#150 July 18th, 2023

How to navigate relationships as your finances change

This article explores the intersection of friendships, comparison, and personal finances. It can be a little awkward and challenging if you were in a very different financial position from your friends, regardless of who is better off. It can lead to feelings of guilt, jealousy, or insecurity.

I think most of us would say we want to be happy for our friends and celebrate them if they are very successful, but it’s tough to not have some form of those previously mentioned negative emotions if you are constantly comparing yourself. It’s very easy to start to lament why we are not as well-off as they are. But we can try to flip that to become a source of inspiration rather than angst. If there are friends who are further along than you, you can ask them for help and advice.

You can help keep each other accountable to the financial goals that you are working toward. It’s also good practice to consciously choose who you want to be by celebrating others' success rather than being jealous of it. Another opportunity to grow is vulnerably sharing where you are jealous or insecure to your friends. It’s cathartic to get those feelings out rather than repressing them, and it also can deepen your relationships and give your friends a chance to open up as well.?

What a 4yr Old Taught Me About Dreams and Money

This article talks about the differences in how adults and kids view their dreams and their goals. Generally speaking, kids will unabashedly go after what they want to do and who they want to be, regardless of what others may think. Adults on the other hand will compromise what they want because society tells them it’s not realistic, and they may even start to giv up and replace their dreams with fake substitutions because that is what society says they should do. What if instead we directed that time and effort toward our dreams; imagine what you could accomplish.?

Don’t settle for a cheap imitation and copy of what you really want. Life is too short for that. This applies for money as well: stop wasting it on things you don’t want and spend it on experiences and memories that really matter to you. It takes work and sacrifice to think through what you really want, but I’m sure it will be worth it. The life you want and the dreams that matter to you are WORTH IT. Have exciting and bold dreams that pull you toward them so much that you happily make the necessary sacrifices to make them happen.

WHY YOU FELL OFF YOUR FITNESS AND HOW TO FIX IT

This title talks about falling short with one’s fitness routine, but the principles can apply to falling short of any goal or habit you are working toward. If your chosen method of working toward your goal is boring or painful then of course you aren’t going to be able to stick to it long term. Your method needs to fit any constraints you have around time or money, or once again you will quit.

There’s also a common mistake where we think circumstances will be perfect every time we try to engage in this new behavior or routine, but we should be realistic. On some days you won’t sleep well, the weather is bad, you have an unforeseen commitment, traffic takes a while, obstacles come up that you have no control over.

The last common mistake is trying to do everything on your own. Even the biggest introvert will need help sometimes. People have experiences and perspectives that you do not, and it would be a shame to waste that potential resource. Don’t be afraid to ask for help as you are working toward a big goal!

On the Ragged Edge of Exhaustion: How to Keep Going When You Can't Take Time Off

This article talks about the different kinds of rest and breaks that we can take, and why is it so important to do so.?

I love the analogy that even machines need to be powered down or restarted every so often, so how crazy is it to think that humans can just go nonstop? The author challenges us to be aware on those days when our energy is very low and we need to make sure we are taking care of ourselves and not crashing and burning. Some days you will be able to work harder than other days, and some days you won’t have as much stamina for whatever reason, that’s just a reality.?

The days when you have a ton on your plate or have a big deadline can actually be when it is more important to take breaks because you will be operating at such a high mental capacity when you are working. It might seem counterintuitive, but that is when the rest may be needed more than ever because you are at highest risk of pushing yourself too hard.?

It is a dream to think that you can just endlessly work and maintain the same productivity levels the entire time. Even if it’s just stepping away for five minutes to take a mental break and do something that brings you joy, it can really make a huge difference to set you up for more productivity throughout the day.

If you need a coach or a mentor on the CPA exam I would love to help you and work together; please check out my website below:

Blake Carroll coaching

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CPA tip of the week: Passing the CPA exam won’t happen overnight.

It won’t be one big breakthrough.

It will be the accumulation of countless little victories that don’t feel like much.

It will be months, if not years of study and committed effort toward your goals, and it accumulates so slowly that you might start doubting yourself.

Don’t doubt it! Keep at it!

One day you will look back and think wow all of those tiny steps did add up.

The biggest achievements are made by the consistency of small steps.

Dealing with CPA exam setbacks from Megan Lewczyk, CPA, CMA