When Times Get Tough, Don't Sacrifice Yourself for Your Firm

Let's be real – when your accounting firm is struggling, your first instinct is probably to work yourself into the ground trying to fix everything. Trust me, I've been there. During my early years in practice, I thought being a hero meant saying yes to everything and working 72-hour stretches during tax season.

But here's what I learned the hard way: burning yourself out doesn't save your firm – it just creates more problems.

The Reality Check We All Need

When business gets tough, we accounting professionals tend to put on our superhero capes. We think loyalty means sacrificing our sanity, our health, and our boundaries. But what if I told you that being strategic about your time and energy is actually MORE loyal to your firm's success?

Get Crystal Clear Before You Commit

Before you take on that "urgent" project or agree to wear another hat, pause and ask these questions:

• What exactly is the objective here?

• How will we measure success?

• What specific tasks will I be responsible for?

• Realistically, how many hours will this require?

  
  

I can't tell you how many times I've seen talented bookkeepers and accountants dive headfirst into projects without understanding the scope. Don't be that person. Get the details upfront so you can make an informed decision.

The Art of the Strategic "No"

Here's something that might surprise you: sometimes saying no is the most helpful thing you can do for your firm. When you're already juggling client deadlines, month-end closes, and tax season prep, taking on marketing duties might seem helpful – but it could actually hurt your core performance.

Try reframing your "no" around what's best for everyone: "I want to help with marketing, but if I split my focus right now, it'll impact my ability to get these tax returns completed on time, which is critical for our cash flow."

Protect Your Time Like the Asset It Is

Small boundaries make a huge difference:

• Block focused work time on your calendar (and actually protect it!)

• Be selective about which meetings truly need your input

• Communicate your availability proactively instead of reactively

I learned this lesson during my transformation from working those brutal 72-hour stretches to a more sustainable approach. Now I block time for deep work, set clear boundaries, and guess what? My quality of work improved dramatically.

The Bottom Line

Your firm needs you at your best, not your most exhausted. When you protect your time and energy strategically, you're not being selfish – you're being smart. You're ensuring that when your firm really needs you to show up, you actually can.

Remember, a burned-out team member helps no one. Be loyal to your firm by being loyal to your own sustainability first.

Until next time,