Thank you to everyone who sent me kind wishes about my little guy. He seems to be doing better. A few more coughing fits but I think he is coming out of it.
A few random things… I am writing an article on time-management tips that accountants use during busy season. If you have coped with that January-March (or April) deluge as an accountant I would love to hear from you. How did you make life doable? What stays, what goes?
I am also writing an article on short-but-motivating reads. If you have a favorite short business or self-help type book (other than my books!) you would recommend, I would appreciate insights. As always you can comment here or email me lvanderkam at yahoo dot com.
My article on time-management tips from large families ran at Fast Company this last week.
I wore the black lace dress from the fluffy post about dresses to a party this weekend.
The baby and I went to see the Pop Art exhibit at the Philadelphia Art Museum on Saturday. He liked the bright 
colors!
I interviewed Charles Duhigg on Friday about his forthcoming book, Smarter Faster Better. I enjoyed the book, and it was a good interview too, though it was a bit poignant to have him say at one point how nice it was to be interviewed by someone who had read the book. Even Pulitzer Prize winners deal with that, I guess.
I spoke with the third graders last Monday (resulting in my post on Revision for 3rd Graders and Others). On Friday my 8-year-old came home with a lovely pack of thank you notes from the kids about how they were going to use my writing tips. This seriously made my week.
I am not a CPA but I serve as Director of Mktg and Personnel for a public accounting firm. Happy to help with your article if I can.
Will you be sharing your interview with Charles Duhigg? I have that book reserved at my library. Can’t wait to read it.
I was behind on my reading and didn’t realize your little guy had been that sick. So sorry you guys had to go through that! I hope he’s all better soon.
I’m not a CPA, but my husband is! Looking from the outside, he copes with tax season by getting up extremely early (like 5:30). He uses this time by either going to work or getting in exercise.
@CNM – definitely a good strategy if you have a lot going on: be very regimented about getting the things that have to get done in first!
I must have missed when you asked for time management tips from large families on your blog, because I would have had some to add! Yes to batching activities. Books are read to a few kids, not to just one. Band-Aids, undies, socks, markers, crayons – these are on auto-order on amazon. They are consumable products in the large family home. Teaching kids to be independent – yes, I’ve been advocating “benign neglect” for years. 🙂
@Carrie – all great ideas! I really need to buy some more markers. I think I just have a misguided idea of how long they should last.
I love reading about how large families make things work. I don’t even buy markers, haha! I know a mom of 6 who only allows them outside.
I am not a cpa, but have worked for an enrolled agent who prepares tax returns for 24 years. I deal with the clients and put the returns together from January to October, in addition to keeping up my regular work of bookkeeping, payroll, sales taxes, W-2’s and a few other things. During the busiest time January through April, I love to run after work to relieve the stress of the day. During the day I use Moosti to get things done – especially things I don’t feel like doing. I set the timer for 10 minute and at least start on it. Also use it to take breaks, like right now, to stretch for 5 minutes and read my fave websites before getting back to work. Not taking 5 to 10 minute breaks every 1 1/2 hours leads to a massive headache before the end of the day. I really try to take a lunch break, even if just for 10 minutes and read a little of a good book while eating. Most nights I go to bed around 8:30 so I wake up at 6:30 feeling pretty wonderful (my only daughter is grown).
For your piece on short but motivating reads, I suggest The War of Art by Steven Pressfield. I admit, 168 Hours was the first book that popped into my head!
I’m really looking forward to this article; I am a CPA, struggling to find work-life balance during this Jan-Apr tax season. I recently purchased 168 Hours and was actually hoping to get some time-management tips from there!
@Nabiha- there are plenty of tips in there! For this particular article I wanted to look at how people manage during very very busy times, but I think the book can help some with that too 🙂
Thanks Laura! Looking forward to reading it.
Laura – I am just coming up for air from busy season – our company filed 10-K last week. I agree with other comment that i get up at 5am for my quiet time, my morning routine of prayer, breakfast and quiet before the chaos.
For project tracking, I use the GTD method by David Allen; with NirvanaHQ software to help track the to-do’s and Waiting-for items.
“I Know how She Does That” helped me mentally realize that i have more time than I thought – especially redeeming the commute for listening to audio books, or mentally planning the day! Thanks!
@Bridget- congrats on making it through your busy season! The auditors come up for air and the tax folks brace themselves for the final push…
So glad my book helped you with realizing that you still had space in your life. I’m happy to hear that.