Category: Podcast

Have you ever felt like your identity is more tied to your work than anything else in your life? If so, you’re not alone. In a demanding field like accounting, it’s easy for the lines between who you are and what you do to blur.

For many accountants, work isn’t just a job—it’s a massive part of how we see ourselves. And while dedication to your profession is something to be proud of, there’s a fine line between commitment and something called work martyrdom.

Work martyrdom happens when your dedication crosses over into sacrificing your well-being, relationships, and happiness just to get the job done. It’s when working harder, longer, and with fewer boundaries feels like a badge of honor—a badge that’s tough to take off.

In the accounting world, with its tight deadlines and high stakes, it’s easy to fall into this trap. Work becomes not just what you do, but how you define yourself.

But here’s the truth: while work martyrdom might seem like it’s helping you get ahead, it’s often doing the opposite. The more you tie your identity to staying late, skipping vacations, and taking on more, the more you risk burnout, stress, and even resentment.

And it’s not just your career that suffers—work martyrdom spills over into every area of your life. It can feel like running a marathon without taking care of yourself. You might cross the finish line, but at what cost?

So, now that we’ve laid the groundwork for what work martyrdom is, let’s talk about why it’s such a problem—especially for accountants. What’s really going on when we fall into this trap, and why does it feel so hard to avoid?

Why Work Martyrdom Is a Problem For Accountants

At its core, it’s when working long hours, taking on extra tasks, and pushing yourself to the brink starts to feel like the “right” thing to do—like it’s the only way to be a good accountant.

Maybe you’ve found yourself staying late every night, checking emails during family dinners, or even feeling guilty for taking a vacation. Sound familiar? That’s the slippery slope into work martyrdom.

But here’s the thing—this isn’t just about working hard. It’s a mindset, and it’s one that’s deeply ingrained in our profession. 

In accounting, there’s this unspoken expectation that you should always be available, always be working, and always be pushing yourself to do more. It’s so easy to fall into the trap of thinking, If I work harder, I’ll be more successful.

And honestly? A lot of this isn’t even your fault. Our society loves to glorify people who seem to have an endless capacity for hard work. 

Think about it: how often is the person who stays the latest or skips vacations seen as the most dedicated? It’s almost like overworking becomes a badge of honor.

In many accounting firms and companies, this gets rewarded. People who sacrifice their personal lives to work longer hours often get promotions, praise, or even more responsibility. 

And when you see that happening around you, it’s easy to think that’s what you have to do to succeed. But this is where it starts to go wrong.

Work martyrdom can seem like the answer, but it has some serious consequences—ones that can creep up on you before you even realize it. First and foremost, it takes a massive toll on your health. When you’re constantly pushing yourself without breaks, stress piles up, and so do physical problems. 

Things like insomnia, headaches, or even high blood pressure can become part of your day-to-day life. You might feel exhausted all the time but still keep going because you believe you have to.

And let’s talk about what happens to your relationships. When you’re always working, there’s just no time left for the people who matter most. Little by little, that can lead to feelings of isolation—not just for you but for your loved ones, too. 

They might start to feel like they’re not as important as your job. And honestly, that disconnect can hurt in ways that are hard to fix later.

But here’s what really hits home for me: work martyrdom doesn’t even make you more productive. In fact, it does the opposite. When you’re burnt out, your focus and creativity tank. 

You start making mistakes, missing details, and feeling like you’re running on empty. All those late nights and extra hours? They don’t actually help you move forward. If anything, they hold you back.

What’s worse is that it doesn’t lead to the kind of career growth you’re hoping for. You might still feel stuck, wondering why all this effort isn’t paying off. It’s frustrating, and it’s exhausting. I’ve been there, and I know how easy it is to think, Maybe I just need to try harder. But that’s not the answer.

The truth is, work martyrdom doesn’t lead to the success or fulfillment you want. Instead, it creates a vicious cycle: you work harder, burn out, and end up feeling even more stuck. And it doesn’t just hurt your career—it spills over into every other part of your life.

This is why recognizing it is so important. Once you can see it for what it is, you can start making changes. You can take back control and find a healthier, more balanced way to succeed—both in your career and in your life. You deserve that.

The Brain Science Behind Work Martyrdom

Since this is the podcast that blends brain science with accounting, let’s take a closer look at what’s really going on in your brain when work martyrdom takes over. It’s not just about working hard—it’s about how your brain is wired to make you feel like you have to overwork. And honestly, some of it comes from instincts that have been with us forever.

Your brain’s number one job is to keep you safe and secure, and one of the ways it does this is by equating work with survival. Think about it—back in the day, survival meant working hard to gather food, find shelter, and protect yourself from danger. If you weren’t putting in the effort, you weren’t safe.

Fast forward to today, and while we’re not out hunting for food anymore, that same survival instinct is still there. Your brain sees your job as essential for providing security—for you and your family. 

So when you feel like you’re overworking, it’s not just a habit; it’s your brain quietly telling you, “Work harder—this is how we stay safe.”

But it doesn’t stop there. Your brain also has a built-in reward system that plays a huge role in why you might keep overworking. Every time you check something off your to-do list—whether it’s finishing a project, answering emails, or staying late to meet a deadline—your brain releases dopamine. 

You might know it as the “feel-good” hormone. It gives you that little hit of satisfaction and makes you want more of it.

Here’s how it works: you finish a task, your brain gives you a burst of dopamine, and you think, “That felt good—I should keep going.” The more you work, the more dopamine you get, and before you know it, you’re in a cycle of chasing those little rewards. 

It feels like progress, but it’s actually exhausting you. It’s like running on a hamster wheel—your brain keeps you going because it’s hooked on that next dopamine hit, even though you’re not really getting anywhere.

And then there’s fear and insecurity, which can be a major driver of work martyrdom. If you’ve ever thought, “I’m not doing enough,” or “I’m not as good as everyone else,” you know exactly what I’m talking about. Those feelings can trigger your brain’s stress response, putting you into survival mode again.

When you’re in that mode, your brain pushes you to work harder, take on more, and prove yourself. It’s trying to protect you from failure or criticism, but in the process, it’s pushing you toward burnout. 

You might think, “If I just put in a few more hours, or take on that extra project, I’ll feel better about myself.” But here’s the problem: it never feels like enough. Instead, you’re just reinforcing the cycle—more work, more stress, and more exhaustion.

What’s tricky is that your brain doesn’t realize it’s working against you. It’s just doing what it’s wired to do—keep you safe, keep you motivated, and keep you pushing forward. But understanding these patterns is the first step to breaking free from them.

When you recognize that your brain is equating work with survival, chasing dopamine, and reacting to fear, you can start to interrupt those patterns. It’s not about blaming yourself or your brain—it’s about seeing what’s happening and choosing a different way forward.

The next step? Start paying attention to the signs of work martyrdom in your life. Once you can spot those patterns, you’ll be able to take back control before it spirals out of hand.

Signs of Work Martyrdom You Need to Pay Attention To

So how do you know if you’re slipping into work martyrdom? Sometimes it’s subtle—so subtle that it feels normal at first. But once you start noticing the patterns, it’s easier to recognize when work is taking over more than it should.

Let’s talk about a few common signs that might mean you’re on the path to becoming a work martyr.

One of the first red flags is feeling like you have to respond to emails immediately—no matter what time it is or what you’re doing. Maybe it’s late at night, you’re in the middle of a family dinner, or even on vacation, and you feel that itch to check your inbox and fire off a reply. 

Sound familiar? It’s as if not responding right away might cause the sky to fall or make people think you’re slacking.

I see this all the time with my coaching clients, and let me tell you—it’s exhausting. This habit might seem harmless, but it’s a clear sign that work is starting to run the show. You’re prioritizing your inbox over everything else, and that’s a key indicator of work martyrdom sneaking in.

Then there’s the fear of taking time off. Vacation days are there for a reason—they’re meant to help you recharge and maintain some balance. But if you find yourself hesitating to use them, or worse, letting them expire unused, that’s a problem.

Maybe you’re worried that taking time off will make you look less dedicated, or that everything at work will fall apart while you’re gone. This mindset is classic work martyr behavior. It’s like telling yourself that the office can’t survive without you, which only adds to your stress and makes stepping away feel impossible.

Another big sign? Struggling to delegate. If you’re constantly saying, “No one else can do it as well as I can,” you’re piling unnecessary stress onto your plate. 

Delegation isn’t just about lightening your load—it’s also about giving others the chance to grow. When you refuse to let go of tasks, you’re not protecting the quality of the work; you’re just making everything harder for yourself. And let’s be real—that’s not sustainable.

Now, let’s talk about something I know a lot of us do: constantly talking about how busy and stressed we are. If you find yourself saying, “I have so much on my plate,” or “I’m so overwhelmed,” more often than not, it might be your way of justifying those long hours and sacrifices. 

It’s like you’re trying to prove to yourself—and maybe others—that all this work is necessary. But this stress-talk isn’t helping. It’s actually a clear sign that work martyrdom is taking a toll on you.

I’ll share a quick story that I shared in my book “The Smarter Accountant”. One day, I was walking behind two accountants in my building. One said to the other, “Did you notice Joe’s car wasn’t in the parking lot last night?” The other replied, “Well, he must not be very good at what he does.”

That comment stopped me in my tracks. These two genuinely believed that being the last one in the office was a sign of being a good accountant. It’s the kind of mindset that feeds work martyrdom, and it’s so easy to fall into if you’re not careful.

Oh, and here’s one more sign to watch out for: resentment and isolation. When work martyrdom takes over, it’s common to start feeling frustrated with people who set boundaries. You might catch yourself judging others for leaving work on time, taking lunch breaks, or prioritizing their personal lives.

It can feel like you’re the only one truly committed, which creates a sense of isolation. Over time, this resentment builds up, leaving you disconnected from colleagues and more entrenched in the work martyr mindset.

Recognizing these signs is the first step to making a change. Once you can spot these patterns in yourself, you can start reclaiming your time and energy.

Now that we’ve uncovered what work martyrdom looks like, let’s talk about what you can do to stop it and create a more balanced, fulfilling life—both professionally and personally.

How to Stop Work Martyrdom

So, you’ve recognized some of the signs of work martyrdom in your life. Now what? The good news is that you don’t have to stay stuck in this cycle forever. 

You can break free and create a healthier, more balanced way of working. It just takes a little self-awareness and a willingness to make some changes.

The first step is to really take a good, honest look at your work habits. Ask yourself, Why am I working the way I am? 

Are you staying late at the office because the work truly requires it, or is it because you feel like you should? Are you checking emails late at night because it’s urgent, or because you’re worried about how it might look if you don’t respond right away?

Being honest about what’s driving your behavior is huge. Maybe it’s fear—fear of not being good enough, fear of falling behind, or fear of being judged. If you can identify those feelings, you can start to understand them instead of letting them control you.

One of the most important things you can do is allow yourself to feel negative emotions without using overwork as a way to escape them. I know that sounds uncomfortable—no one wants to sit with feelings like anxiety, self-doubt, or insecurity. 

But here’s the thing: those feelings are temporary. They don’t define you, and they definitely don’t need to dictate your actions.

When you let yourself feel those emotions instead of avoiding them by diving into more work, you start to take their power away. Over time, this makes it much easier to step back and say, I don’t have to do more just to feel better.

Next up is setting boundaries. And yes, I know this can feel awkward at first, especially if you’re used to being “always on.” But boundaries are essential for your well-being. 

Start by deciding on clear work hours and sticking to them. Maybe you say, “After 6 p.m., I’m done for the day—no more emails, no more projects.”

You can also set boundaries for how you handle work on weekends or during vacations. Remember, time off isn’t just a nice idea; it’s necessary. Taking breaks recharges you, and that makes you more effective when you’re back at work.

Another big piece of this puzzle is managing your mind. A lot of work martyrdom is driven by thoughts that aren’t really serving you, like “I need to work harder to prove my value,” or “If I don’t do it all, no one else will.” These beliefs feel so real, but they’re often just stories we’ve told ourselves.

What if you challenged those thoughts? How?  By looking for evidence that success doesn’t have to mean sacrificing everything. 

Think about people you know—or maybe even your own experiences—where balance and boundaries didn’t get in the way of success. Shifting your mindset can be powerful, and it helps you make choices that actually support a more fulfilling life.

And here’s something important to keep in mind: this is a process. You’re not going to flip a switch and suddenly have it all figured out. And that’s okay. The key is to keep moving forward, even if it’s just one small step at a time. Every little change you make adds up.

The more you practice self-awareness, allow yourself to feel your emotions, set boundaries, and challenge unhelpful beliefs, the closer you’ll get to a life that feels balanced and fulfilling—not just professionally, but personally, too.

The bottom line is that you don’t have to be a work martyr to be successful. In fact, letting go of that mindset will likely make you more successful. You’ll feel healthier, happier, and more productive, and your relationships will improve as well.

So, start today. Take that first step by reflecting on your work habits and asking yourself, What can I change to create a better balance in my life? Then commit to making those changes. You deserve a life that works for you, not one where work is all you have.

Becoming a Smarter Accountant: Letting Go Of Work Martyrdom

Before I share a coaching client’s story, let me just say that work martyrdom is one of the most common and sneakiest issues I help my clients with.  Like carbon monoxide poisoning, it’s undetectable and deadly unless you have a carbon monoxide detector.

That’s kind of what I consider myself – a detector of work martyrdom before it’s too late.

For example, I worked with a client who was a dedicated accountant, always working long hours and believing that staying late was the key to success. He was constantly at the office, often the first one in and the last one out. 

But despite all his hard work, he started feeling completely drained. His relationships were suffering, and he wasn’t as happy with his job as he thought he’d be.

When we first started working together, he told me he felt trapped. He couldn’t remember the last time he had dinner with his family without checking his phone, and he felt like he was failing—not just at work, but as a husband and father. 

The more he pushed himself at work, the further away he felt from the things and people that mattered most. He was exhausted, frustrated, and honestly, scared. He worried he might burn out completely but didn’t know how to stop.

When he finally set boundaries—like committing to family dinner without interruptions—it wasn’t just his work that improved. He said something I’ll never forget: ‘I didn’t realize how much life I was missing until I got some of it back.’ Seeing him rediscover joy in both his work and his personal life was a powerful reminder that success doesn’t mean sacrificing everything else.

The bottom line is that there’s no shame in admitting that you’re a work martyr, but there’s no reason to continue being one.  You deserve to take off the thorny martyr crown and have a balanced, happy life.

Let’s wrap up with a key takeaway and a simple question to help you apply what you’ve learned.

Key Takeaway and Action Item

The key takeaway is that work martyrdom might feel like the path to success, but in reality, it leads to burnout, strained relationships, and decreased productivity. It’s a cycle that can quietly take over your life, leaving you exhausted and feeling like no matter how much you do, it’s never enough. The good news is that you don’t have to stay stuck here.

Recognizing the signs and making small, intentional changes, like setting boundaries and managing your emotions, can help you break free. Remember, it’s not about overhauling your life overnight—it’s about taking small, meaningful steps that add up over time. 

Whether it’s deciding to log off at a certain time each day or learning to sit with uncomfortable emotions instead of diving into more work, these changes will create space for a healthier, more balanced life.

This week, take a moment to reflect and ask yourself, “Am I sacrificing my well-being and happiness for work? And if I am, what’s one small step I can take today to start reclaiming balance in my life?” 

Maybe it’s as simple as stepping away from your email during dinner or finally using a vacation day you’ve been putting off. The important thing is to start—because you deserve a life where success doesn’t come at the expense of your health and happiness.

Well, that’s what I have for you.  Thank you for joining me as I discussed the issue with work martyrdom in the accounting profession.  I hope you’ve learned something that you can begin to apply in your career or in your personal life.

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

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

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

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

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

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

I want to start this episode with sharing a story my mentor told us that really stuck. She’s one of the most successful businesswomen I know and she was the only woman in a multi-millionaire mastermind group.

So, when it was her turn to introduce herself, she said something that blew everyone away: she makes over 50 million dollars a year but only works three days a week. Naturally, the men in the room were speechless. You can imagine the curiosity—they all wanted to know her secret.

Her answer? It wasn’t about working harder or longer hours. She said, “I know the power of emotions and how important they are to running a successful business. Everything we do, or don’t do, is driven by how we feel.  If you’re not managing your emotions, you will not be as happy and successful as you could be.”

Now, don’t get too hung up on the whole 50-million-dollar thing—that’s not really the point. What’s important is how she’s managed to achieve so much by understanding her emotions and using them to her advantage. And honestly? That’s something anyone can do, no matter how much money you make or how many hours you work.

I wanted to share this with you because it highlights something we don’t talk about enough in accounting: emotions. We’re always told to be logical, stick to the numbers, and just get the job done. But have you ever stopped to think that ignoring your emotions might actually be holding you back?

I get it—talking about feelings might seem a little out of place in a profession where data and logic rule. But here’s the truth: whether you acknowledge them or not, you have emotions all day, every day, and those emotions are affecting you. 

For example, stress leads to procrastination, anxiety makes you double-check your work a thousand times, and those feelings don’t just disappear because we try to ignore them.

Here’s the thing – what if, instead of pushing those feelings aside, you learned to use them to your benefit? Your emotions are sending you signals, and when you tune in to them, they can actually help you be a better accountant, make smarter decisions, and feel less overwhelmed.

