can’t keep up. It’s like trying to drive with the emergency brake on.
Instead of focusing on waking up earlier, think about how you can protect your energy and focus during the day. A balanced day isn’t about squeezing more hours in—it’s about making the hours you have count.
Lie #2 – If you work more hours, you’re more productive
It’s easy to think that working longer means getting more done. After all, more hours should equal more results, right? But here’s the catch—our brains don’t work that way.
The truth is, working more hours often leads to doing less of what actually matters. Overwork drains your energy, dulls your focus, and sets you up for burnout. You may feel busy, but busy isn’t the same as being productive.
Here’s why: your brain has a limited capacity to stay sharp and make good decisions. The prefrontal cortex—the Supervising Parent part of your brain responsible for focus and problem-solving—gets tired with prolonged use. When it’s tired, even simple tasks take longer, and mistakes become more common.
In fact, I worked less hours while I was recently going through chemo and I was more productive than I’ve ever been. How is that possible? Well research backs this up.
Between 2015 and 2019, Iceland ran a major experiment: they let thousands of workers shift from a 40-hour week to a 35 or 36-hour week, without reducing their pay.
You’d think less time at work would mean less productivity, right? But that’s not what happened.
In fact, productivity stayed the same or even went up, and people were happier, healthier, and more focused. They had more energy, less stress, and a better work-life balance—which helped them actually do better work in less time.
For me, when I had limited time and energy, my brain focused on what really matters. I cut out the extra noise and got to the point faster. That’s not laziness—it’s smart and efficient.
So, instead of clocking extra hours, consider how you can work smarter, not longer. True productivity is about making the most of your brain’s prime time, not about squeezing every last minute out of the day.
Lie #3 – If you stay later, you’re more dedicated
We’ve all seen it—the person who’s always the last to leave the office. It’s easy to assume they’re the most committed. But is staying late really a sign of dedication, or is it something else entirely?
The truth is, staying late often says more about poor time boundaries than true commitment. It can signal that you’re stretching yourself too thin or trying to meet impossible expectations. Being “always on” doesn’t make you a better accountant—it just makes you more exhausted.
Here’s what’s happening in your brain: the reward system confuses guilt with accomplishment. When you stay late, you might feel a temporary sense of relief, as if you’ve done something extra. But that feeling is misleading. Over time, it reinforces a cycle where overworking becomes the norm, and rest feels like failure.
This lie is something I dealt with early on in my career at Deloitte. Thankfully, I found a way to show I was dedicated, working a reduced schedule and still leaving at 5:30 every work day.
The truth is, dedication isn’t about how late you stay—it’s about how effectively you use your time and energy during the day. Setting boundaries around your workday isn’t a lack of commitment; it’s a smart way to protect your focus, your health, and your long-term success.
Lie #4 – To-do lists are necessary to manage your time
I get that there’s something satisfying about writing a to-do list. It feels like you’re getting organized, like you’re taking control. But have you ever noticed how often your list just gets longer, or how some tasks linger for days (or weeks)?
The truth is, to-do lists alone won’t help you manage your time. Without prioritization and decision-making, they’re just wishful thinking on paper. They show you what needs to be done but not when or how to do it.
Here’s what’s happening in your brain: when you write a list, your brain gets a quick hit of relief—it feels like you’ve made progress. But when it comes time to execute, your brain can become overwhelmed by the sheer number of choices. Without a clear plan, your list can actually increase stress instead of reducing it.
I tell my time management coaching clients that to-do lists are not time management, they’re workflow management. True time management is making effective decisions and planning.
The bottom line is that managing your time isn’t about checking off as many items as possible; it’s about focusing on what matters most. A to-do list can be a helpful tool, but only when paired with thoughtful decisions about priorities and action steps. Otherwise, it’s just another thing to manage.
Lie #5 – Setting time boundaries is not good business
It’s tempting to believe that always being available makes you a better professional. After all, saying “yes” to every client or colleague and staying flexible sounds like the recipe for success, right? But what if constantly being “on” is actually working against you?
The truth is, setting time boundaries isn’t just good business—it’s essential. Clear boundaries protect your focus and energy, allowing you to show up fully for your clients without running yourself into the ground. When you’re burned out, the quality of your work suffers, and so does your ability to serve.
Here’s the fascinating part: your brain is wired to feel discomfort when you say “no.” Social conditioning has taught us that agreeing to everything keeps the peace and earns approval. But in reality, saying “no” is critical for brain balance—it prevents overload and preserves the mental clarity you need to do your best work.
I have learned how to set and stick to effective time boundaries over the years and it has made a huge difference for me both professionally and personally.
The thing is, boundaries aren’t barriers; they’re bridges to better service and a sustainable career. When you set limits, you’re not just protecting yourself—you’re ensuring that your clients and colleagues get the best version of you, every time.
Lie #6 – Procrastination means you’re lazy or unmotivated
When you procrastinate, it’s easy to label yourself as lazy. Maybe you’ve even told yourself you’re just not motivated enough to get things done. But what if procrastination isn’t about laziness at all?
