How to Beat Busy Season Burnout as a Tax Professional in 3 Easy Steps

Tax professionals are no strangers to burnout, with the never-ending workload and the perpetual 12-month busy season. The relentless demands of the profession can take a toll on both mental and physical well-being. When it comes to beating burnout, self-care, efficient time management, and setting healthy boundaries is everything. Doubly so if you want the work-life balance you crave. This is important because balance will allow you to be more creative with your clients, have better relationships with your colleagues, and higher quality work.

As a Tax Executive, I’m often approached by people who believe that you just have to do what it takes to meet a deadline. But sometimes, what they think is not what they need.

?Confused?

Let me put it this way ??

So even if you do go-it-alone or power through, it won’t get you the balance you seek unless you practice self-care, effective time management, and establish healthy boundaries.

The good news…you can easily achieve work-life balance in 3 easy steps.

Here’s how??

Step 1: Prioritize Self-Care

It's easy to neglect your own well-being when you're buried under piles of tax forms and deadlines. However, research has shown that prioritizing self-care can significantly reduce burnout and enhance overall job satisfaction (Maslach et al., 2017). Here's how you can fit self-care into your busy schedule:

a) Micro-Breaks: Incorporate short, frequent breaks throughout the day. Use techniques like the Pomodoro Technique, working for 25 minutes and then taking a 5-minute break. These moments can help you recharge without disrupting your workflow. Even listening to your favorite music for five minutes can help you reduce stress as long as you don’t focus on anything work related during the break.

b) Mindfulness Practices: Dedicate a few minutes each day to mindfulness exercises such as deep breathing or meditation. These practices have been linked to reduced stress and increased focus (Hülsheger et al., 2013).

Step 2: Efficient Time Management

This can transform your workdays, allowing you to tackle tasks with greater efficiency and minimize unnecessary stress. Research supports the positive impact of time management on reducing burnout and enhancing job performance (Scott et al., 2017). Here's how to implement it:

a) Prioritize Tasks: Start your day by listing tasks in order of importance. Focus on high-priority items first and consider using time-blocking techniques to allocate specific time slots for different tasks. I use an online task list (Monday.com) that allows me to reprioritize tasks quickly when unplanned work shows up.

b) Delegate when Possible: Don't hesitate to delegate tasks that can be handled by others. Effective delegation not only lightens your workload but also empowers your team. The Eisenhower Matrix can help you to prioritize tasks effectively and identify what can be delegated. Create a grid with four quadrants labeled as "Urgent and Important," "Important but Not Urgent," "Urgent but Not Important," and "Not Urgent and Not Important." Place your tasks in the corresponding quadrants based on their urgency and importance. Tasks that fall into the “Urgent but Not Important” should be delegated to others.

If you need more help with time management, see my book “From Stressed to Success: The Ultimate Transition Guide for Tax and Accounting Professionals.”

Step 3: Establish Boundaries and Unplug.

The digital age has blurred the line between work and personal life, making it challenging to disconnect. However, setting boundaries is crucial for preventing burnout. Studies indicate that individuals who maintain clear boundaries experience lower levels of emotional exhaustion (Demerouti et al., 2014). Here's how to establish those boundaries:

a) Designate Tech-Free Zones: Choose specific areas or times in your home where you won't engage with work-related technology. This allows you to fully unwind and spend quality time with family and friends.

b) Use Autoresponders: Set up email autoresponders to inform clients and colleagues of your off-hours. This helps manage expectations and reduces the pressure to be constantly available.

The taxing demands of the profession need not lead to burnout. By following these three research-backed steps – prioritizing self-care, implementing efficient time management, and establishing boundaries – tax professionals can successfully regain control over their work-life balance. Remember, a healthy work-life balance is not only beneficial for your well-being but also contributes to enhanced job performance and client satisfaction.

Need help with finding balance and reducing your stress? Book a free strategy call with me to discuss how you can transition to the work-life balance you seek. Let’s talk.

References:

1.????? Maslach, C., Leiter, M. P., & Schaufeli, W. B. (2017). Measuring burnout. Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118993811.ch3

2.????? Hülsheger, U. R., Alberts, H. J., Feinholdt, A., & Lang, J. W. (2013). Benefits of mindfulness at work: The role of mindfulness in emotion regulation, emotional exhaustion, and job satisfaction. Journal of Applied Psychology, 98(2), 310-325. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23276118/

3.????? Scott, E., Leritz, L. E., & Mumford, M. D. (2017). The effectiveness of creativity training: A quantitative review. Creativity Research Journal, 29(4), 365-375.

4.????? Demerouti, E., Derks, D., ten Brummelhuis, L. L., & Bakker, A. B. (2014). New ways of working: Impact on working conditions, work–family balance, and well-being. In Work and well-being (pp. 203-225). Academic Press. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-94-017-8854-0_8