FOCUS
By Cindie Hubiak, ASCPA President & CEO
Success!
When I think about success, I don't typically think about technology. However, while technology may not make us successful, it is certainly an important tool to help us become successful and to keep us successful. Enjoy this month's AZ CPA , focusing on technology.
When I think about success, I think about my mother. When I was 10, she became a single mother for me and my two younger sisters. She supported us through her work as an elementary school teacher during the day, as a bookkeeper after school and as a waitress at night. She provided for us, encouraged us and supported us. Each of us has received our master's degree and makes a difference in our professions. Two of us are CPAs and my youngest sister is an elementary school teacher.
At the beginning of a new year, it is exciting to think about success. The best way to start thinking about it is to think about those who you believe are successful. Is it a parent, a co-worker, a friend, a public figure? Make a list of the qualities of successful people you know and a list of what success means to you.
Success has been defined as “the progressive realization of a worthy ideal.” I've been asking CPAs over the last several months to define what success means to them. The answers I received can be summarized as follows:
1. Finding one's purpose in life and living it.
2. Making a difference/solving problems.
3. Learning new things.
4. Having fun, pleasure and the men also say winning.
5. Acknowledgement.
Interestingly, technology wasn't mentioned by anyone. However, technology certainly enhances each one of the items above. The most recent spreadsheet software can be used to solve problems, it's fun for many people to play the latest computer video game and people appreciate seeing an announcement about their promotion on their organization's Web site.
What one thing could you do with technology in 2005 to help you achieve more success? Is it investing in a better spam filter, increasing the security of your computer system or attending a training class? You'll find ideas for these items, as well as others, in this issue of the AZ CPA .
Now think about one new thing you could do in 2005 to achieve more success in your life. Refer back to the list you prepared earlier. Do you need to become clearer on your purpose in life? Would you like to volunteer for an organization with a mission that inspires you, take a class in a new area or perhaps commit to scheduling a “fun” day once/month?
The Society is currently planning its success for the fiscal year beginning May 1, 2005 . We will continue using technology in all that we do to reach our goals. We'll be encouraging members to renew their dues and register for CPE classes online, attend Webinars sponsored by our Sections and use our newly launched and improved Web site.
Whatever you choose to do, the key to success is to clearly imagine it. Create some goals for 2005, if you haven't done so already, and write them down. On a daily basis, speak your goals out loud, in the present tense. Picture what it will look like when you successfully achieve your goals and really feel the joy in achieving that success. Research shows those who succeed have a clear, focused picture of their success in mind at all times.
Why do I think my mother was successful raising her three daughters? Because she was inspired by the worthy ideal of supporting and guiding us. She focused completely on that goal and achieved it. Did she use technology to achieve her goal? You bet she did, although back in the 1970s she didn't have the great tools that we have today!
I'd like to hear your definition of success and what you want to achieve in 2005. The more the Society knows about what success is for CPAs, the more we can help you achieve it. Email me at chubiak@ascpa.com, or call me at (602) 252-4144, ext. 203, or 1-(888) 237-0700, ext. 203.
Cindie Hubiak, CPA , is President and CEO of the ASCPA .
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