What My Recent Cancer Diagnosis Can Teach YOU About Being a Smarter Accountant

Show notes
(Note: If you or someone you know is dealing with a diagnosis, or if you are supporting someone who is going through a health issue, I have written a short article titled “Cancer Is a C – The Tool That’s Helping Me Deal With My Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment” You can download it at https://thesmarteraccountant.com/cancer/)
When life throws something big at you, it changes everything, doesn’t it? As I’ve shared before on the podcast, that “something big” was a recent cancer diagnosis, and let me tell you—it completely flipped my world upside down.
In May of 2024 I was told I had stage 4 endometrial cancer. To say it came as a complete shock is an understatement.
But it also made me stop and really think about how I was living, working, and spending my time. And what I learned during that time has changed everything about how I approach life and work.
Let me ask you, have you ever felt like you’re just trying to keep up, juggling a million things at once, wondering how much more you can handle? Maybe it’s a crazy time at work, a personal challenge, or just the daily grind of feeling like there’s never enough time to do it all.
But what if those overwhelming moments weren’t just struggles? What if they were actually trying to show you a better way to handle everything?
The thing was, during chemo, I couldn’t just “power through” like I’d always done before. My body forced me to slow down, and I had to figure out how to still get everything done.
I’m a CPA working for a firm, but I’m also the CEO of my coaching business, The Smarter Accountant and I help support another company called CPA MOMS. I not only had my accounting work to do, but I had to run my coaching business, coach my clients, and create and host 2 separate podcasts a week.
But once I was told I’d be having 6 months of chemotherapy, it made me realize how often we tell ourselves that working harder or longer is the solution. But does that actually work, or does it just leave us completely drained and frustrated?
What if the real key isn’t doing more but learning how to approach things differently? What if the thing that I’ve been applying for over a decade, wrote a book about, and have been teaching my coaching clients, how to manage your mind, was THE thing that unlocked everything else?
I can tell you this – at no other time was it more apparent to me that what I teach my coaching clients is life-changing. If it wasn’t for everything I’ve been working on the past 10 years and everything I discuss on this podcast, I would have never handled my recent cancer diagnosis as well as I did.
So, if you’re feeling like you’re constantly behind, spinning your wheels, trying to keep up, and it feels like no matter how hard you try, there’s always more waiting for you, I get it.
But what if there’s a smarter way? A way to get more done without completely running yourself into the ground?
For me, I didn’t want to use my health issue as an excuse to not do my best. I remember telling myself that once I was done with chemo and the dust settled, I didn’t want to have to crawl my way back and have to rebuild the foundation I’d already worked so hard to build. I wanted to let this unexpected event be a way for me to become an even Smarter Accountant.
So, if you’ve ever wondered if there’s a way to break out of the unhelpful cycle you’re probably in and actually feel in control of your life, I’m here to tell you that there is a better way, and I want to share what I’ve learned with you.
The truth is that you don’t have to have a scary diagnosis to apply what I’m going to share today, but I promise you, there are things my recent cancer diagnosis will teach you about becoming a Smarter Accountant.
Lesson 1: Time Is Your Most Valuable Resource
If there’s one thing chemo taught me, it’s that time is more valuable than we realize, not only in the proverbial sense of “time is precious” but in the sense of being able to get my accounting work and everything else I had to get done.
When I lost at least two workdays every chemo cycle, I had no choice but to figure out how to make the rest of my time count.
And here’s what I learned in a big way – that being productive isn’t about cramming more into your day. It’s about focusing on what actually matters and letting the rest go.
For me, that meant time blocking and deciding in advance how I was going to use my limited work hours. I had to be ruthless about priorities—what was truly worth my energy, and what wasn’t.
Honestly, by applying everything I teach my Smarter Accountant time management coaching clients, I was able to be much more intentional about how I spent my time and energy.
So, the question is – how are you spending your time right now? Are you focusing on what’s important, or just reacting to whatever feels urgent?
The truth is that time isn’t something you can get more of, but you can make the most of what you have. And it all starts with looking at how you’re spending it and deciding what really deserves your attention.
When you treat time like the precious resource it is, everything changes. You don’t feel so overwhelmed, because you’re focusing on what truly matters.
And the best part is that you don’t have to wait for a major life event to start using your time differently. You can start today, right now, by asking yourself: What’s the most important thing I can do with my time this week?
Lesson 2: Health Is the Foundation for Productivity
If there’s one thing we accountants are great at, it’s pushing through when things get tough. But when I was going through chemo, “pushing through” wasn’t an option. My body forced me to rest whether I wanted to or not.
So, be honest – have you ever ignored your body because you thought you didn’t have time to slow down? I used to do that all the time, but chemo showed me that taking care of myself wasn’t optional—it was essential.
