You can't shrink the workload but can change how it feels

You spent years working as a CPA before becoming a certified coach. What was happening in your own career that made you realize technical expertise alone wasn't enough to prevent burnout?

I spent more than 20 years building and running my own accounting firm. I had reached a point where I had plenty of clients, and I continued to grow not only my client base but also my revenue. I worked hard to get my firm to that point and enjoyed having such a successful career.  But like many accountants, I found myself constantly focused on deadlines and client responsibilities. 

In addition to that, I was taking care of my aging parents, one with Alzheimer’s and the other with Multiple Myeloma. It seemed like I was always battling another client question, another project, another time-sensitive return to get done or a doctor’s appointment for my parents. What I realized over time, and with the support of my coach, was that my accounting knowledge and expertise could help me solve problems that came up with my clients, but it didn’t necessarily help me manage stress, make difficult decisions, establish healthy boundaries or create a life I genuinely enjoyed outside of work.  

I also realized that two accountants with the same workload can experience it very differently. One can feel constantly overwhelmed, while the other can remain calm and focused. The difference isn’t necessarily the workload itself; it’s how they think about it, respond to it and lead themselves through it.  

That realization led me to become a Certified Coach, and eventually I created The RE*INVENTION™ Process, which is a practical framework designed to help accountants and high-stress professionals reduce overwhelm, make better decisions, strengthen relationships and create lives they are excited to live, not just careers they are proud of.

When firm owners or accountants first come to you, what are the most common challenges they're trying to solve? Which issues do you find are actually symptoms of a deeper problem?

Most people initially come to me because they are feeling overwhelmed or want more control over their lives. They want better time management, healthier boundaries, less stress, improved work-life balance or greater productivity. Those are all real concerns, but I’ve found they are often symptoms rather than the root problem. For example, someone might say they have a time management issue, but after talking it through, we discover that they are struggling to make decisions quickly or that they feel guilty about saying no to clients or coworkers.  

Someone else may believe they are overwhelmed by their workload, when the bigger issue is perfectionism or the belief that they have to solve every problem themselves. One pattern I see repeatedly is that many accountants spend so much time managing everyone else’s priorities that they stop intentionally managing their own.  

The goal of the RE*INVENTION™ Process isn’t just to feel less stressed. It’s to become the kind of professional who can thrive under pressure without sacrificing the rest of their life.

You often say that mindset is at the center of many of these challenges. Can you share an example of a common belief you've seen accountants hold that limits their success, and what changes when they reframe it?

One of the most common beliefs I see is that accountants think they have to get everything done before they can relax. It sounds reasonable, but in accounting, that day rarely comes. There will always be another deadline, another email, another client question, another opportunity to improve something.  

When people believe they have to earn their rest or time off by finishing everything first, they unknowingly create a life where rest is always postponed. A healthier reframe would be: My work is important, but so is the person doing the work. This small shift can change everything. Instead of waiting for life to slow down before prioritizing health, relationships or personal goals, people begin intentionally building those things into their lives now. 

Ironically, they often become more productive because they make better decisions, think more clearly and operate from a place of intention rather than constant pressure.

Accountants tend to be analytical and, as you've admitted, often skeptical of coaching. What would you say to a firm owner who thinks coaching is too "soft" to make a measurable difference in their business or career?

I completely understand the skepticism because I used to have it myself. As accountants, we are trained to rely on facts, data and logic. Coaching can sound abstract until you experience what it actually looks like. The coaching and support I provide isn’t about positive thinking or motivational speeches. It’s about improving the quality of your thinking so you can improve the quality of your decisions.  

Every day, accountants make hundreds of decisions that directly affect productivity, relationships, leadership, client service and ultimately the success of their firms and careers. When we improve how we think about those situations, we often make better decisions. And those better decisions create better results. That’s something every accountant can appreciate.

Are there one or two exercises or habits that almost any CPA could start practicing today to make better decisions, set healthier boundaries or reduce stress?

One practice I recommend is asking yourself a simple question whenever you’re feeling overwhelmed: What part of this situation is actually within my control? It’s remarkable how quickly that question shifts your focus away from worrying about everything and toward taking meaningful action. The second practice is something I call a daily check-in. 

At the end of each day, ask yourself these three questions: What went well today? What challenged me today? And what’s one thing I can do differently tomorrow?  

That reflection only takes a few minutes, but over time it helps you become more intentional, more self-aware and better equipped to make decisions that align with the life you’re trying to build. The reality is that meaningful change rarely comes from one dramatic breakthrough. It usually comes from small, consistent improvements in how we think, how we make decisions and how we show up every day.

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