Category: Podcast

Before I get started, I’m not sure if you know that every week I do an additional podcast episode in a segment I call “Smarter in 5 Minutes.”  Sometimes the biggest breakthroughs come from the smallest shifts. That’s the idea behind Smarter in 5 Minutes, a weekly mini-episode series from The Smarter Accountant Podcast. 

Each short episode is designed for busy accountants who want quick, practical ways to understand how their brain works—and how to use it to work smarter, not harder. In just five minutes, you’ll learn why your brain reacts the way it does to things like stress, procrastination, overthinking, and a packed calendar, and what to do differently so you can stay focused and in control.

These episodes aren’t about more theory or long lectures. They’re quick, brain-based insights you can actually remember and use in the middle of a hectic day. 

Think of them like your weekly reset button: five minutes to step back, reframe what’s happening in your brain, and choose a smarter way forward. If you’ve ever wished you had a coach in your ear during those tough moments at work, Smarter in 5 Minutes was created for you.

They are available on any podcast platform that carries The Smarter Accountant Podcast like Itunes, Spotify, Amazon Music, etc.  Take a listen and let me know what you think.

Have you ever noticed how hard it is to say “no” when someone needs something from you? Even when you’re already busy, it’s easy to feel like you should just squeeze one more thing into your day.

Most accountants are great at helping others. We’re the ones who jump in, figure things out, and try to make everything run smoothly. But sometimes that means we put ourselves last without even realizing it.

You might wake up with a plan for the day, but then emails, meetings, and other people’s requests take over. Before you know it, the day is gone, and your own priorities didn’t stand a chance.

It’s easy to think that being flexible and always available is a good thing. And sometimes, it is. But not if it leaves you tired, stressed, or frustrated at the end of every day.

If you’ve ever felt like there’s no line between your work and your life, you’re not alone. For a lot of accountants, the days just blend together—and the to-do list never seems to shrink.

And if you’ve ever had the thought, “I’ll get to my stuff after I finish everything for everyone else,” then you already know how easy it is to put yourself at the bottom of the list.

The truth is, when you try to do it all, you wind up doing less of what matters. Not because you’re lazy or disorganized, but because there’s only so much time and energy to go around.

You might not think of it this way, but saying yes to everything is really just saying no to yourself. And over time, that can take a toll on how you feel—both at work and at home.

Here’s the tricky part though: a lot of us don’t even realize this is happening. We’re so used to being helpful and dependable that we forget to check in with what we need.

What if the answer isn’t doing more, but making better choices about what you say yes to? What if your workday could feel more calm and less chaotic—not by changing your job, but by changing what you allow?

It’s not always easy to protect your time and energy, but it might be one of the smartest things you can do. Especially if you want to show up strong for the things and people that matter most.

So if you’ve been feeling stretched too thin or like your day is running you instead of the other way around, you’re in the right place. Let’s talk about what’s really getting in the way—and why it matters more than you might think.

Why Accountants Struggle to Set Boundaries

One of the biggest issues for accountants is not realizing they’re missing boundaries in the first place. When you’re always helping others, it can feel like you’re doing the right thing—even if it’s wearing you down.

Without meaning to, many accountants slowly give away their limits. It starts small. You say yes to one extra task. You answer emails at night. You take that one quick call on the weekend.

Before long, people expect you to always say yes. And you start to expect it from yourself too.

This can happen in so many areas—not just with time. Maybe you take on too much at work. Or maybe you keep quiet during meetings even when something bothers you. Maybe you don’t speak up when someone crosses a line because you don’t want to make things awkward.

Being reliable feels good. Being helpful feels right. But when those things come at the cost of your peace, your health, or your focus, that’s a sign something’s off.

Accountants are used to being the one who steps up. We carry a lot of responsibility. We want to be the person others can count on. But when we never give ourselves space to say no, to pause, or to ask for what we need, we end up running on empty.

The problem is, this starts to feel normal. You look around and see other accountants doing the same thing—working long hours, always available, always pushing. So you tell yourself it’s just part of the job.

But when there are no boundaries, everything feels urgent, and nothing feels fully done. You go through your day reacting instead of deciding. You spend more time putting out fires than focusing on what really matters.

It’s not that other people are trying to take advantage of you. Most of the time, they simply don’t know where your line is—because you haven’t shown them.

I tell my coaching clients all the time – you teach people how to treat you and you teach people how to treat your time.  The problem is that we don’t realize what we’re teaching them.

In other words, when you always say yes, always show up, and always push through, it sends a quiet message: “I don’t have limits.” And once that message is out there, it’s hard to take it back.

This isn’t about being selfish. It’s about being clear. And that clarity is what leads to more control, less stress, and better decisions—not just at work, but in every part of your life.

Now I want to get real and talk about the cost of not having boundaries.  We can’t afford to stick our heads in the sand any longer.

The Real Cost of Not Having Boundaries

When you don’t set boundaries, the lines between work and the rest of your life start to disappear. What was supposed to be a quick check of your email turns into an hour of catching up after dinner.

Even if you’re technically “off,” your brain doesn’t know how to shut off. It stays in work mode because you’ve trained it to always be alert, ready to respond, and never fully rest.

At first, you might not notice the toll it’s taking. You might just feel a little more tired than usual or a little more irritable. But over time, the pressure builds.

Without clear boundaries, everything starts to feel like too much. It’s harder to focus. It’s harder to care. And even small things can feel overwhelming.

You might even start to feel resentful—at your job, at your clients, or even at yourself. But you don’t know what to do differently because this is how things have always been.

That slow buildup leads to burnout. Not the kind that hits you all at once, but the kind that sneaks up day after day. The kind where you start dreading your work, even if you used to enjoy it.

And when your brain is constantly in stress mode, it’s hard to make good decisions. You might find yourself spinning in indecision, forgetting things, or struggling to keep up—even though you’re working more than ever.

Boundaries aren’t just nice to have. They’re how you protect your energy, your time, and your ability to do good work. Without them, everything gets harder, and nothing feels quite right.

So if boundaries are this important, why are they so hard to set? The answer is in your brain—and we’re going to talk about that next.

What Your Brain Has to Do With Setting Boundaries

Your brain doesn’t like change. It likes comfort, routine, and approval. So when you try to set a boundary—especially one that feels uncomfortable—your brain sees it as a threat.

Saying “no,” asking for space, or even just pausing before responding can feel scary. Not because something is actually wrong, but because your brain is wired to keep you safe by avoiding anything that might lead to rejection or conflict.

That’s why people-pleasing is so common among accountants (I’ll be doing a whole episode on this topic soon). It feels safer to say yes, go along with the request, and avoid rocking the boat. Your brain believes that keeping others happy will help you avoid trouble.

It also explains why you might feel guilty or anxious after setting a boundary. Even when it’s the right thing to do, your brain sends out an alert: “Wait! This is unfamiliar. We don’t know what will happen.” And that discomfort makes you question your decision.

Your brain has learned that being helpful and agreeable often leads to praise, approval, or a sense of safety. So when you start changing those patterns, it can feel like something is wrong—even when nothing is.

That feeling of unease is not a sign that you made a mistake. It’s just your brain doing what it’s designed to do: protect you from perceived risk. But in this case, the “risk” isn’t real—it’s just new.

The good news is, your brain can be retrained. The more you practice setting and keeping boundaries, the less uncomfortable it becomes. Your brain starts to see that you’re safe—and that your needs matter too.

Setting boundaries isn’t selfish. It’s smart. And once you understand that your brain might fight you on this at first, it’s easier to keep going—even when it feels awkward.

So now that you know why your brain makes boundaries feel hard, let’s talk about what smarter accountants do differently.

The 5 Boundaries Smarter Accountants Set

Once you understand why boundaries matter and why your brain pushes back, it becomes easier to set them with more confidence. Smarter Accountants don’t try to control everything—they focus on what they can protect. And that starts with five key boundaries.

1. Work Hours – Define your start and end times

When you don’t set a clear start and stop to your workday, your brain stays in “work mode” all the time. Smarter Accountants choose work hours and stick to them, whether they’re in the office or working from home.

Example: You can decide your workday ends at 6pm and stop checking emails after that time, even if something is still unfinished.

2. With Clients – Set response expectations

When you respond to every client request immediately, it teaches people that you’re always available. Smarter Accountants set clear expectations for response times, communication preferences, and what’s included in their services.

Example: You could let clients know you respond within 24 hours and only check emails twice a day, so they don’t expect instant replies.

3. Meetings – Limit and structure your calendar

Unplanned or excessive meetings can take over your day. Smarter accountants limit how often they meet, how long meetings run, and when they’re scheduled.

Example: You can set aside certain days or time blocks for meetings and keep them limited to 30 minutes whenever possible.

4. With Yourself – Protect focus, energy, and attention

This boundary is often the hardest because it’s about holding yourself accountable. Smarter Accountants block off time to focus, take breaks without guilt, and recognize when perfectionism or people-pleasing is taking over.

Example: You could block off a two-hour time slot each morning for focused work and silence notifications during that time.

5. Work-Life Balance – Guard personal time from work intrusion

Without a clear separation between work and life, everything starts to blend together. Smarter Accountants protect evenings, weekends, and personal time.

Example: You can plan activities after work that have nothing to do with your job—like dinner with family, going for a walk, or reading a book.

Each of these boundaries is a decision made in advance—one that helps you stay in control instead of constantly reacting. They’re not about building walls; they’re about creating space for what matters.

Next, I want to share what happened when one of my coaching clients finally started using these boundaries—and how it changed everything.

Becoming a Smarter Accountant: Setting Better Boundaries

One of my coaching clients came to me feeling completely overwhelmed. She was working long hours, answering client emails late at night, and saying yes to every meeting—even the ones she didn’t really need to attend. She thought this was just part of being a “good accountant.”

At first, she didn’t think she had a boundary problem. She thought she had a time problem. But after just a few sessions, she realized she wasn’t protecting any part of her day. Her time, her energy, and even her personal life were all wide open.

We started small. She picked one boundary to focus on: setting a firm end to her workday. No more checking email after 6pm. At first, it felt uncomfortable. She worried she’d miss something or let someone down.

But once she stuck with it for a week, everything started to shift. She slept better. She felt less anxious in the evenings. And surprisingly, no one complained. In fact, a few clients even started respecting her time more.

From there, she added one boundary at a time. She created “meeting-free” hours in her calendar. She added an auto-response letting clients know her typical reply time. And she blocked time for focused work in the mornings before diving into email.

Little by little, her stress went down and her productivity went up. She stopped feeling like her day was running her and started feeling in charge again. Most importantly, she had more energy left over at the end of the day—for herself, her family, and the parts of life she used to put last.

This wasn’t about becoming a different person. It was about giving herself permission to make better decisions—and letting those decisions protect her time, energy, and focus.

Now, let’s wrap up by going over the key takeaway and the five boundaries one more time so they’re fresh in your mind.

Key Takeaway and Action Item

If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, pulled in too many directions, or like your day never really ends, it might not be about needing more time. It might be about needing clearer boundaries.

Smarter Accountants don’t wait for burnout to make a change—they set boundaries that protect their time, focus, and well-being. As you listen to this recap, think about the questions for each boundary and answer them as honestly as you can.

1. Work Hours

They decide when their workday starts and ends—and they stick to it.

Question to ask yourself: Do I have clear start and stop times, or am I working around the clock?

2. With Clients

They set realistic expectations for response times and availability.

Question to ask yourself: Am I teaching clients that I’m always available?

3. Meetings

They limit meetings and structure their calendar to avoid interruptions.

Question to ask yourself: Are my meetings helping me work better, or just filling up space?

4. With Yourself

They protect their own focus and energy—even from themselves.

Question to ask yourself: Am I giving myself space to focus, or constantly interrupting my own work?

5. Work-Life Balance

They guard their personal time just as carefully as their work time.

Question to ask yourself: Am I making time for life outside of work, or letting work take over everything?

The bottom line is that you don’t need to change everything overnight. But if you want to feel better, think more clearly, and actually enjoy your work again, start by setting just one small boundary—and honoring it.

To wrap up, let me pull back the curtain and share a personal story about how I learned the power of boundaries the hard way.

Pulling Back the Curtain

Let me take you back to a time when I had no boundaries…

When I first started working in public accounting, I didn’t even know what a boundary was—at least not one I was allowed to have. The culture was all about showing up early, staying late, and saying yes to whatever was asked. So that’s what I did.

At first, it felt like the right thing. I got praised for being dependable. I became the person people could always count on. But over time, it started to wear me down. I was exhausted, stressed, and secretly frustrated—but I didn’t think I had another option.

I remember one week during busy season when I worked ten days straight without a break. I didn’t set a single limit—not with my hours, my clients, or even myself. I told myself I could rest later, that this was just part of the job.

But that weekend, I completely crashed. I couldn’t think clearly, I was short-tempered with my family, and I felt like I had nothing left to give. That’s when it hit me—being available all the time wasn’t helping anyone, especially not me.

I wish I could say I made changes right away, but I didn’t. I went back to work that Monday and kept pushing. 

It took years—and a lot of personal growth—before I realized the power of boundaries. Not walls, not ultimatums. Just simple, clear decisions made in advance that protected me from overextending myself.

Now, I know better. I know how to say, “That doesn’t work for me,” without guilt. I’ve learned how to pause before saying yes. And I’ve learned that people respect your boundaries a lot more when you start respecting them yourself.

So if you’ve been working without boundaries, I get it. I’ve been there. But I promise—it doesn’t have to stay that way. You’re allowed to protect your time, your energy, and your peace of mind.

If this episode hit home for you, I’d love for you to take the Smarter Accountant Quiz at www.thesmarteraccountant.com. And if you’re ready to set better boundaries and finally feel more in control of your workday, let’s talk. You can book a free 30-minute call with me at www.thesmarteraccountant.com/calendar.

And of course, if you know another accountant who needs this message, please share this episode with them. The more of us who learn to work smarter—not harder—the better this profession becomes.

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

Before I get started I just wanted to mention that if you haven’t downloaded The Smarter Accountant’s Cheat Sheet For Better Time Management, you’re missing out.

See if you can relate to any of these typical issues: Never having enough time, things taking way longer than planned, procrastinating even when you know better, not knowing what to focus on first, never feeling done at the end of the day, getting interrupted all day long or your inbox is controlling your day.

If any of those resonate with you, I suggest downloading the cheat sheet because for each issue, I give you the Smarter Solution – what to do and why.  You can simply download the cheat sheet at https://thesmarteraccountant.com/cheat-sheet/

Do you ever get excited about a goal, only to feel stuck a few weeks later? You start off with the best of intentions, but something always seems to get in the way. One minute you’re motivated, and the next, you’re wondering why you ever thought this would work.

