Welcome to this week's edition of the Pass the CPA Playbook!
Whether you're a long-time subscriber or just joining us, I'm thrilled to guide you through this journey. Each week, we tackle different aspects of the CPA exam, from mastering tough topics to managing the pressures that come with balancing life and intensive study.
We cover everything from study tips and motivation to work-life balance and personal growth, ensuring that every base is covered. If you find these tips helpful, I encourage you to visit my website for more in-depth resources and coaching.
Every step you take is progress, and I'm here to support you every step of the way!
I’m thrilled to announce that I’m launching a brand-new CPA Exam Coaching Group!
This isn’t your typical study group. It's a high-impact, community-driven experience where we’ll review study skills, share actionable tips, and hold each other accountable.
• Four 1-hour online sessions each month
• Several pieces of coaching and guidance throughout the day on various topics
• Daily check-ins via our group message room for motivation and quick feedback
• Topics like goal-setting, study planning, time management, having the right mindset, and beating procrastination
Spots are limited, and I’m opening enrollment now. Stay tuned for more details in the coming weeks. We are targeting starting the group in May. For more information, pleas email me at blakecarrollcpa@gmail.com.
I can’t wait to help you pass the CPA exam!
Topic 1: Mindset and Motivation
- The CPA exam isn’t a battle against accounting concepts and technical knowledge. It’s a test of your ability to remain calm under pressure. Full Post
- If you’ve been perpetually procrastinating on working to pass the CPA exam, each day brings you a new decision with two options. Full Post
- Maybe you’re getting bad practice scores on the CPA exam because you simply don’t care enough. Watch how much faster you can learn when you actually care and invest. Full Post
- If you’re getting discouraged from not reaching the benchmark you set for yourself around a goal you want to reach or habit you want to maintain it’s okay, and sometimes very helpful, to actually lower the bar. Full Post
- What would the best version of you do today? The future CPA version of you is looking back at today. Full Post
Topic 2: Challenges and Overcoming Obstacles
- Failing the CPA exam isn’t what stops people. Fear of failing is what stops people. Full Post
- Your brain is a brilliant machine, just not always in a helpful way. When you set a goal, your brain will immediately start pointing out the obstacles to achieving that goal. Full Post
- Don’t believe in CPA exam shortcuts. You can’t pass without putting in the work. Full Post
- The Clarity Paradox: when you start succeeding, you take on too much and lose focus. CPA candidates fall into this trap all the time. Full Post
- The path to passing the CPA exam is a steep climb, and it’s normal to feel overwhelmed at times. We’ve all been there! Full Post
- When you are studying for these exams, you just have to accept that you're going to have to sacrifice a lot of free time. Full Post
Topic 3: Study Strategies
- The CPA exam is similar to going on a hike: the view changes once you start walking. Full Post
- Most CPA candidates study the way they did in college: passively. That might have worked for past tests and last-minute cramming, but it won’t get you through the CPA exam. Full Post
- Striving for perfection on the CPA exams can be overwhelming, not to mention unachievable. Full Post
- Focus on today. It’s easy to get caught up in what went wrong yesterday or worry about what tomorrow holds, but true progress is made by concentrating on today. Full Post
- When choosing a new study habit for the CPA exam, many people seem to ask themselves, “What can I do on my best days?” Full Post
Topic 4: Work-Life Balance and Self-Care
- When you’re in a busy season at work it can feel like every single second of time you have needs to be filled with getting something done. Full Post
- You HAVE to take care of yourself if you’re going to make significant progress toward anything that you’re working for. Full Post
- I will rigorously defend this opinion: you do not have to say yes to every work request that comes in. Full Post
- Don’t put too much pressure on yourself to get the CPA exam done as fast as possible. It takes a long time of consistent effort. Full Post
- Every minute counts on your CPA journey. Even if you aimed for hours and got minutes, it’s still progress. Full Post
Topic 5: Personal Growth and Professional Development
- Do not compare your CPA exam progress with that of others. Accept that we all need our own time to travel our own distance with the exam. Full Post
- You wont pass the CPA exam by forcing the process, you will pass the CPA exam by becoming someone who enjoys the process. Full Post
- Every time you see somebody with a big exciting post around passing a CPA section or even all four, don’t forget that it took dozens if not hundreds of small daily wins to make that happen. Full Post
- Has anyone else been so convinced that you were going to fail a certain section on the CPA exam, yet you passed it on the very first try? Full Post
- The people around you can either drain your energy or amplify it. Full Post
Looks great
CPA candidate
1wBien joué, Blake