For nearly 30 years, I’ve worked with accounting firms, helping them break free from the bad habits that hold them back. Time and again, I see how these habits affect not just the business but the people running it.
At the end of the year, I noticed a pattern during my one-on-one calls with firm leaders. Many shared their “hopes” to make changes—better work-life balance, a healthier lifestyle, a more efficient firm. But let’s be honest: hope isn’t a strategy. Resolutions? They’re barely better. A habit, on the other hand, is a strategy. As the saying goes, “habit is stronger than knowledge,” and I couldn’t agree more.
When we asked attendees on a recent All Firms Call to name the one thing they wanted to prioritize for themselves in the coming year, over half said exercise. This didn’t surprise me—accounting is a profession that involves a lot of sitting. Yet, exercise is often the first thing to get pushed aside when the calendar fills up.
Here’s the truth: you won’t magically “find time” to exercise once you’re caught up on work. You need to make time.Exercise has proven benefits—it’s one of the best things you can do for your physical and mental health. If you want to perform at your best, for both yourself and your team, building an exercise habit isn’t optional. It’s essential.
How do you go from wanting to exercise to making it a non-negotiable part of your life? Start by attaching it to something you already do. For example:
For inspiration, check out The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg. It’s a fantastic read that can help you build lasting routines.
Here’s a story that stuck with me: a new member of our Renew community joined after seeing her team’s Fitbit stats during tax season. Her firm’s deadline-driven business model left no time for her team to prioritize health, and she realized that wasn’t leadership—it was burnout.
Since joining Renew, her firm has shifted to the 40 Hour Firm model, eliminating the chaos of busy season and giving her team the time they need to stay healthy and productive.
Want proof that it’s possible? Perry Ghilarducci, one of our longtime Renew members, completely transformed his business and personal life. By overhauling his firm’s model and hiring a personal trainer, Perry built a habit he now considers non-negotiable—and he’s thriving because of it.
If you’re ready to break the cycle and prioritize your health while driving your firm toward greater profitability, let’s talk. Download our free e-book, The 40 Hour Firm, and discover how to reclaim your time, your health, and your business.
Don’t wait for “someday” to take care of yourself. Start today. Your health—and your team—will thank you.
