018: Taxes: From Stressed to Savvy in 3 Simple Steps
Hey there! I created a free guide to go along with this week's episode. So just give the episode a listen first, then go download your free guide to help you get simple systems in place to support your tax process. Go here to download the guide: eliseeenriquez.com/freestuff
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Happy spring!
Ok, that’s wishful thinking.
If you listen to this episode when it's released, then you’re experiencing the annual slosh back and forth from winter to spring to winter to spring until we finally get full blown spring. I live in the Pacific NorthWest and I forget about the slosh every year.
Bulbs will start popping out of the ground as early as January and I get excited for spring. Then, inevitably there's a cold snap, which is kind of welcome because it usually means lots of sunny days...even though they require lots of bundling up!
But when we finally tip over into spring, it's the best. Sure, there's still rain here and there, but there's also crocuses, daffodils, tulips, leaf and flower buds...
and Taxes!
Jeez louise, I'm really taking you on a rollercoaster of emotions here. The drama of seasons changing. From the beauty of new life to taxes?
If the word taxes just froze you on the spot with dread, then this episode is for you.
And, even if you have your shit together when it comes to taxes, this episode is still for you because the big picture of what I talk about applies to any cumbersome, infrequently recurring process in your life or business.
Back in the day, the weeks leading up to the tax deadline used to feel like I was standing at the foot of Mt Everest without any gear or any map to get me to the top. And I had an accountant.
In years past I would just let that kick-off email from my accountant sit there. I'd stare at it and stress. I'd work on other things. Anything but this huge climb called taxes. Every year I'd repeat this drama - it IS an easy thing to do with a process you don't have to do daily, weekly, or monthly afterall.
With something like an annual process you can get into the habit of kinda just putting your head down, getting it done, and then completely forget all about it until next year.
It doesn’t have to be this way, though.
The fact that you do it so infrequently is the PERFECT reason to create a system that supports you in making it happen with less stress and struggle.
“But what kinda systems, Elise?” I hear you ask.
In this episode, I share 3 simple steps you can take to help you go from stressed to savvy when it comes to your taxes.
Step 1: Work on your mindset - What’s your WHY for doing your taxes? When you get clear on that, then you will have the key to your motivation.
Step 2: Get the facts - If you are frozen in some way about your taxes, the best thing you can do is get more information.
Getting the facts about your situation will help shed light on what to do next.
Step 3: Put some simple systems in place - These systems will support you so you don't have to try to remember it all again a year from now.
- Get physical file folders in place.
- Set up the same file folder system in your virtual file folders.
- Create a checklist.
Once the tax process is done, set up your physical file folders and cloud file folders for next year so that you can just toss stuff in them as you get stuff throughout the year. Then, by early next year, you'll have everything in a limited number of places, and a checklist to carry you through the next season. VIOLĂ€!
And the beauty of it is that this same process can be applied to anything you do that feels like a requirement and doesn't happen very often.
Whew! That is a lot.
But don't worry. Remember that visual guide? Don't forget to download it at eliseeenriquez.com/freestuff.
Now that you’ve got these great tips to help you with your taxes, I’ve got a question for you.
Question of the week…What is ONE simple system you can put in place to make a big project a little easier this week?
Head on over to Instagram and let me know.