What if understanding your emotions could be the key to more happiness and success in your career?  I can tell you this – those men in that multi-millionaire mastermind became very interested in the secret behind the happiness and success of my mentor.

That’s why I want to talk about the thing most accountants ignore at a cost to themselves and explore what we can do to change that.

The Thing Most Accountants Ignore At A Cost To Themselves

Emotions are often pushed aside because, well, we’re taught that they don’t belong at work. A lot of accountants believe that feelings just get in the way and might even mess things up.

The unspoken rule is pretty straightforward: if you want to succeed, leave your emotions out of it. But here’s the thing—thinking like that can backfire more than you’d expect.

I totally get it. Accounting is all about being focused and objective. Your clients and your company rely on you for clear, unbiased information. But that laser focus on numbers and data has created this idea that emotions are a weakness. We end up learning to bury our feelings early on in our careers.

But here’s the real issue: ignoring your emotions doesn’t make them go away. They just get shoved aside and, over time, that can lead to even bigger problems.

One of the biggest dangers of ignoring your feelings is burnout. When you keep pushing down stress, frustration, or overwhelm, those emotions don’t disappear. They build up, and eventually, they’ll impact your health, your relationships, and your job satisfaction.

As we all know too well, burnout is a serious risk in accounting. There’s so much pressure to meet deadlines, juggle complex tasks, and keep clients happy. It’s a lot. 

And if you’re not acknowledging your emotions along the way, you can start to feel drained, unmotivated, and disconnected from your work. That’s when you begin to lose that sense of satisfaction, and it holds you back from reaching your full potential.

The truth? It’s tough to excel when you’re barely hanging on.

But that’s not the only problem. Ignoring your emotions can mess with your decision-making, too. We tend to think that by suppressing our feelings, we’re being more logical. 

But emotions actually play a big role in how we process information and make choices. When you don’t recognize what you’re feeling, those hidden emotions are still steering your decisions—whether you realize it or not.

For example, if you’re anxious about a project but refuse to admit it, that anxiety might make you second-guess yourself or avoid risks you should be taking. On the other hand, if you’re feeling overconfident but don’t acknowledge it, you might overlook important details or take on too much.

Either way, your emotions are still driving your decisions, even if you think you’re being completely logical.

The bottom line is, ignoring your feelings doesn’t help. It doesn’t make you a better accountant, and it can actually do the opposite—leading to burnout, poor decisions, and a general sense of dissatisfaction.

By paying attention to your emotions and understanding them, you can use them to make your work better, instead of letting them drag you down.

Since this is the podcast that blends brain science with accounting, I’m now going to talk about the brain science behind happy, successful accountants..

The Brain Science Behind Happy, Successful Accountants

Your brain isn’t just about logic and reasoning. It’s also responsible for how you feel about everything happening around you. Once you understand how your brain plays into your emotions, you’ll see why feelings are so powerful—and how you can actually use them to your advantage.

Let’s break it down simply: your brain handles emotions like a super-efficient computer. Every single thought you have sends a signal to your brain, and your brain responds with a feeling.

For example, imagine you’ve got an upcoming meeting with a challenging client. Your brain might view that as a threat, which could trigger feelings of anxiety or stress. On the flip side, when you think about finishing a big project, your brain might interpret it as a win, giving you a sense of pride or satisfaction.

What’s happening here is your brain is taking your thoughts—whether you are aware of them or not—and turning them into emotions. So, the truth is that your feelings aren’t random. They’re directly tied to what’s going on in your mind.

And here’s the important part: every emotion you feel is linked to a thought, even if it’s a split-second one.

Now, let’s dig a little deeper. Your brain is incredibly adaptable. One of its superpowers is its ability to form what we call “neural pathways.” Think of these like well-worn trails in your brain. The more you think a certain way or react to something, the stronger that trail becomes. Eventually, it becomes a go-to response for your brain.

For example, if you’re always stressed about deadlines, your brain has probably built a strong connection between deadlines and stress. So, the next time a deadline is looming, your brain automatically triggers those stress-related emotions because it’s used to going down that path.

This is why the same emotions tend to pop up in familiar situations, even when things aren’t exactly the same.

The good news is, once you understand how these pathways work, you can start to change those emotional habits. By becoming more aware of your thoughts and deliberately choosing different ones, you can start creating new pathways that lead to more positive, productive emotions.

One more thing to keep in mind—your brain loves efficiency. It’s wired to respond quickly based on past experiences. This can be helpful, but it can also mean your brain reacts before you’ve had a chance to fully process what’s going on. It’s like your brain is on autopilot, trying to protect you from stress or uncertainty.

But here’s the better news: by understanding this, you can interrupt those automatic responses and start taking control over how you feel and react.

The bottom line is, your brain plays a huge role in how you experience and manage your emotions. It processes your thoughts, builds patterns based on your experiences, and works to keep things running smoothly. But once you’re aware of how your brain operates, you can use that knowledge to get a handle on your emotions and make them work for you.

So here’s a quick tip you can try this week: every morning, take a few minutes to check in with yourself. Ask yourself, “How am I feeling? Am I stressed about something coming up? Nervous about a meeting?” 

Once you identify the emotion, ask yourself what thought is driving it. This simple practice will help you understand how your thoughts affect your feelings—and how to manage them better.

Now that we’ve unpacked how your brain handles emotions, let’s talk about how you can use this understanding to improve your work and your overall career in accounting.

Using The Secret Weapon 

My mission with this episode is to help every accountant rethink how they see emotions. Instead of treating them like obstacles, start thinking of them as tools. Emotions aren’t just random feelings; they’re signals, like little messengers giving you important information.

Once you get that, emotions can actually become a powerful asset—a secret weapon in your accounting career.

So again, at their core, emotions are physical reactions to your thoughts. When you think something, your brain sends signals through your body, creating the feelings we label as emotions.

For example, thinking “I’m not prepared for this” might make you feel nervous or tense, while thinking “I’ve got this” makes you feel calm and confident. These emotions are your body’s way of reacting to your thoughts, giving you real-time feedback on what’s happening in your head.

Why does this matter? Because once you realize emotions are tied directly to your thoughts, you get way more control over how you feel.

This understanding lets you use your emotions as a guide. Instead of seeing them as random or disruptive, you can start viewing them as valuable cues about how you’re handling whatever’s going on around you.

The real power comes from being aware of your emotions. When you’re tuned in to how you feel, you can make more thoughtful choices instead of just reacting automatically.

For example, let’s say you’re feeling uneasy before a big presentation. That’s a perfect opportunity to ask yourself why. What thoughts are behind that unease?

Maybe you’re worried about how the presentation will go or afraid you’ll forget something important. Once you identify those thoughts, you can address them—maybe by rehearsing more or reminding yourself of past presentations that went well.

In this way, your emotions become a tool to help you prepare and do your best.

Here are some simple steps to make the most of your emotions:

Step 1: Pinpoint the Emotion. Start by figuring out exactly what you’re feeling. Are you stressed, excited, frustrated? Naming the emotion brings clarity and helps you understand what’s really going on.

Step 2: Trace the Source. Once you’ve identified the emotion, ask yourself, “What thought is causing this feeling?” It might take some digging, but by linking your emotions to your thoughts, you can get a better understanding of what’s driving them.

Step 3: Leverage the Insight. Now that you know the thought behind the emotion, think about how you might shift your thinking. This isn’t about forcing yourself to be positive all the time, but choosing thoughts that support your goals. For instance, changing “This project is too much” to “I can break this down into smaller steps” can totally change how you approach it.

By looking at emotions as valuable feedback, you can use them to make better decisions and be more effective at work. Emotions aren’t just something you manage—they’re something you use.

When you understand and work with your emotions, you’re not just reacting to everything around you. You’re actually shaping how you experience life and how you respond to it.

Becoming a Smarter Accountant: Becoming a Happy, Successful Accountant

Let me share a story from one of my coaching clients. She was a Tax Manager who seemed successful on the outside but was struggling big time behind the scenes. She was constantly stressed and overwhelmed, especially with all the tight deadlines and pressure that come with her role.

Her way of dealing with it? She tried to push those feelings aside. She figured that as an accountant, emotions just weren’t part of the job. But that mindset led her straight to burnout. She was exhausted, unmotivated, and feeling totally stuck in her career.

When we started working together, we focused on changing how she viewed her emotions. Instead of treating them like obstacles, she began to see them as important signals that could actually guide her actions.

We worked on identifying what she was feeling and the thoughts behind those emotions. She realized that she was telling herself things like “I’m not capable” or “What if I fail?”—and those thoughts were driving her stress. By acknowledging those thoughts, she could start challenging them and replacing them with more helpful ones.

This simple shift made a huge difference. Instead of letting stress take over, she began to see it as a sign to manage her thoughts. Once she realized that paying attention to her emotions was the key to feeling happier and more successful, she could spot those unhelpful thoughts her brain was throwing at her and shift them.

As she started feeling better, she noticed her actions became more effective. Her stress levels dropped, and her confidence went up. She started taking on bigger responsibilities and making real progress in her career.

It wasn’t long before she broke free from the burnout cycle and regained her motivation. By learning to use her emotions as a tool, she was able to make better decisions and find more fulfillment in her work.

So, if you think emotions don’t belong in accounting, think again. If you want a career that’s not only sustainable but also makes you happy and successful, you need to pay attention to how you’re feeling.

This is the secret weapon no one else is talking about—but I am.

At the end of the day, emotions aren’t a weakness. They’re a huge part of what makes you both human and effective at your job. You already have the skills to be a great accountant, but mastering your emotional awareness is what’s going to take you to the next level.

Before we wrap up, let me leave you with this: Don’t underestimate the power of your emotions. They’re not something to push aside—they’re your body’s way of telling you what matters.

Start paying attention to how you feel, understand the thoughts behind those feelings, and use that awareness to guide your actions. When your emotions are aligned with your goals, you’ll start achieving more with less effort.

Remember, success isn’t just about working hard—it’s about working smart. And that starts with understanding yourself.

Now, let’s wrap this up with a key takeaway and a quick action step to help you start applying this today.

Key Takeaway and Action Item

Here’s the big takeaway: understanding and embracing your emotions can be a total game-changer for your success in accounting. Instead of ignoring or pushing your feelings aside (which, let’s be honest, we’ve all done), start recognizing them as valuable pieces of information. 

Your emotions are telling you something important—something that can guide your decisions, improve your performance, and ultimately help you feel happier and more fulfilled in your career.

Think of it this way: your emotions are like your internal GPS. If you pay attention to them, they can help you navigate challenging situations, figure out where you might need to adjust, and keep you on track toward your goals. But if you ignore them, you might end up feeling stuck, stressed, or like you’re constantly spinning your wheels.

So here’s your action step for this week: take a few minutes each day to check in with yourself. Ask, “How I am feeling right now and what thoughts are driving those feelings?” It could be stress, excitement, frustration—whatever comes up. Once you identify the emotions, dig a little deeper and figure out the thoughts behind them.

Maybe you’re stressed because you’re thinking, “I’ll never get this done in time.” Or maybe you’re feeling overwhelmed because the thought, “I can’t handle all of this,” is running through your mind. Whatever it is, just notice it.

Then ask yourself, “How do I want to feel and what thoughts can I think on purpose to feel that way?”

By doing this simple check-in, you’ll start to see how much power your emotions have to help you, rather than hold you back. You’ll begin making decisions that feel more aligned with who you are and what you want to achieve, and you’ll notice that your work starts feeling a little easier, a little more manageable.

The more you practice this, the more you’ll see how understanding your emotions isn’t just something “nice” to do—it’s essential for working smarter, not harder. So give it a try this week and see how tuning into your emotions can shift the way you work, and also make you a happier accountant.

Well, that’s what I have for you.  Thank you for joining me as I discussed the hidden secret behind happy, successful accountants.  I hope you’ve learned something that you can begin to apply in your career or in your personal life.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Have you ever taken one of those personality tests, like DISC, Myers-Briggs, or maybe the Enneagram? If you’re anything like me, you were probably a little curious about what it would say. Maybe you thought, “I’ll finally understand why I do the things I do.” 

Have you ever found yourself nodding along with the results, thinking, “That’s exactly me”? It felt good, didn’t it? It’s like being handed the manual for your life.

As accountants, many of us are drawn to understanding things in a clear, logical way. We want to know why we act the way we do, why we make the decisions we make, and how we can work smarter, not harder. Personality tests seem like a quick and easy way to get those answers. 

They give you a label—maybe you’re a “Type A,” an “Introvert,” or a “Cautious Thinker.” Whatever the label is, it feels like you finally have a way to explain yourself. It’s almost like having a road map that shows you where to go and what to avoid.

But have you ever wondered if these labels are really helping you, or are they just boxing you in?  At first, they might make you feel seen, like someone finally “gets” you. But after a while, you might start to wonder, “Is this all there is to me?” 

Maybe you’ve found yourself saying things like, “I’m just not good at that because I’m an introvert,” or “I could never do that because I’m too much of a perfectionist.” It’s easy to get boxed in by these labels, even though they’re meant to help you understand yourself better.

We all want to know more about ourselves, especially when we’re trying to make improvements in our lives and careers. Knowing how you think and operate can be helpful when you’re trying to get ahead, set boundaries, or even just manage your workload. 

But the question is, are these labels giving you clarity, or are they holding you back?

What if I told you that those personality test results, those labels, aren’t the final word on who you are? What if your personality isn’t as set in stone as you think? 

The truth is, you’re not stuck being one way just because a test said so. Your personality can evolve, grow, and change over time, just like the skills you’ve developed throughout your career.

The idea that we can change who we are may seem surprising, especially when we’ve been conditioned to believe that our personalities are fixed traits. But think about it—haven’t you already grown and changed over the years? 

Who you were when you first started your accounting career is probably different from who you are now. And that’s a good thing! Change isn’t something to fear; it’s something to embrace.

So, what if we started thinking about our personalities the same way? What if we looked at them as something we could shape, just like any other part of our lives? What if you could move beyond those labels and redefine who you are, both personally and professionally?

Today I want to show you that you’re the one in control of who you are and who you can become. The labels can guide you, but they don’t have to confine you. You have the power to grow, change, and redefine yourself whenever you choose.

Your Personality is Not Set in Stone

I want to share something with you that might change the way you see yourself: your personality isn’t something you’re born with and stuck with forever. It’s actually not set in stone at all.

In the book “Your Personality Isn’t Permanent” by Benjamin Hardy, PhD, he explains how personality tests can make it feel like you don’t have a choice about who you are. But that’s not true. 

Your personality isn’t fixed—it’s something you have control over. We humans have this amazing ability to be flexible and adapt to whatever life throws at us.

Dr. Hardy explains that our personalities are shaped by our experiences, choices, and the environments we’re in. So, who you are today isn’t necessarily who you’re going to be tomorrow, or even a few years from now.

Think about it: when you were a kid, you probably acted one way at school and a different way at home. Maybe you were super outgoing with your friends but more reserved around new people. As you grew up, those behaviors likely shifted based on what you experienced. 

For example, maybe you became more confident after leading a project in college or more cautious after going through something tough at work. These changes didn’t just happen randomly—they were influenced by what you went through and how you reacted.

Dr. Hardy’s research challenges the old idea that personality is something you’re born with and can’t change. Instead, he suggests that personality is more like clay—you can mold it and reshape it over time.

This is actually really freeing because it means you’re not stuck with the labels you or others have given you. If you’ve always seen yourself as “the shy one” or “the perfectionist,” that doesn’t mean you have to stay that way forever. You have the power to evolve.

But here’s the tricky part: once you take a personality test and get labeled as a certain type, it’s easy to feel like you’re stuck in that mold. For example, if you’re told you’re an “Introvert,” you might avoid social situations because you believe they’ll exhaust you, even if a part of you is curious about trying new things. 

This is what’s called a “fixed mindset.” It’s the belief that your personality is set in stone and can’t be changed.

The problem with this mindset is that it can seriously limit your personal growth. If you believe you’re only capable of what your personality label suggests, you might avoid new challenges or experiences that could help you grow. 

For example, if a DISC test labels you as “Cautious,” you might hesitate to take on a leadership role, even if deep down you want to.

Here’s the good news: research shows that personality is a lot more flexible than we’ve been led to believe. A long-term study that followed people’s personalities over 63 years found that their personalities changed way more than the researchers expected.

This means that we’re all capable of change. Your personality is not set in stone—it’s a part of you that can grow and evolve. 

So, if there’s something about yourself you want to change—whether that’s becoming more outgoing, more confident, or more resilient—you absolutely can. It might take time and effort, but it’s possible.

The bottom line is this: instead of thinking about your personality as something permanent, start thinking of it as something you can shape and refine over time. Embrace the idea that you’re a work in progress, and that there’s always room for growth.

The Role of Your Brain in Shaping Personality

Now that we’ve talked about how your personality isn’t set in stone, let’s dive into what makes that possible—your brain. What’s amazing is that your brain is always changing and adapting based on your thoughts, experiences, and actions. This ability is called neuroplasticity, which is just a fancy way of saying that your brain can rewire itself.