It might be a business goal, something for your health, or even just trying to work fewer hours. Whatever it is, it probably started with a strong feeling—like this is the time you’re finally going to figure it out. But then… life happens, and you’re right back where you started.

Maybe you’ve even told yourself things like, “I’m just not great at follow-through,” or “It’s too hard with everything else I have going on.” Believe me, I get it. When you’re already busy, trying to hit a goal can feel like one more thing on a never-ending list.

I used to think reaching a goal was all about having the perfect plan. You know, the one where you map everything out, color-code it, and tell yourself this time will be different. But then you miss a day, or you get behind, and suddenly, it feels like you’ve failed again.

It’s frustrating, isn’t it? You’re smart. You’re capable. You work hard. So why does getting from “I want to do this” to “I actually did it” feel so tricky?

The truth is, most of us were never taught how to really stick with a goal. We think it should come naturally. But in real life, it doesn’t always work that way.

We’ve got plenty of advice on how to set a goal, but not how to guarantee we’ll follow through no matter what.

The truth is, sometimes it’s not about trying harder—it’s about trying smarter. It’s about knowing how your brain works, what makes you quit, and what helps you keep going when things get messy. And yes, they always get messy.

Imagine what would be possible if you could set a goal and actually know you were going to follow through. Not just hope or wish—but truly believe you had what it takes to make it happen, even on the hard days.

What would that kind of certainty feel like? And what would it change in your work, your time, or even your confidence?

That’s what this is really about. Not just making goals—but knowing how to reach them, no matter what. If you’ve ever wondered why some goals stick and others slip away, you’re not alone. Let’s start by looking at what might really be getting in the way.

Why Most Goals Don’t Work for Accountants

A lot of accountants set goals. But most of those goals never actually go anywhere. They stay stuck in the “someday” category.

You might say, “I want to make more money,” or “I want better work-life balance,” or “I want to stop working weekends.” And those are good goals—but they’re also too fuzzy.

When goals are too vague, your brain doesn’t know what to do with them. It’s like giving directions without a real destination. You’ll stay busy, but you won’t move forward.

The truth is, a goal without a clear plan is just a wish. And when things get busy, wishes are the first thing to go.

This is where most accountants get stuck. Not because they don’t care, and not because they’re not capable. But because they haven’t been taught how to turn goals into something that actually works.

And without a simple way to follow through, even the best goals get lost in the day-to-day.

So if you’ve ever felt like you’re always setting goals but never quite getting there, you’re not the only one. And there’s a reason for that.

Let’s look at why that’s such a big problem by exploring the hidden cost of unfinished goals.

The Hidden Cost of Unfinished Goals

Every time you set a goal and don’t follow through, something happens that’s easy to miss—you start to lose trust in yourself.

At first, it might just feel like disappointment. But over time, it turns into doubt. You start thinking maybe you’re not disciplined enough, or maybe you just don’t have what it takes.

And when those thoughts take root, they quietly affect everything. You procrastinate more. You overwork to make up for lost time. And you start to feel stuck—like this is just how things are.

Even if you have good intentions, your brain remembers the times you didn’t follow through. So the next time you set a goal, it quietly whispers, “Why bother?”

That’s how the cycle builds. The more often it happens, the harder it is to break. And before you know it, goals start to feel like something other people achieve—but not you.

But here’s the thing: it’s not that you’re not capable. It’s that your brain is working against you—and you might not even realize it.

Let’s take a closer look at why your brain makes following through feel harder than it should.

Why Your Brain Fights Your Goals

You might think the problem is willpower. But the truth is, your brain is wired to avoid most of what goals require.

Your brain’s main job is to keep you safe and comfortable. That means it prefers what’s familiar—even if that familiar is stress, overworking, or burnout.

When you set a goal, it usually requires doing things that feel new or uncertain. And your primitive brain doesn’t like that. It wants quick wins, not long-term effort.

This is why things like checking email or helping someone last minute feel easier than sticking to your goal. They give your brain that quick reward, while your goal feels far away.

Another part of your brain, the Reticular Activating System (RAS), decides what to focus on based on what seems important. If your goal isn’t clear, your RAS doesn’t know what to look for—so it gets distracted by everything else.

Then there’s something called loss aversion. Your brain naturally fears losing something—like time, status, or approval. So instead of taking bold action, it quietly nudges you to play it safe and do nothing.

The result is that you stay stuck in a cycle of busy work, vague plans, and goals that never really get moving.  But once you understand how your brain works, you can use it to your advantage.

Let’s talk about what smarter accountants do differently when it comes to setting and reaching their goals.

What Smarter Accountants Do Differently

Some accountants actually reach their goals—and it’s not because they’re more motivated or have more hours in the day. It’s because they follow a simple process that actually works.

Let me share the 4 step process that I’ve used and that I work with my coaching clients on:

Step #1 – Define the goal clearly and understand why you want to achieve the goal.

Most goals are way too vague. Your brain needs something specific to focus on.

So instead of saying, “I want to grow my business,” you’d say, “I want to sign 3 new monthly clients by September 30.”

Instead of, “I want to work less,” it becomes, “I want to stop working after 6pm at least three nights a week.”

Instead of, “I need better boundaries,” you say, “I’ll only check email at 10am and 3pm.”

When your goal is clear like that, your brain can finally get to work helping you.

But there’s one more piece that’s just as important—you need to know why this goal matters to you.

Having a strong “why” gives your brain a reason to keep going when things get hard or uncomfortable.

I always recommend coming up with three compelling reasons why you want to reach this goal. Not just surface-level stuff like, “It would be nice.” Real reasons.

• Maybe it’s so you can stop working weekends and finally enjoy time with your family.
  
• Maybe it’s because you want to feel more confident raising your rates.
  
• Maybe it’s because you’re tired of feeling stuck and you’re ready for something better.

Whatever it is, write it down. When you start to waver—and you probably will—you can come back to those reasons and remind yourself why this matters.

A clear goal plus a clear why is how you set yourself up for success from the very beginning.

Step #2 – List every possible obstacle.

Don’t skip this part. Most people do, and that’s when they get tripped up later.

Think about what’s likely to get in your way. And be honest.  I suggest coming up with at least 5 obstacles that have either gotten in the way in the past or that you anticipate will get in the way in the future:

• Maybe you tend to procrastinate when you’re overwhelmed.
  
• Maybe you say yes too quickly and then regret it later.
  
• Maybe you’re afraid to raise your rates, or you think clients will get upset if you push back.
  
• Maybe you’re just short on time and your calendar’s already packed.

Whatever it is—write it down. No filtering. No judging.

Step #3 – Come up with a strategy for each obstacle.

This is where things start to shift. And here’s the trick: almost every obstacle falls into one of three buckets. It’s either something you need to do, something you need to learn, or something you need to get coached on.

For example:

• Obstacle: “I never have time.” → The solution might be to do a quick calendar audit and cut one low-value task a day.
  
• Obstacle: “I don’t know how to market my services.” → The solution might be to block off an hour to study how other accountants do it.
  
• Obstacle: “I feel guilty saying no.” → The solution here is coaching—because that guilt isn’t going to go away just by reading another book.

Here’s a quick warning about the “learn” category: it’s very easy to use learning as a crutch instead of a tool. I see this all the time with accountants. They sign up for another CPE course, download another webinar, and feel like they’re making progress—when really, they’re just avoiding action.

Learning has its place. But if you’re always collecting information and never using it, that’s passive action—not real progress. Be honest with yourself about whether you really need to learn something—or if you’re just stalling.

And when it comes to coaching, here’s the truth: your brain will not be on board with a lot of the strategies and actions you’ll need to take to reach your goal. That’s normal. Your brain is wired to resist change.

That’s why coaching is so important. It helps you deal with the mind drama, the self-doubt, the fear, the excuses—everything that bubbles up the minute you try to do something new. Coaching helps you stop spinning and start moving forward, even when it feels uncomfortable.

So yes, you’ll need some actions. Maybe a little learning. But chances are, you’ll need more coaching than you realize—because without managing your mind, even the best plan won’t go very far.

Step #4 – Schedule and follow through.

With this last step, it’s not just scheduling and following through on the task—Smarter Accountants also schedule the feeling they need to follow through.

This part is key, and it’s something most accountants completely overlook. We think we just need more discipline. But what we really need is to feel a certain way on purpose—focused, determined, committed, even calm.

So when you’re planning your week, don’t just write down the task like, “Work on pricing proposal at 2pm.” Ask yourself, “How do I need to feel in order to do that?” Then write that in, too.

For example, maybe you write: “2pm – Work on pricing proposal (feeling: confident).”

That way, when the time comes, you’re not waiting for the right mood to magically show up. You’ve already decided how you need to feel—and your job is to create that feeling before you begin.

You might do that by choosing a helpful thought like, “I know my value,” or “This doesn’t have to be perfect, it just needs to get done.”

Smarter Accountants don’t leave follow-through up to chance. They plan for resistance. They expect to not feel like doing the thing—and they still show up for it, because they’ve already decided how they want to feel going in.

And yes, sometimes things come up. But they don’t cancel just because something’s uncomfortable or inconvenient. They only adjust when there’s a real reason—not because they’re tired or unsure or nervous.

This step is the difference between hoping you’ll follow through… and knowing you will.

Now, let me show you how one of my clients used this process—and what happened when she made that emotional piece part of her plan.

Becoming a Smarter Accountant: Successfully Achieving Her Goal

I once worked with a client who came to me feeling completely stuck. She told me, “I just want to grow my business.” That was her goal—but she had no idea what that actually meant or where to start.

She kept trying different things. Posting on social media here and there. Tweaking her website. Thinking about networking. But nothing really changed. She felt like she was always busy, but not getting anywhere.

During one of our sessions, I asked her to get specific. What exactly did she want? That’s when she set a clear goal: sign 3 new advisory clients in 90 days. Now we had something to work with.

Then I asked her why this goal mattered. Why 3 advisory clients? Why now? At first, she paused, but then it clicked—she was tired of relying only on tax season income. She wanted more stability, more control, and more time to actually breathe. That became her “why.”

We wrote down three solid reasons she wanted to reach this goal, and she kept them where she could see them. So anytime she felt doubt creeping in, she had a reminder of why this mattered to her—and that helped her stay grounded when things felt hard or uncomfortable.

From there, we listed out every possible obstacle that might get in her way. Fear of rejection. Not knowing what to say on a sales call. Worry that her pricing was too high. Feeling like there wasn’t enough time. We wrote it all down—no editing, no judgment.

Then we went through each obstacle and came up with a simple strategy. Some things she needed to do, like block out time for outreach. Some things she needed to learn, like how to talk about her offer in a way that felt natural. And some things she needed to get coached on, like the fear of seeming “pushy.”

She didn’t try to feel motivated every day. She followed the plan we put on her calendar. She picked the emotion she wanted to feel before each action—things like focused, brave, or calm—and practiced generating that feeling on purpose.

And the best part was that she successfully reached her goal in an easier way than she had ever tried before.

Three new advisory clients in 90 days. But more than that, she felt in control. She wasn’t spinning anymore. She was moving forward.

What changed wasn’t just the goal—it was the way she approached it. That’s what made her a Smarter Accountant.

Now that we’ve seen what’s possible, let’s wrap up with the biggest takeaway from today’s episode—and a question for you to think about.

Key Takeaway and Action Item

The smartest accountants don’t just set goals and cross their fingers. They make success feel possible—because they take their brain into account from the very beginning.

They get clear on exactly what they want. They expect obstacles to show up. And instead of giving up or getting stuck, they create a plan for how to move through them.

They don’t rely on motivation or wait for the “right time.” They rely on the decisions they’ve already made—and they trust themselves to follow through.

That’s what separates spinning in circles from steady progress.

Now it’s your turn to check in with yourself.

This week, ask yourself, “What’s one goal I’ve been putting off because I didn’t believe I could actually achieve it—and what’s one obstacle I could solve for today?”

Don’t try to figure out the whole path. Just look for one thing you can make easier right now. That one shift could be the start of something bigger than you realize.

The bottom line is that reaching your goals doesn’t have to feel like a constant uphill battle. Once you understand how your brain works and start planning with that in mind, things get so much easier. You stop second-guessing yourself, you stop spinning, and you finally start seeing real progress—even when life feels busy or unpredictable.

You’re already capable of more than you think. And when you follow a process that works with your brain, not against it, success becomes something you can count on—not just hope for. 

Whatever goal has been sitting on the back burner, now is a great time to bring it forward and give yourself the tools to actually follow through.

Pulling Back the Curtain

Pulling back the curtain for a minute…

When I decided to write and publish my book, The Smarter Accountant, I gave myself one year to get it done and have it delivered by Amazon to my mailbox. That might sound like a solid plan, but at the time, I had no experience in publishing—and a lot of doubts. 

I was working as a CPA, taking an advanced coaching course, doing a different weekly podcast, coaching accountant entrepreneurs.  I had no idea where to start, and part of me wondered if I could actually pull it off.

But I used the exact four-step process I shared with you today. I got clear on the goal: finish and publish the book by July 31, 2022. 

I listed every obstacle I could think of—finding the time to write, imposter syndrome, learning the publishing process, fear of putting myself out there—and then I made a plan for each one.

Some things I needed to learn, like how self-publishing works. Some things I needed to do, like block out writing time on my calendar. And some things, like the fear of not being good enough, I had to get coached on more than once. 

I didn’t wait to feel motivated. I picked the feelings I wanted to have—committed and determined—and I practiced that feeling every time I sat down to write.

And let me tell you, the book didn’t get written because I was super inspired every day. It got written because I followed through on a plan, even when I didn’t feel like it. That’s how it works. Not with perfect conditions, but with consistent decisions.

I’m happy to say that the book was delivered to my mailbox by Amazon two days earlier than my goal and I literally cried as I held it in my hand.  I guaranteed success by following the steps I shared with you but also by managing the heck out of my brain along the way.

So whether your goal is big like writing a book or simple like reclaiming your evenings, I want you to know it’s possible. And you don’t have to do it alone.

If you haven’t already, take The Smarter Accountant Quiz at www.thesmarteraccountant.com. It’ll help you see where your current habits might be working against you.

And if you’re ready to stop spinning and start moving forward, schedule your free 30-minute call with me at www.thesmarteraccountant.com/calendar. I’ll help you figure out your next best step.

And if this episode gave you something to think about, share it with another accountant who might need to hear it. The more of us who learn to work with our brains, the better this profession gets for everyone.

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

Before I get started, let me just mention that if you haven’t taken The Smarter Accountant Quiz yet, I highly recommend it.  There have been over 1,100 accountants who have taken the quiz and it’s helped them quickly identify which of the 12 most common pain points are making it harder than it needs to be to have a sustainable, easier accounting career. 

