Before I get started, let me just mention that if you are a fan of the podcast and haven’t downloaded The Smarter Accountant Podcast Guide, you can simply go to https://thesmarteraccountant.com/podcast-guide/  This guide will help you apply what you’ve learned in the first 50 episodes so that you’re not just listening; you’re taking action.

Once I reach 100 episodes, I’ll be updating the podcast guide, but for now, you’ll have plenty to keep you busy.

What if I told you the biggest factor in your productivity isn’t time, but how you feel while working?

The truth is, stress and overwhelm have a sneaky way of making everything feel urgent and important. Your brain goes into overdrive, convincing you that if you don’t do it all right now, something terrible will happen. And let’s be real, how often does that actually turn out to be true?

The good news is, getting more done in less time isn’t about packing your day with more hours or squeezing in every single task. It’s about learning how to work with your brain and emotions to make your time count.

Think about the last time you felt really focused, motivated, and clear-headed. Did you notice how much you were able to accomplish when you were in that zone? That’s the secret—your feelings are the driving force behind what you get done and how efficiently you do it.

If you’ve ever wished you could find a better way to work without feeling like you’re always running on empty, you’re in the right place. Let’s explore how you can get more done in less time without burning out in the process.

The Power of Productive Emotions

Let me ask you a question—have you ever had a day where everything just clicked? You sat down, got to work, and before you knew it, you’d plowed through your to-do list with ease. Now compare that to a day when you felt scattered, overwhelmed, or frustrated—where even the smallest task felt impossible to finish.

The difference? Your emotions.

Let’s break it down with some real-life examples:

Non-Productive Emotions: Imagine you’re staring at a massive tax return, and your first thought is, “This is going to take forever. I don’t even know where to start.” That thought creates overwhelm, which leads to procrastination. Suddenly, instead of working, you’re checking emails, scrolling LinkedIn, or grabbing another cup of coffee.

Productive Emotions: Now, imagine you approach that same tax return with a different mindset—“I know exactly what needs to be done. I’ll take it one section at a time.” This creates focus and determination, making it easier to get started and stay engaged.

Or take another example:

Non-Productive Emotion: You get an unexpected email from a client with a last-minute request, and your immediate reaction is, “Ugh, I don’t have time for this. Why do they always wait until the last minute?” That frustration clouds your ability to think clearly, making the task feel more annoying than it really is.

Productive Emotion: Instead, what if you shifted to “Alright, this wasn’t planned, but I’ll handle it efficiently so I can move on.” That small change can help you work through the issue faster, rather than wasting time feeling frustrated.

The bottom line is that emotions dictate how efficiently you work. If you’re stuck in feelings like stress, frustration, or doubt, your productivity plummets. But when you tap into emotions like confidence, focus, and motivation, your efficiency skyrockets.

Now that you see the power of productive emotions, let’s talk about the brain science behind productivity and emotions.  

The Brain Science Behind Productivity and Emotions

Here’s something that might surprise you: your brain has a lot to say about how productive you are, and it all comes down to how it reacts to your emotions. Understanding this can make all the difference when it comes to getting more done in less time.

Think about this—when you’re stressed or overwhelmed, does it ever feel like your brain just shuts down? You can’t think clearly, and even the simplest tasks feel impossible. That’s not your imagination; it’s your brain doing exactly what it’s wired to do under pressure.

Your brain operates in two distinct “modes” that I like to call the Supervising Parent and the Toddler. Think about the Supervising Parent as the wise, steady voice in your head—it’s the part of your brain that plans ahead, makes decisions, and keeps you focused on the bigger picture.

Now let’s talk about the Toddler. The Toddler brain has one job: react to whatever feels most pressing in the moment. It doesn’t care about long-term consequences or whether the task you’re tackling is actually important. Its motto is “If it’s loud and shiny, it must need attention right now!”

Imagine trying to meet a tight deadline, and instead of calmly prioritizing tasks, you’re running around like a toddler in a toy store, grabbing whatever catches your eye. That’s what happens when you’re overwhelmed—your Toddler brain hijacks your focus, pulling you toward what feels urgent, not what’s impactful.

The good news is that like a patient parent guiding a toddler, you can bring your Supervising Parent back into the driver’s seat. The secret is managing your emotions—when you intentionally create feelings like calm or determination, it’s like giving your Supervising Parent the green light to step in, quiet the Toddler, and focus on what truly matters.

When you intentionally create feelings like focus, determination, or calm, you not only give your Supervising Parent the green light to take charge—you also reduce decision fatigue, handle tasks more efficiently, and end your day with a sense of accomplishment rather than burnout.

This isn’t about being “zen” all the time or ignoring your stress. It’s about recognizing what’s happening in your brain and choosing to respond in a way that keeps you moving forward. 

Even something as simple as taking a deep breath and reminding yourself, “I can handle this,” can help shift your brain back into problem-solving mode.

Another thing to know is that your brain loves rewards. When you set a clear goal and break it into smaller steps, every little win gives your brain a hit of dopamine—the feel-good chemical that motivates you to keep going. 

The more you work with your brain, instead of against it, the easier it gets to stay productive without burning out. It’s not about forcing yourself to power through; it’s about giving your brain the right environment and emotional fuel to get more done in less time.

So, the next time you’re feeling stuck, think about what’s really going on upstairs. Your brain wants to help you succeed—it just needs a little guidance.

How to Tap Into Productive Emotions to Get More Done In Less Time

Now that we’ve seen how emotions impact productivity, let’s talk about how to intentionally create the emotions that help you get more done. You don’t have to wait for motivation to show up—you can generate it on purpose.