Let me give you a real-life example. Imagine your brain like a city full of roads. Every time you have a thought or take an action, it’s like driving down a particular road. The more you use that road, the smoother and more familiar it becomes, kind of like a well-worn highway you’ve traveled a thousand times.

But here’s the cool part—if you decide to take a new route, your brain can actually start building a brand-new road. Over time, this new path can become just as strong as the old one, maybe even stronger.

For example, think about how you might have labeled yourself as “shy” or “cautious” in meetings. Every time you held back from sharing your thoughts, you were reinforcing that “quiet road” in your brain. But what if you decided you wanted to be more vocal and confident? 

By choosing to speak up, even if it feels uncomfortable at first, you start building a new road in your brain—the “confidence road.” The more you practice speaking up, the easier it becomes, and before you know it, that new behavior starts to feel natural.

I had a client who used to avoid speaking in team meetings because she thought of herself as too reserved. But once she decided to challenge that label, she started small—she made a goal to share just one thought in each meeting. It felt awkward at first, but over time, she became more comfortable. Eventually, her new “confidence road” was so strong that speaking up became second nature to her. That’s neuroplasticity at work.

So, when you think about reshaping your personality, remember—you have the power to build new roads in your brain that lead to the version of yourself you want to become.

Becoming the Architect of Your Personality

Let’s clear up a common misconception: that your “authentic self” is some fixed thing—like once you figure it out, that’s it, and you’re stuck with it forever. We hear things like, “Just be your authentic self,” but what does that actually mean, especially when you’re working in a fast-paced career like accounting?

Here’s the thing—if you’ve ever felt stuck trying to figure out who your “authentic self” is, you’re definitely not alone. I felt the same way earlier in my career. I used to think that because I was good at staying behind the scenes, that’s where I belonged. It felt like my role was set in stone. But the truth is, our authentic selves are not set in stone. They’re something we can shape, redefine, and evolve over time.

Think about who you were five or ten years ago. Do you feel like the same person? Probably not! Your experiences, whether it’s the challenges you faced during tax season or the wins you celebrated with passing the CPA exam, all helped shape the person you are today.

So, instead of feeling like there’s one version of yourself that’s locked in, what if you thought of yourself as a work in progress? Your authentic self isn’t something you “discover”—it’s something you create. You have the power to shape who you are, personally and professionally, by deciding which traits, habits, and behaviors you want to bring into your life

Overcoming Obstacles to Change

Let’s get real—changing anything about yourself, whether it’s how you approach your work or how you see yourself, is rarely smooth sailing. Even when you’re excited about becoming a better version of yourself, obstacles are going to pop up along the way.

But here’s the thing—those roadblocks don’t have to stop you. Once you recognize the challenges you’re facing, you can come up with ways to work through them and keep growing.

One of the biggest obstacles? Fear of change. It’s perfectly natural to feel nervous when you step into something unfamiliar. Our brains love comfort and predictability, even if those things are keeping us stuck in habits or routines that don’t serve us. 

You might wonder, “What if I fail?” or “What will other people think?” And that fear can make you hesitate or stay in your comfort zone.

Another challenge is self-doubt—that little voice in your head that makes you question whether you’re really capable of making a change. You might think, “Who am I to try this?” or “What if I’m not good enough?” 

Self-doubt is tricky because it can easily convince you to stay where you are, even if you know you need to grow.

And then there’s the issue of feeling overwhelmed. When you think about all the steps involved in making a big change, it can feel like too much. 

Whether you’re working on setting boundaries at work, taking on a leadership role, or making time for your personal life, it’s easy to get caught up in the sheer size of the task. You might not know where to start, and that can lead to procrastination or avoidance.

Don’t worry if this sounds tricky—I’ll walk you through it. The first step is to normalize them. It’s completely okay to feel scared, doubtful, or overwhelmed. Everyone goes through it. 

But instead of letting those feelings stop you, use them as signals to slow down and figure out what’s really going on. Fear and doubt often pop up when you’re about to do something important.

Next, focus on what’s within your control. You can’t control everything, but you can control your response. Break the change down into small, doable steps. 

If you’re overwhelmed, try focusing on just one thing you can do today. If self-doubt creeps in, remind yourself that everyone struggles at times. What matters is how you move through it.

It’s also important to give yourself permission to grow at your own pace. Change doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a gradual process that comes with setbacks. Be kind to yourself, celebrate the small wins, and remind yourself that progress is what counts, not perfection.

Lastly, find a support system. Whether it’s a mentor, a friend, or a coach like me, having people in your corner who believe in your growth can make all the difference. They can give you the encouragement you need when you’re feeling stuck and remind you of your potential when you’re doubting yourself.

The bottom line is that obstacles will show up, but they don’t have to derail your progress. Recognize them for what they are—challenges that you can work through. By breaking things down, staying patient with yourself, and surrounding yourself with support, you can keep pushing forward.

Becoming a Smarter Accountant: Showing That Your Personality Isn’t Permanent

Let me tell you about a client of mine—her story ties right into what we’ve been talking about in this episode.

When she first came to me, she felt completely stuck in her career. She’s a CPA, and while she was great at her job, she had always seen herself as the “quiet, behind-the-scenes” type. From a young age, she’d been labeled an introvert, and she genuinely believed that meant she wasn’t cut out for leadership roles.

In her mind, her personality didn’t align with being a leader, and that belief kept her from going after promotions or new opportunities at work.

When we started working together, we dove into that label. We talked about how personality isn’t fixed and how she actually had the power to redefine herself if she wanted to. We explored the concept of neuroplasticity—basically, the idea that by changing her thoughts and behaviors, she could reshape her personality over time.

At first, she was hesitant. It’s not easy to question a label you’ve lived with for so long—it felt like an unchangeable truth to her. But there was also this spark of excitement about what might be possible if she let herself grow.

So, we started small. She set manageable goals, like speaking up more in meetings. Even if it was just a quick comment or sharing an idea, those little moments added up. We worked on shifting her mindset, building her confidence by helping her practice visualizing herself as a confident, assertive leader.

And then something amazing happened. Fast forward a few months, and she wasn’t the same person who had felt stuck. She began taking on more visible projects at work. She even volunteered to lead a team for a new initiative.

Her colleagues started seeing her in a new light—not just as the quiet, reliable worker but as someone who could step up, take charge, and inspire others. The transformation wasn’t about her changing who she was at her core; it was about breaking free from those old labels and allowing herself to grow beyond them.

Today, she’s thriving in her leadership role. She’s confident in her ability to lead her team and tackle challenges that once seemed way out of reach.

I’m sharing this story because I want you to see that when you question those limiting labels and embrace the idea that your personality can change, real growth happens—both personally and professionally. She didn’t stop being herself; she just allowed herself to grow beyond the labels that had been holding her back.

So, if you’ve ever felt like your personality is limiting you, I hope this shows you that it doesn’t have to. Your personality isn’t permanent—unless you want it to be.

Key Takeaway and Action Item

The big takeaway here is this: your personality isn’t something set in stone. It’s a dynamic, ever-evolving part of who you are. When you understand that your personality can shift and grow based on the choices you make, the thoughts you think, and the actions you take, you realize that you have the power to shape who you are and who you want to become.

Sure, personality tests and labels can give you some insight into yourself, but they don’t have to define or limit you. You’re in control of your growth and transformation—you get to decide what direction you want to take.

Here’s something to think about this week: ask yourself, “What is one label or belief about myself that I’ve accepted as unchangeable, and how could I start challenging it today to open up new possibilities for my growth?”

Why is this question important? Because it helps you pinpoint those hidden beliefs or labels that may be holding you back without you even realizing it. 

Maybe you’ve always thought of yourself as “not a leader” or “bad at public speaking,” and that belief has stopped you from pursuing new opportunities. By questioning that label, you’re opening up the possibility that it’s not a permanent part of who you are—it’s just a story you’ve been telling yourself. 

Once you challenge that belief, you can start taking small steps to move beyond it and create new opportunities for growth.

Remember, the first step toward change is awareness, and this question helps you become aware of the labels that might be limiting you. From there, you can start breaking free and creating the version of yourself you truly want to be.

Well, that’s what I have for you.  Thank you for joining me as I discussed why your personality isn’t permanent.  I hope you’ve learned something that you can begin to apply in your career or in your personal life.

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

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

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

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

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

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

The reason I wanted to do this podcast episode is because I’ve been seeing a common thread with the accountants I speak to and have the privilege to coach in The Smarter Accountant 6-week Program.  Everyone seems to be feeling like they’re walking a tightrope. 

Balancing client expectations, meeting deadlines, and managing financial accuracy—it’s a lot to juggle, even on a good day. But what happens when things don’t go as planned? 

What if, on top of all your professional responsibilities, you’re hit with something unexpected, like a sudden economic downturn, a personal setback, a health scare, or a difficult situation with a client? 

Suddenly, that tightrope feels even narrower, and it’s easy to feel like you’re losing your balance.

Have you ever had one of those weeks where it seems like everything that could go wrong, does? Maybe a key client has an urgent request just as you’re about to wrap up for the day, or maybe you’ve been working on a project for hours, only to realize there’s a mistake that requires starting over. 

It’s in these moments that feeling overwhelmed becomes all too familiar. Your to-do list keeps growing, the pressure mounts, and you can’t help but wonder, “Am I the only one who feels like this?”

The truth is, you’re definitely not the only one. Many accountants, even those who seem to have it all together, experience these same feelings. 

When things start to unravel, it’s completely normal to feel like you’re on the verge of being overwhelmed. But here’s something important to remember: it’s okay to not feel okay. In fact, it’s a natural response to the challenges and uncertainties that come with our profession.

In a few minutes I’ll share my own experience with being okay when things aren’t, but just know that whether it’s something big or small, it’s completely normal to initially feel stressed and overwhelmed when things don’t go your way.

The question is, why do we feel like we need to have it all together, all the time?  Unfortunately, society often tells us that we should always be in control, especially in a field like accounting, where precision and reliability are key. 

But the reality is, life doesn’t always cooperate with our plans. There will be days when things don’t go as expected, and it’s in these moments that you might feel like you’re carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders.

But what if, instead of trying to push through and pretend everything is fine, you allowed yourself to acknowledge that it’s okay to not be okay? What if you gave yourself permission to feel whatever it is you’re feeling, without judgment? 

In today’s episode I want to help you do just that. I’m going to talk about why it’s perfectly normal to feel overwhelmed when things aren’t going your way and, more importantly, how you can handle these emotions in a healthy and constructive way.

The bottom line is that it’s okay if you’re not feeling your best right now. By the end of this episode, you’ll have some practical steps to help you navigate these tough times, allowing you to regain your balance and move forward.

Now that we’ve laid out the challenges, let’s talk about why it’s crucial to acknowledge that it’s okay to not always feel okay.

Why You Should Acknowledge That It’s Okay To Not Be Okay

In the world of accounting, there’s often an unspoken expectation that we should always have it together. Whether we’re working in a firm, working for a company, managing our own practice, or even just handling our day-to-day tasks, there’s this idea that accountants are supposed to be calm, collected, and in control. 

But let’s be honest—no one can be that way all the time. Life happens. Maybe you’re dealing with stress at home, or you could be facing challenges at work that feel overwhelming. 

It’s in these moments that you might feel the need to suppress your emotions, to push them down because showing them might be seen as a sign of weakness.

Think about it – have you ever caught yourself holding back tears or frustration because you didn’t want your colleagues or clients to think you couldn’t handle the pressure? This is a common experience, especially in professional settings where emotions are often viewed as something to be managed privately, behind closed doors. 

But here’s the thing: emotions are a natural part of being human. Suppressing them doesn’t make them go away; it just pushes them down until they eventually bubble up in other ways—sometimes when you least expect it.

So, why is it so important to acknowledge your emotions instead of suppressing them? Think about it this way: emotions are like signals from your brain, telling you that something needs your attention. 

If you ignore these signals, they don’t disappear—they just get louder. For example, if you’re feeling anxious about a project that’s not going as planned, ignoring that anxiety might cause it to grow, affecting not only your mental well-being but also your performance at work.

When you take the time to acknowledge how you’re feeling, you’re actually doing yourself a big favor. You’re giving yourself permission to be human, to experience the full range of emotions that come with life’s ups and downs. 

By recognizing and accepting your emotions, you can start to deal with them in a healthy way. This doesn’t mean you need to have a breakdown in the middle of a meeting, but it does mean allowing yourself to feel what you’re feeling, even if it’s just in a quiet moment to yourself.

For example, let’s say you’ve just received news that a major project you’ve been working on has hit a significant snag. Your first instinct might be to brush it off, put on a brave face, and keep going as if nothing happened. 

But what if, instead, you took a moment to acknowledge that you’re frustrated, disappointed, or even scared? What if you gave yourself a few minutes to just feel those emotions before deciding on your next steps? 

By doing so, you’re not only respecting your own emotional experience, but you’re also setting yourself up to handle the situation more effectively.

Acknowledging that it’s okay to not be okay is the first step in taking care of your mental and emotional well-being. It’s about giving yourself the space to be real with yourself, to understand that feeling overwhelmed, stressed, or upset doesn’t make you any less capable. 

In fact, it makes you more resilient, because you’re not just pushing through—you’re dealing with your emotions head-on, which is the first step toward moving forward in a healthier, more balanced way.

Once you start accepting that it’s okay to not be okay, the next step is to understand how your accountant brain processes those emotions. This awareness can change everything.

Understanding How Your Accountant Brain Processes Emotions

Have you ever noticed how quickly you can feel stressed or anxious, sometimes even before you’ve had time to really think about what’s happening? It’s like your brain and body are reacting automatically, and suddenly you’re feeling overwhelmed.

This is because your accountant brain processes emotions in a way that can feel automatic, but understanding how this works can help you handle those tough moments better.

Here’s the basic idea: every feeling you have comes from a thought in your brain. When something happens—like missing a deadline, having a tough conversation with a client, or dealing with a stressful commute—your brain reacts immediately. It starts creating thoughts about what’s happening, and these thoughts trigger chemicals in your body that create the physical feelings we know as emotions.

For example, if you think, “I’m not going to finish this project on time,” your brain releases stress hormones that might make your heart race or your muscles tense up.

This happens so fast that sometimes you don’t even realize what thoughts are running through your mind. And if you keep having the same thought over and over again, it can turn into a belief.

For instance, if you constantly think, “I’m always behind,” that thought can become a belief about yourself. Once you believe it, your brain starts looking for proof to back it up, kind of like a lawyer trying to prove a case.

This is called confirmation bias. If you believe you’re always behind or not good enough, your brain will focus on everything that supports that belief, filtering out anything positive. It’s like wearing glasses that only let you see the bad stuff.

For example, say you make a small mistake on a report. Instead of shrugging it off, your brain might use it as evidence that you’re not capable. You start thinking, “I always mess things up,” and soon, every challenge or mistake just adds to that belief. This can make even small problems feel huge and overwhelming.

But here’s the good news: your brain can also create helpful beliefs. The key is to pay attention to the thoughts driving your emotions and challenge them when they’re not helping you.

If you catch yourself thinking, “I’m always behind,” stop and ask yourself if that’s really true. Are you just focusing on the rushed moments while ignoring the times you met your deadlines?

By understanding how your brain processes emotions, you can start to break the cycle of negative thinking. Instead of letting your thoughts control you, you can take a step back and choose how you want to respond.

This doesn’t mean ignoring the real challenges you face. It just means recognizing that your thoughts are powerful. They shape your beliefs, your emotions, and how you experience the world.

When you’re aware of this, you can start making conscious choices that support your well-being, instead of letting automatic thoughts undermine you.

The Pitfall of Forcing Positivity

We’ve all heard things like “look on the bright side” or “stay positive” when we’re going through a hard time. While people usually mean well, these phrases can sometimes do more harm than good.

Have you ever tried to make yourself feel better when deep down you just weren’t ready? It often doesn’t work, and it can even make you feel worse.

Jumping too quickly to a positive mindset can backfire. When you’re dealing with a tough situation—whether it’s a mistake at work, a disagreement with a coworker, or something personal—your emotions are important signals. 

They need to be understood, not ignored. If you try to skip over your emotions and jump straight to feeling positive, it’s like putting a bandage on a wound without cleaning it. The wound might be covered, but it won’t heal properly.

This is called “toxic positivity.” It’s the idea that you should always stay positive, no matter how bad things are. But life isn’t always positive, and pretending it is can make you feel alone and misunderstood. It can also create conflict inside yourself.

Have you ever told yourself to “just get over it” or “focus on the good” when you were really upset? Did it work? Probably not. It often just makes things worse because now you feel bad about the situation and about not being able to stay positive.

Here’s an example. Imagine you’ve been working on a big project for weeks, and then it gets canceled. You’re frustrated, disappointed, and maybe even angry. Instead of allowing yourself to feel those emotions, you try to cheer yourself up by thinking, “It’s okay, something better will come along.” But deep down, you’re still upset, and trying to force yourself to feel positive only makes those negative feelings stronger.

Or maybe someone in your life tries to cheer you up when you’re going through a tough time, saying “stay positive” or “look on the bright side.” While they’re trying to help, it might make you feel like your emotions aren’t valid, like you’re not allowed to feel sad or upset. This can lead to feeling guilty for having those emotions, which only makes things worse.