It takes less than 5 minutes and shows you exactly where you’re being pulled in the wrong direction.  It gives you immediate clarity about what’s really going on and why having an accounting career can be such a struggle.  

Once you see your results, it’s like turning on a light in a dark room—you know what to focus on, and what to stop worrying about.  You can easily take it at www.thesmarteraccountant.com 

Let’s talk about something most accountants deal with every single day—workflow. You probably don’t think about it much, but it affects everything you do.

Whether your day runs smoothly or feels like a chaotic mess has a lot to do with your workflow. It’s one of those behind-the-scenes things that can make or break how your day goes.

If you’ve ever ended a workday feeling like you were busy but not productive, workflow might be the reason. It’s not about working harder—it’s about how things are set up around you.

Think about it like this—when your kitchen is organized, cooking feels easier. But when nothing’s where it should be, everything takes longer, and you get frustrated. That’s kind of what happens with your work when your workflow isn’t helping you.

A lot of accountants think they just need a better to-do list, a fancier app, or a new software program. But the truth is, if your brain is tired or confused by how your day is set up, no tool will fix that.

You might not even realize how much your current setup is draining you. You might be using so much brain power just trying to remember what’s next or switching between tasks, and that adds up fast.

What if your workflow could actually make your day feel easier—not harder? What if it could support the way your brain likes to work instead of making things more stressful?

Most of us were never taught to think about workflow in that way. We were taught to just get the job done and figure it out as we go.

But the way things are set up matters. A lot.

When you have a process that your brain can easily follow, everything feels more manageable. You don’t feel like you’re drowning in little decisions all day.

So if your workday often feels scattered or exhausting, it might not be you—it might be the way your workflow is making your brain work overtime.

For example, have you ever wondered why some tasks feel smooth while others feel like pulling teeth? Or why you start your day with good energy but feel completely drained by 3 PM?

Those are questions worth asking. And the answers might surprise you.

In this episode, I want to look at workflow in a whole new way—one that actually helps your brain out. You might find that with a few small shifts, your day can go from overwhelming to a whole lot more doable.

What Is a Workflow—Really?

When most people hear the word “workflow,” they think of checklists or software. Something that organizes your tasks and keeps things moving. And while that’s not wrong, it’s only part of the picture.

A workflow is really just a way of doing things. It’s the steps you follow to get something done. But what most accountants don’t realize is how much those steps affect your brain—especially when they’re not clear or consistent.

Your brain is already working hard to process everything coming at you. Every time you stop to figure out what to do next, it has to use energy. That might not seem like a big deal, but over time it adds up and leaves you feeling tired, distracted, or overwhelmed.

That’s where a smart workflow comes in. A good workflow doesn’t just organize your tasks—it gives your brain a break. It makes decisions for you in advance, so you don’t have to keep figuring everything out on the fly.

Think of it like setting up your coffee the night before. In the morning, when you’re tired, you don’t have to think—you just press the button. That’s what a good workflow does. It removes friction and saves your brain from decision overload.

Without a solid workflow, your brain has to keep asking: “What now?” “Where was I?” “How long will this take?” All of that slows you down and wears you out.

But when your workflow is clear and supportive, your brain gets to focus on what matters most. It’s not wasting energy on the setup—it’s using energy on the actual work.

So, what is a workflow—really? It’s not just a list of steps. It’s a way to help your brain stay focused, save energy, and stop spinning its wheels.

And once you understand that, the next question becomes: Why does your brain care so much about how your workflow is set up? Let’s talk about that next.

Why Your Brain Loves a Smart Workflow

Your accountant brain is smart—but it also has limits. It can only hold so much at once. That’s called cognitive load, and when it’s too full, things start to slip through the cracks.

Imagine your brain like a browser with too many tabs open. At first, it works fine. But over time, it slows down, and everything feels harder. That’s what happens when you’re juggling too many tasks without a clear system.

One of the reasons this happens is something called the Zeigarnik Effect. It’s a fancy name for something you’ve probably felt before—your brain keeps thinking about unfinished tasks, even when you’re not working on them. That’s why you might be lying in bed thinking about an email you forgot to send.

When your workflow doesn’t help close the loop on tasks, your brain holds onto them. It’s like it refuses to let go until it knows the job is done. And the more open loops you have, the more mental space they take up.

Now add in dopamine loops. Your brain gets a little hit of feel-good chemicals every time you check your email or complete a small task. That’s why it’s so tempting to jump from one quick thing to another. 

But the problem is, you never get to the deeper, more important work. Your brain gets distracted by the short-term rewards.

And here’s something else your brain loves—space to wander. There’s a part of your brain referred to as the default mode network. It kicks in when you’re not actively focused, like when you’re taking a walk or staring out the window. 

It helps you come up with ideas, solve problems, and make sense of things. But when your day is too full and scattered, your brain never gets the chance to rest and reset.

A smart workflow gives your brain what it needs most—clarity, closure, and space. It lowers the mental load, closes those open loops, and protects your focus. It even leaves room for those quiet moments that help your brain do its best thinking.

So if you’ve ever wondered why your work feels harder than it should, your brain might be crying out for a better workflow.

And that leads us to the next big question—what’s actually getting in the way? Let’s take a look.

What Gets in the Way of a Smarter Workflow

If a good workflow can make your day easier, why don’t more accountants have one? It’s not because they don’t want to be efficient—it’s usually because of a few sneaky things that get in the way.

One of the biggest problems is interruptions. You’re in the middle of something important, and then your phone buzzes, an email pops up, or someone asks a question. 

Each time that happens, your brain has to stop what it was doing and switch gears. And getting back into focus takes way more time and energy than most people realize.

Another issue is unclear steps. If you sit down to work but aren’t exactly sure what to do next, your brain has to work harder to figure it out. 

That little bit of confusion can create stress and make you more likely to procrastinate. Your brain likes knowing what comes next, not guessing every time.

Then there’s the lack of buffer. We tend to schedule things back-to-back, thinking we’ll be more productive. 

But the truth is, your brain needs space between tasks. Without those little breathing rooms, everything starts to feel rushed, and stress builds up fast.

And of course, there’s multitasking. It might feel like you’re getting more done, but your brain can only focus on one thing at a time. 

When you bounce between tasks, you’re not saving time—you’re creating mental clutter. It’s like trying to have five conversations at once. No one wins.

These common issues don’t always seem like a big deal in the moment, but they add up. They chip away at your focus and leave your brain feeling scattered and tired.

The good news is that once you see what’s getting in the way, you can start making small changes that lead to big results.

So now that you know the common blockers, what does a smarter, brain-friendly workflow actually look like? Let’s take a look.

What an Effective Brain-Based Workflow Actually Looks Like

A smarter workflow isn’t about doing more. It’s about helping your brain do less of what drains it and more of what supports it. When your workflow works with your brain instead of against it, everything gets easier.

The first thing your brain loves is when you externalize tasks. That means getting things out of your head and onto paper or into a system you trust. 

Your accountant brain isn’t made to store long lists—it’s made to solve problems. When you try to hold everything in your mind, it’s like carrying too many grocery bags at once. Eventually, something drops.

Another key is grouping similar work. Your brain has to work harder every time it switches between tasks. 

If you go from reviewing tax returns to answering emails to jumping on a call, your brain is constantly shifting gears. But when you group similar tasks together—like doing all your emails at once or reviewing a batch of reports—you give your brain a break from all that back-and-forth.

Next is defining what “done” looks like. Your brain relaxes when it knows where the finish line is. 

If your tasks are vague—like “work on client file” or “catch up on admin”—your brain doesn’t know when to stop. But if you say, “Finish section one of the report” or “Send three follow-up emails,” your brain knows when it’s off the hook.

Another piece that often gets missed is building in recovery time. Your brain isn’t a machine. It needs time to recharge so it can focus again. 

Even short breaks—stepping outside, walking around, or just breathing—can make a big difference in how clear and calm you feel. Breaks aren’t a waste of time—they’re what make focus possible.

And finally, you can trigger a focused flow state by using cues that signal it’s time to focus. Maybe it’s putting on headphones, setting a timer, or sitting in a certain spot. These little rituals train your brain to shift into work mode faster and with less resistance.

When you put these pieces together—getting tasks out of your head, reducing context switching, setting clear finish lines, taking recovery breaks, and using cues to focus—you create a workflow that your brain actually likes.

And when your brain is happy, work stops feeling so hard.

Now that you’ve seen what a brain-friendly workflow looks like, let’s talk about why this matters so much—especially for accountants.

Why This Matters More Than Ever for Accountants

If your workflow feels messy, overwhelming, or all over the place, you might start to wonder if you’re the problem. Maybe you’ve even thought, “Why can’t I just get it together?”

But here’s the truth: you’re not lazy, scattered, or disorganized. You’re human. And your brain is doing the best it can with the systems—or lack of systems—it’s working with.

As an accountant, you deal with a lot of moving parts. Deadlines, emails, client needs, and constant shifting between tasks. That means your brain is constantly being asked to stay focused, make decisions, and remember everything—without much support.

When your workflow isn’t set up to help your brain manage all that, it’s no wonder things feel heavy. It’s like trying to run a race with weights tied to your ankles.

This is why workflow matters more now than ever. It’s not just about getting things done. It’s about protecting your mental energy. It’s about making your day feel doable instead of draining.

Designing a workflow that works with your brain isn’t about being fancy or perfect. It’s about making simple changes that remove friction and free up your focus.

So instead of asking, “Why am I so behind?” or “What’s wrong with me?”—what if the better question is, “How can I make this easier for my brain?”

What if your workflow wasn’t just a way to get through your tasks, but a way to support your mental health? What if it gave you clarity, confidence, and space to breathe?

You don’t have to overhaul everything overnight. But one small shift—one change that makes your day a little smoother—can go a long way.

And once your brain feels supported, you’ll be amazed at what you’re actually capable of.

Becoming a Smarter Accountant: Using a Brain-Based Workflow Process

One of my coaching clients came to me completely overwhelmed. She was running a small firm, managing a team, and trying to juggle client work, meetings, emails, and everything in between. On paper, it looked like she had everything covered—she had a detailed to-do list, used popular software tools, and even color-coded her calendar. But in real life, her days felt out of control.

She would start one thing, get interrupted by something urgent, then jump to the next fire to put out. Emails were constant. Team questions never ended. And even when she blocked off time to focus, it rarely went as planned. 

By the end of the day, she felt exhausted, behind, and frustrated. She kept saying, “I’m working all day, but I have nothing to show for it.”

She blamed herself. She thought she needed better time management, or that she wasn’t working fast enough. 

But when we looked closer, it became clear—she didn’t have a time problem. She had a workflow problem. Her brain couldn’t keep up with the constant switching, the unfinished tasks, and the pressure to always be “on.”

Once we slowed things down and rebuilt her workflow with her brain in mind, everything shifted. We reduced how often she had to switch between different types of work, which helped her feel more focused. 

We clarified what “done” actually looked like for her most common tasks, so she wasn’t carrying a bunch of open loops in her head. And we added small transition times—5 to 10 minutes between meetings or big tasks—so her brain could reset instead of running on fumes.

We didn’t add any fancy tools or new apps. She learned how to manage her brain in The Smarter Accountant 6-week program and then we simply created a structure that made sense for how her brain wanted to work. And once we did that, the change was incredible.

She started getting more done in less time. She felt clearer, calmer, and more confident. She was finally ending her days with energy left over instead of feeling drained and defeated. 

And the best part was that she stopped beating herself up. She realized she wasn’t the problem—her workflow just hadn’t been working for her.

That shift made all the difference.

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 most effective workflow isn’t the one that looks good on paper or fits into a fancy app—it’s the one your brain can actually follow, even on your busiest, most chaotic days. When your workflow supports your brain instead of overwhelming it, you’ll not only get more done—you’ll feel better doing it. 

In other words, the goal isn’t to work harder or faster. It’s to set things up in a way that makes your brain’s job easier, so you can focus, follow through, and finish your day with energy left over.

For this week, ask yourself, “What part of my current workflow feels the most mentally draining—and what would it look like if it felt easier instead?”

The reason this question is so important is because your brain is already doing a lot behind the scenes—deciding what to do next, switching between tasks, managing interruptions, and trying to stay on track. If your workflow adds more confusion, pressure, or decision-making to your day, it becomes a hidden source of stress. 

But once you understand which parts are draining and what changes would make things simpler, you give your brain the support it’s been missing. Even one small shift can be the beginning of a calmer, more productive workday. And that kind of change adds up fast.

Pulling Back the Curtain

Now let me pull back the curtain…

There was a time in my career, not so long ago, when I truly thought that being productive meant being busy all the time. If I kept moving, kept checking things off, and filled every hour with tasks, I believed I was doing it right. I told myself that the exhaustion was just part of the job.

But the truth was that I didn’t recognize burnout when I was in it.  My brain felt scattered, I was constantly forgetting things, and even though I was always “doing,” I rarely felt like I was actually getting ahead.

It wasn’t until I got curious about how my brain really works that things started to change. I began noticing how tired I felt after constant task-switching. How much time I spent re-reading emails because I’d been interrupted halfway through. And how much of my energy went into deciding what to do next, over and over again.

That’s when I realized—it wasn’t about doing more. It was about setting things up in a way that made doing easier. I didn’t need to try harder. I needed a workflow that helped my brain instead of draining it.

For me, that looked like creating clearer finish lines, planning transitions between tasks, giving my brain fewer decisions to make throughout the day, and coming up with the most effective time management process I’ve ever used. It also meant letting go of the idea that I had to power through everything without rest.

With a smarter workflow process that works with my brain, I no longer feel like I’m chasing my day or constantly playing catch-up. I don’t waste energy trying to remember what I was doing or jumping from one thing to the next in a panic.

Instead, I start my day with a clear plan, I know what “done” looks like, and I’ve built in space to reset when I need to. My brain feels calmer, my work feels more focused, and I actually end the day with energy left over.

And the best part is that I no longer beat myself up for feeling overwhelmed—because now I know my workflow wasn’t broken because of me. It just wasn’t built for me. 

So if you’re feeling overwhelmed, distracted, or stuck in a constant loop of busyness, I want you to know: nothing’s wrong with you. You’ve just never been taught to build a workflow that works with your brain instead of against it.

If you haven’t already, take The Smarter Accountant Quiz at www.thesmarteraccountant.com to see where your workflow might be wearing you out—and if this episode helped, share it with a fellow accountant who could use a smarter, more brain-friendly way to work.

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

Before I get started, let me mention that I’m offering The Smarter Accountant CPE course “The Smarter Accountant Guide to Effective Time Blocking” for the last time this month on Wednesday, August 27th at 12 pm EST.

