There are a number of ways to handle the constant stress that comes with tax season, but if you think about it from the perspective of someone whose job is like this year-round, you may just be on to something.
Here are five ways you can incorporate the mindset of a CEO to make this time of year fly by as smoothly as possible.
Be Mindful of Work/Life Balance
How do you manage your workload while still being able to enjoy relaxing, stress-free time with family and friends, and get your taxes and finances in order? Well, take this advice from top CEOs:
When things are hectic, prioritizing tasks (both at work and at home) is probably the most important thing you can do. Jeff Weiner, LinkedIn CEO, says that he likes to list items, assign them each a prioritization “grade,” and then work on the most important things first.
When things get rough, it’s easy to veer off track. Helena Foulkes, EVP of CVS Caremark Corporation, compares it to running a marathon, where staying focused on the finish line is essential for success. She says, “…along the way, it’s not always pure joy. There are really hard moments. But if you keep your eye on the prize, it’s part of what drives you to get there.”
Chairman, President and CEO of Hewlett-Packard, Meg Whitman, puts things into perspective for us: “Be clear what matters most. And what matters most is your family. There are tradeoffs that you will make, but remember, at the end of the day that is probably the most important group of people in your lives.”
Ditch the Urge to Micromanage
A CEO simply cannot do their job if they’re busy micromanaging every aspect of their business (or life.) On top of that, micromanagement is known to cause unhappiness, mistrust, and disengagement. According to the University of Alabama at Birmingham“An attitude of domination certainly won’t help encourage your team or help you earn trust. Instead of focusing on being controlling, focus on ways to motivate the team to do its best.”
Utilize Help
A CEO would just hire an assistant, but this isn’t an option for everyone. If you can’t afford to hire a professional to handle your taxes for you, there are several reliable tax filing software companies that can make the process much easier. For those dealing with international or country-specific tax situations, such as navigating recent changes in Thai laws, consulting a professional might still be necessary to ensure compliance and maximize benefits.
However, it’s important to consider your options carefully, as the cost of hiring a professional may be offset by the benefits of their expertise and the potential savings they can help you achieve. Moreover, exploring the average insolvency practitioner salary can provide insight into the financial implications of seeking professional assistance with your financial matters.
You can also consider trading one service for another. For example, if you’re already a homeowner and can guide someone through the home-buying process yourself, this could be a service you could exchange with a young accountant or tax expert that is looking to purchase their first home.
Party Like a CEO
Tax season coming to an end is the perfect reason to throw a party, especially if you end up with a nice return. Here are a few ways to make an impression like a CEO:
First, get yourself a fancy new outfit, complete with on-point accessories. You’ll probably be attending enough bashes to make the money worth it, and trust me, not many things feel better than walking into a party looking like a million bucks.
While it may seem like hiring a fancy caterer, a flashy bartender, and commissioning one of those ridiculous ice sculptures that get more eye rolls than “oohs” and “ahs” is the way to throw a lavish shindig, it’s becoming more and more impressive to do and make everything yourself. It may not save time, but it will save money, and your guests will be in awe of your skills when you labor over a fancy party menu or cover the place in charming DIY decorations.
Lastly, you may want to “up your game” a bit. Find an entertaining karaoke tune that you can nail every time, learn a few new jokes, and brush up on your toast-making skills (just in case.)
And remember, there’s nothing impressive about ending up in jail. If this happens, it is advisable to seek the services of a professional to post Criminal Bail Money for your temporary release. Portland-based DUI attorney Andy Green says, “Get a designated driver. It’s really not worth it to try and drink and drive, even just once. A DUI is the least worst bad thing that can happen… and that’s pretty bad.” If ever you find yourself involved in a DUI case, it’s also critical that you retain the best possible legal defense from DWI Guys: a team of dui lawyers you can trust to protect your future.
Be Charitable
CEOs from all over the globe will agree that giving back to the community is one of the most important things you can do. The average American won’t have as many resources as today’s business leaders, but there are ways for anyone and everyone to be charitable.
When your tax refund does arrive, don’t forget that local animal shelter that could use a big bag of dog food or the after school program that could benefit from some board or video games. If you end up owing money, there are also plenty of non-monetary ways to brighten your community. No matter where you live, there are plenty of local organizations in need of volunteers to give a little bit of time.
It’s Almost Over
Follow these tips and you’re sure to have the most organized and stress-free tax season yet. You can also try doing other stress-relieving options like the 21 wellbeing activities for adults in order to refresh yourself. Your friends and family will wonder how you pulled everything off with such a cool head and calm spirit. Heck, if you get good enough at this, you may even be able to run the world some day…