Before I get started, I wanted to mention that this month’s CPE webinar is all about something every accountant struggles with — interruptions. Whether it’s constant emails, client requests, team questions, or even your own brain pulling you in ten different directions, interruptions are one of the biggest reasons accountants feel behind, overwhelmed, and mentally drained.

In this CPE course, The Smarter Accountant Guide To Handling Interruptions, I’m going to break down why interruptions feel so disruptive, what’s actually happening in your brain when your focus gets hijacked, and how smarter accountants protect their attention so they can get more done in less time — without stress running the show.

If your days feel scattered or you end most afternoons wondering where your time went, you won’t want to miss this.

Join me on Tuesday, November 25th at 12 pm EST.  You can register at www.thesmarteraccountant.com/cpe

Okay, let’s get started with this week’s episode….

Have you ever felt like no matter how hard you work, things in your accounting career never get easier? Like you’re always spinning your wheels and just trying to keep up?

It can feel exhausting, and sometimes it makes you wonder if there’s a smarter way to handle your day. Something that doesn’t involve working longer hours or stressing over every little task.

Most of us think that hard work alone is the answer. But there’s more to getting things done than just putting in the time. There’s a way to work that feels smoother, less stressful, and even a little exciting.

What if the secret isn’t about doing more, but thinking differently? Not about learning new software or new tricks, but seeing the work you already do in a new way?

It might sound strange, but some ideas from science—ideas that seem far away from accounting—can actually change how you approach your career. Ideas that help you notice things you didn’t see before and make small shifts that create bigger results.

The truth is, your brain is constantly noticing patterns and making decisions, even when you’re not aware of it. The way it does that can make work feel heavy or make it feel lighter, depending on how you approach it.

Some of these concepts come from a place that seems complicated, but they’re really about understanding how your mind reacts to the world. Once you start seeing it this way, things that used to feel impossible can start to feel possible.

You might start to notice opportunities to do things faster, handle stress better, or even enjoy the work that used to feel like a grind. I believe that that’s the kind of change that can make a real 

difference in how you feel every single day.

It’s not about magic. It’s about small shifts that give you more control over your work and your time. And once you see how it works, it’s surprisingly simple to apply.

So, what would it feel like if your work didn’t feel so heavy? If you could get more done without wearing yourself out? That’s what we’re going to explore today.

Why Accountants Struggle to Get Ahead

Many accountants feel like no matter how much effort they put in, they’re not moving forward. It’s easy to think, “If I just work harder, I’ll get more done.” You start the day with a long list, check off a few tasks, and by the end, it feels like you barely made a dent.

But the truth is, working longer hours doesn’t always solve the problem. Stress piles up, interruptions happen constantly, and tasks never seem to end. 

Some days it feels like you’re running on a treadmill—moving, but never really getting anywhere. That sense of “busy but not productive” can make even simple tasks feel overwhelming.

A lot of productivity advice focuses on the surface-level stuff: making lists, scheduling, using software, or managing time better. And while those things can help, they often miss the most important piece—the way your brain naturally reacts to work, deadlines, and stress. 

These invisible patterns shape how you think, what you notice, and even the decisions you make throughout the day.

Your brain is wired to respond to what feels urgent, scary, or important first—even if those things aren’t the best use of your time. That’s why you might find yourself jumping on a client email that just came in while a report due tomorrow sits unfinished. 

Or answering a colleague’s question about a minor detail instead of tackling a project that actually moves the needle. It’s not laziness—it’s your brain doing exactly what it was designed to do.

These patterns also affect energy and focus. You might notice yourself getting distracted by emails, small tasks, or what other people want from you, instead of spending your energy on the things that matter most. And the more stressed or tired you feel, the harder it becomes to break the cycle.

This is why smarter accountants don’t just focus on time or tools—they take a step back to understand how their brain works and how it’s influencing their work. By recognizing these hidden patterns, you can start to see where the friction comes from and begin thinking differently about how to get things done.

Next, I want to explore what you need to know about these patterns and how understanding them can help you work smarter, reduce stress, and finally feel like your accounting career is moving forward.

How Quantum Concepts Can Make Your Accounting Career Easier

There’s something fascinating about the way our brains work, and it lines up in surprising ways with ideas from quantum physics. Although this can be a complicated subject, I believe that understanding a few key concepts can help you see your work differently and make your day feel less stressful.

The first idea is called superposition. In quantum physics, it means multiple possibilities exist at the same time. 