This is a powerful course because the way I teach time management is not like anyone else.  I blend brain science with time management so that you can learn how to manage your time more effectively and get more done in less time.

Time blocking is one of those topics that accountants are not taught correctly and this course will show you not only how to time block, but also how to guarantee that you follow through.  You’re definitely going to want to take this course and you can easily sign up at https://thesmarteraccountant.com/cpe/

We all make mistakes in our careers. It’s just part of the process.  I’ve been in public accounting for over 35 years and I have yet to meet an accountant who says their career has been exactly what they hoped it would be.

Sometimes you know you’ve made a mistake right away. Other times, it takes years to realize something wasn’t working.

Looking back, there are things I wish I had done differently. Not because I did anything “wrong,” but because I didn’t know there was a better way.

When you’re busy trying to keep up, it’s hard to step back and ask if the way you’re doing things is actually helping. Most of us are just trying to get through the week.

No one really teaches you how to have a career that fits your life. You’re usually taught how to get the work done, not how to feel good doing it.

You figure it out as you go, and sometimes that means falling into patterns that aren’t helping. Even when those patterns seem normal, they might be slowly burning you out.

What makes it tricky is that many of the things we do as accountants are praised by others. You might get compliments for working late or taking on more, even when it’s hurting you.

That’s why I think it’s important to talk about the mistakes that sneak up on us—the ones that feel like the “right” thing to do at the time.

Have you ever kept doing something just because it’s what you’ve always done, even if it no longer makes sense? It’s easy to fall into that trap without even realizing it.

It took me a long time to figure out that just because something is common doesn’t mean it’s smart. And just because it works for someone else doesn’t mean it’s right for you.

These kinds of mistakes aren’t about technical skills. They’re about how we approach work, decisions, and the way we treat ourselves.

That’s why I wanted to open up and share some of the bigger things I wish I had learned sooner. Not to look back with regret—but to help you move forward with more clarity.

If you’ve ever felt like your career doesn’t quite feel the way you hoped it would, you’re not alone. And it might not be that you’re doing anything wrong—it might just be that no one showed you another way.

So the real question is—what if you didn’t have to make the same mistakes? What if one small shift could help you feel more in charge of your career and your life?

Let’s talk about it.

Mistake #1: Working Off a To-Do List

For a long time, I truly believed my to-do list was helping me. I’d write everything down—every task, every reminder—and I’d get a little thrill each time I crossed something off. It felt productive. It felt like I was staying on top of things. But the truth was, I was just staying busy.

My list never actually ended. Most days, I just moved things from one list to another. I’d knock out a bunch of small tasks and still feel behind. I wasn’t deciding what mattered—I was reacting to whatever looked easiest or most urgent in the moment.

What I didn’t realize back then was that my brain loved the illusion of progress. Checking boxes gave me a quick sense of relief. But I wasn’t making meaningful progress on the things that actually moved my career forward or supported the life I wanted outside of work.

If I could go back, I would tell myself that a to-do list isn’t a plan—it’s a collection of random thoughts. It’s not meant to guide your day. What really matters is learning to decide—ahead of time—what deserves your time, energy, and focus.

Smarter accountants don’t rely on lists. They learn how to calendar effectively. And that one shift can change everything.

Mistake #2: Not Defining What’s “Enough”

For years, I kept pushing myself without ever asking, “When will it be enough?” More clients, more work, more hours—I just kept going. I told myself that once I hit a certain point, then I’d feel better. Then I’d feel successful. Then I’d slow down.

But that point never came. No matter how much I got done or how many goals I reached, it always felt like I should be doing more. There was always another project, another request, another reason to keep pushing.

The mistake wasn’t in wanting to grow—it was in not setting a clear stopping point. Without a personal definition of “enough,” I was chasing something I couldn’t see. And that kind of chase never ends. It just leads to burnout, stress, and the feeling that you’re always behind, even when you’re actually doing a lot.

And for a long time, that included chasing more money. I thought I had to say yes to every opportunity because turning it down felt irresponsible. But over time, I’ve learned something really powerful: I’ve started turning down extra work—not because I can’t do it, but because the promise of more money just doesn’t appeal to me the way balance does.

The irony is that the more I’ve focused on “enough,” the more money I’ve actually made—and I’ve done it while keeping that balance I used to only dream about. It turns out that when you stop chasing everything, you create space for the right things to grow.

If I could go back, I’d sit myself down and ask, “What does enough look like—for me?” Not what other people say. Not what the industry expects. Just my own version of a full, balanced life. I didn’t realize that defining enough gives your brain permission to stop reaching and start appreciating.

Smarter accountants don’t let “more” be the goal. They decide what’s enough and let that guide their choices. Because once you know what you’re aiming for, you can finally rest when you get there.

Mistake #3: Not Defining Success

When I first started my career, I had a vague idea of what success looked like. I figured it meant working at a good firm, climbing the ladder, making a solid income, and being seen as someone who had it all together. That’s what I chased—without ever stopping to ask if that version of success actually felt good to me.

Getting hired by Deloitte right of college felt like success at the time.  Passing the CPA exam felt like success at the time. Moving up the corporate ladder felt like success at the time.

I kept hitting milestones that were supposed to matter, but something always felt off. I’d reach a goal and think, “Is this it?” It looked impressive from the outside, but inside I felt tired, disconnected, and unsure if I was even on the right path.

The mistake was letting the outside world define success for me. I never took the time to decide what my version looked like. So I kept checking off boxes that didn’t actually lead to the kind of life or work I wanted. It was like running a race I didn’t remember signing up for.

If I could go back, I’d ask myself a simple question: “What does success feel like, not just look like?” Because it’s not just about achievements—it’s about how you want to live, how you want to feel, and what actually matters to you.What I’ve learned is that success isn’t one-size-fits-all. It’s not about what your title is, how many hours you bill, or how full your calendar is. It’s about building a career that fits the life you want—not the other way around.

Smarter accountants define success for themselves. And once you do that, everything changes. You stop chasing and start choosing. You stop comparing and start aligning. And that’s when success starts to feel like something you actually want to keep.

Mistake #4: Not Getting Clear on Life Priorities and Values Early On

In the beginning, I made career decisions based on what looked good on paper. More money? Great. Bigger title? Even better. I didn’t stop to ask what actually mattered to me. I just followed the path that seemed smart and responsible.

What I didn’t realize at the time was that I was building a career that looked successful but didn’t feel right. I was saying yes to things that didn’t leave room for the life I actually wanted—things like quality time with family, my health, creativity, or just a little breathing room.

The mistake wasn’t in being ambitious. It was in letting my career take over without ever checking if it matched the kind of life I wanted. I felt pulled in different directions. Like I was doing “the right things” but losing pieces of myself in the process.

If I could go back, I’d ask myself to write down what matters most in my life—before making big career decisions. Not just goals like saving for retirement or paying the mortgage, but deeper values like peace, connection, freedom, or joy.

I’ve since learned that your accounting career should support your life, not run it. You don’t need to choose between being a good accountant and being true to yourself—you just need to know what your priorities are and let them lead the way.

Smarter accountants start with life in mind. They get clear on what matters most and use that clarity to make smarter choices at work. And when your work supports the life you want, it stops feeling like a constant tug-of-war.

Mistake #5: People-Pleasing

For a long time, I said yes when I wanted to say no. I answered emails late at night, took on extra work I didn’t have time for, and tried to make everyone happy—clients, coworkers, even people I barely knew. I thought being helpful meant being available all the time.

At first, it felt like the right thing to do. I got praise for being dependable and easy to work with. But underneath it all, I was exhausted. I was constantly putting other people’s needs ahead of my own and ignoring the quiet voice in my head that kept saying, “This isn’t working.”

The mistake was thinking that being nice meant never disappointing anyone. But people- pleasing isn’t kindness—it’s self-abandonment. It taught others that I was always available, and it taught me that my own time, energy, and needs didn’t matter as much.

If I could go back, I’d tell myself that boundaries aren’t selfish—they’re necessary. I didn’t need to be rude or distant to protect my time. I just needed to stop assuming that saying yes was the only way to be valued.

What I’ve learned is that people-pleasing doesn’t actually please anyone in the long run. It leads to burnout, resentment, and feeling like you’re never doing enough.

Smarter accountants know that you can be kind without being a pushover. You can be professional without being available 24/7. And you can respect others without constantly sacrificing yourself.

The Brain Science Behind These Career Mistakes

One of the biggest things I’ve learned over the years is that most of the mistakes I made weren’t because I was doing something “wrong.” They were because my brain was doing exactly what it’s wired to do.

Our brains are built for safety and survival, not for modern-day success in a demanding career. They like what’s familiar—even if what’s familiar is stress, overworking, or saying yes when you want to say no.

Your brain is constantly scanning for danger, and in today’s world, that “danger” often shows up as things like disappointing someone, missing an email, or not meeting a deadline. So it nudges you to avoid discomfort and play it safe, even if that means repeating old habits that aren’t helping.

It also wants quick wins and easy rewards. That’s why checking off a to-do list feels so good, even when the tasks don’t really matter. It’s why praise from others feels important, even when it pulls you away from your own goals.

The brain loves short-term validation more than long-term fulfillment. So it pushes you toward what feels good right now—approval, achievement, staying busy—even if it leads to burnout later.

That’s what was happening in every one of the career mistakes I made. Overcommitting, people pleasing, chasing success that wasn’t mine—all of it made perfect sense to my brain. It was just trying to keep me safe, liked, and comfortable.

But here’s the truth: becoming a Smarter Accountant means you stop letting your brain run the show. You learn to manage it instead of follow it.

And once you start doing that, everything begins to shift. You’re no longer stuck in survival mode—you’re making conscious decisions that truly work for you.

Becoming a Smarter Accountant: Learning From Career Mistakes

I worked with a client who was deep into her career and doing all the “right” things—at least on the surface. She had a steady stream of clients, worked long hours, and was constantly trying to prove she was reliable and capable. From the outside, she looked successful.

But behind the scenes, she was exhausted. She had no clear boundaries, no time to think about what she wanted, and no idea what “enough” looked like. She was checking off endless tasks, saying yes to everything, and felt guilty anytime she even thought about saying no.

When we started working together, she realized she had never stopped to define what success actually meant to her. She’d been following a path she didn’t choose—one that left very little room for rest, family, or anything outside of work.

As she started learning how her brain was driving those old patterns—like people pleasing and chasing constant productivity—things began to shift. She learned to notice those thoughts without letting them take over. She practiced making decisions based on her values, not her fears.

And over time, she began to do something that felt impossible before: she started turning things down. She let go of work that didn’t align with her goals. She created space for herself. And instead of losing money or momentum like she feared, she actually became more focused, more effective, and more fulfilled.

Her calendar looked different. Her energy felt different. And most importantly, she felt different—more in control, more confident, and more at peace.

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 mistakes we make in our careers often come from not questioning the default settings in our brain. When we don’t define what’s enough, what success really means, or what matters most to us in life, we end up following someone else’s path. But once you start managing your mind instead of letting it run on autopilot, everything can change—for the better.

This week ask yourself, “Am I building a career that supports the life I want—or one that’s just happening by default?”

This question is meant to help you pause and reflect. So many accountants stay on a path simply because it’s what they’ve always done or what others expect. 

But when you slow down and ask yourself if your career is actually supporting the life you want—whether that means more freedom, less stress, or more meaning—you give yourself the chance to make a smarter choice moving forward.

The bottom line is that we all make mistakes, and every one of these taught me something important. The good news is, you don’t have to wait years to learn these lessons. 

You can start making different decisions today—ones that reflect who you are and the life you want. That’s what being a Smarter Accountant is all about.

Pulling Back the Curtain

Pulling back the curtain…

There was a point in my career when all five of these mistakes were happening at the same time—and I couldn’t see it. I was working off an endless to-do list, saying yes to everyone, chasing success without really knowing what I wanted, and constantly ignoring what mattered most in my life.

From the outside, it looked like I was handling it all. But inside, I was burned out. I was drained, snappy with the people I loved, and questioning whether this was really how my career was supposed to feel. I remember thinking, “If this is what success looks like, why am I so miserable?”

The turning point wasn’t some big, dramatic moment. It was a quiet realization that I didn’t want to keep doing things the same way. 

I started questioning the thoughts that were driving my choices. I began to notice how often I was trying to prove something—trying to be everything to everyone while putting myself last.

What helped me most was studying to become a Professional Certified Coach and learning how my brain worked. Once I understood that my habits were based on fear, approval-seeking, and old beliefs, I could finally change them. I could finally make decisions from a place of clarity instead of guilt or pressure.

And I’m still practicing. I still catch myself tempted to add just one more thing to the list or to say yes out of habit. But now, I have the tools to pause, ask better questions, and choose differently. That’s what being a Smarter Accountant means to me.

So, if any part of this episode hit home for you, I want to invite you to take The Smarter Accountant Quiz. It’ll help you see where your brain might be running the show and where you have the most room for growth. You can find it at www.thesmarteraccountant.com.

And if you’re ready to talk about what’s next for you, I offer a free 30-minute call where we can explore what’s working, what’s not, and how you can start making smarter decisions in your career. Just go to www.thesmarteraccountant.com/calendar to grab a time.

Lastly, if you know another accountant who could use this episode—someone who’s smart and capable but maybe stuck in some of these same patterns—please share this with them. We all deserve to feel better about the work we do and the life we’re creating.

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

Before I get started, let me just mention that this month’s Smarter Accountant CPE course is The Smarter Accountant Guide to Effective Time Blocking,  The truth is that time blocking isn’t just about putting tasks on a calendar—it’s about making better decisions with your time, your brain, and your energy. In this practical and eye-opening course, you’ll learn a brain-based approach to time management that goes far beyond traditional to-do lists.

This is the system that blends neuroscience with smart scheduling. You’ll discover why your brain resists typical time management tools, how to reduce overwhelm, and how to plan your day based on clarity, focus, and how you want to feel to get things done.

This session will introduce you to the Smarter Accountant Time Blocking Method—an effective method whether you’re dealing busy season or not. You’ll walk away with a repeatable method that helps you get more done in less time, with less stress.

The course is offered Tuesday, August 19th at 12 pm EST and you can register at www.thesmarteraccountant.com/cpe

Let’s talk about something that takes up way too much space in our heads—what other people think about us. It’s easy to get caught up in trying to explain, defend, or correct someone’s opinion, especially when it feels unfair or flat-out wrong.

You do your best, work hard, and try to be a good person, but that doesn’t stop people from making assumptions. Maybe a coworker thinks you don’t care enough, or a client assumes you’re too expensive, or a family member misjudges a decision you made.

It can be frustrating. You want to grab a whiteboard, lay out all the facts, and make them see things your way.

