IMGCAP(1)]As we sit through another tax season, we have the opportunity to enjoy it or suffer through it. We can believe that we will fail, or we can choose to succeed and believe that “anything is possible.”
This tax season, I have added one more project to the stack of deadlines, expectations and goals. I signed up for the 2015 Texas ½ Ironman on April 26th.
Every tax season it is important to maximize precious time and prioritize projects. This tax season, I will not only be testing my physical abilities, but my professional capacity to ensure I am able to meet my clients’ expectations, my family needs and my training goals.
Below are the five rules I will live by over the next few months to ensure that the “Anything is possible” this tax season becomes a reality:
1. Be intentionally positive: If I say I can’t, then I won’t! Your perspective fuels your actions. If I don’t believe I can do something, it is over before I can even begin. I believe that I can manage my clients’ needs during this difficult training period. I believe that I can have quality time with my wife and kids. I believe that I can make the time necessary to train. I believe in myself. I believe in you. And so should you!
2. Be exceptionally honest: There will be times when I need help. It is hard to ask for help. If you are invincible, you don’t need help. But I am not invincible. There will be times when I have to say no. It is not because I don’t want to, but because I am focusing on my priorities. My time is precious. My time will be spent focusing on the most efficient opportunities. In being honest, my community will know what I am and am not committed to.
3. Be remarkably kind: I will say thank you. Others are sacrificing so that I can reach my goals. My wife, my kids, my colleagues, my clients and my community. The person serving me coffee on my way to work, thank you! I will say thank you for all of the love and support I have and will be given. Without my family, without my colleagues, without my community, I have no meaning. Thank you for providing me with incredible opportunities and passion to live my life. I hope that in turn, I can inspire you to go beyond your capabilities.
4. Be flexible and resourceful: Dealing with an overloaded schedule to meet the needs of multiple groups (including myself), I will need to analyze how I go about routine tasks. I will question the way I do everything to evaluate if I need to do it or if I can cut it out of my routine. In going through this process I hope to be able to use my creativity to generate more time out of the precious time that I have. My goals will drive my resourcefulness. My true character will shine through to make it to the finish line.
5. Be in the moment: If I am working, I am working. If I am spending time with my family, I am spending time with my family. There can and will not be any checking my phone while putting my kids to bed. There will be concentration on activity that I am engaged in. There is no time, for lack of engagement. By being in the moment, I will be able to clearly set boundaries on my engagement with every step of my way to the finish line.
The next four months will be difficult. The most difficult I have ever seen! There will be times I will want to quit (tax season, training, leadership positions, etc.). But in the end there will be resolve. There will be strength. There will be determination. And there will be success. I can already envision myself crossing the finish line! I’m not counting down the minutes until I get to the finish line. I am enjoying every minute until I get there.
I challenge you during this tax season to realize “anything is possible.” Live it and enjoy it.
Adam Blitz, CPA, is a tax and consulting manager at
