7 Procrastination Busting Techniques

Nothing is so fatiguing as the eternal hanging on of an uncompleted task.- William James

Putting off an easy thing makes it hard. Putting off a hard thing makes it impossible. - George Claude Lorimer

The best way to get something done is to begin.-Anonymous

Last week you took a quiz to determine if you are a chronic procrastinator. But whether or not your procrastination issues are severe, everyone can benefit from a few procrastination busting techniques. In this installment of our two-part series, we provide you with 7 tips on overcoming procrastination:

1. End each day by planning the next.

You will be better prepared, mentally and physically, to tackle difficult tasks head-on when you schedule time to do them. At the end of each workday, review the schedule for the next day so you set aside time to perform those functions you’ve been postponing. Often you can overcome procrastination by giving yourself the time to do those things you’ve been avoiding.

2. Tackle the most formidable task first.

Those tasks you put off are generally the most distasteful. You’ll be doing yourself a huge favor if you tackle those tasks first. You know what they say: swallow a toad in the morning and you will encounter nothing more disgusting the rest of the day. When you complete these tasks first thing, you’ll find yourself recharged and ready to tackle the remainder of your day with ease.

3. Change your vocabulary.

Sometimes a change in perspective will come easily when accompanied by a change in vocabulary. When looking at those tasks you tend to procrastinate you probably feel as if you have to do them.” Change “have to” to “want to” and see if that lightens the load a bit. Also certain projects can appear overwhelming. Rather than tell yourself you must “finish” such projects, tell yourself you will get a good “start” on the project. This may motivate you to tackle it a piece at time.

4. Break large projects into manageable tasks.

Those overwhelming projects are best handled bit by bit. Break those large projects into smaller tasks that can be handled on a daily basis. Schedule these smaller tasks into your day so that you’re able to better inch towards project completion.

5. Practice the Ten-Minute Rule.

For whatever reasons, we are unmotivated by certain tasks. Practice the ten-minute rule with these tasks by dedicating just ten-minutes to them. Often you’ll find that once you get moving, you’re motivated enough to continue long after the ten minutes have ended. And if you’re not, at least you did something that contributed to the completion of that task, and it’s probably more than you would have thought could be accomplished in just 600 seconds.

6. Reward yourself for completed tasks.

When working on especially dreadful tasks, give yourself a small reward for completing the task by a given time. Whether you take a short walk, surf the internet, or read a page from an engaging book, rewarding yourself in small doses may help you work a little harder on those tasks you tend to procrastinate.

7. Feel the fear and do it anyway.

Sometimes we procrastinate certain things because we’re afraid we will fail, we don’t have the skill set, or are uncertain where to begin. In situations like these it is best if you feel the fear and move forward. Generally you’ll find that your fears were unfounded and that you were equal to the challenge.

Allow UAC to Help You Do It Anyway

Whether you want to start your own accounting practice, earn a little money on the side as a bookkeeper, or use the training to advance your career, the flexibility of the Professional Bookkeeper (PB) Program as well as its modest price will help you accomplish your dreams.

You will learn small-business accounting and have the opportunity to earn professional certification that will show clients you have the expertise to manage their books. In addition, we teach you how to market your new skills effectively in order to secure the clientele that will make your practice successful.

Perhaps you fear that you do not have the necessary background to learn accounting, are too old to get started, or are not ready to take the risk. The PB Program is designed for individuals just like you! Some of our graduates did not know a debit from a credit when they started our program while others had years of accounting experience behind them. All found the program to be valuable and worth the time and money spent to complete the Professional Bookkeeper Program.

Increase Your Earning Potential and Enroll Today!

When you enroll in both the Professional Bookkeeper Program and the Professional Bookkeeper’s Guide to QuickBooks, you increase your earning potential significantly. You can offer Quickbooks set-up, help and consultation services for $65-$95 per hour. Not only that, but you’ll learn a valuable software program that will enable you to do the following:

• Quickly pay your bills so you never incur late penalties.
• Be reminded when bills are due.
• Write checks with one single click!
• Quickly and effortlessly create invoices so you get paid sooner.
• Track customers and vendors so you can easily look them up in one place.
• Keep on top of incoming and outgoing payments.
• Access easy-to-read financial reports NOW!

