Posts tagged ‘stress’

What Female Accountants Can Learn From 5 year olds! Part I

If you’ve been following me on the Social Networks, you should know that I have a 5 year old, who I believe will be 25 next birthday.

Aren’t they the most precious people on this earth?

The questions, the Ego, the inquisitiveness amaze me every day!

For accounting women in business, I’ve discovered 7 things we can learn from toddlers. By the way if you’re not a parent, I’m sure you can find a toddler in your neighborhood, who you can observe for the day.

I’ll share with you 4 insights today and next week, we’ll look at the other 3:

  • Questions

You know these little people, don’t you? Always asking questions ‘till either you or they are blue in the face! In the end, though, there is total clarity on their end.

 So in marketing your business, you have to ask the prospect as many questions as you need to to understand their business and what they expect from you.

 You don’t want there to be times in your accounting business, during the workflow, the client says, “But, aren’t you going to do…”

 Ask as many questions as you like, but don’t let THEM get BLUE in the face!

 There is definitely a fine line between seeking clarity and them asking themselves “Does she know what she’s doing?”

  • Experiments!

My 5 year old is constantly experimenting and plays with everything, except his toys. Always trying new and different things to see if they work.

What we accountants need to understand, is that the way business is done has changed and is still changing. Unless we change with it, we will find our clients leaving in droves.

Right now, clients want serious help in their business. They do not want simply a number-cruncher.

I cannot stress this enough.

YOU are needed to steer them through these turbulent times.

By expanding your knowledge and ability in business (and not only learning about the new standards coming out!), you can help your clients, save their businesses and help the world get on the right track.

  • Begging!

Have you ever denied a toddler anything that they really really wanted at that very moment? “Please, please, please may I have, please…”

Never, never, ever beg when dealing with your prospects or your clients. It’s unprofessional and just downright silly and immature.

Even if you don’t say those exact words, when you’re desperate for a client, it will show.

You start to display all sorts of repulsive behavior, unbecoming of who you say you are!

Stuff like….“You know I really need your business”

Ugh!

  • I’m not playing with you!”

Ah, yes! The Classic!

I’m sure you’ve heard this one before…after we sulk when we can’t have our own way.

You know, as women accountants in business, it’s so easy to get mad when we didn’t sign the new prospect or when the deadlines were yesterday and we’re still crunching the numbers or completing the projects or even when a former client says something ‘bad’ to or about us.

Yes, sometimes, we don’t want to ‘play’ with anyone. We just want to be left alone rather than contemplate our next course of action.

Here’s the thing though… not staying in the game is going ensure one thing… That WE are kicked out of the game!

Running a business is different from working at someone else’s company.

Here, YOU are the company and everything you do reflects on you, the profession, and your business.

Your ability to persevere under crises is what’s going to save you and show you as the true, gracious professional, that I know you are.

…next weekI’ll share 3 more insights!

Share your comments below!

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How can the average accountant and CPA avoid burnout and live a comfortable life with less strain, less anxiety and less hassle.

I’ve had it!

 Enough!

 I can’t take it anymore!”

Yes, we accountants say this sometimes, especially when our focus is always on getting more clients or finishing that project so we can get paid.

Here’s what I know to be true, though. If you find yourself feeling this way or saying these words too often, it’s time to get help!

When life becomes too stressful and you feel emotionally drained, you have achieved that state called: BURNOUT!

One dictionary definition of burnout is an extreme emotional state characterized by emotional exhaustion, a diminished sense of personal accomplishment, and cynicism”. 

Some typical signs of burnout may include

  1. Being angry at those making demands and angry at yourself for putting up with it
  2. Constantly complaining, being negative and irritable for no-apparent reason
  3. Exploding easily at seemingly insignificant things
  4. Chronic fatigue – exhaustion, tiredness,
  5. Frequent headaches
  6. Weight loss or gain
  7. Sleeplessness and depression

 

Here are a few ideas to get rid of this exhaustion:

  • Take time out to savor the fresh scent of nature, especially flowers. The sight and the fragrance that flowers bring can be great relief to a tired, irritated, or dragged feeling

 

  • Examine if your burnout is a result of doing something you don’t like to do, yet you have to face it just the same. In such case, picture in your mind an image that you like to do and substitute this image to the thing you don’t like to do.

 

  • Increase your physical energy. Start a simple exercise program that will allow you to get more involved in feeling good about your body and consequentially your mind.

 

  • Take time out to regain your serenity. A burnout can be equated to an individual who could use a time out from the hustles of life. Take advantage of this time out to meditate and relax those frazzled nerves.      

 

  • Change your business model to one that supports the vision of your lifestyle. Create multiple income streams… that way your business is not dependent on you working 100% with one-on-one clients, 7 days a week.

 

  • Take time out to empty your mind. Discard those damaging emotions and negative thoughts. Purchase a Journal and start detailing your thoughts, your ideas, your daily wins. You’ll soon wonder where the stress has gone!

 

  • Indulge. Soak in a tub or visit the spa. Listen to relaxing music. It lifts us emotionally. You may want to choose specific sounds that can relieve a person from burnout like soft Classical melodies.

 

Avoiding burnout at all costs should be your goal if you ever want to have a successful business and live a happy life.

I recommend belonging to a community of high-achieving entrepreneurs who can support you in building your business, like the International Association of Women Accountants in Business, where we create entrepreneurial accountants.

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