The truth is, procrastination often comes from something deeper. Things like fear of failure, perfectionism, or even decision fatigue can all cause you to put things off. It’s not about not wanting to do the work—it’s about feeling stuck or overwhelmed by what the work represents.
Here’s what’s happening in your brain: the primitive Toddler brain, which processes fear, reacts to perceived threats. If a task feels too big, uncertain, or likely to fail, your brain sees it as a threat and steers you toward avoidance. To your brain, procrastination becomes a way to protect yourself from discomfort, even if it creates more stress in the long run.
Thankfully, once you understand the feelings that are driving you to procrastinate, you’ll see that procrastination is not your fault, but that it is much easier to overcome than you realize.
So, no, procrastination doesn’t make you lazy—it makes you human. Understanding why you’re avoiding something is the first step toward tackling it with more compassion and less judgment.
Lie #7 – Everything is equally important, so just start anywhere
When your to-do list feels overwhelming, it’s easy to think, “I’ll just start anywhere and work my way through it.” It feels like progress, but is it really?
The truth is, not all tasks have the same impact. Some move the needle significantly, while others barely make a dent. If you treat everything as equally important, you risk spending your time on low-impact work while the high-priority tasks sit untouched.
Here’s what’s happening in your brain: it’s wired to see everything as urgent. I’ve discussed this before, but it’s known as the Mere Urgency Effect, where tasks that feel immediate grab your attention—even if they don’t matter much in the grand scheme. It’s why answering an email can feel just as pressing as finishing a critical project.
This is why, as I mentioned before, to-do lists are so ineffective. Your brain sees a list of things to do and thinks everything is equally urgent and important.
The key isn’t to just start anywhere but to focus on what matters most. When you learn how to prioritize high-impact tasks, you make real progress instead of just spinning your wheels.
Lie #8 – Time blocking only works for certain personality types
Time blocking gets a bad rap for being “too rigid” or only working for super-organized people. You might think, “That’s not my style,” and write it off completely. But what if time blocking is actually more flexible than you’ve been led to believe?
The truth is, time blocking is a tool that anyone can adapt to fit their needs. For accountants juggling deadlines and competing priorities, it can be a game-changer. It’s not about creating a rigid schedule—it’s about giving yourself structure so you can focus and stay on track.
Here’s how your brain comes into play: the brain thrives on structure because it reduces decision fatigue and helps you stay organized. However, it also resists systems that feel too restrictive, which is why overly detailed or unrealistic time blocks can feel stifling.
I have seen the incredible power of effective time blocking which is why I created a process called “Container Calendaring.” It takes the basics of time blocking and makes it easier to guarantee that you actually follow through.
The bottom line is that time blocking isn’t one-size-fits-all—it’s customizable. You can design it to work with your personality, workload, and preferences. When used smartly, it can give you the balance of structure and flexibility you need to get more done without feeling overwhelmed.
Lie # 9 – You need to respond to emails as soon as they come in
It’s easy to feel like every email needs your immediate attention. After all, isn’t being responsive just good business? But constantly checking and replying to emails might be doing more harm than good.
The truth is, responding to emails the moment they arrive derails your focus and interrupts the flow of deep, meaningful work. Every time you stop what you’re doing to check your inbox, you’re forcing your brain to switch gears, which wastes time and energy.
Here’s what’s happening in your brain: every time you check an email, you get a tiny dopamine hit—the same chemical that makes social media addictive. It feels rewarding in the moment, but it fragments your attention and makes it harder to concentrate on bigger tasks.
I’ve often joked that email is an accountant’s drug of choice, but there is brain science behind that. Just try not checking email for a day or two and you’ll feel like an addict going through withdrawals.
So, instead of letting emails control your day, try creating dedicated times to check and respond. Your focus—and your productivity—will thank you.
Lie #10 – It’s faster and easier to just do it yourself
When you’re juggling a million tasks, it’s tempting to think, “I’ll just handle it myself—it’s quicker that way.” But is it really faster, or is it just a shortcut that’s holding you back?
The truth is, doing everything yourself might feel easier in the moment, but it costs you valuable time in the long run. Delegation isn’t just about offloading work; it’s an investment that frees you up to focus on higher-impact tasks that truly move the needle.
Here’s what’s happening in your brain: it craves short-term ease, so it naturally resists delegation. Training someone or trusting them with responsibility takes effort upfront, but it pays off over time by reducing your workload and increasing efficiency.
My time management coaching clients that have mastered delegation have said it has had the greatest impact on their career satisfaction and has reduced burnout significantly.
The truth is, you don’t have to do it all to be successful. Letting go of the “faster and easier” myth allows you to grow, both in your career and your capacity to focus on what really matters.
Becoming a Smarter Accountant: Overcoming Time Management Lies
Now let me share a few stories about coaching clients that learned to overcome some of the time management lies.
One client thought waking up earlier would be the answer to her packed schedule. Every morning, she set her alarm an hour earlier, convinced she’d get ahead, but by mid-afternoon, she was completely drained. She felt like something was wrong with her because she couldn’t keep her energy up.
