Taxes and Tummy Aches
Ten Tips to Get Your Bookkeeping, Taxes, and Bill-Paying Done!
A funny thing happened on the way to getting my taxes done…
Some kind of “tummy bug” hit. Not that awful have-to-sit-on-the-toilet-with-a-bucket-in-your-lap flu that leaves you wondering what else your body could possibly purge, but a milder I-just-don’t-have-an-appetite-and-my-stomache-kinda-hurts thing.
Now, with all the “work” I’ve done with my relationship with money, I’m pretty conscious about how my mind, body, emotions, and financial world fit together. Was I resisting doing my taxes? To be honest, it’s one of my least favorite things, though I’m not sure the tummy ache was related. (I actually was in a pretty good mood after I got into the swing of things…)
I’ll admit, I relish exploring the more creative, emotional, right-brained aspects of money… from brainstorming business ideas to helping someone process through their “stories” about money, perhaps gaining big “aha’s” or even reframing how they relate to money. But I’m not an accountant type; I struggle with mundane record-keeping tasks, and I’m not the person to come to with your questions about Quickbooks!
Having huge breakthroughs in my relationship with money — and developing many distinctions that help others to do the same — created a new world of possibilities for me, but it didn’t make me a bookkeeper!
Still, the bills must be paid, the taxes must be filed. And if you’re like me (naturally resistant to mundane financial tasks), you might even find your mind and emotions working against you to accomplish these things. As they say, awareness is a perfect place to start…. but awareness itself doesn’t guarantee change or even progress. What’s needed is focused attention and energy.
Changing our focus and energy around something can have profound effects. Law of Attraction coach Sandy Forster, an Australian single mom who went “from welfare to millionaire” shares how she changed her focus and energy around bill paying. In a time of severe cashflow difficulties and great debt, she started focusing on gratitude. As she would pay each bill, she would give thanks for the services provided, whether that of her telephone, electricity, or other service. 
Even she could not pay the bills in full, she controlled what she could control at that moment, which was shifting her focus and energy. She gave gratitude for her debts, then she would write on the check, “Thank-you! Happiness and Prosperity to You!”
Yes, she blessed her creditors.
Although Sandy experienced a rather sudden shift in fortunes, the shift was a long time coming. Following a divorce, her financial situation slid slowly downhill, and she spent many months in that valley before things turned around for her. And as she tells the story, the changes started inside, very intentionally, as she shifted her beliefs, energy, and focus, little by little, until good things started coming her way with great velocity.
If you suffer from tummy aches, feelings of dread, procrastination, and other signs of anxiety and resistance to financial tasks, try these tips:
When paying bills or doing financial accounting or paperwork:
- Plan. Set aside time for it in advance on your calendar. Make it an important appointment, and not something you try to do at 11pm at the end of a long day.
- Prepare. Approach the appointment with a good attitude and positive self-talk.
- Get comfortable. Put on pleasant music (it has to be instrumental for me, or it’s too distracting), adjust the lighting so it feels good to you, sit comfortably, and sip on some hot herbal tea, a glass of wine, or whatever will put you into a relaxed mood.
- Give Thanks. Dwell in gratitude throughout, not worrying about money already spent, but thankful for value and services received.
- Reframe. Notice resistance in the form of limiting beliefs, such as “I’m not good with money” or “I can’t do this.” Challenge those beliefs when they surface. Be gentle and affirming with yourself, acknowledging that you can do more than you’ve believed, and that you are capable.
- Be productive. Work however you work best – whether in short spurts with lots of breaks, or one long period with no interruptions. And managing/preventing interruptions is key! Turn off the phone and eliminate distractions.
- Finish. Work to complete a particular goal, whether that’s doing your bookkeeping for the week or month, paying all bills, or completing another task.
- Get support. Use an accountability buddy to keep you on track and share your accomplishments with.
- Get help. If you get in over your head, hire or ask for help.
- Celebrate! Reward yourself when you’re done! It can be as simple as enjoying some gourmet chocolate, watching a favorite movie, or treating yourself to anything else that you know you’ll enjoy.
As you shift our focus and our energy around your financial tasks, you will discover “Hey, that wasn’t so bad after all!” You might even find yourself looking forward to the next round of bill-paying or receipt-logging. Though I make no promises that you’ll wake up a left-brain, detail-oriented accountant!
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