But what if that’s not your job? What if you didn’t have to spend so much time proving yourself or making sure everyone sees you the way you want to be seen?

That might sound impossible. After all, no one wants to be misunderstood. It feels uncomfortable, almost like something is unfinished.

But here’s the thing—no matter how much you explain, defend, or overthink, people will believe what they want to believe. Their opinions are shaped by their own experiences, not just by what you say or do.

That’s where the real problem starts. The more you try to control how others see you, the more you give away your time, energy, and peace of mind.

It’s exhausting. And, honestly, it never really works. Even if you manage to change one person’s mind, someone else will come along with their own opinion, and the cycle starts all over again.

So, what would happen if you let people be wrong about you? What if you let go of the need to correct every misunderstanding and focused on something better?

That’s what we’re going to talk about today. Because the freedom that comes with not needing to prove yourself is something worth thinking about.

Why Accountants Struggle With Caring What Others Think

As accountants, we are used to dealing with facts. Numbers don’t lie, and there’s usually a right and wrong answer. If something doesn’t add up, we can track it down, fix it, and make sure everything checks out. It makes sense that we’d want people to see us the right way too.

But people don’t work like numbers. No matter how clear we think something is, they bring their own thoughts, experiences, and biases into every situation. And when someone questions our work ethic, doubts our skills, or assumes something about us that isn’t true, it stings. We know how much effort we put in, and it feels unfair to be misunderstood.

That’s when the over-explaining starts. You find yourself wanting to defend your choices, prove your worth, or convince someone that they’ve got it wrong. Maybe you take on extra work just to show how committed you are. Maybe you replay conversations in your head, wondering if you should have said something differently. Maybe you spend time crafting the perfect response to an email that doesn’t even deserve one.

It’s exhausting. And no matter how much you try to set the record straight, people still see things through their own lens. Even if you manage to change one person’s mind, someone else will come along with their own opinion, and the cycle starts all over again.

And here’s what makes it even harder—when people misunderstand us, it doesn’t just feel frustrating. It feels personal. We want to believe that if we just explain things well enough, or work hard enough, or show up in exactly the right way, people will get it.

But here’s the thing—you don’t actually control what people think. You never have. And every second you spend trying? That’s energy you never get back.

So why does your brain make this so hard to let go of? Let’s talk about that next.

The Brain Science Behind Why You Care What Others Think

Whether you realize it or not, our brains are wired to care what people think. Back when humans lived in caves, being part of a tribe wasn’t just nice—it was survival. If you were misunderstood or left out, it could mean real danger. So your brain learned to keep an eye on what others thought about you.

Even though life is completely different now, that old wiring is still there. Your brain hasn’t evolved to know the difference between real danger and something that just feels like danger. So when someone doubts you, questions your decisions, or assumes something that isn’t true, your brain reacts as if it’s a threat—even though it’s not.

That’s why it gets to you. It’s not just annoying—it feels wrong, like something that needs to be fixed. It’s that voice in your head saying, “If they just understood me, I wouldn’t feel this way.” Like if you explained it better, showed them more proof, or worked just a little harder, they’d finally get it.

And that’s where the trap is. The harder you try to control how others see you, the more power you give away. You make their opinion more important than your peace of mind. You start adjusting your choices, your words, maybe even your confidence—just to avoid feeling misunderstood.

But here’s the tricky part. No matter how much explaining, proving, or defending you do, people will still see things through their own experiences, beliefs, and assumptions. Their opinions aren’t based only on what you say or do—they come from them. Their past, their perspective, their own internal stories.

Trying to change that is like trying to stop the wind. You push, you fight… but it keeps blowing. And the more you fight it, the more exhausted you get.

So what if you just let go? What if you accepted that people will think whatever they want and that’s okay? Imagine how much lighter that would feel.

Because here’s the truth—fighting it isn’t the answer. But there is a better way. Let’s talk about that next.

How To Stop Wasting Time and Energy on Other People’s Opinions

Instead of spending your time trying to fix what other people think, focus on what you believe about yourself. Their opinions will come and go, but the way you see yourself is what really matters. Because at the end of the day, you’re the one who has to live with your choices—not them.

It’s easy to think, “If they just understood me, I’d feel better.” But would you? What would actually change? Would your work be any different? Would your life improve in some way?

Most of the time, the answer is no. You’d still be doing the same work, making the same decisions, and living the same life. The only difference would be that they finally see it the way you want them to. But even if they do, someone else will come along with their own opinion, and the cycle starts all over again.

That’s why chasing approval is exhausting—it never ends. There will always be someone who misjudges you, someone who doesn’t appreciate your effort, someone who assumes things without knowing the full story. And if you keep spending your energy trying to change their minds, you’ll never have time for the things that actually matter.

Real freedom? It’s not about getting people to see you the right way. It’s about realizing their opinions don’t get to run your life.

Ask yourself, “Why do I need them to see me differently? Why does this feel so important?” If someone misunderstands you, it doesn’t actually change anything about who you are. It only changes their perception, which isn’t something you can control anyway.

And here’s what happens when you stop trying to manage other people’s opinions—you get back something priceless.

You get back your time—the time you used to spend over-explaining, overthinking, and overworking to prove yourself.

You get back your confidence—because instead of letting other people’s opinions shake you, you start trusting yourself again.

You get back your peace of mind—because the weight of what other people think? It’s finally gone.

You stop second-guessing yourself. You stop wasting energy explaining things that don’t need explaining. You stop carrying the weight of what other people think.

And the best part? You realize you never needed their approval in the first place.

I’ve seen this happen firsthand, so let me share a story with you.

Becoming a Smarter Accountant: Letting People Be Wrong About Her

One of my clients was stuck in a pattern that felt impossible to break. No matter how hard she worked, she felt like she had to prove herself every single day.

Her boss was the kind of person who always had something to say. If she left the office at a reasonable time, he’d make a comment about how “some people just don’t put in the extra effort.” If she spoke up in a meeting, he’d question her reasoning. If she didn’t, he’d say she wasn’t engaged enough.

She couldn’t win. So she tried harder.

She over-explained every decision, hoping he’d finally see that she knew what she was doing. She answered emails late at night, thinking it would show her dedication. She worked through lunch, through exhaustion, through weekends, just to prove that she was committed.

But no matter what she did, his opinion didn’t change.

One day, she told me, “I don’t know what else to do. I feel like I have to keep proving myself, but it’s never enough.”

That’s when we started looking at the real problem. It wasn’t her work. It wasn’t even her boss. It was the belief that his opinion was more important than her own.

So she stopped chasing it.

She focused on doing her job well—not on getting him to see it. She stopped over-explaining. She stopped defending every decision. She started leaving work at a time that made sense for her, without guilt.

At first, she was sure it would backfire. But something unexpected happened.

She felt more confident. She felt more respected. And, without saying a word, her boss actually started treating her differently.

He still had his own opinions, but they didn’t weigh on her anymore. She wasn’t drained from trying to control something she never could. And for the first time in years, she felt in control of her time, her energy, and her career.

So what if you did the same? What would happen if you stopped trying to change someone’s mind and trusted yourself instead?

These are great questions to consider as I wrap this up with the biggest takeaway from today’s episode—and another question for you to think about.

Key Takeaway and Action Item

The key takeaway from this episode is that true freedom isn’t about making sure everyone understands you. It’s about realizing that you don’t have to control what others think about you.

Just think about it: How much energy could you get back if you stopped trying to change other people’s opinions? 

So for this week, ask yourself, “What would my life feel like if I let go of the need to explain, defend, or prove myself?”

People will always have opinions. Some will be accurate, some won’t. You can spend your time trying to change them, or you can decide that their opinions don’t define you.

Your peace doesn’t come from getting them to see you the right way. It comes from trusting yourself.

Pulling Back the Curtain

Before I end, I want to pull back the curtain for a moment…

I can totally relate to this episode because I used to spend so much time trying to prove I was a “good” accountant. Not just good at the work—but good to clients, good to coworkers, good to bosses, good to everyone.

I still remember one time when someone at work assumed I wasn’t pulling my weight because I left at 5:30. They would make sarcastic comments like, “Working half a day?”

Never mind that I’d been working since before 8 a.m., skipped lunch to meet deadlines, and got more done in an 8 hour day than they did—that one assumption stuck with me. And instead of letting it go, I tried to fix it.

I tried to figure out ways to stay later. I answered emails at night. I took on more. And you know what? It didn’t change how they saw me. But it did change how I saw myself—I started questioning whether I was doing enough, even though deep down, I knew I was.

That was the turning point for me—realizing that no amount of overworking or explaining was ever going to control what other people believed. And that I didn’t have to waste my peace of mind trying.

I learned that what anyone else thinks about me has more to do with them than with me.  For example, if one of my sister-in-laws rolled her eyes when I shared something I was proud of, her reaction had nothing to do with me and had everything to do with her insecurities.

The bottom line is that although it’s human nature to want people to like us and agree with us, it’s way more important that we like and agree with ourselves.

As I’ve worked on building my self-confidence over the years, it’s so much easier for me to let people be wrong about me.  I now get a kick out of it when it happens because it’s so interesting to see how other people’s brains work.

If this episode spoke to you—if you’ve been carrying the weight of what someone else thinks—it might be time to take a look at what’s really driving you.

That’s why I created The Smarter Accountant Quiz. It’s quick, it’s free, and it’ll help you see what’s actually getting in your way. You can find it at https://thesmarteraccountant.com.

And if you want help with anything you’re struggling with or figuring out what to do next, I offer a free 30-minute call. You can sign up at https://thesmarteraccountant.com/calendar.

And one last thing—if you’ve been enjoying this podcast, the best way you can support it is by sharing it with other accountants. Whether it’s a friend, a coworker, or someone who’s quietly struggling the way you once were, spreading the word helps more accountants discover there’s a smarter way to work.

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

Have you ever noticed how one small thought can totally change your mood?

You might wake up feeling okay, but then one worry pops into your head, and suddenly everything feels heavier. That one thought leads to another, and before you know it, you’re stressed out, frustrated, or doubting yourself—and nothing even happened yet.

I get it. Our thoughts can take us down a road so fast, it’s like we’re on autopilot. And most of the time, we don’t even realize it’s happening.

It might be something simple, like thinking, “I’m behind,” or “I should be doing more.” And just like that, you’re in a bad mood, your energy drops, and the day feels harder than it needs to.

That used to happen to me a lot. I’d go from feeling fine to feeling like I couldn’t handle everything—and the only thing that changed was what I was thinking.

What I didn’t know back then was how powerful that moment is when a thought first shows up. That tiny split second can either take you down or help you take back control.

We all get caught up in our thoughts sometimes. Whether it’s stress about work, guilt about not doing enough, or fear that we’re messing something up—our brains can be loud and pretty convincing.

And when that happens, it’s so easy to believe every thought is true. But the truth is, most of them are just guesses, habits, or leftover stories our brain repeats.

It doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with you. It just means your brain is doing what it’s used to doing—trying to keep you safe, even when it’s not actually helpful.

So what do you do when your thoughts start to spiral? How do you stop that train before it goes off the rails?

That’s what I want to talk about today. Because learning how to pause, notice what’s going on in your head, and gently shift it can make a huge difference.

You don’t need to fight your thoughts or force yourself to be positive. You just need to know how to slow things down and look at them a little differently.

And once you do, you’ll be amazed at how much calmer, clearer, and more in control you feel.

So if you’ve ever wished your mind would quiet down… or that you could get back to feeling better without making a big deal out of it… keep listening.

How Your Brain Gets Hooked on Negative Thoughts

Here’s something most accountants don’t realize—your brain is naturally wired to focus on what might go wrong.

It’s not trying to ruin your day. It’s just trying to keep you safe.

This is called the brain’s “negativity bias.” It means your brain will always notice the problem before it sees the progress.

So if your day starts with one small issue, your brain will keep scanning for more problems. And once it finds a few, you start to feel like everything is going wrong—even if it’s not.

On top of that, your brain loves to save energy, so it runs on habits and shortcuts.

That means the thoughts you’ve thought before are the ones your brain will keep offering again. Not because they’re true—but because they’re familiar.

This is where something called “cognitive fusion” comes in. It just means your brain tells you a thought, and you believe it without question.

It might be something like, “I’m so behind,” or “I’m not doing enough.” The moment your brain offers that thought, you accept it as fact—even if it’s not.

And when that happens, it affects everything.

You rush through your day, trying to fix a problem that might not even exist. You second-guess yourself. You get stuck trying to feel better by working harder.

That’s how your thoughts can mess with your time, your confidence, and your energy.

But here’s the good news—just because your brain offers a thought doesn’t mean you have to believe it.

The first step is awareness. The moment you notice what your brain is doing, you create space to do something different.

And that’s exactly what the next step in the 4 N Process is all about.

Step One: Notice Your Thoughts

Most of the time, your thoughts are running in the background like a playlist you didn’t even hit “play” on.

You’re busy working, responding to emails, managing your calendar—and your brain is quietly feeding you thoughts all day long.

Thoughts like, “I’ll never catch up,” or “I’m not doing enough,” can slip in without you even realizing it.

And those thoughts don’t just sit there. They affect how you feel, how you act, and even how clearly you can think.

That’s why the first step in shifting your perspective is simply noticing what’s going on in your head.

It can be as easy as saying, “I notice I’m thinking…” and then filling in the blank.

For example, “I notice I’m thinking I’m too far behind.”

Or, “I notice I’m thinking I can’t mess this up.”

You’re not judging the thought or trying to push it away—you’re just noticing it.

That little pause gives you space. It’s like turning the lights on in a room you’ve been walking through in the dark.

You can’t change something you don’t even realize is there. But once you see the thought, you can begin to understand what it’s doing.

And from there, you can take the next step—one that helps you stop blaming yourself for the thought and start understanding it instead.

Step Two – Normalize What You’re Thinking

Once you’ve noticed a thought, the next step is to remind yourself—it makes sense that you’re thinking that way.

Your brain isn’t trying to be mean. It’s just doing what it’s wired to do: protect you, avoid anything uncomfortable, and stick with what it already knows.

If you’ve spent years being hard on yourself or feeling like everything has to be perfect, your brain will offer thoughts that match that pattern.

This is where you ask, “Why would I be thinking this?”

That question can shift everything.

You might realize, “Because I care about doing a good job.” Or, “Because I’ve always been hard on myself before deadlines.”

When you answer that question with honesty and kindness, something really important happens—you stop beating yourself up for the thought.

You start to see the thought as something that makes sense, not something that means you’re broken or doing something wrong.

And when the pressure is off, it’s easier to stay calm and look at things more clearly.

That’s when you’re ready to take the next step—to figure out what’s true and what’s just your brain telling stories.

