Now that tax season is in full swing, what are you doing to keep your sanity?  You have one week until corporate returns are due.  Of course you are still waiting for the last minute information to come rolling in from the procrastinators.  You just need that one little piece of information and their return will be done.  How many of these types of returns do you have?  But there is also the client who hasn’t brought you anything yet.  You wonder when they will be sending you their information.  But you know they always wait until the last minute, so you plan your schedule around them.  In the meantime you continue to work on individual and partnership returns.

You are working long hours every day, up and out the door while it is still dark.  You don’t get home until after dark.  You only see daylight if you go out to lunch or maybe on the weekend, if you aren’t working then.  You aren’t spending any time with your family or friends.  You have piles of files on your desk, your bookcase, your file cabinet, even your floor.  You know there is a light at the end of the tunnel, but until then, how do you keep your sanity?

Take a break from your work during the day to refresh.  Go out to lunch with others in your firm.  On a pretty day, go sit outside for a few minutes.  Run out and get an ice cream or milk shake.  It really doesn’t take that long and you will feel so much better and ready to get back to work.

If you have employees don’t forget about them.  Close your office for an hour on Saturday and take your employees out to lunch.  Keep food and drinks handy for snacking throughout the day.  Example of snacks would be individual size chips, fresh fruit, granola bars, veggies & dip, nuts, and popcorn.  Don’t forget the Tylenol and Advil for the occasional headache.  This will help keep employee morale up.

When tax season is finally over with, go out and celebrate, you deserve it!