After working on becoming a Smarter Accountant, she realized the real problem wasn’t her effort—it was her lack of rest. Once she started prioritizing sleep and planning her work around her natural energy peaks, everything changed. She got more done in less time and finally felt like herself again.
Another client believed working long hours was the only way to stay on top of everything. Staying late became part of his routine, almost like proof of his dedication. But the more hours he worked, the more drained he felt—and the mistakes started piling up.
After working together, he learned that setting boundaries wasn’t about doing less—it was about doing better. By focusing on his most important tasks during his peak energy times, he could leave the office earlier and still get everything done. He told me that his clients were happier, and so was he.
Another one of my clients relied on to-do lists every day, but no matter how much she crossed off, the list just kept growing. It felt like she was always behind, and by the end of the day, she was overwhelmed and guilty for not doing more.
The Smarter Accountant Coaching Program helped her see that it wasn’t about how many tasks she finished—it was about doing the right ones. She started using my time blocking process, Container Calendaring, to plan her high-priority work, and it made all the difference. Now, she finally feels like she’s in control of her time.
Another coaching client told me that he couldn’t resist his email inbox. Every time a new message came in, he stopped what he was doing to respond. He thought being available was just part of the job, but it left him feeling scattered and unproductive.
After learning how to set and stick to boundaries with his time, he set simple boundaries with specific times to check and respond to emails instead of reacting all day. It was tough at first, but he quickly noticed how much more he could accomplish when he wasn’t glued to his inbox. His focus improved, and so did his results.
The last client I want to share with you was convinced it was faster to do everything herself. Delegating felt like too much work—it was easier to just handle it all. But trying to juggle everything left her stressed and constantly behind.
After working together, she started to see delegation as a long-term solution, not just a quick fix. She invested time in training her team, and soon, she had more space to focus on the big picture. Not only did her workload lighten, but her team grew professionally with the added responsibility.
So, do any of these stories sound familiar? If they do, I want you to know that there’s hope, and there’s a way forward. It’s not about doing more—it’s about doing what works.
Now I’m going to share the key takeaway from today and an action item for the upcoming week.
Key Takeaway and Action Item
The key takeaway from this episode is that the lies you believe about time management aren’t just unhelpful—they’re holding you back. Start by choosing one lie you’ve been living by and ask yourself, ‘What would change if I stopped believing this?’.
This question helps you pause and reflect on whether your current approach to managing your time is really working for you or just adding stress.
For example, do you believe that working longer hours means you’re more productive? Or that responding to every email immediately is good for your career? These beliefs often feel natural because they’ve been reinforced over time, but that doesn’t mean they’re helpful.
By identifying just one belief that might be holding you back, you can start to make changes that align better with how your brain works and what your goals actually are. It’s not about overhauling everything at once—it’s about taking that first step to question what’s not serving you.
Pulling Back The Curtain
Pulling back the curtain for a moment…
As I mentioned earlier, when I was going through chemo recently, I had to work fewer hours—it wasn’t optional. I physically couldn’t do what I used to, and at first, I panicked. I thought, “How am I going to keep up? What’s going to fall through the cracks? Will my clients or coworkers think I’m not pulling my weight?”
I’ve been in public accounting for decades, and like a lot of accountants, I’ve carried around the belief that long hours equals a strong work ethic. So being forced to slow down felt like a threat—not just to my schedule, but to how I saw myself as a professional.
But something surprising happened: I got more done in less time than I ever had before.
I was sharper. I planned better. I wasn’t wasting time on things that didn’t really matter. Because I didn’t have the luxury of long hours, I had to be smarter with the time I did have—and it honestly changed everything.
I started seeing how many time management lies I had been living by for years. Things like “working longer proves your commitment,” or “you have to say yes to everything to be seen as a team player.” I didn’t even realize how much those beliefs were draining me—until I had no choice but to challenge them.
I noticed when I was feeling guilty for not having the energy to push through and I reminded myself that trying to get accounting work done when I’m feeling guilty, stressed, or any other negative emotion isn’t helpful. By managing my mind, choosing more productive emotions, and only then sitting down to get work done, I was able to be much more efficient and productive.
That experience reminded me of something I tell my coaching clients all the time: time management isn’t about doing more. It’s about thinking differently about time—about your time.
Unfortunately, I think one of the biggest mistakes this profession makes is not teaching effective time management early on. I think it’s one of the reasons that accountants are so burned out and miserable.
But I can tell you this – when you learn how to effectively manage your brain and your time, you will begin to see your work in a whole new light. You’ll get more done in less time and you’ll free up time for the things and the people you love.
If today’s episode made you rethink any of the time management advice you’ve followed—or if you’re starting to wonder whether it’s actually working for you—I want to invite you to take The Smarter Accountant Quiz at www.thesmarteraccountant.com.
It only takes a few minutes, but it can show you which patterns might be getting in your way. And if you want help breaking those patterns, you can also schedule a free 30-minute call with me at www.thesmarteraccountant.com/calendar.
And if this podcast has been helpful, the best thing you can do is share it with another accountant. We’ve all been taught the same time management myths—but we don’t have to keep believing them.
The truth is that you’re already smart, but this podcast will show you how to be smarter.