Step Three – Neutralize the Thought

Now that you’ve noticed the thought and given yourself some grace, it’s time to bring in a little logic.

This step is all about separating what’s real from what your brain is saying is real.

You can do that by asking two simple questions: “What are the facts?” and “What is my interpretation of those facts?”

For example, the fact might be: “I have five returns due this week.”

But your brain might be saying: “There’s no way I’ll get it all done.”

See the difference?

One is a neutral statement. The other is your brain jumping to conclusions and adding pressure.

Your brain loves to fill in the blanks with worst-case scenarios. That’s just what it does when it feels overwhelmed.

But when you slow down and name the actual facts, things feel less dramatic and more manageable.

You stop spiraling, and you start seeing the truth.

And once you’re grounded in what’s actually happening, it becomes a whole lot easier to figure out what to do next.

Step Four – Choose the Next Best Thought or Action

Now that you’ve seen the thought, understood it, and looked at the facts, you’re ready for the final step—choosing what to do or think next.

This isn’t about pretending everything’s great or forcing yourself to be super positive. It’s about finding something just a little better.

You can ask yourself, “What’s a slightly better thought I can believe?” or “What’s one small action I can take next?”

Maybe the thought becomes, “One thing at a time. I can start with what’s most important.”

Or maybe you take one simple action, like looking at your to-do list and picking the easiest task to get the ball rolling.

The goal isn’t perfection—it’s progress. A small shift can pull you out of that stuck feeling and give you a sense of control again.

When you make a choice, whether it’s a new thought or a next step, you’re no longer reacting—you’re leading.

And that’s exactly what one of my clients experienced when she used this process in a tough moment. Let me share what happened.

Becoming a Smarter Accountant: Using The 4 N Process Successfully

One of my coaching clients had recently been promoted to a manager role at her firm, and from the outside, it looked like everything was going great.

But inside, she was struggling.

She kept thinking, “I’m not as good as everyone else. They made a mistake promoting me.”

Even though no one had said anything negative, her brain kept offering her every reason she didn’t belong in the role.

Because of those thoughts, she started overworking to “prove” herself. She stayed late, avoided asking for help, and second-guessed nearly every decision she made.

When we started using the 4 N Process in our sessions, things began to shift.

She started by simply noticing the thought: “I notice I’m thinking I don’t belong here.” That helped her step outside of the spiral just enough to see it for what it was—a thought, not a fact.

Then she normalized it: “Of course I’d be thinking this. This is a big new role, and I’ve always been hard on myself when I’m learning something new.”

That one step alone gave her a huge sense of relief.

Next, she neutralized the thought by listing out the actual facts:

• She had consistently strong performance reviews
  
• She had been asked to take the role, not forced to
  
• No one had said anything to suggest she didn’t belong
  

With those facts in front of her, she was able to shift to a next best thought: “It makes sense that this feels new and uncomfortable, but I can ask for support while I grow into this role.”

She also chose one small action—talking to another manager about how they handled the transition when they were first promoted.

That one conversation made her feel more supported and a little less alone.

Over time, she stopped overworking out of fear, and her confidence grew—not because her circumstances changed, but because her thoughts did.

And the best part? No one else had to do anything differently for her to feel better.

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 biggest takeaway from this episode is this: you don’t have to believe everything your brain tells you.

When you use the 4 N Process—Notice, Normalize, Neutralize, and Next—you give yourself a way to pause, check in, and shift out of a thought that isn’t helping you.

You’re not ignoring your thoughts or pretending everything’s fine. You’re simply learning how to guide your mind instead of letting it run the show.

And the more you practice this, the easier it gets.

Here’s a powerful question to ask yourself the next time you’re feeling stuck, stressed, or overwhelmed:

“What thought am I believing right now—and how would it feel to walk it through the 4 N Process?”

This question works because it invites you to slow down and get curious instead of getting swept up in the spiral.

Give it a try this week. You might be surprised how quickly things start to feel lighter and more manageable—just by shifting how you think.

Pulling Back the Curtain

Let me pull back the curtain and tell you something personal—this 4 N Process was exactly what I didn’t know I needed.  When I heard one of my mentors teaching it, I knew she was onto something. 

I remember a time when one unexpected email could send me into a spiral. I’d be working on something important, but then my brain would latch onto a single thought like, “You forgot something,” or “This isn’t good enough.” 

And just like that, my entire mood would shift. The work didn’t change. The deadline didn’t change. But my thinking did—and that changed everything.

I used to think I just needed to push through it. Power through the doubt. Prove I could handle it. But that only left me feeling more drained and frustrated. Eventually, I realized that the problem wasn’t my work. It was the way my brain reacted to it.

That’s when I happened to hear one of my mentors teaching the 4 N Process. And I’ll be honest—it took time. 

At first, just noticing my thoughts felt like a big win. But once I learned how to normalize them, take the drama out of them, and choose the next best thought or action—I finally started to feel like I had some control over my day again.

Now, whenever my brain throws me an unhelpful thought, I don’t fight it. I walk it through the process. And 9 times out of 10, I feel calmer and more capable just a few minutes later.

I like to think of the 4 N Process as a tool in my toolkit that I get to use whenever I really need it.  Sometimes I forget it’s there, but when I do, it has helped me put so many things into perspective in a more helpful way.

Even just dealing with my cancer diagnosis – the 4 N Process has been a lifeline helping me to become aware of the unhelpful thoughts, normalizing them, neutralizing them, and then deciding on the next best thought.

I promise, if this can work with something like a health diagnosis, it can work on anything you’re struggling with.

If this episode hit home for you, I want you to know: you don’t have to figure it all out alone. You can schedule a free 30-minute call with me at www.thesmarteraccountant.com/calendar. We’ll talk about what your brain might be doing on autopilot and how to start shifting it in a more helpful direction.

And if you haven’t already taken The Smarter Accountant Quiz, now is the perfect time. Go to www.thesmarteraccountant.com and take the quiz—it’ll show you where your accountant brain might be underutilized and how to start working with it instead of against it.

Lastly, if this episode helped you, please take a moment to share it with another accountant. So many accountants are silently struggling with stress and overthinking—and one episode might be the nudge they didn’t know they needed. Let’s change the narrative in our profession, one smarter accountant at a time.

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

Before I start, I just wanted to mention that I have put together The Smarter Accountant Time Management Kit.  I’ve noticed a lot of accountants saying that they feel behind—even when they’re working nonstop.

If you can relate, I just want to tell you that you’re not bad at time management. You’re just using tools that weren’t designed for how your accountant brain actually works.

As I’ve shared on the podcast before, I’ve been a CPA in public accounting for over 35 years, so I know the struggle is real!  That’s why I created The Smarter Accountant Time Management Kit—a free, 3-step system to help you take back control of your day.

The kit includes the G.P.A. Formula: A 3-step process that works with your brain, not against it, a To-Do Download page to clear mental clutter and start each day with focus, The Smarter Workday Planner to follow through on what matters most and a short video showing you exactly how to use the kit in just 5 minutes a day.

This isn’t another to-do list. It’s a smarter way to work—built for accountants, by an accountant.

You can download the kit and watch the short video walkthrough and see what can change in just 5 minutes a day by going to https://thesmarteraccountant.com/kit/

I’m going to talk about something that’s made a huge difference in my own career as an accountant. It’s something I wish I had learned a lot sooner.

This episode is about what Smarter Accountants do differently—and why it matters. It’s not about working harder or being better at spreadsheets. It’s about how we think, how we feel, and what we do with that.

As an accountant myself, I know how easy it is to fall into patterns. You wake up, check your email, and boom—your day is off and running. It can feel like you’re always playing catch-up.

The way we think as accountants has so much more power than we realize. And the truth is, a lot of us were never taught how to manage our minds. We were taught the technical stuff, but not how to handle the pressure, the stress, or the self-doubt that often shows up.

That’s why I wanted to record this episode. Because when I learned how to pay attention to my thoughts and feelings, everything started to change—without changing my job, my workload, or my clients.

If you’ve ever felt stuck or frustrated, or wondered why no matter how much you do, it never feels like enough—this might help explain why. It’s not that you’re doing something wrong. You’ve just never been shown a different way to think about it.

So the question is: what are Smarter Accountants doing differently that’s helping them feel more in control, even when things get busy? And what would happen if you started doing those same things?

Let’s talk about it.

Smarter Accountants Separate Circumstances from Drama

One of the first things Smarter Accountants do differently is something most people never even think about. They’ve learned how to separate what actually happened from all the drama their brain wants to add on top.

Let me explain what I mean. There’s what happened—what someone said, what a client did, what the deadline is. And then there’s what your brain thinks about it. Most of us mix the two together without realizing it.

Smarter Accountants hit pause and ask, “What are the actual facts here?” Not the story. Not the frustration. Just the facts.

This might sound like a small thing, but it’s not. It changes everything.

Most accountants say things like, “My boss dumped everything on me at the last minute,” or “This client is driving me nuts.” But when you strip away the emotion, the facts usually sound very different.

A Smarter Accountant would say something like, “My boss gave me three tax returns this morning with a Friday deadline,” or “The client emailed me three times in one hour.” That’s it. That’s the circumstance.  Those are the facts.

The difference is subtle, but very important. One version feels overwhelming. The other is neutral.

When you separate the facts from the drama, you stop making things worse in your head. You stop spinning. You stop feeling like the world is out to get you.

It doesn’t mean you have to love what’s happening. But it gives you a much clearer place to start from. And when your starting point is clean, it’s so much easier to decide what to do next.

The bottom line is that Smarter Accountants don’t waste energy arguing with reality. They save that energy for more important things—like solving problems, staying calm, and doing their best work.

Smarter Accountants Question Their Thoughts Instead of Believing Them

The second thing Smarter Accountants do differently is that they don’t believe everything their brain tells them. And that’s a big reason why they feel more in control, even when things get busy.

Most of us have a thought, and we assume it’s true. Especially in the moment, our brain offers something like, “There’s no way I can get all this done,” and we just run with it.

But Smarter Accountants slow things down. They notice the thought and ask, “Wait—do I want to keep thinking that?  Is that thought helpful or useful?”

They don’t make themselves wrong for having the thought. They just get curious about it.

Because the truth is, your brain likes to repeat the same thoughts over and over. Not because they’re true, but because they’re familiar. And familiar feels safe.

Smarter Accountants understand that their thoughts are optional. That means they get to decide which ones they want to keep and which ones they’re ready to let go of.

So instead of getting stuck in “I’ll never get this all done,” they pause and ask, “Is that really true?” Or, “What thought would help me move forward right now?”

That tiny pause can make a big difference. It gives you space to choose a thought that’s more useful—something like, “I can handle this one thing at a time.”

You don’t have to think positive all the time. But you do get to choose what kind of thoughts you want leading your day.

The bottom line is that Smarter Accountants don’t let their brain run the show on autopilot. They check in, ask questions, and choose thoughts that help them feel clear and focused.

Smarter Accountants Take Responsibility for How They Feel

The third thing Smarter Accountants do differently can be a bit of a surprise at first. Smarter Accountants know that how they feel isn’t caused by their boss, their clients, their workload, or their inbox.

They’ve learned that feelings come from thoughts—not from what’s happening around them.

Most accountants don’t realize this. They think the stress is coming from the deadline. Or the pressure is coming from the number of emails. But those are just facts. The feeling comes from what they’re thinking about those facts.

Smarter Accountants take responsibility for their emotions. That doesn’t mean they blame themselves. It means they understand that if they want to feel different, they need to think different.

They see feelings as information, not problems.  They understand how much power they have to feel better and to feel the most productive and effective emotions.

In other words, they don’t wait for the work to calm down to feel calm. They choose a calm thought—even in the middle of chaos.

So instead of saying, “This is too much,” they pause and ask, “What am I thinking that’s making me feel overwhelmed right now?” That one question can stop the spiral and bring them back to center.

They choose feelings on purpose—feelings like focused, calm, or confident—because those are the emotions that lead to better actions.

The bottom line is that Smarter Accountants don’t expect to feel great all the time. But they do understand that their feelings are always connected to their thinking. And once you see that, you start to realize just how much power you actually have.

Smarter Accountants Act Intentionally, Not Reactively

The fourth thing Smarter Accountants do differently is that they don’t just react to everything that pops up during the day. They act on purpose.

They decide ahead of time what’s important, and they stick to those decisions—even when things get busy or unexpected.

Most accountants are used to bouncing from one thing to the next. A client emails, and we drop everything. Someone asks for something, and we say yes without thinking. The day becomes one big reaction.

Smarter Accountants do it differently. They make a plan, and then they follow through—even when their brain wants to do something else or when someone else’s urgency shows up.

They’re not cold or uncaring. They’re just clear. And that clarity helps them stay focused.

So when a last-minute client request comes in, they don’t panic or people-please. They take a breath and respond from a calm place, not a reactive one.

Acting intentionally doesn’t mean your day will always go perfectly. But it does mean you won’t spend it putting out fires and feeling behind.

The bottom line is that Smarter Accountants trust the decisions they’ve already made—and that’s what keeps them moving forward instead of spinning in stress.

Smarter Accountants Use Their Results as a Mirror, Not a Measuring Stick

The fifth and final thing that Smarter Accountants do differently is that they don’t beat themselves up when things don’t go as planned. They get curious instead.

They look at the result they created and ask, “What was I thinking and feeling that led to this?”

Most accountants use their results to judge themselves. If they missed a deadline or didn’t get enough done, they think, “I’m falling behind,” or “I should be better at this.” And that just adds more pressure.

But Smarter Accountants see results as feedback—not failure. They use those results as a mirror to see what’s really going on in their mind.

If they’re constantly behind, they don’t blame the calendar or their clients. They take a step back and ask, “What thoughts have I been believing that might be causing this pattern?”

They’re not looking for perfection. They’re looking for awareness.

This isn’t about being hard on yourself. It’s about understanding what’s working and what’s not—so you can make smarter choices moving forward.

The bottom line is that Smarter Accountants know that results always tell a story. And the story starts with how they’re thinking.

Your Accountant Brain’s Role

Whether you realize it or not, your brain isn’t trying to make you smarter—it’s trying to keep you safe.

It’s not wired to challenge your thinking. It’s wired to repeat what’s familiar. Even if that familiar thought is stressful, your brain would rather stick with it than try something new.

It’s always looking for ways to save energy, so it favors speed over thoughtfulness. That’s why your brain loves routines, even when those routines leave you feeling overwhelmed.

If you’ve ever wondered why you keep falling into the same patterns—like reacting to emails right away or saying yes when you don’t want to—it’s not because you’re doing something wrong. It’s just your brain taking the easy path.

