Satisfaction, not Balance
This is a pep talk to myself, any other tax professionals thinking about the upcoming Tax Season, and to anyone who is going to get really busy really soon now that 2026 is here.
Tax Season is a thing, so much so that I think the words should be capitalized like a formal title. A lot of work to do in a short period of time. A long way to go and a short time to get there.
That brings me back to my curiosity about Work-Life Balance (also capitalized as an important title). My curiosity about such a thing as this was piqued in 2012 when I came across a book by Matthew Kelly, Off Balance – Getting Beyond the Work-Life Balance Myth to Personal and Professional Satisfaction. The term continues to be used a lot in professional worlds to this day. Kelly’s point is that we really want satisfaction, not balance, and I agree. Since my initial reading 14 years ago, good time for a revisit.
Like many professionals, I do not characterize myself as having a balanced life on any given day. My productivity measurements include “chargeable hours,” that is time working on clients’ jobs that could eventually be billable to the client. I have a budget, that is a minimum expectation. I reach 50% of that expectation before the end of April each year. That’s 50% of my chargeable productivity in the first 33% of my work year. Some may conclude that my first four months each year lack what many people think is work-life balance. Some months are busier than others.
On the other hand, my long tenure has earned me the maximum number of paid time off days, plus holidays and most weekends. I use all my available days off. 2025 carried forward little more than a partial day into 2026, which I promptly used on January 2. Fortunately my wife’s schedule allows us to use paid time off together, and I consider that no small blessing. I also have time to go on a short-term mission trip yearly. I have a preliminary plan for my 2026 days off. In contrast to when I was part of the family bakery, I was expected to work most Saturdays each year, now generally I work Saturdays during a three month stretch. If someone were to observe my work schedule May through December, someone may draw different conclusions about my professional life compared to January through April. Do I have an easy job? Do I have work-life balance these months?
I do not have balance, and I agree with Kelly’s conclusion: most professionals do not have balance, do not want it if we think about it, and I think we would not recognize it if we saw it. To quote Kelly because his words reflect my perspective, “What I do want is satisfaction. Both personally and professionally I have a very satisfying life. Am I completely satisfied? No. I don’t mind telling you that I am both deeply satisfied and turbulently dissatisfied at times. But even my dissatisfaction drives me toward greater satisfaction in the future.”
I work more than some of my peers (a few who have already retired), less than some of my peers (those truly driven), but as part of my spiritual discipline of learning contentment I’m also a work in progress toward a satisfying life.
One of the lies I’ve believed is that working long, hard hours is bad. Having worked those hours, I’ve found it to be very good for me. Every April 16 I have a profound experience of having accomplished something. Each Tax Season, something happens that develops my professional and personal character further. I would also add that the cumulation of these experiences has given me high-end professional and personal opportunities, and I like having those opportunities.
Some observations and encouragements:
One of my four core values is Serving in Business. As such, I will do well to remember that as a professional, I…
Provide a needed service to others
The clients I serve need someone to help with their small business accounting, tax compliance, and planning. I am thankful that I’ve been given the skillset and experience to provide for their needs. Entrepreneurs who provide services to you and me need someone who will help them understand the numbers that influence their professional lives.
Have been given a stewardship to create profitability for my employer
My employer provides a steady salary, equipment, training, support, access to a book of business, office space, benefits, and more. In return, I have a responsibility to provide a well done version of my responsibilities.
Have been given a conduit to provide support to my family
Back to that salary and benefits thing. As I write this, I’ve just finished lunch, changed out of my church clothes to my comfy clothes, and sunshine is coming through our windows into our comfy cozy home. It is not the government’s or any one else’s responsibility, it is both Darling Bride’s and mine as responsible Generation X – era adults.
Have an opportunity to support worthy causes financially
Primarily to my local church, also to select missionaries and para-church organizations. Approximately 30% of our church’s budget goes outside our church bodies to partners and causes around the world. For the remaining 70%, I’m thankful that I can contribute to our pastors’ and staff’s salaries and benefits, support the physical location where we come together as a church family to remember and respond to the gospel, and more.
Am a model of responsibility and diligence
First to my family, and at my stage of career, to the next generation of professionals. Not only do I assist with technical skills, but also what it is like to show up to work each day and do my best (more or less if we are being honest).
Have access to the culture as an ambassador for Christ.
In my November 15 article “Day Job Reminders, Encouragements, and Every Good Endeavor,”
I take a deep dive into work and vocation. In summary, work is a gift to be stewarded wisely.
That seems to be a good conclusion, “work is a gift to be stewarded wisely.” As my family’s calendar changes from “Holiday Season” to “Tax Season,” and our Sunday Scaries started on Saturday, I’m reminding myself and us that God has prepared good works for us to do (Ephesians 2), has prepared us to do it, and doing it can bring profound satisfaction if we let it. That is a good gift worth accepting, and I will do my best to remember that when I get really busy really soon.
How about you? Do you have responsibilities to accept as 2026 begins in earnest?