I am a student of business owners. In my line of work I see all kinds of businesses, how they function, and their level of success. My personal experience qualifies me to make comments on the subject. Tax Prep & Accounting Services breathed life under my personal name in 1982, taking on the name Tax Prep & Services in 1989, and its current form in 1992. I have managed real estate and financial services companies. So you don't think bad things of me, I also produce stuff on my farm.
Most businesses fail in the first 5 years. They fail due to too little business or too much business. Too little is easy to understand, but too much? Yes, too much business too fast requires advanced management skills most small business owners lack. A business owner producing widgets is great at making widgets. He has a difficult time delegating the task of production and managing the workforce. Sometimes the owner cannot do it. His skills in management are inadequate.
A new phenomenon (to me, at least) has struck small business. Several of my business clients have hours starting at 9 or 10 in the morning and end at 3 sharp to pick up the kids. Either I didn't notice this before or there is a new business model in town. The funny things about this phenomenon is that it works. The businesses that use it are very successful. Most have employees. The employees work longer, but the boss is out by 3. Period.
Seeing business owners running their business on reduced hours intrigues me. Why does it work? After questioning clients/business owners using reduced hours I discovered an important point. Owners that work long hours get less done due to fatigue, make more mistakes, and poorer decisions. Shorter hours allow for a fresher mind and greater productivity. They also enjoy their work more.
Employees get more work and hours in these businesses. The boss is out talking with new clients while staff gets the work done. Everybody wins. The boss leaves early, but works evenings or weekends when necessary. When the boss works 40 hours a week he is kinder to his clients and employees. He also enjoys his family.
Now you know. This new information has me thinking. Don't call me after 3; I'll be golfing. Talk to Jeff; he'll be there. Wait a minute. It's tax season. Forget it. I'll be in the office from 4 AM to midnight.
Showing posts with label tax season. Show all posts
Showing posts with label tax season. Show all posts
Monday, January 9, 2012
Thursday, December 29, 2011
The Bustle is Back
The holidays bring a double workload in the accounting profession. Organizers are all in the mail this week and clients are setting appointments. Part-time staff are back training on the new software and learning new office policies. Clients are calling about last minute tax maneuvers.
The holiday bustle is only the start. Soon, office activity will run 16-18 hours a day with everyone working overtime.
The hyper-activity feels good. There is no feeling like it in the world. That moment of excitement when life explodes with action. I am giddy. I already have an appointment on the New Year's holiday. May as well work. Can't sleep anyway.
The holiday bustle is only the start. Soon, office activity will run 16-18 hours a day with everyone working overtime.
The hyper-activity feels good. There is no feeling like it in the world. That moment of excitement when life explodes with action. I am giddy. I already have an appointment on the New Year's holiday. May as well work. Can't sleep anyway.
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Gus What?
Now that tax season is finally winding down I have the time to reflect on what I want to do with the extra three or four free minutes I get each day. (Yes, I know it is June. I'll explain later.) This blog post will help you understand how your friendly accountant thinks. It is insightful because I see a lot of people over the year and how they manage their money, time, and lives. I recently had a brainstorm that can help you in your life if you open your mind to the possibilities.
First some background. Tax season does NOT end on April 15th; it ends around Memorial Day. Tax season begins around mid-December with setting up tax software and mailing calendars and pre-appointments to clients. Between Christmas and New Year's Day the office is fully staffed with all non-tax preparing employees and additional part-time help. Pre-appointments take a lot of time to set up in the computer. Happy Holidays guys!
January is flush with year-end payroll reports, 1099s, and W-2s. All regular full- and part-time employees begin their tax season schedule the first workday of January. A few small tax returns straggle in by mid-January with a rapid influx the last few days of the month and escalating to season heights in early February.
With a large number of smaller tax returns done, March puts the rush on corporate returns due March 15th. By now the entire office is living on caffeine to keep going. But there is no time to lollygag. The April 15th deadline is fast approaching.
