Is your focus on organization, networking, technology, thankfulness, or business development in 2020?

What do you have planned for your professional life in 2020? Maybe you have already made your resolutions, or perhaps you were not planning to make any at all. Today we are going to examine some of the most valuable New Year’s resolutions that accountants can make. We hope we will inspire you to make a change or two in 2020.

 

1. Get Organized

Taking the time to pause and get organized feels like a fresh start. There are a number of strategies you can use to get organized. Perhaps you need to go through your files—either physical or digital—to weed out obsolete ones and put items where they belong. Maybe it is your overflowing email inbox that needs to be tackled. Or perhaps you need to focus on organizing the tasks for which you are responsible. Maybe all three! Whichever your trouble area, resolve to spend some time getting it organized.

Organization is not just a one-time task, though. On top of getting organized at the beginning of the year, you should task out regular blocks of time to maintain your organization. Put it on your calendar, so you don’t forget to do it. If your area of focus was on the tasks you have on your plate, consider getting into the habit of making to-do lists. Daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly—figure out what interval works best for you. With a to-do list readily available, it is easy to get back on track when you find yourself unsure of what to work on next.

Getting—and remaining—organized can be a big boost to your workday and your career. For example, we recently wrote about how to get the most out of client meetings in 2020. Organization was a big key to unlocking productivity in this area.

 

2. Choose Three Ways to Improve Your Health at Work

You spend a lot of your life at the office. That means that if you work just a few small changes to promote better health into your workday, they can have a lasting impact. Here are a few ideas—consider picking 2-3 of them to try out in 2020:

• Pack lunch rather than eating out
• Park your car in spot far away from your office
• Take the stairs rather than using the elevator
• Do a few stretches every hour
• Take a lap around the office every hour
• Swap your desk for a standing desk
• Trade your chair in for an exercise ball

It may feel like a burden at first, but once you work these changes into your routine, you will probably stop noticing them.

 

3. Set Aside Time for Business Development in 2020

For tax professionals, referrals are by far the biggest source of new clients, according to a recent article from Accounting Today. That means that in order to support your practice and gain new business, you should be spending time focusing on developing your referral relationships. The beginning of 2020 is a great time to renew your focus on business development.

If you do it regularly, then your business development tasks only need to take up about 15-30 minutes each week. Check out this blog entry for some helpful tips on nurturing your important contacts.

In addition to keeping up with your contacts on a day-to-day basis, you should consider attending one or more networking events in 2020. If this is something that intimidates you, you are not alone! Perhaps resolve to attend just one this year. Alternatively, if this is the sort of event that you love, consider upping your ante. Try to attend one each quarter, or even each month. You can even do some research to discover a networking group in your area that meets regularly.

 

4. Be More Thankful

Gratitude has been shown to have a wide variety of benefits. Stronger relationships, improved physical and psychological health, and better sleep, to name a few. There are many ways to practice being more thankful in 2020. Here are two that we recommend:

1. Write one handwritten thank-you note per week. You have a lot of options here. You can thank a coworker, your boss, a client, prospect, or referral source, or even the maintenance worker responsible for the upkeep of your office. Really anybody that you recently had a positive interaction with. The practice of regularly writing thank you notes is mutually beneficial.
2. Learn the names of the people who you interact with regularly—and use them. This does not just apply to the people you work with. We are talking about the janitor in your office, the front desk manager at your gym, and the barista who makes your daily latte. This will help shift your perspective about the people you interact with in your daily life. Learn more here.

 

5. Take Full Advantage of Technology Solutions

As an accounting professional, it is likely that you have access to a variety of advanced technology solutions. It is also quite possible that you are not using them to the greatest extent of their capabilities. It is worth your while to take the time to learn how to use your technology solutions well. They are designed to help you work more effectively and efficiently, but they can only do this if you use them properly.

In 2020, we recommend that you resolve to learn more about the technology solutions that are available to you. Once you learn how to take advantage of the features they offer, you will reap the benefits throughout your work life. Check out this article to learn more about how adopting technology solutions can benefit your accounting career.

 

6. Join a Professional Organization

This tip goes hand-in-hand with #3, above. Professional or local organizations are great ways to expand your horizons and your network. Plus, you have a ton of options. You can choose an organization that aligns with your favorite part of your career. Alternatively, you can choose a cause that is near-and-dear to your heart, then use your accounting skills to its benefit as a board member or treasurer.

The key here is this: what you put in is what you get out. If you join an organization but only participate passively, or not at all, you will not benefit from your membership. Alternatively, if you are active in contributing and building relationships with your teammates, you will gain valuable connections.

Not sure where to start? Here are some ideas:

• American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA)
• State CPA society
• Rotary Club
• Kiwanis
• Young Professionals boards of directors
• Any local profits whose mission you are passionate about

 

Career Resolutions Are the Key to 2020

If you are serious about making big strides in your career in 2020, then the time to start is now. You can choose one or more resolutions from the list above. You can come up with your own resolutions. Regardless of how you choose to go about it, making career-positive changes is the way to go. We wish you luck!

 

ABLE Supports Stronger Business Development in 2020

If your firm is ready to achieve higher growth this year, then ABLE is the tool for you. The CRM for CPAs enhances relationship building efforts, help you manage your ever-growing pipeline, and more. Schedule a no-obligations demo of the CRM for accountants today!