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Nine Things Successful People Do Differently

photo via: www.cpaexamclub.com

"Why have you been so successful in reaching some of your goals, but not others? If you aren't sure, you are far from alone in your confusion. It turns out that even brilliant, highly accomplished people are pretty lousy when it comes to understanding why they succeed or fail. The intuitive answer — that you are born predisposed to certain talents and lacking in others — is really just one small piece of the puzzle. In fact, decades of research on achievement suggests that successful people reach their goals not simply because of who they are, but more often because of what they do..."
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Do Things Differently: Nine Things
1. Get specific
2. Seize the moment to act on your goals
3. Know exactly how far you ahve left to go
4. Be a realistic optimist
5. Focus on getting better, rather than being good
6. Have grit
7. Build your willpower muscle
8. Don't tempt fate
9. Focus on what you will do, now what you won't do
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Heidi Grant Halvorson, Ph.D. is a motivational psychologist, and author of the book Succeed: How We Can Reach Our Goals.

Source: Harvard Business Review | Heidi Grant Halvorson

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A Case for Singletasking: The One-Task-At-a-Time Method

via lifehacker.com

"You juggle a lot of balls every day, and it's easy to feel like everything gets 20% of your attention but nothing ever gets 100%. It's time to start giving your work your full focus.

It's easy to feel like you're being constantly pulled in multiple directions. Fractured attention, endless to-do lists, and an overwhelming sense that everything important was due twenty minutes ago are practically the uniform of the modern workplace. If that frazzled view of work sounds a bit too much like your work day, it may be time to reconsider how you're working, take back your focus from the multitude of distractions around you, and start focusing on the work that matters and will make a difference in your career and life...."
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Source: Lifehacker

Can you social network your way to business success? | AccountingWEB.com

"Business used to be done with a handshake. Sometimes, it still is. But for a growing number of potential customers, the majority of research, referrals, and recommendations are being done by virtual rather than physical word, via social networks like LinkedIn, Facebook, and MySpace.

 

LinkedIn, a social network for business professionals, attracts nearly 69 million monthly unique visitors, according to Web analytics firm Compete Inc. Facebook, one of the largest general-interest social Web communities in the world, has more than 200 million active users (as of April 2009). More than half of that number log onto the network every day, sharing more than a billion pieces of content each week, according to Facebook research findings. Blogs, in which readers can respond to content posted by blog authors, numbered more than 112 million in 2008, states Web research firm Technorati. And 33 percent of U.S. Internet users say they read them..."

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Source: AccountingWeb

Today's Biggest Talent-Management Challenges - HBS

Do you have the right talent in your organization? The blunt answer for many of America's largest enterprises is: "Not yet" — and the reasons are striking.

At a talent-management meeting on March 17-18 in Coronado, Calif., experts from companies such as Cisco, Gap, Toyota, Wal-Mart and Oracle gathered to share perspectives. During formal remarks at the Conference Board event, most speakers did their best to stay upbeat. But a different story emerged in the hallway chatter between sessions.

via blogs.hbr.org

Memorandum from AICPA Regarding CPA Examination Standard Setting Process

"Significant changes in Uniform CPA Examination content, structure, and format will be implemented when CBT-e is launched on January 1, 2011. As a result, a new CPA Examination passing score will need to be determined. Planning for "standard-setting" as the process of establishing a new passing score is sometimes called is now under way, and we are writing to advise you about the standard-setting components and schedule. In addition, we seek your help in identifying CPAs who may be qualified to play a key role in the standard-setting process..."

Memo Addresses:

• Purpose of Standard Setting
• Roles & Responsibilities
• Standard-Setting Panels of CPAs
• Standard-Setting Timeline
• Request for Standard-Setting Panel Nominations

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Source: AICPA

Three Social Networking Tips for Accountants (via @going_concern)

via goingconcern.com

"Depending on where you’re working these days, you might already be or soon to be under snow. Why not put that much-needed day “working” from home to benefit your next career move? Here are three steps that you can take now to better your social networking profile to prepare for post-busy season.

1. Update your LinkedIn account: When was the last time you refreshed your LinkedIn account? Dig up the password, log in, and revamp your profile. Those 23 requests sitting dormant in your inbox? Accept them. Update your work experience. Include details about both the industries you work in and the responsibilities you’ve accrued..."
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Source: Going Concern

How is disorganization and clutter affecting your job performance?

"If you showed up late to a meeting or missed a deadline, it would be obvious to you that disorganization and clutter were affecting your job performance. There are less obvious ways, however, that being disorganized can impact the quality and efficiency of your work. Take this quick quiz to see if it might be worth your time to become more organized..."
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Source: Unclutterer

How to Create Powerful Business Presentations

via www.cpasuccess.com

"Every CPA has to do presentations to clients, prospects, and groups.  It is also one of the most effective business development activities for professionals. Here are some resources to help you step up your game and create powerful presentations..."
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Source: MACPA CPA Success

New Rules for the Next Generation Accounting Firm

via cpatrendlines.com

"If you could re-invent the accounting firm, how would it look?Jason Blumer has a few ideas for you. A new generation of entrepreneurial CPA is rewriting the rules for tax and accounting firms. They are embracing change as an ever-present constant (not a sometime disruption), inventing new business models (not necessarily built on partner-to-staff leverage or the billable hour) and pushing the leading edges of technology (not always based on PCs but into the cloud and onto the smartphone..."
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Source: CPA Trendlines

Five Ways to Protect Personal Assets

"Even if business owners aren't worried about their ability to repay creditors, they should still put protections in place...

A few years ago, you took out a $300,000 loan for your business because you anticipated continued growth. But the economy soon fell apart, and so did your business. You can no longer pay back the loan, and the lender has filed a lawsuit against your company and you personally, threatening to seize your home, car, and cash in the bank. This is a common scenario for owners of small businesses..."
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Source: BusinessWeek