For accountants, this is like realizing you don’t have to stick with the first solution that pops into your head or see things like everyone else sees them. You can pause, consider different ways to approach a task, and choose the one that will save time or reduce stress. 

Your brain is capable of seeing more than one path—you just have to give it permission.

Next is the observer effect, which says that observation changes reality. In simple terms, what you focus on expands. 

For example, if you concentrate on problems, that’s all you’ll notice. But if you focus on what’s possible, your mindset shapes what you see and what you accomplish. 

Paying attention to how you approach deadlines, client emails, or prioritization can literally change the outcome. For instance, if you notice that you always answer emails the moment they arrive, try batching them into two 30-minute sessions. Suddenly, that 10-minute task doesn’t derail your morning, and you finish that report faster than usual.

The third concept is entanglement, which reminds us that everything is connected. A small shift in one part of your workday can ripple through the rest of it. 

For example, setting a clear boundary around one client call can improve your energy for other tasks, help you stay focused, and reduce stress. Your actions aren’t isolated—they impact the bigger picture.

The fourth and final concept is energy fields, which means that the environment and energy around particles affect their behavior. For your brain, this translates to your mental state influencing how effectively you work. 

In other words, tuning your energy—calming yourself before tackling a difficult report, or taking a short break to reset—can make challenging tasks feel easier and your day flow better.

These ideas might sound abstract at first, but they’re actually very practical. They show that your attention, mindset, and small choices can change how your day feels and how much you get done. 

The bottom line is that deadlines, emails, interruptions, and prioritization aren’t just external challenges—they’re opportunities to work smarter by working with your brain, not against it.

Understanding these concepts is the first step. The next step is learning how to apply them in real ways that fit your daily work.

Next, I want to look at practical examples and strategies you can use to put these ideas into action, so you can see real results in your career and feel more in control of your day.

Quantum-Inspired Strategies Accountants Can Use Every Day

Now that we’ve looked at some key quantum ideas, let’s see what they actually look like in your accounting work. These aren’t just theories—they can change how you handle tasks, deadlines, and client interactions.

For superposition, which states that multiple possibilities exist at the same time, try this: when you start a task, pause before jumping to the first solution. Ask yourself, “Is there another way to do this that might be faster or easier?” 

Maybe a client report can be summarized differently, or a spreadsheet formula can be tweaked to save time. Even small adjustments can reduce stress and make your workday feel smoother.

With the observer effect, which says that observation changes reality, notice where your attention goes. If you spend the morning worrying about missed deadlines, that’s all you’ll see. 

Instead, focus on what’s working or what progress you’ve made. You’ll start noticing opportunities—like a client responding quickly or a task that’s easier than expected—that might have been invisible before.

Entanglement,  which reminds us that everything is connected, shows up when you make small changes that ripple outward. For example, setting a boundary around one phone call—deciding it will only take 15 minutes—can leave you more energy for other tasks. 

That little choice can improve your focus, reduce stress, and even positively affect how colleagues or clients interact with you. Everything is connected, and your choices matter more than you realize.

For energy fields, which means that the environment and energy around particles affect their behavior, pay attention to your mental state before important tasks. If you’re tired or frustrated, take a short break, stretch, or reset your focus.

Entering the task with calmer, more intentional energy makes reports, reconciliations, or emails feel easier and helps you work more efficiently. Your brain responds to your state, so tuning your energy can have an outsized impact.

The beauty of these ideas is that they’re simple to apply. You don’t need fancy tools or new software—just awareness and small shifts in how you think and act. Over time, they add up to bigger results: less stress, better focus, and more control over your day.

Understanding and applying these concepts shows a smarter way to approach work. You’re no longer just reacting to the next email or deadline—you’re intentionally shaping your day to get the most out of your brain and your time.

Next, I want to share a coaching client story that brings these concepts to life, so you can see how these shifts look in real-world accounting work and the difference they can make.

Becoming a Smarter Accountant: Using Quantum Physics To Have An Easier Accounting Career 

Here’s a story about one of my coaching clients who always felt like their day was out of control. No matter how early they started or how late they stayed, they ended the day stressed, behind, and frustrated.

The problem was clear: they were reacting to every email, every client request, and every internal deadline. There was never a pause to think about different ways to approach tasks or how focus and attention shaped the day.

The first shift came with superposition. Instead of automatically doing tasks the same way every time, she started considering alternative approaches. A small tweak in how monthly reports were prepared cut hours of work without sacrificing quality.

