As a tax professional, you juggle multiple responsibilities—casework, client meetings, IRS notices, and administrative tasks. But have you ever stopped to ask yourself: What’s the biggest productivity killer in your business?
Not the IRS. Not a lack of clients. Not even your own procrastination.
The real problem? Context switching.
Every time you bounce from an IRS notice to a client email to a half-finished tax return, your brain has to reset. And that mental “loading time” isn’t instant—it takes an average of 23 minutes to fully refocus after switching tasks.
The Cost of Context Switching
Think about that: 23 minutes lost. Every. Single. Time.
Most tax pros don’t even realize how much time they waste jumping from one unfinished task to another. It feels like you’re being productive because you’re constantly busy—but in reality, you’re not making meaningful progress on the work that truly matters.
Some of the biggest time-wasters caused by context switching include:
- Interruptions from email and phone calls – Breaking your focus for small client requests eats away at valuable work time. Never take phone calls immediately. Have someone answer the phone and schedule a call back time that is convenient for you.
- Jumping between unrelated tasks – Switching from tax prep to client calls to marketing means you never get into a deep workflow.
- Multitasking – Studies show that multitasking reduces efficiency by up to 40% because your brain has to repeatedly adjust to different types of tasks.
At the end of the day, you’re exhausted—not because you’ve worked hard, but because your brain has spent the entire day trying to refocus.
The Power Hour Method: The Fix for Context Switching
Instead of letting distractions and interruptions control your day, try this strategy: The Power Hour Method.
Here’s how it works:
1️⃣ Block off at least 60 minutes for deep work. No distractions, no checking emails, no answering client calls. Put your phone on silent or vibrate.
2️⃣ Pick ONE type of task to work on. Client calls, marketing, casework, tax return review—just one. Sticking to a single category of work helps your brain stay in flow state.
3️⃣ Set a timer and commit. Work as if your business depends on it—because it does. Once the timer starts, stay fully engaged in your task. Consider using a Pomodoro time (you have to Google it)
4️⃣ Schedule separate time blocks for emails and calls. Instead of constantly reacting to emails, set aside two or three specific times a day to check your inbox.
Try this for a week, and watch how much more you get done. No more half-finished projects. No more wasted time. Just deep, focused work that moves the needle.
Why The Power Hour Method Works
The Power Hour Method is effective because it taps into the way your brain naturally works. Studies on productivity show that deep, focused work is exponentially more effective than fragmented work. Here’s why:
✅ Eliminates cognitive overload – Your brain can fully engage with one task instead of trying to juggle multiple things at once.
✅ Boosts efficiency – Once you’re in a deep workflow, your work gets done faster and with fewer mistakes.
✅ Reduces stress – You no longer feel pulled in a million directions because you’re fully in control of your time.
Think about it: if you implemented just two focused Power Hours each workday, you’d be doubling the amount of productive, meaningful work you get done.
How to Make It Stick
Breaking free from context switching isn’t easy. It takes deliberate effort and discipline to train yourself to work in focused sprints. Here’s how you can make The Power Hour Method a permanent habit:
🔹 Create a distraction-free workspace. Turn off notifications, close unnecessary tabs, use noise-canceling headphones if needed and clear off your desk.
🔹 Use a visual cue to mark your Power Hour. A sticky note, an hourglass, or a sign that says “Deep Work in Progress” can remind you to stay on track.
🔹 Let your clients and team know. Setting expectations early will prevent unnecessary interruptions. Put a sign on your door and send an email autoresponder when you are in the Power Hour zone.
🔹 Batch similar tasks together. If you need to handle emails, dedicate one Power Hour solely to clearing your inbox instead of constantly checking throughout the day.
🔹 Track your progress. Note how much work you complete during your Power Hour. Seeing tangible results will reinforce the habit.
What Happens When You Stop Context Switching
If you consistently follow The Power Hour Method, you’ll notice some game-changing improvements in your productivity and business growth:
📌 Faster turnaround on client cases – With uninterrupted focus, you’ll complete casework more efficiently and reduce delays.
📌 Higher-quality work – Deep work produces fewer errors and stronger results.
📌 Less stress and burnout – When your brain isn’t constantly switching gears, you’ll end your day feeling accomplished instead of drained.
📌 More time for high-value activities – Instead of wasting time on low-priority tasks, you’ll have more space to grow your firm, attract better clients, and even take well-earned breaks.
The Next Step
If you really want to get stuff done, then you have to treat this time as if the rest of the world does not exist for that hour. No interruptions, PERIOD!
And if you want to take your efficiency even further? Inside Tax Resolution Academy®, we show tax pros how to systemize their business so they can get MORE done in LESS time—without feeling like they’re drowning.
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Here’s to working smarter, not harder!
And a brighter future for your tax practice!
If you want to know more consider joining the Tax Resolution Academy® by clicking this link
I hope this helps.
If you have any questions, please reach out to us.
I would love to hear your thoughts, challenges, and successes in writing your very own book.
Have a GREAT day,
Cordially,
Dan
Dan Henn, CPA, CTR™
Co-Founder, Tax Resolution Academy®
Managing Member
Tax Pro Academy, LLC
P.S. Want to learn more about the Tax Resolution Academy®, go to https://community.taxresolutionacademy.com.
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