Your brain offers automatic thoughts like, “There’s too much to do,” or “I’ll never get this done,” without checking if those thoughts are actually helpful. And when you don’t question them, you end up feeling stuck, stressed, or frustrated.

Smarter Accountants don’t let those automatic thoughts run the day. They’ve learned how to pause, notice what their brain is offering, and ask, “Is this helping me right now?”

They don’t expect their brain to stop being reactive. But they’ve trained themselves to catch it in the moment and gently redirect.

Becoming a Smarter Accountant isn’t about fighting your brain. It’s about understanding how it works and working with it instead of against it.

Smarter Accountants know their brain’s first reaction isn’t always the best one. So they give themselves a moment to respond on purpose instead of reacting on autopilot.

Once you see that your brain is designed to protect you—not to help you grow or succeed—you’ll stop blaming yourself for feeling stuck.

And when you stop reacting to every thought or problem right away, you create space. And in that space, you can make smarter choices that actually help you move forward.

Becoming a Smarter Accountant: Learning To Do What Most Accountants Don’t

One of my clients came to me thinking she just needed better time management. She had tried new planners, new apps, and even color-coded calendars, but nothing seemed to stick.

She was overwhelmed almost every day. She kept reacting to emails, saying yes to everything, and working late just to try to keep up. No matter how hard she worked, it never felt like enough.

She told me, “I don’t understand what I’m doing wrong. I’m busy all day, but I still feel like I’m failing.” She honestly believed the problem was her schedule.

But when I taught her the tool, The Model, in The Smarter Accountant 6-week program, and showed her how her thoughts were creating her stress, something clicked. She started to see that it wasn’t just about the time—it was about what was happening in her mind.

Once she began noticing her thoughts, she realized she was constantly thinking things like, “I have to get this done now,” or “If I say no, they’ll be upset.” Those thoughts were making her feel anxious and pressured—and that was driving all of her actions.

Now, instead of jumping into her day on autopilot, she takes a few minutes to check in with herself first. She looks at what she’s thinking, decides how she wants to feel, and then starts from there.

And the difference has been amazing.  She’s getting more done with less stress. She’s not working as late, she’s setting boundaries, and she’s actually enjoying her work again.

The truth is that she didn’t need more hours in the day. She just needed to see how much power she had over how her day felt—starting with her thoughts.

Now I’m going to share the key takeaway from today and an action item for the upcoming week.

Key Takeaway and Action Item

Here’s what I really want you to take away from this episode—being a Smarter Accountant isn’t about how many degrees you have, what company you’ve worked for, how many hours you work, or how good you are at juggling tasks. It’s about how well you understand and manage your own mind.

Everything you do—how you plan your day, how you respond to stress, how productive you are, and even how you feel about your job—starts in your brain. The way you think creates the way you feel, which drives what you do, and that’s what creates your outcomes.

The problem is, most accountants were never taught that. We were taught to manage our work, not to manage our minds. But once you see that your thoughts and feelings are creating your actions and results, you can actually start making changes that last.

It’s not about being perfect. It’s about being more aware. It’s about noticing when your brain is running on autopilot and deciding to pause and take a different approach.

So here’s a question to really think about: “What am I overlooking right now—and what would shift if I paid more attention to it?”

Maybe you’ve been so focused on your to-do list that you haven’t noticed the thoughts behind your stress. Or maybe you’ve been trying to change your actions without checking in on how you’re feeling first.

Whatever it is, there’s no judgment here—just a chance to learn more about yourself and how your brain is working behind the scenes.

That kind of awareness is what sets Smarter Accountants apart. Not because they’re doing more, but because they’re thinking differently. And I promise, you can too.

Pulling Back the Curtain

Pulling back the curtain for a moment…

When I first started paying attention to my thoughts, I’ll be honest—it felt weird. I had spent so many years just reacting to everything. Emails, client demands, deadlines, even my own inner pressure. I thought I just needed to be more efficient or more organized. That if I could just do more, I’d finally feel caught up.

But what I started noticing was that I was walking around every day with thoughts like, “There’s never enough time,” or “I have to say yes or they’ll be disappointed.” And I believed them, without question.

It wasn’t until I learned how to separate facts from thoughts that things really started to shift. I remember one week during tax season where I had a massive workload and back-to-back client calls. Normally, that would have sent me into a tailspin. But I paused. I asked myself, “What’s actually happening right now, and what am I making it mean?”

Just that small moment of awareness helped me step out of panic mode. I didn’t change the number of returns I had to do, or the number of hours in the day—but I changed how I thought about it. And that changed how I felt. I went from feeling scattered and anxious to feeling focused and steady.

The biggest surprise? I didn’t lose my edge—I actually became more effective. I got things done faster, I was less reactive with clients, and I didn’t come home feeling like I’d been hit by a truck.

So if you’re in that place where it feels like something has to change—start with your thoughts. You might be surprised at just how much power you already have.

And if you’re ready to take the first step, I encourage you to take The Smarter Accountant Quiz at www.thesmarteraccountant.com. It’ll show you exactly where you might be underutilizing your accountant brain—and how to start thinking differently.

Once you’ve taken the quiz, you can schedule a 30-minute call with me to discuss your results or to talk about anything that you’re struggling with.  Simply go to www.thesmarteraccountant.com/calendar.

And if today’s episode felt helpful, would you share it with another accountant, a colleague, someone you know is struggling to keep up.  We don’t talk enough about the mental side of this profession, but we should. And you never know who might need to hear this.

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

Before I get started I just wanted to mention that I was talking to my husband about how many topics I have written down to cover on the podcast and how there aren’t enough weeks in the year to teach everything I want to teach you all.  That’s when I decided that I want to do an extra episode each week.

So I’ve started a new weekly mini-series called Smarter in 5 Minutes. It’s exactly what it sounds like: one quick idea to help you work and live smarter, always under five minutes.

These episodes go live every Monday and are perfect if you just need a quick mindset shift, productivity tip, or brain-based nudge to start your week off right.

If you haven’t listened yet, check out the latest Smarter in 5 Minutes episode wherever you’re listening to this—it’s right in the main podcast feed.

You know how some days feel like they slip right through your fingers? You look up, it’s 5 p.m., and you wonder where the time went.

I’ve had plenty of those days. The ones where you were busy all day, but still feel like you didn’t really get anything done.

It can feel like you’re always playing catch-up. Like no matter how early you start or how much you try to stay on top of things, there’s always more waiting for you.

I used to think the answer was doing more. So I would pack more into my day, hoping that would help me feel less behind.

But all that did was make me feel even more tired. And still not caught up.

It’s funny how we can be working so hard, but still feel like we’re falling short. Like we’re chasing something we can’t quite catch.

There were times I thought, “Maybe it’s just me. Maybe I’m the problem.” But over the years of being an accountant and working with accountants, I’ve seen this same thing happen again and again.

So many smart, hardworking accountants trying to do everything, yet feeling like they’re barely keeping it together.

And it’s not because they’re lazy or bad at managing their time. It’s because no one ever taught them how to think about time in a way that actually helps.

If you’ve ever ended the day wondering why you’re so exhausted but still behind, you’re not alone. If you’ve ever looked at your calendar and felt dread instead of direction, I get it.

What if the issue isn’t how much you have to do? What if it’s how your brain is handling it?

That’s something I wish more accountants knew. Because once you get that part sorted out, everything else starts to feel a little lighter.

Let’s talk about how to stop spinning in stress and start getting back some control. It might be simpler than you think.

Why It Feels Like You’re Always Behind

Let’s be real—being an accountant often feels like running on a treadmill that’s just a little too fast.

You’re moving all day, checking things off, answering emails, going to meetings, handling deadlines… and yet, it still feels like you didn’t get enough done.

That’s where so many accountants get stuck. They’re busy from the minute they sit down to the minute they log off, but they’re not actually making the progress they want to make.

It’s frustrating because you’re trying. You’re doing what you’ve been taught—work hard, stay organized, get through the list. But the list never ends, and neither does the pressure.

Part of the problem is that most time management advice isn’t built for the accountant brain. It doesn’t account for how much you juggle or how your mind reacts to pressure.

And don’t even get me started on how our brain convinces us that everything is urgent. I’ve talked about The Mere Urgency Effect on the podcast before and it messes with your ability to see what’s truly important.

So you wind up reacting all day instead of being in control of your day. And that’s exhausting.

If it feels like you’re spinning your wheels, you’re not alone. And there’s a reason it’s happening – your accountant brain.

What Your Brain Has to Do With All This

Here’s something nobody really talks about: your brain works against you when it comes to time and time management.

It’s not trying to mess you up on purpose. It’s just doing what it’s wired to do—avoid anything uncomfortable and save energy.

That’s why you might put things off, scroll your phone, or suddenly feel confused about what to do next. Your brain is trying to keep you safe from stress, even if that “safety” means staying stuck.

But here’s the twist—there’s another part of your brain that can handle planning and making smart decisions. It’s just quieter and slower.

That part of your brain wants to think ahead, map things out, and follow through. But it has to fight the louder part that says, “Let’s just do what feels easier right now.”

This is why time management feels so hard, especially for accountants. It’s not that you don’t know what to do—it’s that your brain is pulling you in two directions.

So it’s not really a time problem. It’s a brain problem. And once you understand how your brain works, you can stop fighting it and start working with it.

Okay, now that we know what’s going in our brain, I want to share the 7 time management strategies for improved productivity.

#1 – Understand That “Busy” Is Just a Thought

Let’s talk about that go-to phrase we all use: “I’m so busy.”

It feels like a fact, right? Like you’re reporting the news. But the truth is, “busy” is a thought—not something we can see or measure.

You could have the same day as someone else, same number of meetings and tasks, but feel totally different depending on what you’re thinking. One person might feel calm and focused, the other might feel buried and overwhelmed.

Saying “I’m so busy” over and over trains your brain to believe you’re already behind. And when your brain believes that, it starts to panic.

And guess what happens when you’re in panic mode? Focus goes out the window. You spin, you stress, and everything takes longer.

You can start shifting things just by noticing what you’re telling yourself. What if instead of “I’m so busy,” you tried, “I have plenty of time for what matters”?

That simple shift can change how your day feels. And when your brain feels calmer, it works better too.

#2 – Take a Look at Where Your Time Is Actually Going

Have you ever ended the day wondering what you even did? Like you were working all day, but somehow your to-do list didn’t get any shorter?

That’s where a little honest look at your time can make a big difference.

Most of us think we know how we spend our time. But what we think and what’s really happening aren’t always the same.

This is where awareness comes in. When you track your time—without judging yourself—you get to see the full picture.

You might notice little habits that are quietly eating up hours. Or you might see that your energy dips at certain times, and you’re forcing yourself to push through.

You can’t fix something if you don’t know it’s broken. And you can’t take charge of your time if you don’t know where it’s going.

So start by getting curious. Not critical. Just curious. You might be surprised by what you find.

#3 – Get It Out of Your Head and Onto Paper

Your brain was never meant to hold everything. It’s not a storage unit—it’s more like a problem solver.

When you try to remember all the things you need to do, your brain stays in overdrive. It keeps looping through your mental list, afraid you’ll forget something.

That constant loop creates stress. And stress makes it harder to focus and actually get stuff done.

When you write everything down, big or small, your brain can finally relax. It stops clinging to every little reminder and starts doing what it does best—figuring things out.

A clear mind leads to clearer action. The more you offload from your head, the more space you create to focus and follow through.

#4 – Focus on What Matters Most, Not What’s Screaming the Loudest

Have you ever started your day planning to tackle something important, but ended up chasing a bunch of little things instead?

That’s your brain falling for the Mere Urgency Effect again. It tricks you into thinking that anything urgent must be important—even when it’s not.

So you end up answering every email, reacting to every request, and putting out tiny fires all day. Meanwhile, the big stuff that really matters keeps getting pushed to tomorrow.

When everything feels important, it’s hard to know where to start. And when you don’t decide what matters most, your brain will choose for you—and it usually picks whatever feels easiest or loudest.

Setting clear goals and picking your top priorities helps you take charge of your time. It helps your brain stop reacting and start focusing.

Because when you focus on what truly matters, that’s when real progress happens.

#5 – Make It Easier for Your Brain to Follow Through

Big projects can feel like a lot. Even when you want to get them done, it’s easy to put them off.

Your brain doesn’t like things that feel hard, confusing, or never-ending. So if a project feels too big or too unclear, your brain’s going to say, “Let’s do something else.”

That’s why you need a clear plan. Projects need structure—what needs to be done, when it’s due, and what the steps are.

They also need accountability. Whether it’s checking in with someone or setting mini-deadlines, your brain needs a reason to stick with it.

When things feel easier to manage, you’re more likely to start. And once you start, it’s a whole lot easier to keep going.

#6 – Protect Your Focus Like It Matters—Because It Does

When you sit down to work, how many things are fighting for your attention? Emails, messages, phone alerts… it never ends.

Your brain can’t focus on more than one thing at a time, even if it feels like you can. That’s why multitasking is a myth—it just splits your attention and wears you out.

Every time you switch between tasks, your brain has to play catch-up. That switching takes energy and time, even if it’s only for a second.

The more distracted you are, the longer everything takes. And the more frustrated you feel.

Real focus is where the magic happens. When you protect it—by turning off distractions and giving one task your full attention—you get way more done in way less time.

#7 –  Look Back So You Can Move Forward

Before jumping into a new week, take a few minutes to look back at the one you just had.

Ask yourself what worked. What didn’t? What felt good? What felt off?

When you pause to reflect, you give yourself the chance to learn. You start to see patterns—like when you were most focused or what kept throwing you off.

Without looking back, it’s easy to keep repeating the same things that aren’t helping. But when you check in with yourself, you can make small changes that really add up.

This isn’t about being hard on yourself. It’s about being honest so you can feel more in control of your time, one week at a time.

Okay, now that you know the 7 time management strategies for improved productivity, let me share the story of a coaching client.

Becoming a Smarter Accountant: Using Better Time Management Strategies

When one particular client first reached out, she was feeling completely drained. She’d been working 60+ hours a week during tax season and still felt like she was falling behind. Her days were packed, but everything felt urgent. 

She described it as “running in circles with my hair on fire.” She’d start each day with a plan, but as soon as the emails and interruptions began, her whole plan would go out the window. By the end of each day, she was exhausted, frustrated, and questioning whether she was even cut out for this career long-term.

She told me, “I don’t even know where my time is going. I’m always working, but my to-do list keeps growing.” She didn’t realize how much her brain was working against her—falling for urgency, avoiding discomfort, and telling her she had to do everything perfectly and all at once.

Thankfully, after going through The Smarter Accountant Programs, everything changed. She started managing her mind, not just her time. She realized that “I’m so busy” was a thought she didn’t have to keep thinking—and that one shift alone helped her calm down and focus more during the day.