The truth is, it’s important to fully feel your negative emotions. They’re a natural part of life, and trying to skip over them can actually make them more powerful. 

When you let yourself feel whatever you’re feeling—whether it’s sadness, anger, or frustration—you give those emotions the space to be processed and eventually fade away. It’s like letting a storm pass; the clouds might be heavy, but if you let them roll through, they’ll clear, and you’ll feel better afterward.

By acknowledging your emotions instead of forcing yourself to be positive, you’re being kind to yourself. You’re saying it’s okay to not be okay, and that’s an important message.

It’s okay to take your time, feel what you need to feel, and trust that when you’re ready, you’ll find your way to a positive mindset naturally. Forcing positivity might seem like the quickest way to feel better, but the real path to emotional well-being is to be honest with yourself, no matter what you’re feeling.

So, if forcing positivity isn’t the answer, what can you do instead? Let’s talk about some steps you can take when life isn’t going your way.

Steps to Take When Life Isn’t Going Your Way

When life throws unexpected challenges your way, it’s easy to feel like your emotions are in control. But by taking a few simple steps, you can regain balance and start feeling more in charge.

The first step is to identify what you’re feeling. This might sound simple, but in the rush of daily life, emotions often get lumped together as just “stress.” 

For example, if you’ve been feeling anxious and frustrated, take a moment to really think about it. Are you anxious or frustrated because of deadlines, or is it the fear of making a mistake that’s bothering you? Pinpointing the exact emotion helps you better understand what’s really going on.

Next, describe those emotions. Don’t just label them—dive into how they feel in your body. If you’re feeling anxious, notice if it’s causing tightness in your chest or butterflies in your stomach. 

Let’s say you’re working on a project and feeling overwhelmed. Instead of just saying, “I’m stressed,” think about how that stress feels. Is it making your heart race? By describing it, you’re bringing more awareness to your feelings.

Now, focus on these physical sensations. When you concentrate on how your body is reacting, you shift attention away from the negative thoughts causing the emotions. 

For example, instead of letting your mind spiral into worry about an upcoming deadline, you focus on how your body feels in the moment—maybe your shoulders are tense, or your breathing is shallow. By doing this, you detach from the stressful thoughts, making the emotion easier to manage.

After that, it’s time to accept your emotions. This step can be difficult, but it’s crucial. Accept that your emotions are valid and there for a reason. 

Maybe you’re feeling disappointed after a project didn’t go as planned. Instead of brushing off that disappointment, allow yourself to feel it without judgment. Emotions are like waves—you can’t stop them, but you can choose how you handle them. If you’re feeling upset, it’s okay to sit with that feeling for a bit.

Next, give yourself time to process. There’s no need to rush through your emotions. 

For example, if you’ve had a tough conversation with a client, it might take a few days to work through the frustration. That’s fine—there’s no deadline for emotional healing. Taking the time to fully process how you feel ensures that those emotions don’t linger and affect your mood later.

As you work through these steps, you’ll start to regain control. Once you’ve allowed yourself to feel and process an emotion, you can decide when it’s time to let go. 

Let’s say you’ve been disappointed about something for a few days. At some point, you might decide, “I’ve felt this long enough. I’m ready to move forward.” This isn’t about rushing through your feelings but consciously choosing when you’re ready to focus on something else.

Lastly, remember that processing emotions is about growth, not just getting through tough times. Every time you take the steps to understand and manage your feelings, you’re building resilience. 

For example, the next time you face a similar challenge, you’ll be better equipped to handle it without letting the emotions overwhelm you. So, I’ve talked a lot about the importance of processing emotions, but now I want to share my personal experience of how I applied these steps in my own life.

Becoming a Smarter Accountant: My Story Of Being Okay When Things Aren’t

As I said before, life can throw some serious curveballs, and for me, that came with a recent cancer diagnosis. It was a moment that stopped me in my tracks, turning everything I thought was important on its head. 

Suddenly, all the work-related stresses and daily concerns seemed insignificant. The fear and uncertainty were overwhelming, but I knew I had to practice what I’ve been teaching my coaching clients about handling emotions when life doesn’t go as planned.

When I first got the news, I felt a wave of emotions—shock, fear, sadness. Instead of pushing those feelings away, I allowed myself to fully experience them. 

I cried when I needed to, I was scared when I thought of my family, and I didn’t shy away from any of it. This was my way of processing what was happening, rather than being paralyzed by it.

I made it a point to identify my core emotions daily. Some days it was fear, other days it was frustration, and occasionally, I felt a strange sense of calm. By acknowledging these emotions, I kept myself grounded. I wasn’t forcing positivity; I was being real with myself about how I felt.

Describing my emotions in detail helped me manage them better. When anxiety hit, I focused on how it felt physically—tightness in my chest, a knot in my stomach. By doing this, I could observe my emotions without letting them take over. It didn’t make the fear disappear, but it made it more manageable.

But, acceptance was key. Accepting my diagnosis and the emotions that came with it wasn’t easy, but it brought me a sense of peace. 

It wasn’t the kind of peace that comes from everything being okay, but from knowing it’s okay to not have all the answers. This acceptance gave me the strength to focus on what I could control—my mindset and my approach to each day.

As I processed my emotions, I started to regain control over my life. Some days, I needed to sit with my feelings, while other days, I was ready to take action. By processing rather than suppressing my emotions, I approached my situation with clarity and resilience.

This experience has reinforced what I’ve been sharing with you: it’s okay to not be okay. Life’s challenges are inevitable, but by acknowledging, processing, and accepting our emotions, we can navigate even the toughest situations with strength. 

If you’re going through a difficult time, remember—it’s okay to feel what you’re feeling. By giving yourself the space to process those emotions, you’ll emerge stronger and more resilient.

As we wrap up, let’s go over the key takeaway and an action item you can implement the next time things don’t go as planned.

Key Takeaway and Action Item

The key to navigating tough times is to acknowledge and process your emotions rather than suppressing them. By allowing yourself to fully experience your feelings, you can regain control, build resilience, and move forward with clarity and strength. 

It’s okay to not be okay—what matters is how you handle those emotions and use them to grow.

For this week or in the future, when you’re feeling overwhelmed or stressed, ask yourself: “Am I allowing myself to fully experience and process these emotions, or am I trying to push them aside?” 

Use this awareness to guide how you approach your emotions and the challenges you face.

Well, that’s what I have for you.  Thank you for joining me as I discussed how to be okay when things aren’t.  I hope you’ve learned something that you can begin to apply, whether it’s at work or at home.

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

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

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

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

Finally, if you’ve found this podcast helpful, please spread the word to other accountants. The more we share this message, the more we can shift the narrative in the accounting profession.

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

I haven’t taught a masterclass in awhile because I’ve been dealing with chemo, but I recently started doing my monthly masterclasses for accountants and the first topic I decided to share is everything you need to know about to-do lists.

In today’s episode I want to share some of the information I taught in that masterclass and let you know that if you’re interested in upcoming masterclasses, I’ll be announcing them each month, so don’t worry.  I’ll be covering a lot of important topics for accountants like everything you need to know about procrastination, everything you need to know about time blocking, etc.

Before we dive in, if any of what I’m going to share resonates with you, and you’re ready to get more control over your time, I offer a free 30-minute Time Management Audit Zoom call. I’ll explain more later, but you can book your audit at https://thesmarteraccountant.com/time-audit/

Alright, now let’s dive into today’s topic.  I think we can all agree that to-do lists have become this universal tool we rely on to keep our lives in order, right? Whether you’re an accountant juggling client deadlines, a parent managing household tasks, or just someone trying to get through the day without dropping the ball, you’ve probably got some version of a to-do list. 

It might be on paper, on an app, on sticky notes, or even just floating around in your head.

The interesting thing is that there’s something about a to-do list that feels so reassuring. We believe we have this little map guiding us through the chaos, and every time we cross something off, we get that tiny rush of satisfaction. It feels productive—like we’re moving forward, one task at a time.

But here’s the thing—if you’ve ever found yourself with a never-ending list, feeling like no matter how much you check off, you’re still behind, you’re not alone. We’ve all had those days where the list just keeps growing, and at the end of it, you’re left wondering, ‘What did I really accomplish today?’

To-do lists are supposed to help us manage our time better, but often, they leave us feeling like we’re on a hamster wheel—busy, but not really getting anywhere. I’ve coached a lot of accountants who tell me that even though they’re crossing off tasks all day long, they still feel overwhelmed, stressed, and like they’re falling behind. So what’s going on?

Well, I’ve spent years studying time management, especially for professionals like us, and what I’ve come to realize is that to-do lists, while helpful in some ways, often give us a false sense of control. They trick us into thinking we’re managing our time well just because we’re crossing things off. 

But the real question is: are we crossing off the right things? Are we managing our time, or is our time managing us?

In this episode, I’m going to help you rethink how you approach your to-do list. I’m going to dive into why it might not be working the way you think it is, and how you can start making some changes that will actually help you feel more in control of your time.

Not Everything On Your List Is Yours To Do

Now, let’s talk about something that I see happening all the time, especially with accountants: the belief that everything on your to-do list is something you need to handle. If you’re anything like the accountants I coach, you might be nodding your head right now because it probably feels like no one else can do it quite like you can, right? It’s this idea that if you don’t do it, it won’t get done—or worse, it won’t get done correctly.

Here’s the truth: not everything on your list is yours to do. That might be a tough pill to swallow, especially if you’re used to being the go-to person for getting things done. But when we try to take on everything ourselves, what we’re really doing is setting ourselves up for overwhelm and burnout.

Think about it—how many things on your list could be done by someone else? Maybe it’s a colleague, a family member, or even your kids. The problem is, we often tell ourselves, ‘It’s just easier if I do it.’ Or we worry that if we delegate, we’ll still have to fix it later. And trust me, I get it. 

We’ve all been there, holding onto tasks that we don’t need to because we think it’ll save us time or stress. But what ends up happening? We get overloaded, frustrated, and burnt out.

The truth is that delegation is one of the hardest things to learn, but it’s also one of the most powerful. When you start letting go of things that don’t actually need your attention, you make room for the stuff that really matters—the work that only you can do. 

And I don’t just mean at work—I mean in your personal life, too. Whether it’s handing off a project at work or asking for help around the house, you don’t have to do everything.

Now it sounds easy to just address the fact that not everything on your to-do list is yours to do, but you’re probably going to face some obstacles, especially from your own brain. Here’s what you need to know about why this happens and the challenges you might encounter:

Your brain loves routine and familiarity: Your brain finds comfort in doing things the way they’ve always been done. When you think about delegating or handing off tasks, it feels unfamiliar and, therefore, risky. Your brain resists this change, preferring to stick with what’s comfortable—even if that comfort is causing you stress.

Fear of losing control: A lot of the time, you might hesitate to delegate because you’re worried the task won’t be done correctly. You think, ‘If I don’t do it, it won’t be done right.’ This need for control keeps you holding onto tasks that could be done by others, adding more pressure to your plate. But holding onto that control isn’t really helping; it’s just leading to more stress.

Guilt and the need to please: You might also feel guilty about handing tasks off, especially if you’re someone who’s used to taking on a lot. You worry about letting people down or not meeting their expectations. That guilt convinces you that taking on more is the right thing to do, even when it’s pushing you toward burnout.

Fear of change and uncertainty: Change is hard, and when you start delegating, it means you’re changing the way you manage your tasks. Your brain prefers the certainty of handling everything yourself, even if it’s overwhelming. It might tell you, ‘This is just the way it has to be,’ making it difficult to break free from the habit of doing too much.

So, the next time you look at your to-do list, I want you to ask yourself, ‘Is this something that only I can do?’ If the answer is no, then it’s time to consider delegating or eliminating it altogether. 

Remember, trying to handle everything on your own isn’t a sign of good time management—it’s a fast track to stress, overwhelm, and burnout. The more you can let go of tasks that aren’t truly yours, the more time and energy you’ll have for the things that matter most.

Your Brain Gets Automatically Overwhelmed By To-Do Lists

Let’s face it—just looking at a long to-do list can make you feel overwhelmed. It’s like the moment you sit down, glance at that never-ending list of tasks, and your brain immediately goes into panic mode. That’s not your imagination; there’s actually science behind why this happens.

When your brain sees a long list, it feels threatened, triggering a stress response. Instead of focusing, you freeze or avoid hard tasks. Your brain tries to protect you from stress but ends up causing procrastination instead.

I’m sure you’ve experienced this before—your list is full, you’re overwhelmed, and suddenly, you find yourself doing anything but the most important tasks. It’s like your brain is saying, ‘Let’s just focus on the easy stuff right now,’ even though deep down, you know it’s not what you need to be doing. That’s not a flaw in your character; that’s just how the brain works when it’s overwhelmed.

But here’s the thing: even though we know that long to-do lists overwhelm our brain, it’s still hard to break the habit of overloading ourselves. There are several reasons why it feels so challenging to manage that sense of overwhelm, and they’re all tied to how our brain works.

Your brain’s avoidance mechanism: Your brain naturally avoids discomfort, so when faced with a long list, it looks for easy distractions—like checking your phone. This keeps you in a cycle of procrastination instead of focusing on bigger tasks.

Fear of failure or perfectionism: For a lot of people, especially accountants, perfectionism plays a huge role in procrastination. Your brain might tell you, ‘If I can’t do it perfectly, I shouldn’t start at all.’ This fear of not doing something well enough leads to putting off tasks that feel too big or important, which only adds to your overwhelm.

Lack of clarity and overwhelm: When tasks on your list feel too vague or too large, your brain has no clear starting point. This lack of clarity increases the sense of overwhelm because you don’t know where to begin, and so, the default is to do nothing—or to stick to the smaller, easier tasks.

The instant gratification trap: Your brain loves quick wins. So, when faced with a hard or time-consuming task, it’s easy to gravitate toward things that give immediate satisfaction, like clearing your inbox or tidying up. It feels productive in the moment, but it’s actually a distraction from the tasks that move the needle forward.

Misjudging time and effort: Your brain often underestimates how much time a task will take, which leads to the belief that you can ‘do it later.’ The problem is that this misjudgment makes the task pile up, and when the deadline starts looming, the stress becomes overwhelming. This just adds fuel to the procrastination fire.

So, if you ever find yourself stuck, staring at your to-do list and feeling paralyzed, just remember—this is how your brain naturally reacts to overwhelm. The key isn’t to push through or do more; it’s about understanding how your brain works so you can stop feeling like you’re constantly fighting against it. 

Crossing Things Off Your To-Do List Is NOT Time Management

The third thing you need to know is that crossing things off your to-do list is NOT real time management. Sure, it feels good to check off tasks, but that doesn’t mean you’ve managed your time effectively

Here’s why: just getting things done doesn’t necessarily mean you’re making meaningful progress. Many people focus on easy or low-priority tasks just for that sense of accomplishment, but that leaves the high-impact work—the tasks that truly make you productive—untouched. 

As I mentioned earlier, it leads to the feeling of being busy, but not productive.

So, let’s get real—just because you’re crossing things off your to-do list doesn’t mean you’re managing your time. True time management goes way beyond checking boxes. It’s all about using your time intentionally and focusing on what really matters. Let’s break it down:

Effective Time Blocking: One of the biggest game-changers for managing your time is learning how to time block. Why? Because a to-do list is static—it doesn’t tell you when to do each task. Without time blocking, you’re left guessing when to tackle your work, which can lead to a lot of wasted time. Time blocking, on the other hand, means deciding in advance when each task will happen, making sure your day is efficient. I like to explain it to my clients as making ‘reservations’ on your calendar, ensuring you don’t get overbooked.

Dealing with Procrastination: To-do lists don’t help when it comes to procrastination. They just sit there, waiting for you to get things done, but they don’t address the mental roadblocks that hold you back—things like fear or lack of motivation. That’s why it’s so easy to keep pushing the hard tasks to ‘tomorrow,’ while the real work keeps piling up.

Prioritizing: Another big piece of time management is learning how to prioritize. The problem with lists is that they don’t help you figure out what’s most important. On paper, everything looks equally urgent, and that’s just how your brain works—it sees everything on the list as needing attention right now. The result? You spend too much time on the low-priority stuff, leaving the high-impact work undone. Without clear priorities, you end up wasting effort.

Handling Interruptions: To-do lists can’t adapt when life throws you interruptions, and let’s face it, that happens all the time. When things come up unexpectedly, your list doesn’t shift with you, and you end up feeling like you’re falling behind. Effective time management means having the flexibility and tools to handle those interruptions while still staying focused on what’s most important.

Guaranteeing Follow-Through: It’s one thing to have a list of tasks, but it’s another thing to actually follow through on them. To-do lists might make you feel productive, but they don’t guarantee that the most important work gets done. You can spend hours checking off the smaller tasks and still avoid the big ones. Without a system in place that holds you accountable, it’s easy to stay busy but never truly productive.

Delegating When Necessary: As I mentioned earlier, part of managing your time well is knowing when to delegate. A to-do list doesn’t help you figure out which tasks are yours to handle and which ones can be passed off. It gives the illusion that everything is equally important, but that’s not true. When you try to do it all yourself, you end up overwhelmed. Delegating frees up your time for the tasks that really matter and helps you manage your energy better.

