#94 April 27th, 2023
Blake Carroll, CPA
PwC People Team - Manager | Helping Aspiring CPAs Navigate the CPA Exam with Confidence
You have a relationship with money, whether you realize it or not. In fact, I would generally say if you’re unaware of your relationship with money that might be a sign that it could be improved. This author thinks there are many parallels between how you treat money and how you’d treat a person. You get to know your money by actually tracking where it goes and what you spend it on. A budget and/or tracking expense can show if excessive spending is draining your wealth. We make time for the things that are important to us, and that applies to money as well. Just like anything else if you want to get good at it you will have to put time into it. You will need to periodically look at your finances, if you are on track with your goals, and if you need to adjust anywhere. If you have a partner or significant other you probably will need to have these conversations together.
You also must examine your mindset toward money. Do you view it as an opportunity or an obstacle? Do you have a scarcity mindset or an abundance mindset toward it is? Is it something that inhibits and limits you, or something that can empower you? Your relationship with?money also can improve if you have a clearly defined and meaningful goal that you are working toward, something you are saving for or debt that you are paying off for example. Lastly, forgive yourself for any mistakes you have made for money in the past. We’ve all made a bad purchasing decision or wasted some money or invested in the wrong thing before. You don’t have to carry weight and guilt from those mistakes and let them affect your future. Each day is a new opportunity to start over with a healthier relationship. Any struggles you have made with money in the past do not stop you from having a great future with it
Like the title suggests this article has a simple and straightforward message: your feelings are real and they are valid. It’s healthy for you to recognize that and also for other people to recognize that. BUT that does not mean that your feelings are true. It is mature and shows emotional intelligence when we can question our feelings and whether they are based in valid, objective truth and fact as opposed to just our own unique perception of what is going on. You do not have to believe your feelings or act on them; you can choose something different. At the same time you can acknowledge that they are real. Don’t try to push them down and repress them; it’s healthy to actually feel and process an emotion. As you think through the emotion maybe you can start to gain insight into what you can learn from it. Where is the feeling coming from, and is there?something it is trying to teach you? Is there something within you that you can work on so that the feeling will not negatively affect you as much next time?
Generally speaking in most cases people will go with whatever the default or easiest option is when they are paid for the choice. We are wired for survival rather than fulfillment, and our cave people brains??think that survival comes from conserving as much energy as possible. Hence what is easy often wins out what would actually be best for us. So how can we leverage that tendency for our good? We can try to make our regular habits and default choices serve us, like the example the author gives where Disney World replaced soda and fries with juice and fruit in lunch orders. The author recommends making some of your go to meals and snacks an automatic decision that will lead to you eating something healthy. You also can meal prep healthy dinners for a full week. Another option is making exercise a normal part of your first thing morning routine. If you put it off until later in the day it becomes so much easier to procrastinate on it or not do it at all, as new demands will probably arise on most days. It’s really about the mindset of looking at your normal day and all your regular decisions and how you can automate them in ways that serve you so that when you’re tired or upset or hungry you don’t regress to what isn’t best for you.?
This article explore some of the different reasons you might be procrastinating so much on a certain task. It could be the simple answer that you honestly just don’t want to do whatever the task is. Sometimes we have things on our list because we think they sound good or they like the idea, but when it comes to actually putting in the time and effort to accomplish it it is just not some thing we want to do. If that is the case, and it’s also not necessary or required, it’s OK to take it off your list. It sounds nice to be able to play an instrument or speak other languages, but that takes a lot of work.?
领英推荐
Maybe we procrastinate on some thing because we’re worried about what other people will think of us if we fail. It’s ironic that in some cases we’re actually not afraid of failure, we’re afraid of being seen as a failure. But growth only comes from stepping outside of our comfort zone which is going to always involve some degree of the risk of failure. It’s almost impossible to improve on anything or learn anything new without making any mistakes along the way.?
Another way to fight procrastination could be setting earlier artificial deadlines rather than having just one final deadline. We’ve all had six months to write a paper and put it off until the last two weeks. Having milestones you try to hit along the way can help. This also serves to break your big project into smaller manageable chunks. Only thinking about the huge mountain of your task can be very discouraging and intimidating. It’s much easier to just focus on the next chunk or peak at a time. What is the one next task that is most important? Once you get momentum and some wins checked off your list it becomes much easier to keep going.
CPA tip of the week: I know firsthand how challenging and overwhelming the CPA exam can be.
With four sections to complete, so much material to study, and the pressure to pass on the first try, it's no surprise that many people feel stressed, doubtful, and overwhelmed. However, I firmly believe that the CPA exam does not have to be a terrible and stressful experience.
With the right mindset, study habits, and self-care practices, you can maintain your well-being as you prepare for the exam.
While it's natural to feel nervous or anxious about the CPA exam, it's important to approach it with a positive and empowering mindset. Remember that you are capable of passing the exam and focus on your strengths and accomplishments. Celebrate the small wins along the way and remind yourself that every step forward is progress. Progress over perfection.
A well-structured study plan can help you stay organized and on track. Determine the amount of time you will need to dedicate to each section of the exam and break it down into manageable daily study sessions. This will help you avoid cramming and reduce stress.
It's essential to prioritize self-care as you study. Take breaks and engage in activities that help you relax and recharge, such as exercise, a mindfulness practice, or spending time with friends and family.
Getting enough sleep and eating a healthy diet can also help you stay focused and energized. Take care of the basics.
There are plenty of resources available to help you prepare for the CPA exam, including study materials, review courses, and online forums. Make use of these resources to help you feel more confident and prepared.
Finally, it's important to connect with other people taking the exams. Join a study group or connect with others on social media. Having a support system can help you stay motivated and provide you with valuable insights and advice. You don’t have to do it by yourself.
Preparing for the CPA exam will be a challenging experience, but it's important to prioritize your well-being and approach it with a positive mindset. You got this!