She learned how to plan her time in a way that matched how her brain worked. She started using a simple weekly time audit and began to see what was really stealing her time, like constant Slack messages and perfectionism. She stopped multitasking, set clearer boundaries with her team, and finally felt in charge of her schedule again.

Now, she ends her day feeling accomplished instead of depleted. She’s still busy—tax season is still tax season—but she no longer feels like she’s drowning in it. She even told me, “This is the first time I’ve gotten through a deadline without losing sleep or snapping at my kids.”

She didn’t need a new app or another productivity hack—she needed a new way to think about her time. And once she got that, everything else fell into place.

And that brings us to the most important takeaway from today’s episode.

Key Takeaway and Action Item

The key takeaway is that being productive isn’t about doing more—it’s about thinking differently. Once you understand how your brain is wired, you can stop working against it and start working smarter.

For this week, ask yourself, “Am I letting my brain run my day, or am I deciding how I want to spend my time?”

The truth is that your brain will always want the easy, familiar route—like checking email 50 times or avoiding that one project that feels uncomfortable. But when you make the decisions ahead of time, instead of letting your brain take the wheel in the moment, everything shifts. 

You stop spinning in urgency, and you start making real progress on the things that actually matter to you. That’s where real productivity begins.

Pulling Back the Curtain

Pulling back the curtain for a moment…

I used to be the queen of checking things off a list. I’d have a jam-packed calendar, a full to-do list, and a head full of good intentions. I genuinely thought I was doing everything right. I was organized, I was responsible, and I was proud of how much I could juggle at once.

But at the end of the day? I still felt behind. I’d shut my laptop, only to feel that nagging sense that something had been missed, or that I hadn’t done enough.

I thought maybe I just needed to push harder. Start earlier. Stay later. Hustle more. That’s what I had seen other professionals do. That’s what I thought “success” looked like. But all that really did was leave me feeling burnt out and kind of resentful. I was doing everything I was supposed to do—but it never felt like it was working.

And it wasn’t just work that was affected. I’d come home physically present, but mentally I was somewhere else—still replaying a meeting or running through what I needed to do tomorrow. I was so used to operating in go-mode that I didn’t know how to turn it off.

It wasn’t until I started learning how my brain actually works—how it handles time, how it defaults to urgency, how it tries to avoid anything that feels hard or uncertain—that I started seeing the real problem.

I didn’t need more hours. I needed a new approach.

That’s what these seven strategies are really about. They’re not just time management tips—they’re about managing your mind so you can finally stop spinning and start making real progress.

If you’ve been feeling like you’re always behind, I just want you to know—there’s nothing wrong with you. You don’t need to be more disciplined or tougher on yourself. You just need to learn how to work with your brain instead of against it.

That’s exactly what I help accountants do every single day. So if this episode hit home and you’re ready to take back control of your time, schedule a free 30-minute call with me at www.thesmarteraccountant.com/calendar.

And if you haven’t yet, don’t forget to take The Smarter Accountant Quiz. It’s a simple first step that could shift everything.  It only takes 5 minutes and you can take it at www.thesmarteraccountant.com.

Lastly, if this episode helped you, it would mean so much if you shared it with another accountant. So many of us are struggling in silence, and one small share might be exactly what someone else needs to hear today.

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

Before I get started I just wanted to share an amazing review of this podcast that I just saw.  The reviewer, PaladinGirl89, wrote:

“I am so grateful I stumbled upon Dawn Goldberg on LinkedIn.  I read one of her posts and thought, ‘She is describing my life.’  As a seasoned CPA with over 30 years of experience, I was getting tired of the stress and overwhelm that was affecting not only myself, but my family and friendships.  With Dawn’s guidance and my listening faithfully to her fabulous podcast, I am well on the road to enjoying my career again!”

Isn’t that amazing?!  Thank you so much PaladinGirl89.  Since I have no way of knowing your first and last name, if you are listening, I would like to offer you a free 30 minute coaching session for taking the time to write that review.  Please email me at dawn@thesmarteraccountant.com and we’ll get something booked on the calendar.

And for anyone else who would be kind enough to leave a review of this podcast, all you need to do is take a screen shot of the review, email it to me at dawn@thesmarteraccountant.com, and I’ll also offer you a free 30 minute coaching session!

Have you ever looked at your calendar and felt a little anxious? Maybe it’s full of meetings, tasks, reminders, and color-coded blocks… or maybe it’s mostly blank and you’re not even sure what your plan is for the week.

The funny thing is, most people don’t give their calendar much thought. It’s just where you put things you need to remember, right? Like meetings or deadlines or dentist appointments.

But here’s the truth no one talks about—your calendar actually says a lot about you. Not just what you’re doing, but how you’re thinking. And sometimes, it’s not saying what you think it is.

The way your calendar looks isn’t random. It’s shaped by your choices, your habits, and even how you feel about time. You might think it’s just a tool, but it’s more like a map of what you believe is important.

If you’re always busy, your calendar probably shows it. If you’re always behind, it shows that too. It doesn’t lie. It quietly tells a story about what you’re dealing with—and what you might be avoiding.

Sometimes it’s not even about what’s on your calendar, but what’s missing. No space for breaks. No time to think. Nothing for yourself. And yet you wonder why you feel so stretched.

It’s easy to believe we’re just doing our best to stay organized. That the chaos or the overload is just part of being busy. But if we’re honest, our calendars usually reveal more than we’d like to admit.

As a time management coach for accountants, I find peaking at my client’s calendars can be as personal as looking through their bedroom closet.  I see the good, the bad, and the ugly.

And I’ll be honest – I’ve had moments where I looked at my own calendar and thought, “No wonder I’m exhausted.” It wasn’t just what I had planned—it was what I wasn’t planning that made things worse.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed or like there’s never enough time, your calendar might be showing you why. And that’s not a bad thing. It’s actually a good place to start.

There’s something powerful about looking at your calendar with fresh eyes. It helps you see what you’ve been prioritizing, even if it wasn’t on purpose.

So the next time you feel stuck, overbooked, or behind, don’t just blame your workload. Take a look at your calendar. What is it quietly telling you?

And more importantly—what would you want it to say instead?

Why Most Accountants Struggle With Their Calendar Without Realizing It

For a lot of accountants, if we’re being completely honest, the calendar is more of a reaction than a plan. You start with a few meetings or deadlines, and before you know it, your entire week is filled in—with very little thought about what you actually need.

The problem is, most people use their calendar as a way to remember things, not as a tool to protect their time. That means you’re often responding to whatever comes your way instead of choosing how to spend your time on purpose.

You might think you’re managing your calendar, but in reality, your calendar is managing you. It’s making the decisions for you—when you’ll work, what gets your attention, and even how much space you have to breathe.

And here’s the tricky part: your calendar reveals your true priorities, even when you don’t mean it to. If you’re always booked with client work and leave no room for rest or family, it’s easy to see what’s running the show.

Most accountants don’t mean to overcommit or ignore what matters most. But without a plan that’s based on intention, your calendar ends up being shaped by urgency, pressure, or what other people want from you.

So even if it looks like you’re being productive, your calendar might be telling me a different story.

And that’s where things start to fall apart—because if you don’t take control of your calendar, it will quietly take control of you.

Let’s look at why that’s such a big problem—and how it might be affecting more than just your time.

The Real Reason Your Calendar Is Wearing You Down

When your calendar is packed from morning to night, it might look like you’re being productive—but it rarely feels that way. Instead, it often feels like you’re running behind, no matter how much you do.

Without clear boundaries built into your calendar, overworking becomes the norm. You go from one task to the next, squeezing in more than you probably should, and still feel like it’s not enough.

This is how burnout sneaks in. You start each day already tired, trying to play catch-up, and pushing important work aside to deal with what feels most urgent in the moment.

The more you let your calendar fill up without purpose, the less time you have to think clearly. There’s no breathing room, no pause, and no space to recharge. And that starts to wear on you—physically, mentally, and emotionally.

Even though you’re busy all the time, it can still feel like you’re failing. And that’s one of the hardest parts: doing so much but still feeling like you’re falling short.

The problem isn’t that you’re not working hard enough. The problem is that your calendar is working against you.

Now that we’ve talked about how it’s hurting you, let’s look at why your brain is wired to set you up this way without you even realizing it.

Why Your Brain Makes Calendar Management So Hard

Here’s something most accountants don’t realize—your brain plays a huge role in how your calendar ends up looking. It’s not just about habits or workload. It’s about how your brain is wired.

Your accountant brain loves things that feel good right away. It doesn’t like effort or decisions that take a lot of thought. So instead of planning deep work or important tasks, you fill your calendar with things that feel easy and urgent.

That’s why it’s so tempting to say yes to another meeting or a quick client request. Those are the “easy wins” your brain is looking for. The harder stuff—like planning ahead, thinking strategically, or setting priorities—gets pushed off because it takes more effort.

There’s also a part of your brain called the prefrontal cortex. It’s in charge of planning and decision-making. But when things feel urgent or stressful, that part of your brain gets pushed aside. Emotions take over, and long-term thinking goes out the window.

So when your calendar is vague or wide open, your brain doesn’t stay calm and focused. It panics. It defaults to whatever feels urgent in the moment, whether it’s checking email or putting out a fire.

Even worse, every time you make a plan and don’t follow it, your brain learns that it’s okay to break your own rules. Over time, it gets harder and harder to trust yourself to stick to a plan.

The more disorganized your calendar is, the more your brain operates in survival mode. And in survival mode, it’s nearly impossible to think clearly, stay focused, or feel in control of your time.

Now that you know what’s really going on in your brain, let’s talk about what your calendar is actually showing me about you—and how to use it as a smarter tool.

What Your Calendar Is Telling Me About You

If I took a look at your calendar, I could tell you a lot about how you’re thinking. Not because I’m a mind reader—but because your calendar doesn’t lie.

It shows me if you’re constantly putting out fires instead of working on what matters most. It shows me if you’re giving your time away without even realizing it.

It shows me if you know how to set and stick to boundaries.  It shows me if you know how to effectively prioritize or if you give into procrastination.

Your calendar tells me whether you’re making decisions in advance—or letting your day get decided for you. It tells me if your brain is planning from calm, clear thinking or reacting in survival mode.

A smarter calendar always starts with a smarter mindset. That means thinking from your future-focused brain—not the part of your brain that’s just trying to get through the day.

When you make decisions ahead of time, your calendar becomes a tool you can trust. It reflects priorities, not pressure. It protects your time instead of draining it.

If your calendar is packed, scattered, or blank, it’s telling a story. And that story is coming straight from the way you think about time, work, and yourself.

You don’t need to fill every minute—you need to make the minutes mean something. And when your calendar reflects that, everything changes.

Let me show you what this looks like in real life—through the story of a coaching client who learned to let her calendar speak for her in a whole new way.

Becoming a Smarter Accountant: Taking Back Control of Her Calendar

I once worked with a coaching client who came to me completely overwhelmed. She told me, “I don’t have time for anything right now.” Her calendar was packed, her to-do list was a mile long, and she felt like she was constantly behind.

When we looked at her calendar together, something became very clear. Almost everything on it was for someone else. Meetings, calls, client work, follow-ups—her whole week was filled with things other people needed from her.

There was no time set aside for focused work. No space to think, plan, or catch up. It was just one thing after another, all day long.

On top of that, her calendar kept changing. She’d move blocks around, squeeze things in, and stay up late trying to finish what didn’t get done. And still, she felt like she was always falling short.

As we talked, I helped her see what her calendar was really saying. It was showing her that, deep down, she believed everyone else came first. That if she just took care of everyone else’s needs, maybe she’d get to herself later.

But “later” never came.

We started shifting that mindset. She began to understand that her time was valuable, too—and that her calendar needed to reflect that. Not just in theory, but in actual time blocks that protected her priorities.

She learned to make decisions ahead of time and stopped treating her calendar like a suggestion. Little by little, things started to change.

Within a few weeks, she wasn’t just keeping up—she was actually finishing early some days. She felt more in control, less stressed, and more confident in how she spent her time.

The best part is that her calendar didn’t just look different. It felt different. And so did she.

Okay, now let me share a simple takeaway from everything we’ve talked about today.

Key Takeaway and Action Item

The key takeaway is simple—Your calendar isn’t just a schedule. It’s a mirror. It reflects your thoughts, your habits, and what you’ve been prioritizing—whether you meant to or not.

If it’s packed with back-to-back meetings, constantly shifting tasks, or large empty blocks you hope to “figure out later,” that’s not just poor planning. It’s untrained thinking. And that’s something you can change.

Smarter time management starts with managing your mind. It means planning on purpose—not out of stress, urgency, or habit—and following through with the help of a well-trained brain.

So here’s what I want you to try this week:  Take a few minutes to really look at your calendar. Ask yourself, “What is this calendar saying about me?”

Does it reflect what matters most to you? Or is it showing that your time is getting pulled in every direction?

Pick one small change. Maybe it’s blocking time for deep work. Maybe it’s removing something you don’t really need to do. Or maybe it’s just protecting your lunch break.

Whatever it is, start there. One simple change can lead to a smarter, more intentional calendar—and a whole lot more peace.

Pulling Back the Curtain

Pulling back the curtain for a moment…

There was a time when I thought the fuller my calendar was, the more successful I must be. I packed every day from morning to night—meetings, client work, errands, everything. If there was a blank space, I’d fill it. I didn’t stop to ask why. I just kept going.

In fact, I carried around one of those big leather bound planners like it was a prized bible.  It went everywhere with me as some strange badge of honor, like, “Look at me.  I’m so organized.”

But the truth was, I was drowning. I told myself I was being productive, but really, I was trying to prove I was valuable. I thought if I stayed busy enough, no one could question my worth—not even me.

What I didn’t realize at the time was that my calendar had become a burden. It was running me, not helping me. I was chasing approval, not protecting my time.

Everything shifted when I learned how to train my brain. I stopped using my calendar to prove something, and started using it to support myself. I learned how to create boundaries with time, not just fill it up.

Now, my calendar serves me. It reflects what matters, protects what’s important, and gives me space to think and breathe. And it’s not because I work less—it’s because I think differently.

If this sounds familiar, and you’re tired of feeling like your calendar is in charge, I want to help.

Start by taking The Smarter Accountant Quiz at www.thesmarteraccountant.com. It’s a quick way to see if and how you’ve been underutilizing your accountant brain which will absolutely affect how you manage your time.  

Then schedule a free 30-minute call with me at www.thesmarteraccountant.com/calendar. We’ll talk through what your calendar might be telling you—and how to make it work smarter.

And if you know another accountant who feels like their calendar is running the show, send them this episode. It might be exactly what they need to hear.

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