Setting and Sticking to Boundaries: Time management isn’t just about getting things done—it’s also about protecting your time. A list doesn’t help you set boundaries with your time, and when you’re only relying on that, it’s easy for other people’s demands to creep into your day. Effective time management is about setting limits and sticking to them.

Email Management: Finally, we can’t talk about time management without mentioning email, especially for accountants. A to-do list doesn’t account for the massive time drain that is your inbox. Emails pile up and become just another overwhelming list to deal with, constantly distracting you from your most important work. You need strategies to handle your inbox efficiently so that it doesn’t take over your day.

The bottom line is this: crossing things off your to-do list might feel good, but it’s not real time management. Time management is about prioritizing, blocking your time, and following through on the work that matters most.

Not All Hours Are Created Equal

Okay, let’s talk about something that most of us tend to overlook when we’re trying to get through a long to-do list: not all hours are created equal. I think we’ve all had those days where we’re trying to push through a tough task, but it’s just not happening. It’s frustrating, right? You’re staring at your screen, willing yourself to get it done, but your brain is just not cooperating.

Here’s the thing—your energy, focus, and productivity levels aren’t the same throughout the day. Some hours, you’re energized and sharp, ready to tackle the big stuff. Other times, you’re dragging and can barely get through a simple email. But the problem with to-do lists is that they treat every task and every hour as if they’re exactly the same.

That’s why you end up scheduling complicated, high-energy tasks for times when you’re mentally drained, or you waste your best hours on low-priority tasks like clearing out your inbox. It’s not that you’re doing something wrong; it’s just that you’re not aligning your tasks with your natural energy levels. So, instead of focusing on when you’re doing the work, you’re just trying to power through your list, hour by hour. And we all know how that ends—frustration, burnout, and not much progress

Here are some of the issues that working off a to-do list creates with your time and energy:

Ignoring energy peaks and valleys: Most people plan their day as if their energy levels stay constant, but that’s not how our brains work. We all have natural peaks and valleys in our energy throughout the day. Ignoring this means you might be trying to tackle high-focus work during a low-energy period, which leads to stress and low-quality results.

Wasting peak hours on low-priority tasks: Without knowing when you’re at your best, it’s easy to waste your most productive hours on busywork—like responding to emails or handling administrative tasks. By the time you get around to the high-priority items, your energy is zapped. This is why it feels like you’re working hard but not getting the important stuff done.

Trying to push through mental fatigue: Your brain isn’t designed to be ‘on’ all the time. When you’re mentally drained, your focus drops, your decision-making suffers, and tasks take way longer than they should. Trying to power through when your brain is fatigued just ends up creating more stress and taking more time than necessary.

Overestimating your capacity: To-do lists can make it seem like you can get everything done if you just push a little harder. This mindset causes you to overestimate what you can realistically accomplish in a day. By the end, you feel exhausted and discouraged because you’re falling short of expectations that weren’t reasonable in the first place.

No built-in flexibility: To-do lists often lack flexibility for handling shifts in your energy levels. They assume you’ll have the same focus and drive at 4 p.m. as you did at 9 a.m., which just isn’t true. When you try to stick rigidly to a list that doesn’t account for these natural changes, you end up feeling like you’re constantly falling behind.

The bottom line? It’s not just what you’re doing—it’s when you’re doing it. The hours where you’re at your best are your most valuable asset, so they should be reserved for your highest-impact work. The goal isn’t to fill every hour with tasks; it’s to make sure you’re using your best hours for the work that really matters.

If You Don’t Know How to Manage Your Mind, You Don’t Know How to Manage Your Time

Now, this is the part that ties everything together. We’ve talked about delegating, managing overwhelm, knowing the difference between being busy and being productive, and understanding your energy levels. 

But here’s the thing—none of that really matters if you don’t know how to manage your mind. Because if you don’t know how to manage your mind, you don’t know how to manage your time.

Here’s why: everything you do, or don’t do, starts with a thought. Your thoughts create your feelings, and those feelings drive your actions. 

If your mind is full of thoughts like, ‘There’s too much to do,’ or ‘I’ll never get this all done,’ you’re going to feel overwhelmed, and that feeling will drive actions like procrastinating, avoiding tasks, or jumping from one thing to another without focus. 

The result? Your to-do list gets longer, your stress increases, and you feel like you’re constantly running behind.

So, the real key to mastering time management is mastering your mindset. If you can manage your thoughts, you can manage your feelings, and ultimately, you can manage your time. But, of course, there are obstacles to doing this—let’s talk about them.

Default negative thinking: Our brains are wired to focus on the negative. When you see your to-do list, your brain highlights what’s overwhelming, which leads to stress and keeps you stuck.

Hard to break old habits: Your brain likes familiarity, and once you’ve established a habit—like always thinking, ‘I don’t have enough time,’ or ‘I have to do everything myself’—it’s hard to break out of it. These thought patterns become automatic, and unless you actively work to change them, they’ll keep running in the background, controlling your actions and your time.

Getting busy instead of productive: When overwhelmed, it’s easier to focus on small, feel-good tasks rather than the ones that truly matter. But being busy doesn’t equal being productive, and without managing your mindset, you’ll keep falling into this cycle.

No lasting change: You’ve probably tried different time management techniques before, and maybe they worked for a while, but then you found yourself back in the same overwhelmed state. That’s because no matter how great a system is, if you don’t change the way you think, your brain will always revert to its old habits. Mindset is the key to making lasting changes in how you manage your time.

So, if you want to take control of your time, you have to start by taking control of your mind. The way you think about your time and your tasks directly affects how you handle them. Mastering your mindset is the real secret to effective time management—it’s the foundation that everything else builds on.

Becoming a Smarter Accountant: Getting A Better Handle On Time Management

Now, I know I’ve talked a lot about the ineffectiveness of to-do lists, but here’s the thing—you don’t want your brain cluttered like an overflowing closet of things to do. You want all those thoughts and tasks out of your head and onto paper. 

The truth is, your brain is for processing, not storing. So yes, a to-do list is helpful for getting those swirling thoughts organized. But that’s only step one. From there, you need to understand what real time management looks like.

So, if to-do lists aren’t as effective as we’ve been led to believe, then what is? That’s the big question, and it’s something I’ve been studying for years. It’s also why I created The Smarter Accountant Time Management Program—because I saw firsthand how shifting your approach to time management can completely transform how you handle your workload.

I’ve worked with a lot of accountants who were stuck in the same cycle—long to-do lists, constant stress, and never enough time. And I’ve seen how powerful it is when they learn to manage their minds, prioritize their time effectively, and focus on the tasks that matter most. Let me share a story about one of my coaching clients who made an incredible transformation.

This client, like many of you, was juggling a mountain of tasks every day. Her to-do list was endless, and she always felt like she was falling behind, no matter how much she got done. She was crossing things off but never really making progress on the bigger, high-impact work that would move her career forward. 

After working together, she learned how to manage her brain’s natural tendencies toward overwhelm and procrastination. She started using her time more intentionally—blocking out periods for focused work and learning to delegate what wasn’t hers to handle. Within a few weeks, she wasn’t just getting through her list—she was actually creating space for the kind of work that truly mattered.

And here’s the most powerful part—she wasn’t more ‘productive’ in the traditional sense. She wasn’t doing more things; she was just doing the right things at the right time, and that’s what made all the difference.

That all started with a Time Management Audit which I’ll discuss in a minute.  Now I want to share the key takeaway and action item for this week.

Key Takeaway and Action Item

The biggest takeaway I want you to remember is this: to-do lists are NOT time management.  They’re a starting point to make sure things don’t fall through the cracks, but they are not effectively managing your time.

Time management is about focusing on what really matters, aligning your tasks with your energy, and learning to manage your mind so that you stay in control, not your list.

So, here’s your action item: this week, I want you to start paying attention to how you’re using your time. Take a look at your to-do list and ask yourself, ‘Am I doing the right things at the right time?’ If you find that you’re spending your best hours on low-impact tasks, it’s time to make a shift. Block off time for the important things and see how that changes your day.

And if you’re ready to take this to the next level, let me explain how a Time Management Audit can help you get clarity on exactly where your time is going and how to make those critical shifts to become a Smarter Accountant.  The truth is that time management is not a one-size-fits-all kind of thing, especially for accountants.

That’s why during your Time Management Audit, we’ll spend 30 minutes on a Zoom call diving into your current time management habits and uncover what’s really keeping you from being as productive as you’d like.

I’ll help you identify the key areas where you’re getting stuck, whether it’s prioritizing tasks, dealing with constant interruptions, procrastinating, or feeling overwhelmed by your to-do list. 

Again, since time management is not one size fits all for accountants, this call will give you personalized suggestions.  It’s all about giving you insight into your current habits and showing you how a few changes can lead to more control, less stress, and a more balanced approach to your work and life. 

If today’s episode hit home, let’s talk. Schedule a call, and I’ll help you go from stressed to smarter, with a time management system that works specifically for accountants. You can book your Time Management Audit at https://thesmarteraccountant.com/time-audit/

Well, that’s what I have for you.  Thank you for joining me as I discussed everything you need to know about to-do lists.  

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

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

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

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

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

Today, we’re diving into one of my favorite topics—time. It’s our most valuable asset, yet it’s often the thing we struggle most to manage.

As the months roll by and the calendar fills up, we’ve all felt that familiar knot in our stomachs. The closer we get to year-end reporting or tax season, the longer our to-do lists seem to get. Emails pile up, deadlines creep closer, and the stress keeps rising.

It almost feels like time is speeding up, doesn’t it? Before you know it, those critical deadlines are staring you in the face. Sound familiar?

For a lot of us, this is just part of the job—the pressure comes in waves throughout the year. But why does it always feel like there’s never enough time? Why does the stress build up like a pressure cooker ready to blow?

We’ve all been there—juggling clients, drowning in paperwork, and trying to handle what feels like a never-ending stream of emails. And let’s not forget about the constant interruptions—those phone calls, meetings, and last-minute requests that throw your whole day off course.

That’s just the reality of being an accountant, right? But that doesn’t make it any less overwhelming. Whether you’re gearing up for year-end, managing quarterly reports, or bracing for tax season, the demands of the job can leave you feeling stretched thin.

But what if managing all these demands could feel more balanced and less stressful? Imagine approaching your workday with a sense of calm and leaving the office feeling accomplished rather than exhausted.

How much more productive—and peaceful—would you be if you could cut down on that overwhelming feeling?

Here’s the good news: It’s not just a dream. Taking back control of your time is not only possible—it’s essential. And it can completely change how you experience your work as an accountant.

When you’re in charge of your time, you lower your stress and boost your productivity. You can start each day with a clear plan and end it feeling like you’ve truly made the most of your time.

To regain control and work smarter, not harder, it’s essential to first understand what’s causing the chaos. Let’s talk about one of the biggest contributors to overwhelm—information overload. 

The Overwhelm Of Information Overload

To take back control of your time, the first step is to figure out what’s been controlling it. Let’s pause for a second and think about just how much the world, especially the workplace, has changed.

If you’ve been an accountant for a while, like I have, you’ve probably noticed how different things are compared to a few decades ago. Back when I started at Deloitte in the early ’90s, we worked hard, but the pace was slower. The work environment wasn’t as chaotic, and distractions were minimal.

Of course, the job was still demanding, but it was a different kind of demand. We weren’t constantly juggling thousands of pieces of information all at once.

Between emails, text messages, Slack notifications, project management tools, social media updates—it feels like we’re trying to drink from a fire hose. No wonder so many accountants feel overwhelmed!

And one of the biggest signs of this overwhelm is the never-ending to-do list. Have you ever noticed how no matter how many tasks you check off, the list just keeps getting longer?

It’s like for every one thing you finish, two more pop up. And it’s not just on paper anymore. These to-do lists are everywhere—in your email, on sticky notes around your desk, in apps, and even floating around in your head.

Then there’s the email situation. Those overflowing inboxes make it feel like you’re drowning in unread messages, with new ones coming in faster than you can reply. And it’s not just work emails—there are newsletters, reminders, and all sorts of other things demanding your attention. It’s easy to feel like you’re constantly behind.

And let’s talk about reminders—both physical and digital. Sticky notes, phone notifications, calendar alerts—they’re everywhere. Instead of helping, they just add to the stress by constantly nudging you to get more done.

On top of all that, there’s the constant ping of digital notifications—your phone buzzing with a text, your computer chiming with a new email, or your watch vibrating with a reminder. These little distractions make it almost impossible to focus on what you’re doing, and getting back on track becomes a challenge.

So, what’s the result of all this? Confusion, frustration, and a whole lot of stress.

When you’re bombarded by information from so many places, it’s easy to feel scattered. You might find yourself jumping from one task to the next without making real progress—or worse, forgetting important details because your brain is juggling too much.

And this isn’t just something that affects you at work. When you’re overwhelmed all day, it’s hard to leave that stress behind when you clock out. It follows you home, making it tough to relax, enjoy time with your loved ones, or even get a good night’s sleep.

The bottom line is that this information overload is a huge source of stress for accountants today. But here’s the good news: it doesn’t have to stay that way.

You can take steps to manage all this information better, reduce the overwhelm, and take back control of your time—and your life.

The Power of Being Proactive

Let’s talk about the difference between being proactive and reactive, especially when it comes to accounting. It’s so easy to fall into a reactive mindset when you’re constantly dealing with deadlines, client demands, and the pressure to get everything done on time.

You might find yourself bouncing from one task to the next, just trying to keep up. When that happens, it’s easy to start thinking that the only way to handle the mountain of tasks in front of you is to work longer and harder.

But here’s the thing: more work doesn’t have to mean more stress.

When you’re in reactive mode, you’re letting everything around you—deadlines, last-minute requests—dictate how you spend your day. It can feel like you’re always just one step behind, trying to catch up.

The problem with this approach is that it often leads to burnout and that constant feeling of being overwhelmed. You might start to believe that there’s just not enough time in the day to get everything done, and that can be really frustrating.

But what if you could flip that around? What if you took a more proactive approach? Instead of letting the day’s demands control you, what if you could start planning ahead, setting your own deadlines, and deciding how to best use your time?

Being proactive means you’re the one in control of your schedule. You make intentional decisions about how to spend your time, instead of just reacting to whatever comes your way. It’s like being in the driver’s seat, steering your day instead of letting it steer you.

When you’re proactive, you’re not just responding to the demands of your job—you’re planning for them. You’re thinking ahead, which gives you time to focus on what really matters instead of feeling like you’re always racing against the clock.

The bottom line? By being proactive, you can lower your stress, boost your efficiency, and feel way more in control of both your work and your life.

Your Brain’s Role in Taking Back Control of Your Time

Let’s dive into the role your brain plays in all of this. The thing is, your brain is a powerful tool, but it doesn’t always work in your favor when it comes to managing time.

One of the biggest mistakes we make is using our brain like a storage unit—trying to keep track of all our tasks, deadlines, and information in our head. When your brain is overloaded with details, it’s no surprise that you start feeling overwhelmed and stressed.

The truth is, your brain wasn’t designed to hold onto all that information. It’s great at solving problems, analyzing data, and coming up with creative ideas—but it’s not so great at managing a long list of to-dos.

When you rely on your brain to remember everything, you’re not using it efficiently, and that’s when things start to slip through the cracks.

If you want to take back control of your time, you’ve got to start using your brain differently. This is where the more advanced part of your brain—what I like to call the “Supervising Parent”—comes in. This part of your brain is responsible for planning, decision-making, and self-control.

The Supervising Parent part of your brain helps you be more intentional and proactive with your time.

When you use this part of your brain to plan your day, you’re not just reacting to whatever comes your way. You’re making strategic decisions about how to handle your tasks in a way that helps you get more done while reducing stress.

This means setting priorities, breaking big projects into manageable steps, and scheduling your time in a way that actually works for you.

By understanding how your brain works, you can start using its strengths to your advantage and avoid its weaknesses. Instead of letting your brain get bogged down with too much information, you free it up to focus on what it does best: thinking critically and making smart decisions.

The bottom line is, learning to use your brain differently is the key to taking back control of your time and creating a more balanced, less stressful workday.

How to Use the Power of Being Proactive

Now that we’ve talked about why being proactive is so important and how your brain plays a role in managing your time, let’s get into some practical steps you can take to be more proactive.

The truth is, most accountants tend to be reactive, but being proactive is about making intentional decisions that help you stay ahead of the game—rather than always playing catch-up.

So, how do you do that? Let’s break it down into four simple steps.

Step 1: Make a Plan to Produce Specific Results – The first step to being proactive is making a plan that focuses on achieving specific results, not just staying busy. It’s easy to think that if you’re doing something, you’re being productive.

But here’s the reality: being busy doesn’t always mean being productive. If you’re just crossing tasks off your list without a clear goal, you might be spinning your wheels without really moving forward.

Instead, ask yourself what you want to accomplish by the end of the day, week, or month. What specific results are you aiming for? Once you know that, you can plan your tasks around those goals. This way, every task you complete brings you closer to where you want to be, and you’re not just filling your day with busywork.

Step 2: Make Your Own Deadlines – Deadlines are a big part of every accountant’s life, but they don’t always have to come from external sources. One of the best ways to be proactive is to set your own deadlines before the official ones.