Enroll in these two programs today and be on your way to a brighter and more lucrative future. Stop procrastinating! Enroll now!

My kids have one of those miniature basketball hoops we keep in the house. They don’t like to play with me because making baskets is a “no brainer” when you tower above the hoop. Wouldn’t it be nice to have a “no brainer” career, where you tower over success? Oh, wait, you do!

Every business, whether it be an auto shop, a high-level marketing firm, or an art gallery, must perform accounting functions. Not only is it required by law, but good accounting helps a business assess its progress and take steps to become even more profitable. Because of this, good accountants are a priceless commodity, and when they do their job well they become invaluable to the businesses they work for. The accounting profession can be your “no brainer” career, with guaranteed success just as close as a miniature basketball hoop. Lucky you!

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that employment for accountants will increase more than average by 2014. They also state that, “As the economy grows, the number of business establishments will increase, requiring more accountants and auditors to set up books, prepare taxes, and provide management advice. As these businesses grow, the volume and complexity of information developed by accountants and auditors regarding costs, expenditures, and taxes will increase as well.”

Life is good for the freelance accountant.

Catapult Your Practice to Success

Training is important. Not only to you, but to current and potential employers. The Bureau goes on to say, “Voluntary certification can attest to professional competence in a specialized field of accounting and auditing. It also can certify that a recognized level of professional competence has been achieved by accountants and auditors who have acquired some skills on the job, without the formal education or public accounting work experience needed to meet the rigorous standards required to take the CPA examination.”

It takes four years to get an accounting degree at a standard university. And they only train you in corporate accounting, which represents 2% of accounting opportunities out there. What makes up the 98%? Small business, and Universal Accounting Center knows small business accounting; they can train you in less than 60 hours!

The Professional Bookkeeper(PB) Program

Universal Accounting Center’s Professional Bookkeeper Program was originally created by Alf Bostrom when he became frustrated that no course existed to teach a hands-on process of small business accounting.

The course has evolved over the last 25 years into a comprehensive program in the day-to-day bookkeeping of a small business. And our graduates have found that the principles also apply exceptionally well to larger companies. You not only get the theory taught in college, but you are taught by practical examples of real-world companies. From a bakery to a car lot, you will do books for 9 businesses and see how they are similar and how they differ.

And the best part, you can complete the course in 60 hours; if you start today you could finish the program by the end of summer and focus on building your client base this fall!

Professional Bookkeeper’s Guide (PBG) to QuickBooks

In addition to the PB Program, we’re also offering this exclusive training in QuickBooks, the leading accounting software for small businesses. Universal’s PBG training program will teach you QuickBooks quickly, and painlessly. UAC’s Guide to Quickbooks Pro is a self-paced program that enables you to complete the parts that interest you and skip over the parts that don’t. Even if you have used the program for years, the program teaches you shortcuts and methods you may not have known. You will be impressed by the simple flow and completeness of this program. So why wait? In just a number of hours you could be ready to better manage your own finances while adding new services to your own practice and increasing your bottom line.

Don’t wait another day to take advantage of this incredible time for accountants and ensure that your accounting practice towers above the competition! Order this special package today!

QuickBooks vs Microsoft Small Business Accounting-You Decide

A Head to Head Comparison of Features

QuickBooks Pro has some competition. For years, Intuit, the maker of QuickBooks, has been the name most small business owners have turned to for small business accounting software. With the introduction of Microsoft’s Small Business Accounting 2006, there’s a new player in that market.

Taken from the October 2005 edition of the NSA Technology Advisor, here’s a comparison of key features, limitations and strengths of both software programs.

What Are the Limitations of Both Programs

Every software program has limitations. Below is a comparison of some of the practical limitations of QuickBooks Pro and Microsoft Small Business Accounting 2000.

What Are the Strengths?

Here are a list of the strengths of both programs.

What’s the Conclusion?

Both products can solve your small business clients’ basic accounting needs. Both products offer free trials that enable you to evaluate for yourself which program offers a solution appropriate for your client.