All this time, from mid-December to mid-April, I promise people I'll get to my other work as soon as tax season is over. And, like clock work, the phone rings 926 times with 23, 439 emails on April 16th. Every phone call and email starts with, "Getting ready to enjoy your vacation time?" I smile, but my teeth are grinding. I roll up my sleeves and dig in hot and heavy. By about June 1st I am reasonably caught up. Then I sit back, crack open a cold one and sleep the day away until next December. Oh wait! That last bit was my fantasy. Sorry about that.
I know what you are thinking. You think I am a lucky stiff that works half the year and takes it easy the other half playing golf and other assorted distractions. Well, I am sorry to burst your bubble, but, things only slow down from the hectic to the barely manageable for the last half of the year. What the slow down does allow is for some time for personal interests.
Accountants make their money (virtually all of it) in the first half of the year. It is common to work for six months at a loss to make a nice income in the spring. Accountants are also tight with a dollar. We have to be. The paycheck we get in late April needs to last until January. Compared to most accountants, I am even tighter. My wife says it takes the Jaws of Life to open my wallet. She also says Washington and Lincoln squint when my wallet is opened from the rare glimpse of sunlight.
Accountants are practical people. At least I like to tell myself such. That extra three or four minutes a day allows me to have a nice garden. I am up to four this year and am proud to tell you I should break the 1000 pound mark for harvested potatoes this year. I also added three varieties of grapes and raspberries this year. This fall we should can 50 or more quarts of pears and another 30 of plums. I make home-made wine (dandelion, red clover, current, and grape are my favorite), can and freeze hundreds of pounds of beans carrots, cauliflower, broccoli, and anything else I was crazy enough to plant. We also dehydrate hundred of onions, pears and apples.
I tell you these things so you understand where I am and how my thought processes work. You see, I like to extend the period of time I make money. I need something to add to the garden that takes only a modest amount of work, makes good money, and takes time outside tax season only. And that leads to today's topic: Gus What?
I have a small asparagus patch that has kept me satisfied for years. But this year I bought a few more crowns and propagated what I already have. Next year my production should skyrocket over 400%; the year after should exceed 2,000% of this year's take. Within five years I hope to harvest asparagus (which I affectionately call gusses) by the ton. Asparagus sells for $3-4 a pound in local grocery stores. One acre well tended can produce between 3 and 8 tones of asparagus. It takes an hour or so to pick an acre of asparagus. Asparagus picking season is one month where I live (from mid May to mid June). Asparagus keeps well if the cut ends are placed in cold water and kept in the fridge. Asparagus can remain fresh months this way. I can see a nice new side business developing.
This morning for breakfast I enjoyed gusses cut into one inch pieces, sautéed in olive oil, mixed with scrambled eggs until completely done, and covered in Tabasco. My god, I was in heaven.
Oh! I gotta go. My wife is coming and she doesn't like me talking these fantasies. She knows I'm just crazy enough to do it.
First some background. Tax season does NOT end on April 15th; it ends around Memorial Day. Tax season begins around mid-December with setting up tax software and mailing calendars and pre-appointments to clients. Between Christmas and New Year's Day the office is fully staffed with all non-tax preparing employees and additional part-time help. Pre-appointments take a lot of time to set up in the computer. Happy Holidays guys!
January is flush with year-end payroll reports, 1099s, and W-2s. All regular full- and part-time employees begin their tax season schedule the first workday of January. A few small tax returns straggle in by mid-January with a rapid influx the last few days of the month and escalating to season heights in early February.
With a large number of smaller tax returns done, March puts the rush on corporate returns due March 15th. By now the entire office is living on caffeine to keep going. But there is no time to lollygag. The April 15th deadline is fast approaching.
All this time, from mid-December to mid-April, I promise people I'll get to my other work as soon as tax season is over. And, like clock work, the phone rings 926 times with 23, 439 emails on April 16th. Every phone call and email starts with, "Getting ready to enjoy your vacation time?" I smile, but my teeth are grinding. I roll up my sleeves and dig in hot and heavy. By about June 1st I am reasonably caught up. Then I sit back, crack open a cold one and sleep the day away until next December. Oh wait! That last bit was my fantasy. Sorry about that.
