At the end of each podcast, I always say, “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.” And there’s a reason I repeat this every week.

The accounting profession is built on traditions and long-standing beliefs that often go unquestioned. Many accountants are struggling with stress, overwhelm, and burnout because they’ve accepted these norms without realizing there’s another way. 

This podcast is about offering a different perspective—a way to challenge those beliefs and create a more sustainable, fulfilling career. But for that message to spread, we need more accountants to hear it.

If you’ve been in the accounting profession for a while, you’ve probably heard plenty of phrases like “tax season is stressful” or “the work never really slows down.” These beliefs get passed around so often that they start to feel like facts. 

But what if they’re not? What if the stress we experience as accountants isn’t just part of the job but a result of the stories we’ve been telling ourselves for years?

In many ways, the accounting profession has become stuck in these old narratives. We see others around us feeling stressed and overwhelmed, and we naturally mirror those feelings. 

In fact, it’s human nature to pick up on the emotions of those in our environment—especially in a field like accounting, where long hours, tight deadlines, and high expectations are the norm. But when we do this without questioning it, we end up reinforcing a belief system that might not actually serve us. 

Whether it’s tax season, year-end reviews, or managing difficult clients, we’ve been conditioned to accept that accounting comes with constant pressure. We’ve been taught to believe that if you’re not stressed, maybe you’re not doing enough.

The problem with these narratives is that they become so deeply ingrained that we stop questioning them altogether. They get passed down from one generation of accountants to the next, without anyone taking a step back to ask, “Does it really have to be this way?” 

It’s almost as if we wear our stress like a badge of honor, something that proves our dedication to the job. But at what cost? Burnout, overwhelm, and dissatisfaction have become widespread in the profession, and the very things we’ve been led to believe are necessary for success are often what make the job feel unsustainable.

But what if it didn’t have to be this way? What if the stress we experience isn’t necessarily about the workload but more about the way we’ve been taught to think about it? 

Whether you’re dealing with tax season or a different demanding period in your accounting career, these feelings often stem from beliefs we haven’t stopped to challenge. It’s not just about the amount of work we have to do; it’s the stories we tell ourselves about that work. 

The question we need to start asking ourselves is: Are we stuck in a narrative that’s no longer serving us? And more importantly, what would happen if we chose to change it? 

Imagine what your work experience could look like if you let go of these old, limiting beliefs. What if, instead of focusing on the stress and overwhelm, we started focusing on how we could approach our work differently? What if we challenged the idea that stress is an inevitable part of being an accountant?

It’s time to consider that the old ways don’t have to define our future. No matter what area of accounting you’re in, there’s an opportunity to break free from the narrative of stress and overwhelm. 

By questioning these long-held beliefs, we can create a different, more sustainable way of working that allows us to thrive instead of just survive.

The Tribe Mentality: How We Mirror Those Around Us

As humans, our brains naturally pick up on and mirror the emotions of those around us. This instinct, called “tribe mentality,” has helped humans connect and survive for thousands of years. 

In our jobs, especially in accounting, this often shows up when we take on the stress and overwhelm of our coworkers without even realizing it. When one person feels anxious, it’s easy for that feeling to spread, creating an environment where stress feels like the norm.

Think about the last time you were working during a busy time, like tax season or a major deadline. Everyone around you may have seemed stressed, juggling papers, rushing to meet deadlines, and feeling worn out. Even if you started the day calm, it’s likely you began to feel their stress too. 

This is how easily we absorb the energy around us. You might have started to feel the pressure building, thinking that stress is just part of the job and that you have no choice but to feel the same way as everyone else.

But here’s something to consider: that stress you’re feeling may not actually be yours. Often, we adopt the thoughts and feelings of those around us because we’re wired to connect. We see others acting stressed or overwhelmed, and we naturally fall into the same mindset. 

But just because others are feeling pressured doesn’t mean you have to be. Many of us mirror the feelings in our environment without stopping to ask ourselves, “Do I really need to feel this way?”

Unfortunately, this is how tribe mentality works. We don’t want to be different, and we want to fit in. If everyone else is feeling overwhelmed, it can feel strange to stay calm. 

But what if you allowed yourself to step out of that cycle? What if, instead of taking on the stress of those around you, you decided to manage your own thoughts and emotions? You have the choice to decide how you want to feel, no matter how others are reacting.

Noticing how we mirror others is the first step to changing how we experience work. It’s not about ignoring challenges or pretending everything is fine. That’s not what I’m saying at all.  It’s about recognizing that just because your coworkers are stressed, doesn’t mean you have to be. 

You have the power to choose your own path and, in doing so, you might even inspire others to do the same. 

But thinking differently starts with recognizing the beliefs we’ve taken for granted. To create real change, we need to start challenging what we think we know about accounting and the stress we experience.

Challenging What We Think We Know

In the accounting profession, we tend to accept certain beliefs as facts, but when we take a closer look, they’re often just assumptions we’ve picked up along the way. These thoughts get passed down from one accountant to another until they become so ingrained that we stop questioning them. But the truth is, a lot of what we believe about our work is optional.