Here’s what I realized: if your health breaks down, nothing else matters. You can’t do great work, be there for your family, or enjoy life if you’re constantly running on empty.
During treatment, I had to prioritize rest and recovery on chemo days and the days after. It wasn’t negotiable.
In fact, my home office is upstairs in my house and I had to be really smart about conserving my energy. For example, things like going up and down the stairs weren’t possible when I was feeling weak, so I needed to give myself permission to go across the hallway and lay down for 15 minutes.
And you know what? The world didn’t fall apart when I took that time to care for myself.
Think about it – how often do we put everything else ahead of our health? We tell ourselves, “I’ll take a break when I’m less busy,” but that moment never comes. What if taking care of yourself actually made you better at your job?
When I started making my health a priority, I noticed something incredible. I wasn’t just surviving; I was more focused, clear-headed, and productive during the time I did have to work.
I remember laughing with my husband and telling him that cancer may have made me a better accountant because even though I was incredibly productive before, having cancer made me so much more laser-focused on what was important and what wasn’t.
The thing is, your health isn’t just about your personal life—it’s the foundation of your professional success, too. You can’t show up as your best self if you’re running on fumes.
So, what’s one small thing you can do today to take care of yourself? Maybe it’s taking a real lunch break, going to bed earlier, or even just stepping outside for a few minutes to breathe.
Your work will always be there, but your health needs attention now. Trust me, when you prioritize your well-being, everything else will start to fall into place.
Lesson 3: Time Management Starts with Mind Management
Here’s something I was reminded of in a big way: if your mind is all over the place, your time will be, too. During chemo, I couldn’t afford to waste energy on stress or overwhelm, so I had to get very intentional about how I managed my thoughts.
This is something that I discuss in the article that I mentioned earlier “Cancer Is a C – The Tool That’s Helping Me Deal With My Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment.”
So the question for you is, have you ever felt so stressed about everything you have to do that you can’t even figure out where to start? That used to happen to me all the time. But I realized that my thoughts about my workload were making it feel way heavier than it really was.
For example, when I caught myself thinking, “There’s no way I can get all this done,” I’d stop and ask, “What’s the most important thing I can do right now?” Just shifting that one thought helped me calm down and take action.
The truth is, our brains love to go into overdrive when there are things that need to be done. But here’s the thing: stress doesn’t come from the work itself. It comes from how we think about the work that needs to be done.
So, what are you telling yourself about your workload? Are you making it feel bigger and scarier than it needs to be? Or are you choosing thoughts that help you stay focused and productive?
When I was intentional about managing my mind, I noticed everything else became easier. I wasn’t wasting time spinning in overwhelm or second-guessing myself. I just got to work on what mattered.
The thing that no one else teaches accountants about time management is that it isn’t about calendars and to-do lists—it starts with what’s happening in your head. When you manage your mind, you can manage your time so much more effectively.
So the next time you’re feeling stuck, try this: stop, take a deep breath, and ask yourself, “What feeling would be helpful right now and what’s one thought that will create that feeling?” It’s amazing how much lighter everything feels when you take control of your thoughts.
The bottom line is that your mind is the most powerful time management tool you have. Use it well, and you’ll be amazed at what you can accomplish.
Lesson 4: Smarter Doesn’t Mean Harder
If there’s one myth we all need to let go of, it’s the idea that success comes from working harder and longer. During chemo, I had to work smarter because I simply didn’t have the energy or hours to spare—and guess what? I still got everything done.
In fact, I was done with the 9/15 and 10/15 deadlines 2 weeks early while also running my coaching business, coaching my clients, and creating and hosting 2 podcasts a week.
How is that humanly possible? Because chemo forced me to see the truth: working harder isn’t the answer—it’s working smarter that makes the difference.
For me, working smarter meant focusing only on high-priority tasks, letting go of the rest, and not allowing negative people to drain my energy. I couldn’t waste time on people and things that didn’t matter, and honestly, most of us spend way too much time on things that don’t really move the needle.
Think about it: how much of your day is spent on things you “should” do versus what’s actually important? How easy is it to get things done when you or others are complaining or being negative? What if you stopped trying to do it all and focused on doing what matters most?
Another important thing was setting and sticking to boundaries around my time and energy. If something didn’t fit into the hours I had, it had to wait. It was a little uncomfortable at first, but the freedom and focus it gave me were worth it.
Let me ask you this: how often do you let other people’s priorities or distractions derail your own plans? Working smarter means protecting your time like it’s one of your most valuable resources—because it is.
It’s not about doing more; it’s about doing better. And when you do that, you’ll realize you don’t need more hours in the day—you just need to use the ones you have more intentionally.
So, what’s one way you can start working smarter today? Maybe it’s saying no to a task that doesn’t matter or blocking off time for your most important work. Whatever it is, I promise it’ll feel like a weight has been lifted.