I know what you are thinking. You think I am a lucky stiff that works half the year and takes it easy the other half playing golf and other assorted distractions. Well, I am sorry to burst your bubble, but, things only slow down from the hectic to the barely manageable for the last half of the year. What the slow down does allow is for some time for personal interests.
Accountants make their money (virtually all of it) in the first half of the year. It is common to work for six months at a loss to make a nice income in the spring. Accountants are also tight with a dollar. We have to be. The paycheck we get in late April needs to last until January. Compared to most accountants, I am even tighter. My wife says it takes the Jaws of Life to open my wallet. She also says Washington and Lincoln squint when my wallet is opened from the rare glimpse of sunlight.
Accountants are practical people. At least I like to tell myself such. That extra three or four minutes a day allows me to have a nice garden. I am up to four this year and am proud to tell you I should break the 1000 pound mark for harvested potatoes this year. I also added three varieties of grapes and raspberries this year. This fall we should can 50 or more quarts of pears and another 30 of plums. I make home-made wine (dandelion, red clover, current, and grape are my favorite), can and freeze hundreds of pounds of beans carrots, cauliflower, broccoli, and anything else I was crazy enough to plant. We also dehydrate hundred of onions, pears and apples.
I tell you these things so you understand where I am and how my thought processes work. You see, I like to extend the period of time I make money. I need something to add to the garden that takes only a modest amount of work, makes good money, and takes time outside tax season only. And that leads to today's topic: Gus What?
I have a small asparagus patch that has kept me satisfied for years. But this year I bought a few more crowns and propagated what I already have. Next year my production should skyrocket over 400%; the year after should exceed 2,000% of this year's take. Within five years I hope to harvest asparagus (which I affectionately call gusses) by the ton. Asparagus sells for $3-4 a pound in local grocery stores. One acre well tended can produce between 3 and 8 tones of asparagus. It takes an hour or so to pick an acre of asparagus. Asparagus picking season is one month where I live (from mid May to mid June). Asparagus keeps well if the cut ends are placed in cold water and kept in the fridge. Asparagus can remain fresh months this way. I can see a nice new side business developing.
This morning for breakfast I enjoyed gusses cut into one inch pieces, sautéed in olive oil, mixed with scrambled eggs until completely done, and covered in Tabasco. My god, I was in heaven.
Oh! I gotta go. My wife is coming and she doesn't like me talking these fantasies. She knows I'm just crazy enough to do it.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
The Power of Focus
Recently I wrote about the power of momentum. Today I want to talk about momentum's close cousin, focus. Focus and momentum walk hand in hand. The quality of life equation includes many variables and focus in one of the important ones.
In my line of work focus is very important, it is required to get anything done and to have any quality of life. It is too easy to worry about work when at home and too easy to feel guilty when at work when I would rather be with family. Of course, this is a recipe for getting nothing done and feeling terrible all the time.
There are no magic bullets to hone focus. Focus is a muscle that needs regular exercise to function well. We have all experienced the "zone"; that place where we are hyper productive and focused on the task at hand. For me this is more than a feeling; it is an emotional place. Usually I require quiet time and a closed door to reach this place and focus my attention. Sometimes I play loud music as a mental closed door (Stephen King writes to loud music as his way of shutting out the world while he focuses on his work). You need to look inside yourself to find this "zone."
Guilt destroys focus faster than anything else. When I prepare tax returns or perform other accounting tasks I shut out the world and do not worry about home, family, health, neighbors, world events, and so on. I refuse to feel guilty or complain about my time away from family and friends. Long ago I decided I choose to work. I can live on a lot less if I really do not want to work as an accountant.
The same applies in my private life. I could care less about the office when at home with family. If work blows up, so it goes (as Kurt Vonnegut says). I enjoy and experience the moment at hand. It is all any of us have.
