Dan Henn CPA
Dan Henn CPA

Grow mentally, physically or spiritually by becoming a streaker!

No, not that kind of streaker. You know, the kind someone (hopefully not you) did in college on a dare. The kind that can be an even more exciting concept that can transform your life. It is called Postive Behavioral Streaks (PBS). Imagine if every time you completed a task, you got a gold star, just like in kindergarten. Sounds fun, right? Well, that’s the essence of PBS, a simple yet powerful tool to grow mentally, physically, and spiritually. I found that being a concrete, sequential tax professional (aka a little OCD), streaks help me accomplish more in a short period of time.

Understanding PBS: The Gold Star System for Grown-Ups

Positive Behavioral Streaks work on a simple principle: consistency is key. It’s about creating a chain of positive actions and keeping it going. Each day you complete a task, you get a virtual (or real, if you’re into crafts) gold star. The aim? Don’t break the chain. It’s like playing a game where the prize is a better you! Here are some things you can create a streak for as a tax professional that will help you either personally, in your business or both.

Mentally: Turn Your Brain into a Knowledge Sponge

Let’s start with mental growth. Ever wanted to be that person who knows a little about everything? PBS makes it possible.

  1. Book Worming: Set a goal to read, say, 10 pages a day. Each day you do, give yourself a star. Soon, you’ll have devoured books on topics from astrophysics to zen gardening.
  2. Writing Buff: If writing is your thing, commit to writing a daily blog post or email. It could be about anything: your cat’s philosophical musings, new tax tips for your clients or how to stay out of trouble with the IRS. Star it up!
  3. Podcast Power Hour: Listen to a podcast episode each day. From marketing tips, new tax ideas, to running a business, there’s a podcast for everything. You might not learn a lot, but you might learn one new nugget of information, look at some concept from a different angle that will help you explain things better to clients or just might inspire some great idea.

Physically: From Couch Potato to Fitness Fries

Now, let’s get physical, and no, I don’t mean an Olivia Newton-John workout tape.

  1. 10-Minute Movement: Commit to 10 minutes of exercise daily. It could be yoga, a brisk walk,
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Productivity Part Deux – Conquer Time and Give yourself a Boost

Welcome champions of the tax code! Back by popular demand (or because I just have more wisdom to share), here’s a few more tips to help you slay the productivity dragon. Let’s turn your office into a well-oiled, tax-filing, time-saving machine with a sprinkle of fun and a dash of wit.

1. “Batch Processing” – The Culinary Art of Tax Work Picture yourself as a master chef in a gourmet kitchen. Just as a chef wouldn’t cook one dish at a time, you shouldn’t handle tasks one by one. Enter the world of “batch processing.” Group similar tasks together and tackle them in dedicated time slots. Answer emails in one go, set aside time for all client calls, and process filings in batches. It’s like meal-prepping, but for taxes. You’ll be amazed how much time you save when you’re not constantly switching gears. Plus, who doesn’t like feeling like a tax Gordon Ramsay?

2. “Early Bird or Night Owl?” – Harness Your Prime Time Are you a morning lark, singing the sweet songs of deductions at dawn? Or are you a night owl, wise to the ways of tax wizardry under the moonlight or candlelight? Identify when you’re most productive and schedule your biggest and most challenging tasks during these hours. Using your peak hours effectively is like catching the express train in rush hour – you get to your destination faster and smarter. So, brew that coffee or pour that late-night tea (without caffeine, not good for your sleep time), and make magic in your prime time. Oh, and don’t do the batched tasks you identified in #1 above during these times. This would be a waste of your Prime Time.

3. “The Magic of ‘One Touch’” – Touch It, Tackle It, Triumph! In the mystical realm of tax filing, there lies an ancient secret: the “One Touch” rule. The idea is simple yet powerful – touch a task once and complete it. Got an email that needs a quick reply? Do it now (in conjunction with #1). A form that needs a quick review? Don’t put it off. By applying the “One Touch” rule, you avoid the black hole of procrastination and the vortex of time-wasting. It’s like defeating the boss monster in one epic move. Game over, inefficiency! This is one of my difficulties, but I am working to beat this one.

4. “The Zen of Saying ‘Later’” – The Artful Skill … Continue reading

Let the fun begin! Tax season is here! Turbocharge your Productivity!

Hey there, fellow number crunchers and tax titans! Let’s face it: in the world of tax professionals, time is not just money – it’s everything. But how do you make the most of it, especially when tax season turns your office into a scene from “The Fast and the Furious”? Fear not! I’ve got some incredibly useful tips to help you turbocharge your productivity. Ready to dive in?

1. Embrace the Power of “No” – The Ultimate Productivity Hack Yes, you heard me right. “No” is your new best friend. In the world of tax, where everyone wants a piece of your time, learning to say no is like discovering a secret productivity potion. Think of it as your personal shield against the endless barrage of time-sucking requests. “Can you look at this real quick?” Nope. “Do you have a minute to chat about something off-topic?” Nada. Remember, every time you say no to distractions, you say yes to productivity. It’s not rude; it’s smart!

2. Automate Like a Boss (Because You Are One) You’re a tax pro, not a robot, so why spend your precious hours on tasks that a machine could do? Automating repetitive tasks is like hiring a team of invisible minions to do your bidding. Use software for tasks like sorting and writing emails, managing appointments, or even automate some tasks. It’s 2024, and if your software isn’t doing half your job yet, you’re living in the tax Stone Age. Embrace technology and watch your productivity soar higher than a taxpayer’s blood pressure in April.

3. The Pomodoro Technique – Your New Time-Management BFF Meet Pomodoro, not the tomato, but a technique that’s about to revolutionize your work life. Here’s the gist: you work for 25 minutes straight, then break for 5. Repeat. It’s like high-intensity interval training, but for your brain. This method keeps you fresh, focused, and fast. Plus, racing against the clock adds a fun, game-like element to your day. Who knew tax work could feel like a thrilling sprint?

4. Tidy Desk, Tidy Mind – Unclutter to Unleash Productivity An organized workspace isn’t just for Instagram-worthy office shots; it’s a productivity powerhouse. A cluttered desk can clutter your mind, and before you know it, you’re spending more time searching for that elusive document than actually working on it. So, channel your inner Marie Kondo and make tidying up a ritual. A clear desk equals a clear mind, … Continue reading