Take “tax season is stressful,” for example. This is something we hear all the time, and eventually, it starts to feel like an unavoidable reality. The same goes for “working long hours equals success.” These beliefs have been repeated so often that they’ve become part of the profession’s culture. 

But just because they’re common doesn’t make them true. What if tax season didn’t have to be stressful? What if success wasn’t measured by how many hours you put in, but by the quality of the work you do and the balance you maintain in your life?

In a few minutes I’ll share how I have had stress-free tax seasons for 10 years by challenging what I thought I knew, but that’s not the only limiting belief we have.

There are plenty of other phrases we toss around that perpetuate the stress and overwhelm in accounting:

“You’ll never get ahead unless you put in the extra hours.”

“We’re accountants; we’re supposed to be overworked.”

“Get used to being exhausted—this is how it is.”

“This is what we signed up for.”

“Clients are always going to be difficult, and we just have to deal with it.”

“If you’re not working late, you’re not dedicated enough.”

“You’ll never have a real work-life balance in this field.”

These phrases might seem harmless when we say them in passing, but they reinforce a mindset that stress and exhaustion are inevitable. We rarely stop to ask ourselves, “Is this actually true?” or “Does believing this help me?” Instead, we just accept them as part of the job.

But what if we didn’t? What if we started to challenge these assumptions and asked ourselves whether they serve us? Would we approach our work differently if we stopped believing that long hours are the only path to success? Could we find more peace and balance if we questioned whether stress is really necessary, or just something we’ve been told to expect?

The first step in changing the narrative of the accounting profession is to start questioning the beliefs we’ve taken for granted. By challenging these old ways of thinking, we open the door to new possibilities—ones where success and balance can coexist, and where stress doesn’t have to be the price we pay for being accountants.

By starting to question these long-held beliefs, we can create the mental space to consider a new approach—one where we actively reshape the future of the accounting profession. 

Continuing to hold onto these outdated beliefs is not only unhelpful but also harmful to the future of the profession. That’s why it’s crucial to understand why the ‘old ways’ have to go if we want to create a sustainable future.

Why the ‘Old Ways’ Have to Die Out for a Sustainable Future

Let’s be honest, the traditional attitudes and beliefs that have shaped the accounting profession for so long are no longer working. We’ve been holding on to ideas that are not only outdated but are actively contributing to burnout, stress, and dissatisfaction. 

The “old ways”—believing that long hours equal success, that stress is just part of the job, and that working non-stop is the only way to get ahead—are pushing accountants to their breaking point. And if we don’t change the way we think about our work, we risk pushing an entire generation of accountants out of the profession.

Look at the growing number of accountants experiencing burnout. It’s not just a coincidence. It’s a direct result of the mindset we’ve been conditioned to accept. The constant pressure to perform, meet deadlines, and work long hours is not sustainable. 

The belief that success is measured by how much you sacrifice—whether it’s your time, your health, or your relationships—has created a toxic cycle. Accountants are feeling the weight of this every day, and it’s taking a serious toll.

Continuing with this mindset doesn’t just hurt individual accountants; it hurts the profession as a whole. When we’re constantly stressed and overwhelmed, we can’t do our best work. 

We make more mistakes, we lose our passion for what we do, and eventually, we either burn out or leave the field altogether. If we want to create a sustainable future for accounting, we need to let go of these old, limiting beliefs and embrace a healthier, more balanced approach.

Changing the narrative in the accounting profession isn’t just a nice idea—it’s essential. The profession needs to evolve to survive. 

That means challenging the idea that stress and long hours are a badge of honor and starting to prioritize well-being, balance, and efficiency. It means valuing quality over quantity and recognizing that a successful accountant isn’t one who works the most hours but one who works effectively and maintains their health and happiness along the way.

If we can shift our collective mindset, we can create a future where accountants thrive, not just survive. The old ways have to die out if we want to move forward. 

It’s time for a new approach—one that focuses on sustainability, both personally and professionally, so that the next generation of accountants can enjoy long, fulfilling careers without sacrificing their well-being.

Embracing a more sustainable future starts with changing the way we think, but real transformation happens when we take action to rewrite the story of what it means to be an accountant. So, how do we begin to shift this narrative in a practical way?

The Choice to Change the Narrative

At the end of the day, accountants have a choice: continue following the old, unsustainable narrative or start questioning the beliefs that have been holding the profession back. It’s easy to keep doing things the way they’ve always been done—working long hours, accepting stress as a given, and thinking that burnout is just part of the deal. 

But here’s the thing: we don’t have to keep living that story. We have the power to change it.

Plus, the definition of insanity is doing the same things over and over and expecting different results.  We have to break free from these old patterns, challenge the beliefs that aren’t serving us, and start creating a new narrative—one that leads to healthier, more fulfilling careers in the accounting profession. 