Success isn’t about how much you do. It’s about how well you do what truly matters. And when you start working smarter, everything gets a whole lot easier.
Lesson 5: Gratitude Changes Everything
When life gets hard, it’s so easy to focus on everything that’s going wrong. During chemo, I had plenty of reasons to feel frustrated or overwhelmed, but one of the most powerful things I did was focus on what I could be grateful for instead.
I never said, “Why is this happening to me?” Instead, every day I focused on 3 things to be grateful for from the day before.
For me, it was the little things—support from my family, finishing a tough day of work, or even just the fact that I had a good cup of coffee that morning. Those small moments of gratitude helped me stay grounded when everything else felt so heavy.
Here’s the thing – gratitude doesn’t mean ignoring the hard stuff. It means giving your brain a break from all the stress and remembering that not everything is terrible, even when life feels overwhelming.
Have you ever ended a long day and thought, “Nothing went right today”? What if, instead, you asked yourself, “What did go well today, no matter how small?” You might be surprised at how that shifts your perspective.
When you focus on what’s good, it changes how you show up. You feel calmer, more present, and better able to handle whatever’s in front of you. Gratitude doesn’t just make you feel better—it helps you work better, too.
Believe me, I could have focused on a lot of things that were scary and upsetting, but none of that would have been helpful for me mentally or physically. When I focused on things I was grateful for, despite what I was going through medically, I began to see even more things that brought me a feeling of gratitude.
So how can you bring more gratitude into your day? It can be as simple as writing down three things you’re thankful for before bed or pausing during the day to appreciate a small win.
It doesn’t have to be big or fancy—it just has to be consistent. Gratitude is like a muscle: the more you practice it, the stronger it gets.
When you make gratitude a habit, you’ll start to notice something amazing. The hard stuff doesn’t feel quite so heavy, and the good stuff feels even sweeter. It’s one of the simplest ways to make a big difference in your life.
Trust me, gratitude changes everything. And the best part is that you can start right now. What’s one thing you’re grateful for today?
You’ll be amazed at how stressful situations can become more manageable when you’re focused on gratitude.
Becoming a Smarter Accountant: Where I’m At Now
If there’s one thing I hope you take away from this, it’s that you don’t need cancer or a health diagnosis to teach you that there’s always a smarter way to approach your life and work. Whether it’s how you manage your time, protect your health, shift your mindset, or focus on gratitude, small changes can make a huge difference.
As of today, I’m happy to report that my most recent PET scan showed that I went from stage 4 endometrial cancer to being cancer free! It’s been a tough journey and I am far from out of the woods, but it taught me something I believe applies to all of us: we’re capable of doing hard things when we focus on what matters most.
During these six months, I learned that it’s not about doing everything perfectly or working harder—it’s about managing your time, energy, and mindset in a way that helps you stay resilient. And resilience isn’t just about surviving; it’s about thriving even when life gets tough.
Once I was done with chemo, I got the word “Brave” tattooed on my wrist as a reminder of the strength I found when I needed it most. And here’s what I want you to know: that same strength is within you. Whether it’s a personal challenge or a tough season at work, you’re capable of finding a way through when you focus on what truly matters.
Think about the lessons I talked about: treating time as your most valuable asset, making your health a priority, managing your mind to manage everything else, working smarter instead of harder, and practicing gratitude to stay grounded. Which one of those speaks to you the most right now?
You don’t have to tackle everything all at once. Just pick one thing to focus on—one small shift you can make today—and see how it changes the way you feel and work.
You have everything you need to start working smarter, not harder. The question is: what’s the first step you’re going to take?
If there’s any episode of this podcast that I hope you take action on, let this be the one.
Speaking of taking action, now I’m going to share the key takeaway from today and an action item for the upcoming week.
Key Takeaway and Action Item
The key takeaway is that the way you approach your time, health, and mindset can completely change how you handle challenges and achieve success. It’s not about doing more—it’s about doing what truly matters in a way that supports your well-being and helps you thrive.
For this week, ask yourself, “What’s one small change I can make today to work smarter, not harder?” This question helps you focus on action instead of overwhelm. It’s not about overhauling everything at once but finding one manageable thing you can do differently.
Maybe it’s setting boundaries around your time, prioritizing your health, or simply shifting a stressful thought into a more productive one. Small changes add up, and even one step forward can start a ripple effect that makes everything feel easier.
The bottom line is that you don’t have to wait for a big wake-up call to start making your life and work more sustainable. Choose one thing to focus on today, and see how it helps you feel more in control and more at ease.
The journey to becoming a Smarter Accountant starts with just one small, intentional step—and that step can happen right now.
Well, that’s what I have for you today. Thank you for joining me as I shared what my recent cancer diagnosis can teach YOU about being a Smarter Accountant. I hope you’re walking away with some inspiration that can help you have a more sustainable accounting career.
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 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.