Next was the observer effect. By focusing on what was going well rather than only urgent problems, she began noticing small wins—clients responding quickly, processes running smoothly—that had gone unseen before. Attention shifted, and the day felt more manageable.

Then came entanglement. Small intentional changes, like limiting one long client call to 20 minutes, had ripple effects throughout the day. 

After that call ended on time, there was energy left for reviewing that month-end reconciliation without feeling drained. Even a follow-up email that used to feel tedious became easier to tackle. These small tweaks show how connected even tiny actions can be.

Finally, energy fields made a difference. Taking a short mental reset before challenging work—breathing, stretching, or visualizing the task going smoothly—helped difficult tasks feel easier and more manageable.

Within a few weeks, the changes added up. The workday felt more controlled, stress levels dropped, and even challenging tasks became less overwhelming. It wasn’t about working fewer hours—it was about working smarter and using the brain differently.

Hopefully you can see that these concepts aren’t just abstract ideas—they’re practical ways to make your accounting workday easier, more focused, and more satisfying.

Next, I’m going to recap the key takeaways from today’s episode so you can start applying these small but powerful shifts in your own work.

Key Takeaway and Action Item

Today we explored how a few ideas from quantum physics can actually help accountants work smarter. We looked at how your brain naturally reacts to tasks, stress, and deadlines—and how small shifts in thinking can make a big difference.

We covered superposition, which reminds you that multiple possibilities exist. You don’t have to stick with the first solution that comes to mind. Pausing and considering alternatives can save time and reduce stress.

We talked about the observer effect, which shows that what you focus on shapes your reality. Paying attention to progress, small wins, and opportunities instead of just urgent problems can change the way your day feels.

We also explored entanglement, which highlights how small actions ripple across your day. Setting boundaries or making small changes in one area can improve energy, focus, and effectiveness in others.

Finally, energy fields reminded us that your mental state matters. Taking a moment to reset, breathe, or visualize success can make difficult work feel easier and help you stay focused.

Here’s a question to ask yourself today: “Where in my day am I reacting instead of creating?”

Think about your answer. Is it a specific task, client call, or type of email? By noticing where you’re stuck in reaction mode, you can start experimenting with small shifts—trying a different approach, focusing on wins, or adjusting your energy—to see how it changes your day.

Even one small change can create a ripple effect. Over time, these tiny adjustments can make your workday feel more manageable, less stressful, and even more enjoyable.

As I end this episode, I’m going to share a personal story from my own accounting career that shows how using these ideas changed the way I worked—and how they can work for you too.

Pulling Back the Curtain

Now let me pull back the curtain…

I want to share a personal story about a time in my own accounting career when everything felt overwhelming. I was juggling client deadlines, staff questions, and endless emails, and no matter how hard I worked, I felt like I was falling behind.

At first, I just reacted. I answered every email immediately, tried to solve every problem as it popped up, and worked late nights to keep up. But the stress was constant, and I knew there had to be a better way.

That’s when I started thinking differently. I realized I was stuck in the same reactive cycle every day. I began experimenting with small shifts in how I approached tasks. Instead of always doing the first thing that came to mind, I paused and asked, “Is there another way to handle this?” That’s the superposition concept in action.

I also started noticing where I was putting my attention. Focusing on progress and small wins, rather than just problems, changed how I felt about my day. That’s the observer effect at work—my focus was shaping my reality.

I made tiny adjustments that had ripple effects. Setting boundaries around calls, planning time for focused work, and taking short mental resets made the rest of the day flow better. That’s entanglement and energy fields combined—small actions and intentional mental states transformed everything else.

Over time, these small shifts added up. Initially, I wasn’t working fewer hours, but my days felt lighter, I had more focus, and I actually started enjoying accounting work again. Stress levels dropped, tasks felt manageable, and I finally felt in control of my time.

The takeaway is simple: these ideas aren’t just theory—they’re practical ways to work smarter and feel better in your career. You don’t need fancy tools or new systems; you just need to notice your brain’s default patterns and make small, intentional shifts.

If you take one thing from today’s episode, let it be this: start noticing where you’re reacting instead of creating, and experiment with one small shift today. That’s how you turn your accounting work into something that feels manageable, even easier, and maybe even enjoyable.

If you’re feeling like you need to make a change, I encourage you to take The Smarter Accountant Quiz at www.thesmarteraccountant.com and schedule a free 30-minute call with me at www.thesmarteraccoutnant.com/calender. 

And as always, if you found this episode helpful, share it with another accountant. You never know who needs to hear this.

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