Overcoming Burn-out

[BOB W]

Yes, things that are going on in your personal life will effect your ability to meet the demands of a accounting and tax practice. But we have to decide where we are going to spend our time, work or play. After tax season, play seems to be the first choice and to get back to work (at any level) becomes a chore. Client demand's usually forced us back but the tendency is to fight it.

I have a feeling that most of us that are in the perdictament are sole practioners that have no responsiblity to anyone but to ourself,,,,, not good.......

[RitaB]

I needed to hear all this

I really appreciate the OP and the comments. This is the second year where I seem to remain overwhelmed even after tax season is over. It has really been getting to me. I have battled orthopedic issues for over two years: plantar fasciitis, three shoulder surgeries, elbow tendonitis. Changed churches six months ago because we completely lost confidence in the new leadership at the old church. All my friends were at the old church, and I miss them so much! My sixteen-year-old daughter just had ACL surgery, which I had in college, and the injury ended my basketball career. So, of course, there's that nagging fear that she won't recover. It just all adds up and presses down on us!

So, everybody, we are normal, and we need to take care of ourselves and our families. We need to laugh and sleep! I for one am going to get more involved in the new church, and also reconnect with old friends. I will also try to get my office better organized, so I don't hate walking in the door. Life is too long to live like this.

[Lion]

Play

Play a round of golf, read a book, daydream, whatever. Fire a PITA client. Do what's important, not what's urgent. Visit your doctor. Sleep, eat, exercise, etc., and all those other motherly admonitions. Keep us posted.

[BOB W]

The first thing you need to do is get a complete physical to see if there is anything physically effecting your ability to focus.

In my case I had developed diabetes and didn't know for 3 years. It caused a lack of concentration, always tired and an inability to deal objectively with my client base.

Of course there could be many other reasons, but that was mine.

Now, during tax season I'm right on top of everything, but keeping myself going, after that, is a chore. But somehow I manage to satisfy 99.9% of my client base. There is always those problem clients where getting to the end is very difficult.

[JohnH]

JG: I liked your post, especially the last paragraph. It's worth remembering that we aren't in business to get our emotional needs met, so there's absolutely no reason to take what our clients do or say personally. You have to develop a bit of thick skin in this business or else some of those clients will drive you nuts.

[oceanlovin'ea]

Suffered burnout too

I have the same problem frequently. In my case, it does stem from trying to do too much and not saying no to anyone - my family, my clients, my friends. They all just keep asking for more and more...
Plus my office is in my home - so I never get away from work. It is always staring at me.

When my husband starts telling me that I am barking at him like he is a dog, it is time to stop and regroup.

It helps me to keep lists so that I know what I need to get done and when it needs to be done.
I also stop and reorganize my office...go through the piles and pitch what I can in file 13. But then I make stacks for filing, returns to finish, bookkeeping to do, etc.
That helps me mentally just to see if things are as bad as I think they are or if they are really that bad.
If there is somthing urgent, I do it.

Then I take a day or 2 and just go do something I like or want to do. I love listening to the ocean. The sound of the ocean just melts away my stress. So if I can get to the beach for a couple of days, I do it. We go periodically so sometimes just knowing I am going in a month or 2 helps.

So find something you love to or somewhere you love to go. Take a couple of days off. Forget the office. Forget everything and relax. You will feel better.
Just try to do that every 2 or 3 months and you will be better able to cope.

Hope you feel better.

Linda F

[JG EA]

Time to step back.

There is a big picture. Clients and money are building your business, but they are not the goal. The goal is to put important things first. Establish what is important.

Just say NO to what you do not want to do, what is too much for you to do, what is discouraging for you to do. You can be honest. "I'm sorry, I just can't take that on right now. Try So and So, they are taking on clients right now, and I'm at my limit. Perhaps I'll be in a position to help you later, but I'm too inundated at the present time."

If you worked for someone else - how much would you do? Probably a lot less. Well, it is much more time-consuming to work for yourself, you require excellence. You stay up late at night and research and study to do a good job. So realize that - there will be definately more time spent - and set your limits accordingly.

I was short with a client today, because they are too cheap to file a tax return. I told them they had to file to report $90,000 of 1099B income and they would get a big bill from the IRS if they didn't. But, later I thought - They are economical that's all. They are trying to make their CD's last so they can have enough interest to suppliment their income. Why should I doubt their resolve. Why not instead just offer to help them, tell them the consequences, and allow them to decide. It is not my job to tell them off. It is my job to offer a service. WHY TAKE IT PERSONALLY? Even if they are stupid about something. Look how stupid I've been about so many things in my life. Who the heck am I to be short with them? It is not important. Nothing is important unless it is rooted in good motives.

[BHoffman]

I am burned out. Is this feeling going to go away if I just rest and read a book or play golf or something? It's like a weight falls over me everytime I step into my office. I'm also starting to hate my clients.