When you do this, you give yourself some breathing room and reduce the stress of waiting until the last minute. By setting internal deadlines, you can break bigger projects into smaller, manageable tasks and tackle them one by one.

Not only does this help you stay on top of your workload, but it also gives you flexibility if something unexpected comes up. Plus, finishing tasks ahead of schedule can boost your confidence and make you feel more in control.

Step 3: Schedule Results on Your Calendar in Time Blocks – Once you’ve planned your results and set your deadlines, the next step is to schedule everything on your calendar in time blocks. This is where you can really take advantage of your brain’s strengths.

By scheduling specific tasks during the times of day when you’re most productive, you can work more efficiently and get more done in less time.

When you block time on your calendar, be realistic about how long tasks will take and don’t forget to include breaks and some downtime. It’s easy to underestimate how long things will take, so giving yourself a buffer helps prevent burnout.

Time-blocking also reduces decision fatigue because you’ve already decided when to do each task—now all you have to do is follow the plan.

Step 4: Follow the Plan – The last step is simple, but it’s where the real magic happens: follow the plan you’ve created. After you’ve taken the time to plan your results, set deadlines, and schedule your tasks, the key is to stick to it.

This is where being proactive pays off. By following the plan, you won’t have to make decisions on the fly all day, which saves you mental energy and keeps you on track.

Sticking to your plan also builds momentum. Every task you complete brings you closer to your goals, which motivates you to keep going. And because you’ve already prioritized and scheduled your time, you’re less likely to get distracted or derailed.

Remember, being proactive isn’t about perfection—it’s about progress. Even if things don’t go exactly as planned, having a proactive mindset and a clear plan helps you stay on course, no matter what bumps you hit along the way.

By using these steps, you’ll be able to take control of your time, reduce stress, and create a more balanced, productive workday.

Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

As you start embracing a more proactive approach to managing your time, it’s important to watch out for a few common pitfalls that can trip you up along the way. The good news? With a little awareness and the right strategies, you can easily avoid these traps and stay on track.

Let’s take a closer look at two of the most common challenges and how to handle them.

The Trap of “Not Enough Time” – One of the biggest obstacles to being proactive is believing there’s just not enough time in the day. We’ve all been there—swamped with work and deadlines looming, it can feel impossible to carve out time to plan.

You might think, “How can I possibly make time to plan when I’m barely keeping up with everything else?” It’s a valid concern, but here’s the thing: the idea that you don’t have time to plan is actually an illusion.

When you’re caught up in the hustle of your day, it can seem counterintuitive to stop and plan. But spending that time upfront can save you hours of stress and scrambling later.

Think of it like this: when you plan proactively, you’re creating a roadmap for your day or week. Instead of wasting time figuring out what to do next or dealing with last-minute surprises, you’ve already set a clear path that helps you move smoothly from one task to the next.

Yes, it might take a little extra effort at first to get into the habit, but the payoff is huge. You’ll find that being proactive actually helps you get more done in less time—and with way less stress.

So, the next time you catch yourself thinking, “I don’t have time to plan,” remind yourself that planning is what ultimately creates more time.

Overcoming Lower Brain Resistance – Another challenge you might face when trying to be more proactive is resistance from your own brain—specifically, the lower, more primitive part of it that I like to call The Toddler.

This part of your brain is designed to keep you safe and comfortable, which is great for survival—but not so great when you’re trying to create new habits. Your lower brain resists anything that feels like extra effort, especially if it’s new or unfamiliar.

You’ve probably felt this resistance before. It’s that little voice that says, “Do I really need to plan my day? Can’t I just wing it like I always do?” Or maybe it shows up as procrastination, where you keep putting off the very things that would help you get ahead.

This resistance is totally normal, but that doesn’t mean you have to give in to it.

The key to overcoming your lower brain’s resistance is to start small and build momentum. You don’t need to overhaul your whole routine overnight.

Instead, try adding proactive habits into your day little by little. Maybe you start by spending just 10 minutes each morning planning out your top priorities for the day. Or maybe you set a small goal, like planning one task ahead each day.

As you start to see the benefits—like getting more done and feeling less stressed—your lower brain will start to ease up. The resistance will fade as your new habits become second nature, and you’ll find it easier to stick to your proactive approach.

Remember, your lower brain (The Toddler) is just trying to protect you, but you are in control. By taking small steps and building up your proactive habits, you can train your brain to work with you, not against you.

Trust me, once you get your brain on board, you’ll be able to take back control of your time.

Becoming a Smarter Accountant: From Overwhelmed To In Control

I’ve done a lot of work with accountants on better time management and have made a transformation in my own life, but let me share about one particular coaching client.

He came to me feeling constantly overwhelmed by his workload. No matter how hard he worked, he always felt like he was falling behind, reacting to deadlines rather than managing them.

Once he went through The Smarter Accountant Program and learned how to manage his brain, we then worked on how to better manage his time.  He learned that by setting aside one hour on Sunday and just 10 minutes each morning to plan his day, he could get more done in less time. 

Instead of waiting for external deadlines to push him into action, he started setting his own deadlines and prioritizing his tasks more effectively. It wasn’t easy at first, but soon he noticed a difference.

As he continued trying more proactive habits, he noticed that his stress levels dropped. He was no longer scrambling to keep up; instead, he was ahead of the game. 

His workdays became more manageable, and he even found himself leaving the office on time, feeling accomplished rather than drained.

I hope that this client’s story shows that small changes in how you manage your time can lead to big improvements in your professional and personal life.

Key Takeaway and Action Item

The key to reducing stress and improving efficiency as an accountant is in taking a proactive approach to managing your time. By planning ahead, setting your own deadlines, and using your brain strategically, you can regain control over your schedule and create a more balanced, less overwhelming workday.

Taking back control of your time means shifting from a reactive mindset to a proactive one, where you’re not just responding to external pressures but intentionally designing your day to work for you. It’s about making deliberate choices that prioritize what truly matters, professionally and personally.

This week ask yourself: “What’s one small, proactive change I can make today to take back control of my time and reduce the stress I’m feeling?”

Well, that’s what I have for you.  Thank you for joining me as I discussed taking back control of your time.  I hope you’ve learned something that you can begin to apply, whether it’s at work or at home.

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

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

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

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

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

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

We all deal with problems, right? As accountants, we’re used to solving all kinds of issues for other people. But when it comes to our own lives, things can feel a little more overwhelming.

Have you ever had a problem that just seemed too big to handle? Maybe you didn’t know where to start, and it felt like it was never going to get better.

Now, imagine this: What if you could handle any problem—big or small—with a sense of calm and confidence? How much easier would things be if you knew exactly how to deal with whatever life throws your way?

Let’s be real—most of us have freaked out when we’re hit with a new problem. Our brains start spinning, we feel stressed, and suddenly it feels like the problem is impossible to solve.

But what if you didn’t panic? What if you could stay calm and focused, and actually think of better solutions? Imagine being able to see problems as something you can handle, not something that’s out to get you.

Think back to a time when you were doing something you really enjoyed—maybe a work project that lights you up or a hobby you love—and everything just clicked. Ideas flowed, and solutions came easily, right?

That’s the kind of mindset I want to help you tap into when facing any problem. When you approach things with an open mind and curiosity, you can unlock your brain’s full power.

But how do you get into that mindset more often?

Here’s the key: You need a plan. Without a clear plan, it’s easy to get stuck, miss steps, or feel overwhelmed. A structured approach helps you stay organized and find solutions more easily.

Whether it’s a personal problem or something at work, knowing how to solve any issue with a clear plan makes life way easier—and a lot less stressful.

If you are ready to try a new way of solving your problems, let’s start with the best formula I’ve found for tackling any problem head-on.

The Formula Behind Every Solution

Have you ever noticed how some people just seem to handle life’s problems so easily, while others get stuck? It makes you wonder—what’s their secret?

Well, there’s actually a formula that can help you solve any problem, and it’s called “The Model.” If you’ve read my book, “The Smarter Accountant,” you might remember me talking about it in more detail. But basically, this formula is one of the best tools out there for solving any problem—big or small.

The reason The Model works so well is that it breaks things down into simple steps, helping you see how your thoughts and actions lead to your results. So, what is The Model, and how does it work?

The Model has 5 parts: Circumstances, Thoughts, Feelings, Actions, and Results. You can remember it as CTFAR.

Here’s a quick rundown of each part:

Circumstances: These are just the facts of any situation. They’re neutral, meaning they don’t have any feelings attached to them. Why does this matter? Because when you focus on the facts without mixing in your emotions, you’re less likely to feel overwhelmed.

Thoughts: These are the stories you tell yourself about the circumstances. We all have tons of thoughts every day, and most of them run on autopilot. But here’s the thing: these thoughts change how we see things and affect what we do.

Feelings: These are the emotions that come from your thoughts. If you’ve ever noticed how your mood shifts depending on what you’re thinking, that’s what this is about. Once you understand the connection between your thoughts and feelings, you can start to manage them better.

Actions: This is where your feelings push you to do—or not do—certain things. So if you’re wondering why you act a certain way in different situations, it’s because of how you’re feeling in that moment.

Results: Finally, your actions create the results you see in your life. If you look at where you are right now, those results are tied to your thoughts, feelings, and actions.

When you understand The Model, it’s like having a map for your mind. It helps you take a step back, look at the situation clearly, and make changes to get better results.

So, how do you actually use this formula in real life? Let’s break it down. 

Getting Started With Solving Any Problem

Now that you know what The Model is, it’s time to actually use it. Understanding it is one thing, but the real magic happens when you apply it to your own life. So, how do you start solving your own problems?

First, you need to pick a problem. I know, that sounds easier said than done. But the trick is to choose one specific thing to focus on. It doesn’t have to be a huge problem; it could be something small that’s been bugging you.

Think about what’s been on your mind lately. Is there something stressing you out—maybe at work or at home? As accountants, we’re used to handling a lot at once, so I’m sure you have plenty to pick from!

Maybe it’s a deadline that’s getting close, a tough conversation you’ve been avoiding, or even something small like a messy room that’s been driving you nuts. Whatever it is, just pick one thing. Sometimes fixing the small stuff can make a big difference in how you feel overall.

Once you’ve picked your problem, it’s time to change how you think about it. Here’s something I ask my clients all the time: What if the problem isn’t the real issue? What if it’s how you’re thinking about the problem that’s making it feel worse?

Our brains can sometimes make things seem bigger or scarier, especially when we’re stressed. Have you ever noticed how a situation feels worse just because of how you’re thinking about it? When you step back and look at your thoughts, you can start to see the problem for what it really is—not just how it feels in the moment.

So, ask yourself: How am I thinking about this problem? Are my thoughts making it harder to solve? Am I focused on finding a solution or just stuck in the “this is a huge mess” mindset?

Once you’re aware of how you’re thinking, you can challenge those thoughts and change them. Instead of focusing on what’s going wrong, think about what you can do to make things better. You’d be surprised how much that simple shift can lead to new ideas and solutions you hadn’t thought of before.

In the end, getting started with solving problems is all about taking the first step and being willing to see things differently. So, pick your problem and in a few minutes I’ll explain how to approach it in a way that feels more manageable.

The Brain’s Role in Problem-Solving

Now that you’ve picked a problem to focus on, let’s talk about what’s really happening in your brain when you’re dealing with a challenge. Have you ever wondered why your brain seems to go into overdrive when a problem comes up?

Here’s what’s going on—your brain is actually wired for survival, not for solving modern-day problems. Way back when, our ancestors had to deal with life-or-death situations, so their brains learned to react fast—basically, fight or run away. Even though we’re not running from wild animals anymore, our brains still react the same way when we’re faced with a problem.

So, when something goes wrong, your brain might go into panic mode. You might feel your heart race, your stomach tighten, or your palms get sweaty. That’s your brain thinking it’s in survival mode, which makes it hard to think clearly or figure out what to do next.

But here’s the good news—it doesn’t have to be this way. Once you understand how your brain works, you can train it to handle problems better and stay calm.

Think of your brain as having two parts: the “panic” brain and the “problem-solving” brain. The panic brain reacts fast, but it’s not so good at coming up with smart solutions. That’s where the problem-solving brain comes in. This part of your brain helps you think clearly, make plans, and deal with problems calmly and creatively.

You’ve probably noticed this before—when you step away from a stressful situation, take a deep breath, or even sleep on it, suddenly the problem doesn’t seem as bad. That’s because your problem-solving brain finally got a chance to take over.

The best part? You can train your brain to switch from panic to problem-solving more often. With practice, you can start rewiring your brain to react differently. 

This is where tools like The Model really help. The Model shows you how your thoughts, feelings, actions, and results are connected, which helps you shift from feeling stressed to thinking strategically.

I’ll go over this more in a minute, but the next time you feel that panic setting in, remember—you have the power to switch gears. By taking a step back, calming down, and using tools like The Model, you can approach problems in a smarter, more creative way.

Just imagine how different things could be if you could regularly tap into that problem-solving part of your brain. It’s not about getting rid of problems; it’s about learning to handle them in a better way.

. 

Using The Formula To Rewire Your Brain for Better Problem-Solving

Here’s the exciting part—your brain can actually change! It has something called neuroplasticity, which means it can form new pathways and learn new ways of responding to problems. In other words, you can train your brain to handle problems better over time.

So, how do you start rewiring your brain for better problem-solving? It all begins with awareness. That’s where The Model comes in. By using The Model, you can understand why you’re thinking, feeling, and acting the way you are—and, more importantly, how to change it.

Now, let’s use The Model to tackle the problem you picked earlier.

Here’s how you can start:

Identify the Circumstances: Start by clearly figuring out the facts of the situation. What’s really happening with the problem you chose? Separate the facts from your opinions or feelings. When you focus on the neutral facts, it helps you see the problem for what it is—not as something your brain might be making bigger than it actually is.

Examine Your Thoughts: Once you know the facts, look at your thoughts about the problem. What are you telling yourself about it? Are these thoughts based on fear, negativity, or stress? By becoming aware of these thought patterns, you can start to question and change them.

Assess Your Feelings: Pay attention to how your thoughts about this problem are making you feel. Are you anxious, frustrated, or overwhelmed? It’s important to realize that your feelings come from your thoughts. This matters because those feelings will influence what you do next.

Analyze Your Actions: Your feelings drive your actions—or sometimes, keep you from taking any action at all. What are you doing (or not doing) because of how you’re feeling? When you understand this, you can see how your thoughts and feelings are influencing your behavior, and where you can make changes.

Evaluate Your Results: Finally, look at the results you’re getting with this problem. Are they what you want? If not, go back and look at your thoughts and feelings. When you change your thoughts, you’ll change how you feel and what you do—and that’s how you get different results.

By practicing this process with the problem you chose, you’ll start to rewire your brain to approach challenges in a new way. Instead of getting stuck in stress or negative thinking, you’ll develop a more solution-focused mindset.

Let’s take an example accountants can relate to:

Imagine the problem you picked is a tight deadline for a project. The fact is, the deadline is in two days. But your initial thought might be, “There’s no way I can finish this!” That thought makes you feel anxious and stressed. 

Because of those feelings, you may start procrastinating or distracting yourself, which makes the situation worse. The result? You’re scrambling at the last minute and might even miss the deadline.

But if you use The Model, you can shift your thinking. Instead of focusing on “I can’t do this,” you could think, “I’ll break this project into smaller steps and work through them one at a time.” 

That new thought can make you feel more confident and focused, which will lead you to take action, stick to your plan, and finish the project on time. The result? You meet the deadline without all the extra stress.

The bottom line is that the more you practice The Model with real problems like this, the better your brain gets at staying calm and finding solutions.

Gaining Control Over Problems

Let’s talk about some ways to get control over problems. When you’re dealing with challenges, it’s easy to get stuck in stress and negativity. But what if the real issue is the way you’re thinking about the problem?

One way to change how you see problems is to think about “rich people problems.” Imagine the kinds of problems wealthy people might have—like missing a nail appointment or getting a rip in their hot tub cover. These problems seem small, right? So why do we let small issues in our own lives feel so overwhelming?

The point of thinking about “rich people problems” isn’t to make fun of anyone’s struggles, but to help you put things into perspective. When you look at your own problems through this lens, you might realize that what you’re dealing with isn’t as big as it seems.

For example, my husband and I were watching the Olympics, and there was a commercial about a Paralympic athlete with no legs playing basketball. My husband turned to me and said, “That pain in my shoulder feels like a small problem right now. Look at what he deals with every day.”

By realizing that some of our problems are smaller than we think, you can start to focus on finding solutions instead of getting stuck in the problem.

Another way to get control over a problem is to ask yourself, “What would I suggest if someone else had this problem?” When we’re stuck in our own issues, our emotions can make it hard to think clearly. But when you imagine someone else in your situation, it’s easier to think more logically and come up with helpful solutions.

For example, let’s say you’re feeling stressed about having too much work. Now, imagine a friend comes to you with the same issue. You might suggest they break the work into smaller tasks, figure out what’s most important, or ask for help. By giving advice to someone else, you might find the same solution that works for you.

This technique works because it helps you step out of your emotions and think more clearly about how to solve the problem.

Another important tool is to pay attention to the questions you ask yourself. The questions you focus on shape how you see and deal with problems. If you’re asking yourself, “Why me?” or “Why is this happening?” you’ll probably feel stuck and helpless.

