Taking time to self-evaluate

Summer has always been one of my favourite times of the year. Not just because of the warm weather, the motorcycle rides, or getting out on the ATV, but because it gives us something we rarely allow ourselves during busy season – time to think.

Not about client deadlines. Not about staffing schedules. Not about the next fire to put out.

Time to step back and honestly evaluate the practice, the team, and ourselves.

Summer is the perfect opportunity to ask yourself some important questions

• Am I still enjoying this work?
  • What parts of the practice energize me?
  • What parts drain me?
  • Are there things I continue doing simply because “that’s how we’ve always done it”?
  • Could some of those tasks be delegated to someone who may actually enjoy them more than I do?

You’d be surprised how many things we tolerate that no longer make sense for us to be doing.

• Am I satisfied with the profitability of the firm?
  • If not, what needs to change?
  • Are my pricing models still appropriate?
  • Is inefficiency eating away at profits?
  • Am I building the kind of practice I actually want?

• How healthy is the culture inside my firm?
  • Is the team doing well?
  • Are people motivated?
  • Do they enjoy coming to work?
  • Have I created an environment where people feel valued and heard?

Sometimes, a simple team retreat or honest conversation can uncover incredible ideas that improve morale, efficiency, and retention.

And sometimes we also need to ask ourselves the harder questions:

• Are there team members who deserve greater recognition?
• Are there individuals negatively impacting the culture that need to be addressed?

Leadership is not only about growth. It is also about protecting the health of the organization.

Take time to revisit your vision as well.

Where is your firm going in the next:

• 3 years?
• 5 years?
• 10 years?

More importantly:

• Are you clear on that vision?
• Does your team understand it?
• Are they aligned with where you want to go?

A firm without direction eventually drifts.

Summer is also a great time to think about professional development.

• Do you or your team need technical upgrading?
• Better audit skills?
• Tax updates?
• Practice management training?
• Leadership coaching?

And maybe just as importantly:

• Are you reading the right books?
• Learning from the right people?
• Surrounding yourself with people who challenge you to improve?

Technology should also be part of your reflection process.

• Is your software still serving the firm properly?
• Or are you adapting your processes to outdated systems that no longer fit how you want to operate?

Finally, and this one matters more than most accountants are willing to admit – rest.

Please do not underestimate the importance of taking care of yourself.

You cannot build a healthy, profitable, enjoyable practice while running on an empty tank. Burnout helps nobody – not your clients, not your team, and certainly not your family.

• Take the vacation.
• Go golfing.
• Ride the motorcycle.
• Spend time at the lake.
• Sit on the deck with a coffee and no laptop beside you.

Whatever helps you recharge. Because at the end of the day, your most important client is still the person staring back at you in the mirror – YOU.

Take care of that person too.