The real trick lay at the borderline. Sometimes I work from home. I never feel any obligation to do so, but when I really want to complete a large task I will log into the office and tackle a job. I write from home. This blog post is evolving less than two hours before a family social gathering. However, I am focused on writing this piece while I write it and will not give it a thought when with family. I have a few projects I could log into the office for this weekend, but opted to spend my free time with family. My grandfather is very ill and the clock is reaching its end. It is challenging to focus with issues so large and important. But I get better at it with age.
If you desire for better things, being a better father or mother, a better husband or wife, a better employee or boss, a better friend or neighbor, a better writer, a better accountant or any occupation of your choosing, better at anything, focus. Find that place where momentum takes place and quality of life grows.
Taxes are important. Deal with the issues and move on. Taxes are not life; taxes are a fact of life. Spend the required time each week or month gathering the information you need to manage your finances and taxes. Then move on to the important things. Focus on the task at hand so the remaining 99% of your life can be an exercise in enjoyment.
That's my story and I'm sticking to it. Now what was I doing?
In my line of work focus is very important, it is required to get anything done and to have any quality of life. It is too easy to worry about work when at home and too easy to feel guilty when at work when I would rather be with family. Of course, this is a recipe for getting nothing done and feeling terrible all the time.
There are no magic bullets to hone focus. Focus is a muscle that needs regular exercise to function well. We have all experienced the "zone"; that place where we are hyper productive and focused on the task at hand. For me this is more than a feeling; it is an emotional place. Usually I require quiet time and a closed door to reach this place and focus my attention. Sometimes I play loud music as a mental closed door (Stephen King writes to loud music as his way of shutting out the world while he focuses on his work). You need to look inside yourself to find this "zone."
Guilt destroys focus faster than anything else. When I prepare tax returns or perform other accounting tasks I shut out the world and do not worry about home, family, health, neighbors, world events, and so on. I refuse to feel guilty or complain about my time away from family and friends. Long ago I decided I choose to work. I can live on a lot less if I really do not want to work as an accountant.
The same applies in my private life. I could care less about the office when at home with family. If work blows up, so it goes (as Kurt Vonnegut says). I enjoy and experience the moment at hand. It is all any of us have.
The real trick lay at the borderline. Sometimes I work from home. I never feel any obligation to do so, but when I really want to complete a large task I will log into the office and tackle a job. I write from home. This blog post is evolving less than two hours before a family social gathering. However, I am focused on writing this piece while I write it and will not give it a thought when with family. I have a few projects I could log into the office for this weekend, but opted to spend my free time with family. My grandfather is very ill and the clock is reaching its end. It is challenging to focus with issues so large and important. But I get better at it with age.
If you desire for better things, being a better father or mother, a better husband or wife, a better employee or boss, a better friend or neighbor, a better writer, a better accountant or any occupation of your choosing, better at anything, focus. Find that place where momentum takes place and quality of life grows.
Taxes are important. Deal with the issues and move on. Taxes are not life; taxes are a fact of life. Spend the required time each week or month gathering the information you need to manage your finances and taxes. Then move on to the important things. Focus on the task at hand so the remaining 99% of your life can be an exercise in enjoyment.
That's my story and I'm sticking to it. Now what was I doing?
Friday, December 31, 2010
Zen Meditation Rituals
Tax season starts early for tax preparers. Catching up on all the new tax laws keeps my crowd busy from October on, sometimes sooner. By December 1st, preparations for the new tax season are in full swing: the new tax program is set up and tested, year-end tax panning extends the work day, and pre-appointments are set and mailed.
January brings the heavy workload of payroll reports and the first tax returns. Stress escalates as the demands on time rises; due dates loom around every corner make for long days at the office. And don't think performing at 95% will cut it. A 95% is an A in college, but a failing grade in the real world. Tax season is twelve weeks of final exams six to seven days a week and you are expected to get a 100% every day, every time.