But if you ask yourself, “How can I make this easier?” or “What can I do to fix this?” you start focusing on solutions.

For example, if you’re swamped with deadlines and thinking, “Why does this always happen to me?” you’ll feel overwhelmed and stuck. But if you switch to asking, “How can I make this easier?” or “What steps can I take to get back on track?” you’ll start thinking about things like organizing your tasks or asking for help. This simple shift in questions helps you go from feeling helpless to taking action.

Another powerful technique is the “So What?” approach. This means asking yourself, “So what?” when something goes wrong to help you get perspective. It helps you decide if the problem is really worth all your energy. Often, you’ll realize the problem isn’t as big as you thought.

For example, let’s say you sent an email with a typo to a client. At first, you might feel embarrassed and think, “I messed up, this looks so bad!” But if you ask yourself, “So what? Is this really a big deal?” you might realize the typo doesn’t affect the main message, and it can be easily fixed with a follow-up email. The problem suddenly feels less important, and you save yourself from unnecessary stress.

Lastly, one of the best ways to gain control over problems is to separate facts from thoughts. Facts are objective and can be proven, while thoughts are your personal interpretation.

For example, if you think, “My boss is unfair,” that’s not a fact—it’s your opinion. A fact would be, “My boss gave me extra work this week.”

When you can separate facts from thoughts, you avoid extra stress and focus on what you can control. Once you realize your thoughts are shaping how you see the problem, you can start to change them. This allows you to approach the problem more logically.

The bottom line is, you have more control over your problems than you might think. By changing your thoughts, you change what the problem means to you.

If you see a problem as impossible, it’s going to feel that way. But if you see it as a chance to grow and learn, you’ll be more motivated to find solutions and work through it.

By shifting your focus from problems to solutions, changing your perspective, and questioning how important the issue is, you can change the way you handle challenges.

So, imagine this: What would it be like to face your problems with confidence and creativity, knowing you have the tools to solve them? The good news is, the power to change how you experience and deal with problems is already within you—it all starts with your mindset.

Becoming a Smarter Accountant: Learning To Solve Any Problem

I want to share how one of my clients learned how to solve any problem. Like many of you, this client often felt overwhelmed by the pressures of her job. She had a lot of client accounts to manage, and the financial issues she was dealing with seemed to pile up faster than she could handle them.

Whenever a problem came up, her first reaction was stress and frustration. She kept thinking things like, “Why does this always happen to me?” and “I’ll never get through this.” Focusing on the problems made her feel stuck in a cycle of anxiety, which hurt her ability to get her work done.

After we worked together in The Smarter Accountant Program, she started to see that solving problems could be much easier. By using The Model and shifting her mindset from focusing on problems to finding solutions, she started to see challenges as opportunities.

Instead of asking, “Why is everything going wrong?” she began asking herself, “What can I do to fix this?” or “How can I see this differently?” This simple change helped her go from feeling stressed and frustrated to feeling curious and open to new ideas.

For example, one time she found a mistake in a client’s report. Instead of panicking, she practiced separating the facts from her thoughts about the situation. This helped her calmly figure out the actual issue and create a plan to fix it, without letting her negative thoughts get in the way.

She also learned to ask, “So what?” to put things in perspective. This helped her realize that not every problem was a big deal, and she didn’t need to stress over every little thing.

The best part? She became more proactive and focused on solutions. This change didn’t just make her work life better—it also reduced her stress, which allowed her to enjoy her personal time more.

What she didn’t realize was how much her stress was affecting her at home, and how it was impacting her family. She even told me that her husband wanted to thank me for the program because he felt like he finally got his wife back.

So, as you can see, even though we all have to deal with problems, solving them can be easier than you think when you learn how to manage your brain along the way.

Key Takeaway and Action Item

The key takeaway from this episode is that solving problems isn’t just about using a specific technique—it’s about changing the way you think. By using tools like The Model and having a structured approach, you can shift from feeling stressed and anxious to finding creative solutions and growing from challenges.

Understanding how your brain works and practicing new ways of thinking helps you deal with problems more clearly and confidently. As an accountant, this skill is super important because it lets you handle both work and personal challenges with more strength and focus.

Remember, the power to change how you deal with problems is in your thoughts and mindset.

For this week, ask yourself: “What’s one specific problem I’d like to work on, and how can I use the techniques from this episode to come up with a plan to solve it?”

That’s all I have for you today, but before you go, I want you to think about one specific problem you’re dealing with right now—whether it’s at work or in your personal life. What would change if you could approach that problem with calm, confidence, and a clear plan?

Imagine how much easier things could be if you knew exactly how to solve it, step by step.

You’ve worked hard to become an accountant; now it’s time to make being one easier.

If you’re struggling with any aspect of your career, why not take the first step toward a smarter approach? Head over to www.thesmarteraccountant.com/calendar and book a free session with me. Let’s tackle those challenges together.

And don’t forget to check back each week as we move you from feeling stressed and overwhelmed to becoming a Smarter Accountant.

In the meantime, go to www.thesmarteraccountant.com and take The Smarter Accountant Quiz. You’ll discover whether you’ve been underutilizing your accountant brain and get a clear starting point for your transformation.

Also, if you’re finding value here, please spread the word to your fellow accountants. Together, we can shift how accountants think and work, changing the story of what’s possible in this profession.

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

Today, I want to talk about something we all face but rarely discuss: the fear of failure. This fear can sneak into our lives and hold us back, especially when it comes to managing our time and setting goals. We get so caught up in the idea of perfection that we forget it’s okay to make mistakes.

I’ve been in the accounting world for decades, and along the way, I became a Professional Certified Coach for Accountants. My mission? To help accountants like you have easier, more successful careers and more fulfilling lives. 

One of the biggest things I’ve learned is that our fear of failure often stops us from even trying to improve. We become so paralyzed by the thought of not getting it right that we end up not trying at all. Sound familiar?

Let me share a little secret I’ve discovered through my years of coaching and personal experience: not all failures are created equal. That’s right! There are different types of failures, and understanding them can make a world of difference in how we approach our work and personal lives. 

What I’ve learned is that there are two types of failures – “escape fails” and “worthy fails.”

Escape fails are those moments when we let distractions, excuses, or procrastination take over. It’s when we justify not sticking to our plans because something else came up or we just didn’t feel like it. 

On the other hand, worthy fails are when we give something our best shot, but things don’t go as planned. These are the moments where we learn and grow the most, even if the immediate outcome wasn’t what we hoped for.

By redefining failure and learning to distinguish between these two types, we can start to see our missteps not as roadblocks but as stepping stones to success. This shift in perspective can transform how we manage our time, set our goals, and ultimately, how we live our lives.

Before I go further, I want you to consider a few questions:

• How often do you avoid setting goals because you’re afraid you might not achieve them?
• When you think about your past failures, do you see them as learning opportunities or just setbacks?
• Do you find yourself making excuses for not following through on your plans?
• How would your life change if you could see failure as a necessary part of growth rather than something to be feared?

Today I want to help you see failure in a completely different way.  I’m going to dive deep into the world of escape fails and worthy fails, and by the end of this episode, you’ll have a whole new way of looking at your challenges and opportunities. 

Now that we’ve laid the groundwork for understanding the different types of failures, let’s dive into the role that fear of failure plays in our daily lives.

The Fear of Failure

The fear of failure is a sneaky little fear that impacts us in more ways than we might realize, especially when it comes to setting goals and managing our time. 

Have you ever avoided setting a goal because you were worried you might not reach it? Or maybe you’ve found yourself hesitating to even start a task because the thought of not doing it perfectly was just too overwhelming? If so, you’re not alone.

For accountants, this fear often ties back to our tendencies toward perfectionism. We’re trained to get the numbers right, to double-check our work, and to avoid mistakes at all costs. 

Now this is great when it comes to our professional responsibilities, but it can become a huge roadblock when we apply this perfectionist mindset to every aspect of our lives. We start to believe that anything less than perfect is unacceptable, and this belief keeps us from taking risks and trying new things.

Think about it this way – if you’re constantly worried about failing, how likely are you to set ambitious goals or try new time management techniques? Probably not very likely. 

This fear of failure can make us stick to what’s safe and familiar, even if it means staying stuck in a rut. It’s like we’d rather not try at all than risk not being perfect.

But the problem is that this fear doesn’t just impact our professional lives. It seeps into our personal lives too. 

When we’re afraid of failing, we might avoid trying new hobbies, not join that dating website, or avoid taking that dance class our spouse has been asking about.  This can leave us feeling unfulfilled and unhappy, both at work and at home.

I’ve even had coaching clients admit that they didn’t initially schedule a call with me or sign up for one of my programs because they were afraid of failing.  Their fear stopped them from doing something that they knew would help them professionally and personally.  

So, how often do you let the fear of failure keep you from setting goals or trying new things?

Are you holding yourself back from opportunities because you’re worried about not being perfect?

Really think about how this fear is impacting your professional growth and personal happiness.

Here’s the thing – acknowledging these fears is the first step toward overcoming them. Once we can recognize how the fear of failure and perfectionism are holding us back, we can start to make changes that will help us grow, both in our careers and in our personal lives.

Recognizing this fear is the first step, but what if we could see failure in a different light? Let’s explore how redefining failure can open up new possibilities.

The Hidden Value in Failure

Most of us see failure as this big, scary thing that’s out to get us. But what if I told you that failure could actually be your best friend? 

That’s right!  Failure doesn’t have to be a reason to quit; it can be a golden opportunity to learn and improve.

The first thing you need to do is shift your perspective. Instead of seeing failure as the end of the road, let’s start seeing it as a stepping stone. 

When we fail, it’s not a sign that we should give up. It’s a sign that something didn’t go as planned, and now we have the chance to figure out why and make it better next time. Every failure teaches us something valuable if we’re willing to look at it that way.

One of my favorite ways to look at failure is to say “plot twist”.  In other words, I was assuming a situation was going to go one way, but it didn’t, so just like in a movie or a book, the story had a plot twist that I just didn’t realize was going to happen. 

Now, here’s where it gets really interesting when it comes to failure – not all failures are created equal. As I shared earlier, in my coaching, I talk about two types of failures: escape fails and worthy fails. 

Understanding the difference between these can make a huge difference in how we approach things.

I’m going to discuss them both in more detail in a minute, but escape fails are those moments when we let ourselves off the hook. It’s when we give in to distractions, make excuses, or procrastinate. 

Think about the times you’ve planned to tackle a project but ended up scrolling through social media instead. Or when you justified not sticking to your schedule because something else seemed more urgent or easier to deal with. 

These are escape fails. They’re all about avoiding the task at hand because it feels too hard, boring, or uncomfortable.

On the flip side, worthy fails are the kind of failures we want to aim for. A worthy fail happens when you take action towards your goal, but things don’t go as planned. 

Maybe you tried a new time management technique, and it didn’t work out. Or you set a goal and didn’t quite hit it. 

The key here is that you took action, you learned something, and you can adjust your approach for next time. Worthy fails are about putting in the effort and learning from the experience, even if the result wasn’t what you expected.

So the next time you find yourself facing a potential failure, ask yourself: Is this an escape fail or a worthy fail? If it’s an escape fail, how can you turn it into a worthy fail? 

By embracing worthy fails, you’ll start to see failure not as something to fear, but as a necessary and valuable part of your journey to success.

Understanding failure is crucial, but did you know that your brain plays a significant role in how you experience and respond to it? Let’s explore how your mind influences these moments.

Your Brain’s Role in Escape Fails vs. Worthy Fails

Understanding your brain’s role can give you the tools to better manage your reactions and choices.

As I’ve shared on the podcast before, our brains are wired to avoid pain and seek pleasure. This makes perfect sense from an evolutionary perspective. 

Back in the day, avoiding danger (pain) and finding food or shelter (pleasure) were essential for survival. But in our modern world, this wiring can sometimes work against us, especially when it comes to managing our time and tackling challenging tasks.

The issue is that your lower, Toddler brain is the part that seeks immediate gratification and comfort. It’s impulsive and often driven by emotions. When faced with a difficult task, your Toddler brain might scream, “This is too hard! Let’s check email!”

On the other hand, your higher, Supervising Parent brain, is responsible for rational thinking, planning, and decision-making. This is the part of your brain that sets goals and understands the long-term benefits of sticking to a plan, even when it’s tough.

The reason I’m sharing this is because escape fails are driven by your Toddler brain. When you’re supposed to be working on that report but find yourself browsing the internet instead, that’s your Toddler brain in action. 

It’s seeking the immediate pleasure of distraction and avoiding the discomfort of the task at hand. This part of your brain is excellent at coming up with justifications for why it’s okay to procrastinate or abandon your plans. “Just five more minutes” or “I’ll do it later” are classic Toddler brain excuses.

Worthy fails, however, are the result of your higher, Supervising Parent brain taking the lead. When you attempt a challenging task, give it your best shot, and fall short, your Supervising Parent brain steps in to analyze what happened and learn from it. 

This part of your brain is capable of seeing failure as a valuable learning experience rather than a reason to quit. It understands that growth often comes from trying, failing, and trying again with new insights.

The good news is that you can train your brain to lean more towards worthy fails and less towards escape fails. Here are a few strategies:

Mindfulness and Awareness: Pay attention to when your Toddler brain is trying to take over. Simply being aware of this can help you make more conscious choices.

Planning and Scheduling: Use your Supervising Parent brain to set clear plans and schedules. Break tasks into smaller, manageable steps to make them less overwhelming.

Positive Reinforcement: Reward yourself for taking steps towards worthy fails. Celebrate the effort and the learning, even if the outcome wasn’t perfect.

Reflection and Learning: After a worthy fail, take time to reflect. What did you learn? How can you apply this lesson next time?

Bottom line: By understanding your brain’s role in escape fails versus worthy fails, you can start to make choices that align more with your long-term goals and less with immediate comfort. 

Now that we’ve seen how our brain influences our failures, let’s take a closer look at the first type: escape fails. What exactly are they, and how do they hold us back?

Understanding Escape Fails Better

Escape fails happen when we give in to distractions or excuses instead of facing challenging tasks head-on. They’re all about avoiding discomfort in the moment, but they can have a big impact on our long-term success.

In other words, escape fails are those moments when you let yourself off the hook. It’s when you justify not sticking to your plans because something else seems more urgent or more appealing. 

Essentially, escape fails are about avoiding the hard stuff by choosing the easy way out.

Let me share a few examples to see how escape fails might show up in your day-to-day life.

The first example is justifying interruptions.  Imagine you’ve set aside a block of time to work on a crucial project. But then, an email from a client pops up. 

Instead of sticking to your plan, you convince yourself that the email can’t wait and dive into it, derailing your scheduled task. Sure, client emails are important, but do they always take precedence over your planned work?

The next example is rationalizing partial success.  Let’s say you’ve planned to complete a full financial report by the end of the day. You get halfway through and then decide to call it a day, telling yourself, “At least I got half of it done.” 

While it’s true that partial progress is better than none, consistently settling for less than what you planned can prevent you from reaching your full potential.

The next common example is procrastination disguised as productivity.  Let’s say you have a big presentation to prepare for, but instead, you spend hours organizing your desk or updating your spreadsheets. 

These tasks might be productive in a different context, but right now, they’re just a way to avoid the more challenging work.

The last example is blaming external factors.  Let’s say you intended to start a new time management system, but an unexpected meeting or a family commitment throws you off.

Instead of finding a way to adapt, you abandon the plan altogether, blaming the external factors for your failure to follow through.

The reason why it’s so important to understand escape fails better is because they perpetuate the cycle of fear and inaction.  Each time you give in to an escape fail, you reinforce the idea that you can’t handle challenging tasks. This increases your fear of failure, making it even harder to take on tough projects in the future.

The thing is, when you consistently avoid difficult tasks, your confidence takes a hit. You start to doubt your abilities and question whether you can achieve your goals, which can be incredibly demotivating.

The truth is that escape fails can become a habit. The more you give in to them, the easier it becomes to do so again and again. This habit of inaction can keep you stuck.

And let’s face it, time spent on escape fails is time wasted. By giving in to distractions or excuses, you’re not using your time effectively.

And if you’re already feeling stressed and overwhelmed, escape fails will just exacerbate those feelings.  When you avoid tasks that need to be done, they don’t go away. 

They pile up, creating a backlog that can feel overwhelming. This increases your stress levels and makes it even harder to focus and be productive.

The good news is that you can break the cycle of escape fails.  You just need to be aware of when they’re happening and take proactive steps to address them. 

By understanding and addressing escape fails, you can start to take control of your time and move closer to your goals. Remember, it’s not about being perfect; it’s about making progress and learning from each step along the way.

While escape fails can trap us in a cycle of inaction, there’s another side to the story. Let’s shift our focus to worthy fails and how they can lead to growth and learning.

Understanding Worthy Fails Better

Worthy fails are the kinds of failures that we should actually strive for because they involve taking action and learning from the results, even if things don’t go exactly as planned. Worthy fails are all about growth, improvement, and moving forward despite setbacks.

A worthy fail happens when you give something your best shot, and while you might not get the exact result you wanted, you gain valuable insights and experience from the effort. Unlike escape fails, which are about avoidance, worthy fails are about engagement and perseverance.