The beliefs we hold about our work shape how we experience it. If we continue to believe that stress is unavoidable, then we’ll keep feeling overwhelmed. If we tell ourselves that working harder is the only path to success, then we’ll keep burning out. 

But if we start questioning those thoughts—if we begin to challenge the idea that being an accountant has to mean being stressed—everything can change.

You have a choice in how you experience your career. You can keep accepting the thoughts and beliefs that lead to stress and dissatisfaction, or you can decide to write a new narrative. It starts with awareness. 

Start noticing the thoughts you’re accepting without question. Ask yourself, “Is this really true?” and “Does believing this help me?” The simple act of questioning what you’ve always taken for granted can open the door to a completely different experience.

Imagine what your career could look like if you let go of the belief that stress and overwhelm are inevitable. What would happen if you redefined success to include balance and well-being, not just hours worked? How would your day-to-day experience shift if you allowed yourself to challenge the old ways and create a new, more sustainable approach to your work?

Now is the time to make that choice. The profession won’t change unless we start to change the way we think. 

By choosing to question the old narrative, we create the possibility of a future where accountants thrive—where the work is fulfilling, and the stress is manageable. It’s a future that’s within reach, but it starts with each of us deciding to think differently.

The choice is yours. Will you continue to follow the old story, or will you begin to write a new one?

Becoming a Smarter Accountant: How I Changed My Narrative

One of the biggest reasons why I wrote my book, “The Smarter Accountant” is because I had changed the narrative for myself and wanted accountants to learn what made that possible.

But the impetus for that change started after the first tax season that my second husband and I were married.  At the end of tax season he said to me, “What just happened?”  I said, “What do you mean?”  He said, “Tax season wasn’t what I expected.  You were always stressed and overwhelmed, you weren’t your normal self, you worked crazy hours, and you weren’t really present when you were home.”

I remember thinking, “Dude, you married a CPA.  What did you think it was going to be like?”  But, instead, I began to take to heart what he said.

I was working with a coach at the time and I told her what my husband had said and added, “Well, tax season is just stressful.”  She told me something that literally changed my career and my life.  She said, “You know that ‘Tax season is stressful’ is just a thought, not a fact.”

I remember thinking, “Well, clearly she has no idea what she’s talking about.”

She explained that it was a fact that I had tax deadlines and that there was more work to do during certain times of the year, but those things weren’t causing me stress.  What was causing me to feel stressed and overwhelmed was what I was thinking about those facts.

In other words, thoughts like “Tax season is stressful” or “I don’t know how I’m going to get all this done” were the cause.  And then she pointed out that our thoughts are 100% optional so if I chose more helpful and useful thoughts, I could reduce and even eliminate stress and overwhelm altogether.

Besides passing the CPA exam over 30 years ago, this was a pivotal point in my career and my life.  I began replacing my unhelpful thoughts and began practicing more helpful and useful thoughts like “Tax season doesn’t have to be stressful” and “I just need to focus on one thing at a time.”

I began feeling more focused and began getting more done in less time.  I had more energy at the end of the day and on the weekends.

The best part is that my husband started noticing without me telling him what I was doing differently.  When I explained what I had done differently that particular tax season he said, “Keep doing it.  It was a night and day difference from the previous year.” 

This is how I started to change my narrative in the accounting profession.  I began to challenge the thoughts and beliefs I had borrowed from other accountants and even publications like Accounting Today who had an article years ago titled, “Brace Yourself For Another Stressful Tax Season!”

I now recognize those unhelpful and unuseful beliefs and I choose wisely.  I get more done in less time than most accountants because I’ve become a Smarter Accountant.

Again, it’s why I wrote my book and why I distilled 10 years of knowledge into a 6-week Smarter Accountant Program.  To show accountants how to change their narrative so that they can have easier, more sustainable careers.

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

As accountants, we have the power to rewrite the narrative of our profession. By questioning long-held beliefs and challenging assumptions like “stress is just part of the job,” we can create a more balanced, sustainable, and fulfilling career. 

The future of accounting doesn’t have to be defined by stress and burnout—we can choose a new path by thinking differently about our work.

This week ask yourself, “What is one thought or belief I’ve been holding onto about my work that I can start questioning today? How might changing that belief improve my experience in the accounting profession?

This question is crucial because the ripple effect of one accountant changing their narrative can be profound. When you shift your mindset and break free from the old, limiting beliefs, you not only transform your own experience but also set an example for those around you. 

When your colleagues see you thriving, getting your work done efficiently, and handling stress in a healthier way, it can make them stop and think about how they’re approaching things. It’s like a ripple effect—when one person starts questioning the idea that stress is just part of the job, it opens the door for others to do the same.

Honestly, it doesn’t take much. One person choosing to think differently can inspire real change and help reshape the whole accounting profession for the better. It all starts with just one small shift.

Well, that’s what I have for you.  Thank you for joining me as I discussed changing the narrative in the accounting profession.  I hope that I’ve inspired you to change your narrative about the accounting profession because it just takes one person to make a difference.

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.