Over my 27 years in practice I noticed a lot of tax professionals die young. Some live to a ripe old age, but all too many die in their 50s or early 60s. It also seems to me that many tax professionals die in early April when the biggest due date of all presses forward without mercy.
I attribute this unusual demographic to the building stress of tax season and the months spent locked in a room in a chair in front of a computer. If an animal were treated the way many tax professionals treat themselves someone would end up in prison.
The more vocal accountants seem to live longer; tax pros that beat the odds tend to exhibit a crankiness. Another type of tax pro that survives longer than the average is the one that learns to manage their time; no allowing the tail to wag the dog. I use several techniques to keep my sanity year round. Most days I take a walk in the park next to my office. If I have a ten-hour plus day, I take a walk.
Wisconsin can have nasty weather during tax season and a leisurely walk in the park is out of the question. I have a couch in a side room for a power nap, but power naps are difficult when a lot of things occupy the mind. This is where my secret weapon comes in.
Stress is the issue and sleep is not always the answer; reduction of stress is. I use Zen meditation rituals to reduce stress and get away from work for a while. Tax season or not, I use meditation. It relaxes and refreshes. Let me show you how I recharge with Zen meditation in ten to fifteen minutes.
Without any help from the boss (if you are not self employed like me) you can get a deep meditative break right in your office chair. Here is how: Sit up straight. Your back must be straight. Hunched over will not work. Your feet should be flat on the floor. Put one open hand in another and lay hands on lap. Touch thumbs to form an O with your hands. Close your eyes. Focus on your breathing. Count each breath in and out as one, counting to ten breaths.
Racing thoughts want to intrude. Do not push them away. Acknowledge the thought, then set it aside. The breathing and counting are not a contest or a speed race. When you count ten breaths, start counting from one again. Read detailed Zen meditation instructions here.
No matter your job, or even if retired or unemployed, stress is a cancer to a pleasurable life. Take a moment out to relax and experience pleasure.
For the tax professionals that frequent this blog, I know some of your concerns. How can I take a break? I'll lose clients if clients catch me taking a walk in the middle of the day when I should be working?
To these arguments I relate a story from the mid 1990s. While attending a convention in Dallas circa 1996, Nick Murray, author of Serious Money, made it clear for me. He said that no one client is worth your business. The client is NOT always right, especially if the client is asking you to sacrifice your integrity, disengage your family, or put your health at risk. The biggest client you have, Murray related, is not worth suffering over. Life is too short for such foolishness.
Tax pros should take note. Clients want us to work twenty hours a day without a break and do it for a smaller fee. No sane person would subscribe to such stupidity. Over the years a few clients have left because I demanded a short break. Good riddance. My sanity, family, and well-being are more important than another hour of work.
Everyone needs a quiet moment, especially in stressful situations. Practice simple Zen meditation techniques. The other option is to die young.
January brings the heavy workload of payroll reports and the first tax returns. Stress escalates as the demands on time rises; due dates loom around every corner make for long days at the office. And don't think performing at 95% will cut it. A 95% is an A in college, but a failing grade in the real world. Tax season is twelve weeks of final exams six to seven days a week and you are expected to get a 100% every day, every time.
Over my 27 years in practice I noticed a lot of tax professionals die young. Some live to a ripe old age, but all too many die in their 50s or early 60s. It also seems to me that many tax professionals die in early April when the biggest due date of all presses forward without mercy.
I attribute this unusual demographic to the building stress of tax season and the months spent locked in a room in a chair in front of a computer. If an animal were treated the way many tax professionals treat themselves someone would end up in prison.
The more vocal accountants seem to live longer; tax pros that beat the odds tend to exhibit a crankiness. Another type of tax pro that survives longer than the average is the one that learns to manage their time; no allowing the tail to wag the dog. I use several techniques to keep my sanity year round. Most days I take a walk in the park next to my office. If I have a ten-hour plus day, I take a walk.
Wisconsin can have nasty weather during tax season and a leisurely walk in the park is out of the question. I have a couch in a side room for a power nap, but power naps are difficult when a lot of things occupy the mind. This is where my secret weapon comes in.