The Accounting Program is Only as Good as the Interpretation of the Information

As capable as both of these accounting software programs may be, without a skilled and qualified bookkeeper or accountant to interpret the information, small business owners are only seeing part of the financial picture for their businesses. Without seeing the big picture they can’t make informed decisions to improve the financial health of their company. Information that isn’t interpreted accurately is not only incomplete but dangerous.

By learning the right skills, a small business bookkeeper can be a profit expert with the skills to assist any small business owner. I haven’t found a more complete small business bookkeeping and accounting program anywhere. Nothing even comes close to the Professional Bookkeeper Program from Universal Accounting.

The right tools will enable you to achieve the personal and professional satisfaction that you are looking for. The Professional Bookkeeper program will teach you how to make $30 to $60 an hour and create the lifestyle that you and your family deserve. Follow the link below and find out for yourself how starting a professional bookkeeping and tax practice will make it possible for you to earn more money and live the life you want.

Regardless of your background,
IT WORKS!

It doesn’t matter if you have 20 years experience in accounting, or have never worked in the field before, the course is designed to provide practical, hands-on training for everyone!

Free Gift

Two Additional Practice Sets
-a $$$ value-

Practice makes perfect. The three modules already contain practice sets for nine different businesses. Purchase the Professional Bookkeeper program today and you’ll receive two more practice sets, giving you eleven in all. This will give you even more confidence and experience in various industries and the opportunity to work with additional types of clients.

Just a few decades ago, accountants were tracking transactions on paper. Thankfully that’s no longer necessary. With advances in technology, not only can you manage books on the computer but you have a wide variety of software programs with which to do it. As you try to keep your business current and advance with technology instead of getting trampled by it, you should have a technology plan. Like business and marketing plans, a technology plan will align with your business goals and anticipate how technology can make your business more efficient and profitable. As you create a technology plan, consider the following:

Include technology in your budget

You should plan for technology costs by including them in your yearly budget. This makes the process of purchasing technology much easier; you can take your time to purchase the product that best meets your needs rather than searching for the least expensive gadget to get the job done.

Ensure your technology plan supports your business goals

You shouldn’t purchase technology willy-nilly. Take the time to ensure your technology dovetails with your professional goals, enabling you to use technology to accomplish your business objectives.

Remember that technology is an investment, not an expense

Technology is expensive. It can be difficult to sign the dotted line when making those purchases. That’s why it helps to remember that technology is an investment; your ability to use technology to perform key accounting functions enables you to work more efficiently, and in the end, make more money.

Brainstorm ways technology can enhance your business and fulfill key needs

You should use technology to improve your business, enabling you to accomplish more in less time. You may be surprised at the technology that exists to enhance your business and its operations. First, it might be a good idea to list functions you need help performing more efficiently. Then you might need to research products that could help you better perform those functions. Consult with colleagues as well.

Consult the experts

As you look for technology that will fulfill your business’s needs while aligning with your goals and objectives, it’s important that you consult with professionals who know technology well enough to recommend specific products while sharing the pros and cons of each.

Master QuickBooks, the Most Popular Accounting Software on the Market

When looking for computer software you want to find products that enable you to work more efficiently while increasing your income. QuickBooks Pro is one of those programs. Over 80% of small businesses use Intuit’s QuickBooks software to manage their accounting. While other programs may be useful, Quickbooks has definitely captured the small business market. Mastering this program and becoming a Quickbooks Specialist will enable you numerous ways to bring in more business, increase your income, and make your job easier.

Our new and improved Professional Bookkeeper’s Guide to QuickBooks includes the following:

• Training for all user types
• The ability to work more efficiently
• The ability to offer QuickBooks consulting services
• 6 months of follow-up support
• The ability to earn a QuickBooks Specialist (QS) designation
• 16 CDs with 15 hours of training
• 4 books with over 800 pages of instruction

This is one piece of technology your business cannot do without! Once you master QuickBooks you will be able to manage your own accounting more efficiently as well as that of your clients. Increase your business appeal, attract more clients and make more money. Take advantage of this program now!

