Get back your passion for your firm

November 16, 2022 11:08 AM

An estimated 99% of accountants have experienced burnout. Ongoing tax seasons, two years of COVID and being overworked have left many accountants and firm owners feeling worn out.

When you're drained and stressed, it's not always easy to approach the workday with the same enthusiasm and passion as you once did. However, it's that passion and drive that made your firm a success in the first place.

If you're struggling to reconnect with your passion for your firm, here are four ways to reignite the spark.

Remember why you started your firm

What drove you down the path you're on? Why did you start your firm in the first place?

Many firm owners have been going and going for so long that they forget why they took on this journey. They have lost touch with the part of themselves that was eager to change the world.

Try to reconnect with that part of yourself that was so excited to begin this journey. Finding that lost part of yourself can help you find new motivation and purpose.

If you're struggling to reconnect with your why, ask yourself: what would spark some excitement? Maybe a change of pace is just what you need to find your purpose and passion.

Focus on the tasks you love

Many firm owners lose their passion because they spend too much time on tasks they don't like. We all have to do things we don't want to do from time to time. However, if much of your day is spent doing things you dislike, your passion and excitement will quickly dwindle away.

Spending more time on tasks that you love can help reignite your passion. How can you do that?

Delegate or outsource noncore or redundant tasks.
Automate as many processes as possible.

By offloading the tasks you dislike, you give yourself more time to focus on the things you do enjoy doing.

Put yourself first

What does a normal day look like for you? Are you sitting at a desk until 8 pm, going to bed, and doing it all over again the next day?

It's common for firm owners and accountants to put their own needs and desires aside for the sake of getting work done and meeting deadlines.

But if you're not at your best, you can't give your clients and staff your best. And you certainly cannot be passionate about your work. How would you find the energy?

If you want to reignite your passion for your firm, then you have to put yourself first.

Prioritize that spin class after work.
Get to bed on time.
Enjoy a dinner with friends.
Take up a new hobby.
Read a book.
Get some "me" time.

Make sure you're taking care of your physical and mental health. Exercise regularly. Eat well and stay hydrated. Don't forget to pencil in time with friends and family. Make "me" time a priority.

Improving your work-life balance will go a long way in making you feel happier and more energetic.

Simplify

Sometimes, we lose our passion because we're just overcomplicating things or putting too much on our plates. Learning to simplify can help you reconnect with your passion and purpose.

How can you simplify things?

Choose the right clients. Work with clients you enjoy working with and who value the service you provide. Clients who are overly demanding and do not respect your time can suck the passion right out of you.
Offer the right services. Are you offering services that neither you nor your team enjoy? Consider eliminating them. Focus on profitable services that are enjoyable for yourself and your team. It's easy to be passionate about work when you like what you're doing.
Get the right tech. Technology can save your firm time and money. From task automation to client communication, there are many tech solutions that will free up time and enhance the quality of your work. The right solutions will allow your team to focus on clients rather than monotonous tasks.
Build the right team. Passion is contagious. Having a team of enthusiastic people can help reignite your own passion for your firm. These team members may also have new and innovative ideas that can get you excited about the future.

Many firm owners lose their passion from time to time. In such a demanding field, it's natural to feel burnt out and run down. But taking a step back can help. Use the tips above to help reconnect with that part of you that had enough drive and purpose to start your firm. With newfound motivation and excitement, you can drive your firm forward into a successful future.