Here’s how:

1. Decide how you want to feel before you start working.
Before you jump into a task, ask yourself, “How do I want to feel while working on this?” Do you want to feel focused, determined, or confident? Identifying the desired emotion helps you set the tone.

2. Choose a thought that creates that feeling.
Your emotions come from your thoughts, so if you want to feel focused, you need a thought that supports that feeling.

Instead of “I have way too much to do,” try “I’ll start with one thing and build momentum.”

Instead of “This is overwhelming,” try “I know exactly what to do next.”

Small shifts in thinking create huge shifts in productivity.

3. Use small wins to build momentum.
If you’re struggling to get started, pick one simple task and complete it. Your brain loves the feeling of progress—each completed task releases dopamine, which keeps you motivated.

4. Set up your environment for success.
Your workspace affects your emotions more than you think. Minimize distractions—silence notifications, close extra tabs, and create a focused workspace to make it easier to stay in a productive mindset.

5. Acknowledge your progress.
Productivity isn’t just about checking off tasks—it’s about recognizing what you did accomplish. Instead of thinking about what’s still left to do, take a moment to acknowledge, “I made progress today.” That small boost keeps your productive emotions going.

By using these steps, you’ll stop relying on fleeting motivation and instead create the emotions that make your workday smoother and more efficient.

Becoming a Smarter Accountant: My Experience With Getting More Done In Less Time

As I have shared on the podcast, I was diagnosed with stage 4 endometrial cancer back in June and when I was going through chemo for 6 months, I had every reason to slow down or even stop altogether. Between the physical exhaustion and the emotional weight of it all, it would have been easy to say, “I just can’t do this right now.” 

But I didn’t. In fact, I managed to get more done in less time during that season of my life than I ever thought possible.  Not only did I get my accounting work done in less time, but I also ran my coaching business and created two podcast episodes every week.

It wasn’t because I had superhuman energy or some magical time-management hack. It was because I knew how to manage my emotions and my focus, even when life threw the hardest curveball imaginable.

For months, my schedule revolved around doctor’s appointments, treatments, and recovery days. On paper, there was no room to keep up with my work, let alone finish everything two weeks ahead of the extended tax deadline. But I did.

How? It came down to one thing: being intentional about how I wanted to feel while I worked. I knew that stress and overwhelm weren’t going to serve me, so I chose to focus on emotions that would. 

Focused, motivated, determined, and calm became my go-to feelings, and I made a conscious effort to create them every single day.

Here’s an example. On the days when my energy was low, I didn’t tell myself, “This is too hard; I’ll never get through it.” Instead, I reminded myself, “I have a plan, and I’ll do what I can with the time and energy I have.” That shift in thinking gave me the focus I needed to take small, steady steps without getting bogged down by everything else.

I also got really clear about what mattered most. I stopped trying to do everything and prioritized what was truly important—both in my work and in my personal life. I learned to let go of the “busywork” and instead focus on the high-impact tasks that would move the needle.

Even my environment played a role. Working from home during chemo allowed me to eliminate distractions and protect my time in a way that wasn’t possible before. I created a space where I could focus and get into the right emotional state, even on the toughest days.

Looking back, I realize that season of my life taught me more about being a Smarter Accountant than any other time in my career. It reinforced that productivity isn’t about pushing harder or working longer hours. It’s about managing your mind, your emotions, and your priorities in a way that works for you—even when life feels overwhelming.

If I could do it while going through chemo, I know you can do it too. It’s not about being perfect; it’s about being intentional. And that’s a lesson I’ll carry with me forever.

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

Key Takeaway and Action Item

The key takeaway is that getting more done in less time isn’t about working harder or adding more hours to your day. It’s about managing your emotions and your mind so you can focus on what truly matters. 

When you tap into productive emotions, you create the clarity, determination, and energy you need to accomplish more in less time. Instead of feeling like you’re spinning your wheels and always behind, you’ll start to feel in control of your workload and even have more time to focus on the things you truly enjoy.

For this week, ask yourself, “What emotions are driving the way I work right now and are they helpful or useful?”  This question helps you pause and reflect on the connection between how you feel and how you’re showing up. 

If stress, overwhelm, or frustration are running the show, your actions will reflect that, and you’ll struggle to make progress. But when you intentionally create emotions like focus, confidence, or calm, you set yourself up for success. 

I promise, it’s a small shift that can lead to massive results in your productivity and overall well-being.

The bottom line is that your emotions are one of the most powerful tools you have for getting more done in less time. When you take the time to manage how you feel, you’ll find it easier to focus, prioritize, and make meaningful progress. 

Remember, productivity isn’t about doing everything—it’s about doing the right things with the right mindset. The next time you feel stuck, ask yourself how you want to feel and start there. 

You’ll be amazed at what you can accomplish when you let your emotions work for you, not against you—it’s like unlocking a secret superpower you’ve had all along.

Well, that’s what I have for you today. Thank you for joining me as I shared how to get more done in less time. I hope you’re walking away with the awareness of how you can start getting more done in less time, no matter what’s going on.

As I always say, you’ve worked hard to become an accountant; it’s time to make it easier to be one.

If you’d like to discuss how to better manage your time or anything you’re currently struggling with, you can schedule a free 30-minute call with me at  https://thesmarteraccountant.com/calendar/. 

And don’t forget to check back each week for more tips and strategies to help you go from being a stressed accountant to a Smarter Accountant.

Also, if you haven’t already, make sure to take The Smarter Accountant Quiz at www.thesmarteraccountant.com to see if you’ve been underutilizing your accountant brain. It’s a great starting point to see where you are and how you can improve.

Lastly, if you’ve found today’s episode helpful, I’d really appreciate it if you could spread the word to other accountants. The more we get this message out, the more we can change the narrative in the accounting profession and help accountants everywhere.

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