Accountant's Musings: CPA Exam & Life Beyond

During my preparation for the CPA exams, there were times when I didn’t want to study, think, work, or study. I just needed a break, something that would cheer/freshen me up quickly, or just sooth my mind, heart and soul. There were times when all I wanted was to go to bed with a smile, and there was not much that could do that [to me]… During those days, I would just rush to 1000 awesome things and read a few posts, and by the end of it all, I would be happy that I was alive, and I looked forward to tomorrow. It made me realize, again and again, that there was more to life… that I could choose what to focus on… that in the world of galaxies, the micro and the nano matter. So, here is a shout out to Neil! His book has been out a couple of weeks now… so if you have a moment, go take a look at his site, and if you share my feeling, grab the book of awesome!

Here is one of the posts that I remember reading way back when and I laughed my heart out.

Here is one of the posts that made me … swallow hard.

Here is one of my many favorites.

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As we all know consistent stress may negatively affect performance. When one is preparing for the CPA exams while also taking care of other life demands, days and weeks can pass without laughter, relaxation, or taking a nice break, just to recharge. We can forget the elements that make us human… smile and laughter.  There are many benefits of laughter; these range from relieving stress, to bringing people together, to mating. Thank God, it is contagious! Today, we dedicate a moment to laughter.

Let the laughter begin! What is there to laugh about? A lot.

Laughter - Enjoy your life!

1. You can laugh at yourself. If you look back, you may find some things you have done or said or thought about that will make you laugh. It’s okay, take a moment, think back… there you go!

2. Memories of yourself laughing You can laugh by remembering the times you laughed so hard, you dropped a tear. If you are lucky, you will remember what it was. If you are luckier, you will not remember it, but you will laugh anyway.

3. You can laugh at some CPA exam questions. [Sometimes you read a question, and you wonder ... what the "character" was thinking, or what the AICPA was thinking.]

4. You can watch commedy… on hulu.com or on a DVD/video tape.

5. You can read – at 1000 awesomethings – fixing your wedgie when noone’s looking.

6. You can watch bloopers on youtube.com

7. You can laugh with this baby…

8. You can hang out with people that make you laugh.

9. You can read a funny book or read some jokes online.

10. You can check this post out.

11. You can remember the laughter of somebody you love. [At a minimum, this brings a smile...]

12. You can join this laughing group:

Thanks for reading, and I hope you found that helpful.

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Celebrating success! Your plans?

I was wondering what people want after they have passed the CPA exam. Is there something you want your family, friends, significant other, workmates, etc to do with you or for you? You can put you wish list in the comments. I have posed a similar question at these two forums:

CPAnet forum – people’s celebration plans after passing the CPA exam.

Another71 forum – people’s celebration plans after passing the CPA exam.

After I pass, I would like to finish the bottle of wine that I bought months ago… there is about half a small glass remaining! (I hope I will continue resisting the temptation til the end of the year!). I would like my girlfriend to repeat what she said after I passed the first three exams… “You are much smarter than I thought you were!” Really? What a compliment! She then had to make sure I didn’t take that wrongly by saying, “don’t get me wrong. I knew you were smart, but this is something else!” Oh , well. Thanks, babe! Sometimes I wonder how she rated me before all that! Anyway, let’s stick to the celebrations… I would like to remember to fall down on my knees and thank God for everything! I would love to go to lunch with my workmates, and not discuss the CPA exam! I would also like to hear what people will say. You think they will say something, but until they say it, you never really know! I think one other celebration will come some day. I don’t know how or why, but I just know that sometimes you do something, and you look back and you see that that was a turning point. When I realize that the CPA exam was such a thing, I will celebrate in some way!

My reward for passing… if one other person will be inspired to go ahead and accomplish whatever goal he or she has set because of me, that will be reward enough!

Thanks for reading, and I hope you found that helpful.

Image source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/7413647.stm

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On Fridays, I intend to write about personal finance issues affecting accountants. It is not advice. It is just my musings. You can check out the Money -(DIMMS) page, up-top, to see topics I intend to cover. They will range from why we work long hours, to why we spend so much, to why we work forever. DIMMS is my acronym form Does It Make Money-Sense? That will be the question that we will try to answer when addressing some of our issues. (Well, may be just my issues?!)

This Friday is just to introduce the future money topics.

Why talk about money among the CPA exam tips?

First, because that’s what the blog title says

Second because making more money and having better career opportunities are among major reasons for taking the CPA exam (surely, not the only ones). That means that as better opportunities arise and people make more money – after sweating to pass the exam – it may be be beneficial to take care of that hard-earned money. How I will take care of that money is will be addressed in future posts.

Third, if one manages his/her money well, there is one less thing to worry about while taking the CPA exam? So, I guess in a way, managing one’s money well could pass as a CPA exam tip!

I intend to learn and share. Feel free to learn and share.

Thanks for reading – I hope you found that helpful.

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