To get a clearer picture, I’m going to share some real-life examples of worthy fails:

The first example is practicing a new skill.  Imagine you decide to learn a new accounting software that promises to streamline your workflow. You spend a few hours each week practicing and trying to get the hang of it. 

Initially, you struggle and make a lot of mistakes. Instead of getting discouraged and giving up, you keep practicing and gradually start to understand how it works. 

Each mistake teaches you something new, and over time, you become proficient. The early struggles were worthy fails because they were steps toward mastery.

The next example is implementing a new time management strategy.  Let’s say you decide to try a new time management technique you read about, like time blocking. 

You meticulously plan your week, assigning specific tasks to specific time slots. But when you try to follow your schedule, things don’t go as planned. You get distracted, meetings run over, and some tasks take longer than expected. 

Instead of abandoning the strategy, you take time to reflect on what didn’t work. Maybe you realize you need to allow more buffer time between tasks or be stricter about minimizing distractions. 

Each week, you tweak and adjust your approach, learning from each setback. These are worthy fails because they help you refine your strategy and improve over time.

The last example is setting ambitious goals.  Let’s say you set a goal to bring in five new clients by the end of the quarter. You put in the effort, reaching out to prospects, setting up meetings, and pitching your services. By the end of the quarter, you’ve only secured three new clients. 

While you didn’t hit your original target, you gained valuable experience in client acquisition, learned what works and what doesn’t, and built relationships that could lead to future business. This shortfall is a worthy fail because it was a step toward growth and provided you with important insights.

The truth is that successfully navigating worthy fails boosts your confidence. As you see yourself overcoming obstacles and learning from mistakes, you start to believe in your ability to handle challenges and achieve your goals. This increased confidence can motivate you to aim even higher.

So, the next time you face a setback, remember that it’s not the end of the road—it’s just a worthy fail, and you’re one step closer to achieving your goals.

Becoming a Smarter Accountant: Knowing The Difference Between An Escape Fail And A Worthy Fail

One of my coaching clients is a CPA who was struggling with time management and a fear of failure. When he first came to me, he was overwhelmed and stuck in a cycle of escape fails. 

He constantly put off important tasks, justifying his procrastination by convincing himself that urgent emails and calls took priority. This left him feeling frustrated and exhausted, as he never made real progress on his goals.

In our sessions, we worked on shifting his mindset. We redefined failure and discussed the concepts of escape fails and worthy fails. 

He learned to see failure not as a negative endpoint but as a stepping stone to improvement. We set small, actionable goals and created a structured schedule with time for him to assess.

One of his first worthy fails came when he tried to overhaul his entire filing system. Halfway through, he realized it was too big a project to complete in one go. 

Instead of giving up, he broke it down into smaller tasks. This taught him the importance of manageable chunks and better planning.

Over time, he became more comfortable setting ambitious goals and taking on challenging projects. He also started noticing an improvement in his productivity and confidence. When setbacks occurred, he analyzed what went wrong, adjusted his approach, and moved forward.

Today, he manages his time effectively, sets and achieves ambitious goals, and views failure as an opportunity for growth. He’s completely changed his relationship with failure and has embraced how much worthy fails have empowered him.  

So hopefully you can see that although we all have a fear of failure, worthy fails make it possible to not limit ourselves and our growth opportunities.  

Key Takeaway and Action Item

The key takeaway from this episode is that not all failures are equal. By distinguishing between escape fails and worthy fails, you can change your relationship with failure. 

Escape fails hold you back by encouraging avoidance and procrastination, while worthy fails move you forward by encouraging growth and learning. Embracing worthy fails allows you to see failure as a valuable part of your journey rather than a dead-end. 

By shifting your mindset and training your brain to view challenges as opportunities, you can break free from the fear of failure and unlock your full potential in both your professional and personal life.

This week, think about a recent failure you experienced. Was it an escape fail or a worthy fail? What steps can you take to turn future escape fails into worthy fails, and how might this change impact your personal growth and career success?

Well, that’s what I have for you.  Thank you for joining me as I discussed the difference between an escape fail and a worthy fail.  I hope you’ve learned something that you can begin to apply, whether it’s at work or at home.

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

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

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

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

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

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

People ask me all the time how I come up with topics for this podcast. You know, it’s typically what I notice for myself and for my coaching clients. After all, if I’m surrounded by accountants experiencing a particular issue, then you all might be experiencing it as well, right?

As we all know, as an accountant, being reliable and dependable is crucial. Whether you’re working within a company or running your own practice, the ability to deliver accurate and timely work is what builds your reputation.

When colleagues, managers, or clients know they can count on you, it can open doors to promotions, raises, and new opportunities. It feels great to be seen as the person who gets things done, doesn’t it?

However, there’s a significant downside to this. If you find yourself saying yes to every request, every project, or every little favor, you might be setting yourself up for trouble.

It might seem like a smart strategy at first—you’re the go-to person, the one who can handle anything. But… have you ever stopped to think about what this constant agreeing is doing to you?

For example, let’s say you’re already swamped with your workload, and then your manager asks if you can take on an additional project with a tight deadline. You know it’s going to be tough, but you say yes because you want to prove you can handle it.

Or what about when a client calls you last minute needing urgent financial statements for a refinancing deal that they’ve known about for months. You’ve got a busy day ahead, but you don’t want to let them down, so you say yes.

The question is, how does it feel when you constantly agree to take on more than you can comfortably handle? Do you feel stressed, overwhelmed, or even resentful?

If so, you’re not alone. The desire to be helpful and dependable can sometimes lead you to overcommit, leaving you feeling pulled in too many directions. This is particularly challenging if you’re balancing professional responsibilities with personal life, like taking care of your family.

So, why is it so hard to say no? Is it because you want to please others and avoid disappointing them? Or is it fear—fear of not being liked, valued, or even missing out on opportunities?

The issue is that constantly saying yes can lead to burnout, mistakes, and a feeling of being unappreciated. Have you noticed these signs in your own life? 

Maybe you’ve found yourself waking up early or staying up late, just trying to get everything done. Or you may have felt that there’s not enough time in the day to meet everyone’s demands and still take care of yourself.

It’s important to recognize that pushing back and setting boundaries isn’t about being difficult or uncooperative. It’s about managing your workload in a sustainable way and maintaining your well-being.

Think about it this way: If you’re always overloaded, can you truly perform at your best? Are you able to give your full attention and energy to each task? I promise that by learning to push back effectively, you can protect your time, reduce your stress, and still be a reliable and valuable professional.

But what happens when you constantly say yes, even when it stretches you too thin? Let’s talk about the consequences of always agreeing to every request.

The Consequences of Always Saying Yes

If you tend to say yes to every request, it might seem like the right thing to do. You’re helpful, dependable, and everyone appreciates you. But have you ever considered the toll this constant agreement takes on you?

As I mentioned before, there’s increased stress and burnout. Unfortunately, when you continually take on more than you can handle, stress becomes a constant companion. The issue is that, whether you want to admit it or not, this constant state of pressure isn’t sustainable. Over time, it can lead to burnout—or worse.

Unfortunately, burnout doesn’t just hit you at work; it sneaks into every part of your life, draining your energy and joy. Ever felt so overwhelmed that even the smallest tasks feel impossible? That’s burnout knocking at your door.

Another consequence of always saying yes is becoming a “dumping ground” for work. As an accountant, you probably pride yourself on your reliability. But have you noticed how this can backfire when colleagues, managers, or clients start seeing you as the go-to person for every task?

Think about it for a second: Are you the one who gets handed the last-minute projects or the tedious tasks that others don’t want to do? Are you considered the most reliable person, so everyone seems to dump things in your lap?

This isn’t just about workload—it’s about respect and recognition. When you become the “dumping ground” for work, it’s easy to feel undervalued and taken for granted. You might start to wonder if your skills and efforts are truly appreciated, or if you’re just being used because you never say no.

Here’s the thing: it’s not just your professional life that suffers when you say yes to everything. Your personal life takes a hit, too. Have you found yourself sacrificing family time, personal hobbies, or even basic self-care to keep up with work demands?

For example, did you purchase that gym membership in January with all good intentions but you’ve allowed other people to be in control of your time in and out of work?

The truth is that balancing work and personal life as an accountant is challenging enough without the added pressure of overcommitment. When you’re always saying yes, something has to give. Unfortunately, it’s often your personal life that gets pushed to the side.

You might miss out on important family events, or you might feel too exhausted to enjoy the time you do have at home. This imbalance can strain relationships and leave you feeling isolated and unhappy.

For example, if you have people in your life who complain about not spending enough time together, it can add to your stress and guilt, making you feel like you’re constantly letting someone down. This can create a vicious cycle where you’re stretched too thin at work, yet feel like you’re failing in your personal life as well. 

If you can relate, these consequences are not unique to you. But it’s important to recognize these signs and understand that pushing back doesn’t mean you’re failing; it means you’re setting healthy boundaries to protect yourself and your well-being. 

If you can relate to any of the consequences I’ve shared it’s time to take a step back and consider how you can start saying no in a way that benefits both your professional and personal life. Remember, you can’t pour from an empty cup. Taking care of yourself ensures that you can continue to be reliable and effective in the long run.

Now that we’ve looked at the toll that overcommitting can take, it’s important to understand why saying no is so difficult. The answer lies within your brain.

Your Brain’s Role in Pushing Back

Understanding why it’s so hard to say no can make pushing back easier. It all starts with how your brain works.

Have you ever felt a tight feeling in your stomach or guilt just thinking about saying no? That’s your brain reacting. When you think about turning down a request, your brain triggers a mix of emotions.

You might worry about upsetting someone, damaging a relationship, or getting rejected. These fears make saying no feel really tough. But why does such a simple word seem so heavy?

The truth is, the word “no” has a strong effect on the brain. If we scanned your brain and flashed the word “no,” even for less than a second, it would trigger a release of stress hormones.

This reaction messes with how your brain normally works, making it harder to think clearly, reason, and communicate. Surprising, right? It shows just how powerful the word “no” can be.

When you hear or say “no,” your brain reacts as if it’s facing danger. It releases stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline.

These hormones are helpful in real danger but not when you’re simply trying to manage your time. This reaction makes it harder to think clearly, stay calm, and respond in a helpful way.

Think about how a toddler reacts when told “no”—crying, tantrums, the whole meltdown. It’s extreme, but it’s their brain flooding with stress, just like adults experience.

Even though you might not throw a tantrum, the stress inside can feel intense. Knowing this can help you understand why saying no feels like a challenge.

When your brain hears “no,” it goes into defense mode. It starts building arguments, trying to convince you or the other person to say yes.

This defensive mindset can make communication hard. Instead of working together to find a solution, both sides might end up in a back-and-forth argument.

Have you ever been in a heated conversation, just waiting for your turn to speak without really listening? That’s your brain’s defense mechanisms kicking in.

These stress hormones also affect how you think. When you’re stressed, the part of your brain that handles decision-making doesn’t work as well.

This makes it harder to weigh your options, think about the consequences, or communicate effectively. Have you ever agreed to something under pressure and regretted it later? That’s your stressed brain at work.

For accountants, this stress response can be a real issue. When facing a big request or tight deadline, your brain might treat it like a life-or-death situation.

This can lead to bad decisions, poor communication, and more stress. It’s important to recognize when this reaction happens and learn how to handle it.

By understanding these brain processes, you’ll see why pushing back is so hard—and why it’s crucial to approach it in a smart way. By accepting how powerful “no” can be, you can start to manage requests and set boundaries in a healthier way.

Now let’s dive into a method that can help you push back effectively.

The Best Method for Pushing Back

Now that we know why saying no can be tough, let’s talk about a way to push back that makes handling requests easier. I want to introduce you to the “Yes…AND…” method. It’s a simple but powerful way to set boundaries without causing conflict.

The “Yes…AND…” method helps you agree to a request while also making sure your needs are met. Instead of just saying no, which can create stress, you say yes and then add your own conditions with an and.

In other words, this method keeps the conversation open instead of shutting it down.

So, why does this work so well? It has to do with how our brains react to yes and no.

When someone hears yes, their brain feels calm and understood. By starting with yes, you show that you’re willing to help and that you respect the other person’s request.

The key is adding the “and.” That’s where you bring in your needs and limits.

Here’s a simple example – If your boss asks you to take on an extra project when you’re already at full capacity, you could say, “Yes, AND I can start working on it next week once I’ve finished my current deadlines.”

This response sets a clear boundary that respects your workload while still offering help within a reasonable timeframe.

By adding an and, you don’t reject the request, but you also don’t overcommit yourself. This creates a conversation where both sides can talk and find a solution that works for everyone. It helps avoid the stress and conflict that can come with saying no.

Here’s how the “Yes…AND…” method can make things better:

• Reduces Stress: By not saying no right away, you’re less likely to stress yourself or the other person. The conversation stays calm and productive.
  
• Encourages Open Communication: Starting with yes shows you’re open to talking. The “AND” invites the other person to see your side and work together.
  
• Builds Stronger Relationships: This method shows respect for both your needs and theirs. It builds trust and shows you’re willing to compromise.
  
• Empowers You: The “Yes…AND…” method helps you set boundaries without feeling guilty. You can manage your work and personal life better.
  
• Promotes Problem-Solving: This approach encourages both sides to think of creative solutions. It turns conflict into teamwork.
  

Think about a time when you felt overwhelmed by a request. How could the conversation have gone differently if you had used the “Yes…AND…” method? Instead of feeling pressured, you could have opened up a conversation that respected both your needs and the other person’s.

When it’s challenging to say no, using the “Yes…AND…” method helps you manage requests in a balanced way. It’s not about saying no all the time; it’s about saying yes in a way that works for you too.

This method lets you stay reliable without sacrificing your well-being. Next time someone makes a tough request, try the “Yes…AND…” method and see how it changes the conversation.

Practical Examples Using The Method

Now that we’ve gone over the “Yes…AND…” method, let’s look at some real-life examples of how you can use it.

At Home: Imagine you’re making dinner, and your child asks for candy. Your first thought might be to say no so they don’t ruin their appetite, but that could lead to a tantrum and a stressful evening.

Instead, try the “Yes…AND…” method: “Yes, you can have some candy AND after we finish dinner, you can pick one out.” This way, your child feels heard, and you keep things calm by setting a condition that works for both of you.

At Work: Scheduling with clients can be tricky. Suppose a client wants a meeting outside your regular hours.

Instead of saying no right away, you could say, “Yes, I’m available for a meeting AND I have openings tomorrow afternoon or Friday morning. Which time works best for you?” This shows you’re willing to help while also protecting your time.

With Clients: Managing expectations when you’re fully booked can be tough.

If a client wants to hire you but your schedule is full, instead of turning them away, you could say, “Yes, I’d love to work with you AND I can add you to my waitlist and let you know as soon as I have an opening. In the meantime, let’s discuss your needs so I’m ready when the time comes.” This way, you leave a good impression and keep future opportunities open.

In Personal Life: Handling requests from your spouse without causing tension is important for keeping a healthy relationship.

If your spouse asks you to pick up their dry cleaning but you’re already busy, you might say, “Yes, I can help with that AND the best time for me is Friday at 4 pm. Does that work for you?” This shows you’re willing to help while clearly stating your limits, so you don’t overcommit.

These examples show how the “Yes…AND…” method helps you manage requests without feeling overwhelmed. It lets you stay reliable and professional while also taking care of your own needs.

Becoming a Smarter Accountant: Pushing Back With The “Yes…AND…” Method

I want to share how I’ve used the “Yes…AND…” method in my own career. While I’m proud of being known for my strong work ethic, I was becoming the go-to person for every urgent project.

The constant demands were wearing me down, and I started feeling exhausted and unappreciated.

After learning about the “Yes…AND…” method, I decided to give it a try. Instead of always saying yes and giving up my personal time, I responded with, “Yes, I can help with this project AND I’ll need to adjust the deadline to make sure it’s done right. I’ll need to schedule it for early next week”

To my surprise, the person agreed. We settled on a new deadline that allowed me to get the work done without overwhelming myself.

By starting with a yes, I showed I was willing to help, and by adding the and, I set a boundary to protect my time.

Another time, a colleague asked me to review a report at the last minute. I said, “Yes, I can review the report AND I’ll have it back to you by Thursday afternoon.”

The colleague pushed back a little, but since I was offering help on my terms, they realized it was a win/win.

As you can see, it might feel uncomfortable at first to push back, but you don’t have to be a doormat. By using the “Yes…AND…” method, you can get things done on your terms.   

Key Takeaway and Action Item

The “Yes…AND…” method is a great way to set boundaries without causing conflict. By starting with a yes and then adding your own conditions with an and, you create a conversation that respects both your needs and the other person’s.

This method helps lower stress, improves communication, and protects your well-being while still allowing you to be seen as reliable and dependable.

So, the next time you face a tough request, ask yourself: “How can I use the ‘Yes…AND…’ method to acknowledge this request while also setting a boundary that protects my time and well-being?”

Well, that’s what I have for you.  Thank you for joining me as I discussed when you need to push back.  I hope you’ve learned something that you can begin to apply, whether it’s at work or at home.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Why We Try to Do Too Much

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Brain Science Behind Focus

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Role of Time Management in Effective Focus

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

How to Achieve More by Focusing on Less

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Key Takeaway and Action Item

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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