Click to enroll.

Resources

Banning, Christine. “5 Tips on Technology Planning.” SCORE. 10 June 2008 http://www.score.org/5_tips_bp_9.html

Small Business Owners

How to Be the Jack of All Trades

At the onset of their venture, small business owners generally can’t afford to hire support staff. This requires they wear many hats in order to manage all the necessary business functions. It’s important that you beware of all these functions so you avoid neglecting key business tasks that enable your practice to run more efficiently. While there are some services you should outsource to trusted professionals (for example, lawyers), other functions you’ll have to manage yourself. So until you can hire help, here are 5 priority tasks you should become proficient at:

Marketing Specialist

We continually stress the importance of marketing. While it’s nice to imagine otherwise, clients are not magnetically drawn to your office. They need to hear about your services before they can request them. That’s why your marketing efforts can make or break your business. From the promotions you publicize on your website to your yellow page listing, all of it speaks of the value of your services. Your marketing efforts will build a stronger accounting practice. If you’re interested in learning more about proven-marketing strategies, visit our Universal Practice Builder site.

Copywriter

Related to marketing, copywriting is the process of writing the text associated with all marketing efforts. This includes the text on your website, in your brochures, on your fliers, and even the newsletters you distribute. While you can hire a copywriter to do this for you, until you have enough money to do that, you’re the best person for the job. And who better knows just how valuable your services are?

Collections Manager

Billing your clients is important, but collecting is even more important. While you should do all you can to ensure your clients have good credit before you add them to your roster, there’s always the chance they’ll delay payment, jeopardizing the vitality of your business. So until you can outsource this task you must do it yourself. Devise a system whereby you can track payments and notify clients when their accounts are outstanding. And once they are you should discontinue your services until they become current.

Administrative Assistant

Okay, so you aren’t flush enough to hire your own secretary. That’s okay-doing this job will help you better connect with your clients. This function may require you to have a routine To Do list which you follow in order to ensure you accomplish everything that must be done. From filing invoices to scheduling appointments to ordering supplies, you must have a system of managing all these tasks so that nothing crucial is forgotten.

Technology Expert

Now when your business only has one computer this generally isn’t a problem. But consider those clients you work with. If their accounting software fails or they encounter a problem tracking financial information, you must know enough to either help them solve the problem or refer them to someone who can. This may require you to do a little research and keep up on significant software trends. If you’re interested in learning how to master QuickBooks, the leading accounting software used by small business owners, visit our QuickBooks training site.

You probably anticipated working overtime for your business the first few years. You may not have anticipated working countless jobs in the process. But until you can afford to hire help you’ll have to do much of this yourself. The good news is you’ll become even more knowledgeable about your business in the process; in fact, you’ll become your own Profit Expert which will enable you to be even more valuable to your own clients.

Is Write-Up Software For You?

In recent weeks there has been a lot of interest in the area of accounting software, particularly write-up systems. Readers and course graduates are asking about the value of a write-up system and which one is for them.

When starting a bookkeeping service, you can start inexpensively by buying a package such as QuickBooks or Peachtree off the shelf. In time, however, you may want to consider the use of a write-up accounting software package.

First of all, the major advantage write-up systems contain is they are designed more for after-the-fact applications than are in-house systems.

For example, let’s imagine your client prepares a payroll check including withholding taxes. You receive the pay-stub and must enter the check. Most in-house systems require you to enter the payroll as though you were creating the check from scratch. That’s fine if the calculations line up with those on the pay-stub. However, if the software calculates a different number, you’ve got a problem. In a write-up system you can easily override the processed number - in-house systems are less forgiving.

Another advantage of many write-up systems is the ability to import and export data. This permits you to export data directly into reports or government databases if necessary.

One more advantage is the availability of technical support. In most cases when you call the technical support lines of write-up systems you are speaking with an accountant or someone knowledgeable in accounting practices - not usually the case with the more popular in-house systems.

The primary downside of write-up systems is their availability (must be purchased from the vendor) and their higher prices ($500 to $3000 base price).

