Being a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) has many perks: job security, an attractive salary, and the security that comes with knowing your skills will always be in demand. However, keep doing any job for a long time, and it might eventually lose its appeal.
It’s never a good idea to stay in one place for too long. Coasting along is fine for a while—after all the hard work you did to become a CPA, you deserve to enjoy your success. However, be wary of getting too comfortable.
If you stay in maintenance mode too long, and you might end up not striving or growing professionally. You might even start hating the job you worked so hard to have.
If you’ve noticed that you are no longer excited about your job, have a hard time staying motivated, have low energy, or don’t have any long-term goals, then you might be stuck in a rut.
Getting unstuck is possible, but it does require effort and commitment. To put the spring back in your step, try the following:
Set a New Goal
It’s easy to feel lost and directionless if you don’t set goals. Find something you want to achieve, and get to planning. Having and working toward a goal will help motivate you and make you feel like you’re getting somewhere.
It doesn’t have to be a big goal. Start with small, achievable ones, such as updating your resume or attending a convention, and go from there.
Broaden Your Knowledge
Aside from helping you break out of a rut, learning new things about accounting helps rekindle your passion for your career. Adding to your skill sets will also help you later on, if or when you decide to pursue higher positions within your firm.
Continuing Professional Education (CPE) is a state-mandated requirement for CPAs, but apart from taking online CPA CPE courses, why not go further? Take other classes to build your knowledge base and prepare you for changes in the accounting industry. For example, you can take a class to learn how you can further utilize Excel or a class on a new accounting tool you’re not familiar with.
Work on Your Soft Skills
If you’ve been a CPA for a while, you may have noticed that people in leadership positions in your firm aren’t just subject-matter experts. They also have great interpersonal skills.
They know how to interact with a variety of people, from fellow leaders to clients. They are confident and able to make themselves understood at meetings and conferences. Also, they’re able to persuade others, and employees trust their ability to do their job.
Chances are, these leaders spent time working on their interpersonal skills. Why not start working on yours? Soft will help you become a more balanced professional and a valuable member of your team, and it could also open up opportunities for you to further your career.
Go on Vacation
A holiday can help refresh your mind and spirit as well as provide you with an opportunity to step back and assess your career from a different perspective. While you’re on vacation, don’t check emails, call the office, or check in on your coworkers via social media. Once you’re back at work, you’ll feel a lot more energized and ready to take on new challenges.
CPAs aren’t immune to getting stuck in a career rut. However, breaking out is possible as long as you’re willing to challenge yourself and step out of your comfort zone.
