It all started with the book “The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck” by Mark Manson. Not at my intention to offend anyone with language, but this book has changed the way I see, not only my personal life, but my professional life.
Manson's way of grabbing your attention, and then using examples from his own life lends authenticity to his message, which is, in a nutshell, we all have problems. You cannot live life on any level without problems. The key is taking the reins and choosing the problems you want in your life.
Case and point, do I want to work in a large firm, where one always is at the mercy of the standard operating procedures not to mention the myriad personality conflicts, or work as a solo practitioner where one does not benefit from paid time off or is saddled with the administration of the business?
Working for a large firm, certainly does have its benefits, but working on one’s own, well, you get to make the decisions and move the business in the direction you want.
Anyway, with Manson’s book on my mind, I attended "QuickBooks Connect" last year. One of the sessions I sat in on was Ron Baker’s "Journey of the Swans." Wow. I was so excited about his talk on value pricing and the stories and experiences of the panelists, it was all I could think about on the way home.
But then home, there it was.
There was no way I could implement any of the ideas whirling in my head while working at the large firm as I did not have that authority and that’s when the idea to re-launch adding technology™ started to lay roots. BTW, I started adding technology in 2001, but had it sort of on the back burner while working at this large firm.
Manson’s book helped me to set aside my concern for what others might think of me at the firm – the firm I had been with for the better part of 13 years.
I had to set aside my deep loyalty to the founding partner and ask myself, ”What do I really want in my professional career?” And the answer? I want control over the direction. I want control over the projects I take on all of the projects.
I am done with having to turn down the projects I really want to do because it’s “tax season” and that takes priority.
I may be good at preparing corporate and partnership tax returns, but it’s not really what I want to do. I enjoy the challenge of creating systems for businesses to increase their data flow. I love taking on the migration projects. I recently did a migration from Cougar Mountain to QuickBooks Enterprise where I got to utilize my ability to “think outside the box.” That my friends is what adding technology™ is all about.
My last day was May 31. And, effective June 1, 2017, adding technology™ officially is back in business. I'm super excited and cannot wait to attend "Scaling New Heights" in Orlando this year, because now I get to implement what I take away in my business.
Natalie Browne is founder and president of adding technology™ and a Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor in Santa Barbara, Calif.