Stress is the issue and sleep is not always the answer; reduction of stress is. I use Zen meditation rituals to reduce stress and get away from work for a while. Tax season or not, I use meditation. It relaxes and refreshes. Let me show you how I recharge with Zen meditation in ten to fifteen minutes.
Without any help from the boss (if you are not self employed like me) you can get a deep meditative break right in your office chair. Here is how: Sit up straight. Your back must be straight. Hunched over will not work. Your feet should be flat on the floor. Put one open hand in another and lay hands on lap. Touch thumbs to form an O with your hands. Close your eyes. Focus on your breathing. Count each breath in and out as one, counting to ten breaths.
Racing thoughts want to intrude. Do not push them away. Acknowledge the thought, then set it aside. The breathing and counting are not a contest or a speed race. When you count ten breaths, start counting from one again. Read detailed Zen meditation instructions here.
No matter your job, or even if retired or unemployed, stress is a cancer to a pleasurable life. Take a moment out to relax and experience pleasure.
For the tax professionals that frequent this blog, I know some of your concerns. How can I take a break? I'll lose clients if clients catch me taking a walk in the middle of the day when I should be working?
To these arguments I relate a story from the mid 1990s. While attending a convention in Dallas circa 1996, Nick Murray, author of Serious Money, made it clear for me. He said that no one client is worth your business. The client is NOT always right, especially if the client is asking you to sacrifice your integrity, disengage your family, or put your health at risk. The biggest client you have, Murray related, is not worth suffering over. Life is too short for such foolishness.
Tax pros should take note. Clients want us to work twenty hours a day without a break and do it for a smaller fee. No sane person would subscribe to such stupidity. Over the years a few clients have left because I demanded a short break. Good riddance. My sanity, family, and well-being are more important than another hour of work.
Everyone needs a quiet moment, especially in stressful situations. Practice simple Zen meditation techniques. The other option is to die young.
Friday, April 30, 2010
Did You Miss Me?
It has been about three weeks since I wrote a blog post. Tax season took over my life as April 15th approached. Afterwords, I played catch-up with all the work I've been putting off for months. Now, all I want to do is sleep.
I have been writing on a much lighter schedule over on HubPages. You can catch all the articles I have published and other news on my profile.
I am off to the Wisconsin Regional Writers' Association spring conference. The board meeting is today. Since I am the treasurer, it might be a good idea if I show up, head cold and all.
The spring conference is one day this year: Saturday, May 1st. They have some very good speakers lined up. Hope to see you there.
If you see a balding, middle-aged guy sleeping on the lobby couch, that is me.
I have been writing on a much lighter schedule over on HubPages. You can catch all the articles I have published and other news on my profile.
I am off to the Wisconsin Regional Writers' Association spring conference. The board meeting is today. Since I am the treasurer, it might be a good idea if I show up, head cold and all.
The spring conference is one day this year: Saturday, May 1st. They have some very good speakers lined up. Hope to see you there.
If you see a balding, middle-aged guy sleeping on the lobby couch, that is me.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Sickness
I have a third of my preparers are out due to illness. We are holding our own for now. We had several people miss thier appointment yesterday so we kept up. But our luck will not hold forever. I need my full staff back.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Sacrifice
There is a price that must be paid when employed as an accountant. Tax season, and the resulting long workdays, leaves little time for family and even less time for writing.
Family comes first. I work to support my family. Without family I would live in a sheltered hole, content; never to be seen again.
The amount of spare time available to write is so limited I skip writing most days. I also rush my work and publish my blogs and article without the proper review. Later, I fix any issues in article (blog posts are on their own).
I love my work and plan on doing it a long time. For three or so months a year I sacrifice. Nothing serious. Now I have the opportunity to help a lot of people rapid-fire. I still write, and try to produce at least a few short publishable articles each weekend.