Click HERE to Learn More About Accounting and Bookkeeping Software

QuickBooks Training: A Small Investment with Big Returns

Would you be interested in any of the following?

• Mastering a software program that over 80% of small business owners use to manage their accounting?
• Offering additional services to your menu that would appeal to more clients?
• Making your job easier by teaching your clients to get the information you need in a useful format?
• Making more money?

We’re guessing that a couple of those questions above would appeal to most accountants and bookkeepers. And you’d be surprised at just how easy it is to accomplish all four in one month!

Every business owner wants to increase their bottom line. You’ve probably heard us talk about geometric growth before. If so, we apologize for this reminder: geometric growth is the ability to grow your business by offering new services. The new clients you attract will be exposed to your existing services; existing clients will be exposed to your new services. This gives you the opportunity to increase your income by increasing your billable hours.

QuickBooks Services: Benefiting You and Your Clients

Nearly 80% of small businesses use Intuit’s QuickBooks Software. While other programs may be useful, QuickBooks has definitely captured the small business market. As an accountant or bookkeeper you know that over 80% of accounting opportunities are with small businesses. The stats are in your favor; learning QuickBooks is a great business decision.

Becoming a QuickBooks Specialist would provide you with countless ways to bring in more business, increase your income, and make your job easier.

New Income Opportunities

If nearly 80% of small businesses use QuickBooks; where’s the income opportunity, you ask? You can offer QuickBooks set-up and consultation services for $65-$95 per hour. You’ll find companies who want to do their accounting tasks themselves, but need help configuring QuickBooks to meet their needs. And once you’ve helped a company set up its initial QuickBooks system, who do you think they’ll turn to for help? You, of course! After all, you’ll have the training and expertise they’ll need whenever they run into a problem.

You can compliment your QuickBooks services by offering QuickBooks support. Consider this: Intuit charges $75 an incident and $349-$600 per year for support. That’s too pricey for most small business owners; you could offer QuickBooks support for a more reasonable fee and draw in more clients in need of a little QuickBooks help.

Attract New Clients

Geometric growth, remember? With QuickBooks expertise, you can increase your services by appealing to both new and existing clients. The secret to obtaining new clients is to begin with at least a small portion of their accounting pie, with the expectation that your portion of the pie will grow as the company and its accounting needs grow. You can begin by automating a business’s accounting process. And even if businesses are doing the books themselves, they will need help in certain areas or have problems that only you can solve. Taxes and depreciation come to mind immediately, along with installation support, accruals, job costing, estate planning, and a myriad of additional services that only you can offer. And once your QuickBooks clients recognize the value and competence of your expertise, they’ll come to you for other accounting and bookkeeping needs.

Useable Information

The biggest complaint we hear from accountants and bookkeepers is that the information provided by their clients is often difficult to sort out and in some cases unusable. This is true whether the client is doing the books by hand or through QuickBooks. Your QuickBooks services will enable your clients to get going and continue in the right direction. You’ll quickly find that the information they give you will be useable, making your job easier.

Universal Accounting’s Professional Bookkeepers Guide to QuickBooks

Universal Accounting Center’s self-paced program enables you to complete the parts that interest you and skip over the parts that don’t. Even if you have used QuickBooks for years the program teaches you shortcuts and methods you may not have known. You will be impressed by the simple flow and completeness of UAC’s Professional Bookkeepers Guide to QuickBooks.

We teach you how to do the basic transactions, how to reconcile accounts, what the program does with its data, and a basic understanding of fundamental accounting principles. We have also included about 18 hours of bookkeeping instruction and a complete detailed presentation of QuickBooks fundamentals. You might as well call it a lifesaver.

Also when you purchase UAC’s Professional Bookkeeper’s Guide to QuickBooks, you will receive unlimited free e-mail support with the program. This gives you an additional lifeline if you can’t solve a client’s problems. If you run into questions you can’t answer, e-mail us any time you want. Our goal is to have a response to you within two hours. We can’t always reach that goal, but we always respond within 24 hours.

Order this program now and it will more than pay for itself in a few months’ time. Don’t wait to grow your business today. Make the small investment in yourself that can result in big returns for your bottom line - Order Now!