Procrastination is one of the biggest obstacles in the way to passing the CPA exam. We’ve all procrastinated at some point in our lives, and if you’re reading this post then you just might be procrastinating right now!
I caught the procrastination bug more than a few times while studying for the CPA exam, so I know how difficult it can be to overcome. The key is having enough self-awareness to recognize when you’re procrastinating, then doing something about it.
Whether you feel your own CPA exam procrastination setting in or just want to avoid it altogether, try implementing these tips to get and stay on track. I assure you, if you can do all of these successfully then you’ll become a CPA in no time!
Contents
First, Understand Why You’re Procrastinating
You can’t fix anything without diagnosing the root cause of the problem. Everyone has their own blend of reasons for procrastinating, so be honest with yourself and think about what’s actually causing your procrastination.
Here’s what some of the most common excuses really mean:
- “What if I can’t pass?” – Fear of failure
- “I just can’t find the time” or “I’ll start tomorrow” – Lack of commitment
- “I don’t want to make any sacrifices!” – Fear of missing out
- “I don’t need to study that much” – Rebellion or Overconfidence
Think About the Costs and Benefits
It’s easy to find excuses to put off studying, but try to think about the consequences of delaying your CPA prep to a later date.
Do you really want to be studying at this time next year and possibly the year after? Do you want to potentially miss out on that promotion or job you’ll be eligible for next summer? Studying for the CPA exam is almost always more difficult when we’re older, so the best time to start is now.
Likewise, think about all the amazing benefits to becoming a CPA. Not only will it instantly increase your earning potential for the rest of your career, but it’ll free up an enormous amount of your time and energy to do whatever you want.
Whether you want to specialize in a certain area of accounting, gain another credential, lean in at work, or just enjoy life a little bit more, everything is WAY better once you pass the CPA exam.
Just Get Started
There’s a famous Chinese proverb that says “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.”
It’s easy to think that tomorrow / next week / next month will be a better time to start, but the truth is there will never be a perfect time to start the CPA exam. There will always be other things going on in your life, and the CPA exam will rarely fit perfectly into your schedule.
The sooner you get started, the sooner you can find out how to make it work for you and get it done!
Break Down CPA Exam Tasks Into Manageable Chunks
It’s easy to get overwhelmed with the sheer volume of material you need to study to pass the CPA exam, or that it may take the better part of a year to pass all four parts.
Rather than focusing on how much work it will take to pass the entire exam, think about the individual, daily actions you can take to prepare for the CPA exam. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and CPAs aren’t either.
If you can only study 2 hours per day, then just focus hitting those 2 hours, then do it again the next day. Before you know it, within 2 months you’ll likely have studied enough to pass an entire section of the CPA exam.
Create a Realistic CPA Exam Study Schedule
Falling short of expectations leads to disappointment and discouragement, so don’t bite off more than you can chew. Instead, be honest with your time limitations and other responsibilities and create a study plan that’s achievable.
Remember, after you pass your first section you have an 18-month window to pass the remaining three, so don’t be afraid to go at your own pace.
Aim to study 4-6 days each week to keep the momentum going, but don’t forget to schedule time to relax and reward yourself for all the hard work you’re putting in. You deserve it!
Minimize Distractions
Distractions are all around us. In fact, the average person is distracted every 40 seconds when working in front of a computer. Cell phones, smart watches, social media are all amazing but make no mistake; they’re also the enemy to your CPA exam success.
Do yourself a favor by creating a study environment that’s free from any outside distractions. You’ll make the most of your study time and retain a TON more information when you’re not constantly jumping in and out of CPA study mode.
Don’t Try to Be Perfect
Some material may take longer to grasp and master than others, and that’s OK. We all have our strong suits and weak spots.
You’ll ever answer 100% of the practice questions correctly in every chapter / topic of your CPA prep course, so don’t even try. Study the material until you get comfortable enough (aim for 80-90% instead), then move on to the next subject.
Moving on to a fresh topic will keep your brain engaged and give you a small taste of success. Just be sure to revisit earlier material every few weeks to stay sharp on each topic and activate your memory recall.
Bottom Line
The road to passing the CPA exam can be long, especially if you procrastinate and put things off. The hardest part is getting started, but if you can implement most or all of the tips above then you should be well on your way to passing the CPA exam.
Take actionable steps today. Learn what it takes to become a CPA in your state, apply to sit for the exam, and research and choose a CPA review course that best fits your learning style. Then hunker down and get it done. Trust me, your not-too-distant future self will be thankful you did!
Featured image courtesy of Mohamed Hassan from Pixabay