I miss writing each night after Sue and the girls go to bed. Most nights I am too tired to produce any quality. Still, it is such a thrill to get a few articles or a short story out on the weekend.
The 40 hour work week is preferable. For 12 -14 weeks each spring I practice the right of the “marathon run.” It keeps me honest.
Family comes first. I work to support my family. Without family I would live in a sheltered hole, content; never to be seen again.
The amount of spare time available to write is so limited I skip writing most days. I also rush my work and publish my blogs and article without the proper review. Later, I fix any issues in article (blog posts are on their own).
I love my work and plan on doing it a long time. For three or so months a year I sacrifice. Nothing serious. Now I have the opportunity to help a lot of people rapid-fire. I still write, and try to produce at least a few short publishable articles each weekend.
I miss writing each night after Sue and the girls go to bed. Most nights I am too tired to produce any quality. Still, it is such a thrill to get a few articles or a short story out on the weekend.
The 40 hour work week is preferable. For 12 -14 weeks each spring I practice the right of the “marathon run.” It keeps me honest.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
The Seven Day Work Week
I spent my first Sunday at the office in a while. I am tired and the work week starts tomorrow.
The good news is I got everything done I needed to.
The good news is I got everything done I needed to.
Friday, January 29, 2010
D-Day Has Arrived
The late nights have begun. I will be working the entire weekend. Tax season has started with a bang.
Be gentle. My nerves are frayed already. Wisconsin Department of Revenue has intermittent problems with their My Tax Account program for businesses. They are adding to my workload.
Our normal business hours extend into the evening next week. I have been staying late this week already anyway, so it does not make much difference to my back. And yes, sitting that many hours is hard on the back. I will not mention my mind.
But I am smiling big. Just happy, I guess.
Be gentle. My nerves are frayed already. Wisconsin Department of Revenue has intermittent problems with their My Tax Account program for businesses. They are adding to my workload.
Our normal business hours extend into the evening next week. I have been staying late this week already anyway, so it does not make much difference to my back. And yes, sitting that many hours is hard on the back. I will not mention my mind.
But I am smiling big. Just happy, I guess.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Planning a Crisis
In my line a work I must have a schedule to get anything done. The demands on my time are huge and get bigger during tax season. Everyday is a due date for something.
Every Sunday night I plan out the following week at work. I leave space for the inevitable surprises and overruns. I write a list down the side of the page of things that need to be done, but not this moment. I slip as many of these in as time permits.
Sleeping at night is difficult when I don't make progress on my to-do list. At minimum, I want to make significant progress on a large project or complete it, plus scratch out several smaller things that needed completion.
My schedule has flexibility built into it. However, it is near impossible to plan for a crisis. Planning for one kind of crisis does no good when a different type of crisis strikes. I searched for a common thread in each crisis; the one thing I could plan for in any crisis. I determined 'time' was the one thing each crisis shares. Any crisis, large or small, will consume some, or a lot, of my time. This is where my flexible schedule comes in. Unless the crisis takes out a whole week, I have space built in to handle extra jobs or unforeseen events.
If you see me smile and laugh during tax season, I have not been drinking. I promise. My time management system is working well is all.
Every Sunday night I plan out the following week at work. I leave space for the inevitable surprises and overruns. I write a list down the side of the page of things that need to be done, but not this moment. I slip as many of these in as time permits.
Sleeping at night is difficult when I don't make progress on my to-do list. At minimum, I want to make significant progress on a large project or complete it, plus scratch out several smaller things that needed completion.
My schedule has flexibility built into it. However, it is near impossible to plan for a crisis. Planning for one kind of crisis does no good when a different type of crisis strikes. I searched for a common thread in each crisis; the one thing I could plan for in any crisis. I determined 'time' was the one thing each crisis shares. Any crisis, large or small, will consume some, or a lot, of my time. This is where my flexible schedule comes in. Unless the crisis takes out a whole week, I have space built in to handle extra jobs or unforeseen events.
If you see me smile and laugh during tax season, I have not been drinking. I promise. My time management system is working well is all.
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