[Anonymous]

What does anyone do when they gradually start losing motivation for getting through this labyrinth called the CPA exam? Drink alcohol? Do some 420? Pray? Hook up? Go shopping?
Eat? It’s so easy to lose motivation and just say “f*** it, I don’t care anymore.” I’m only one exam into this thing and I am already at that stage. No amount of positive thinking seems to get me over this hurdle. I haven’t quit, and I won’t quit, but on the other hand, my days of efficient studying and studying for long hours are gone. I haven’t been able to get up the stamina to do those anymore like I did for my first exam. I work full time and just sorta do CPA stuff for most of the evening after coming home from work and on the weekends. I need to find the motivation again. I don’t want this to get away from me. I’m already way older than the average CPA exam taker. How does anyone do it? At the rate I am going, it’ll be another few years before I’m done with this thing.

[jagadalic]

I heard a quote resembling ” I did not come this far only to come this far.” I have been using that as my mantra during this whole process and it has been real helpful.

[Anonymous]

Ighhhhhh.

[C / X]

I took a hiatus from studying because my mind wasn't on it due to…stuff…so I did other stuff to distract myself (I can say I'm the most productive I've ever been when I'm trying to find an excuse not to study…lol) But I came down it and realize now I have until MAR or APR 18 until my CPA exam REG credit expires.

It's the 1st one I took and I can't tell you how much I hated studying for that exam after being out of school for a few years and how hard the material was when I'm “supposed to be” smart. :/ So my motivation now is I need to get it done before I have to take REG again or become one of those who dropped the exam after studying for a few (especially when they decide to later get back into it..ugh). For me it's now or never because I already know the more I put it off the worse off I'm going to be in the long run and I like my safety nets.

Sometimes it has to be done now or it could become one of things where it falls by the wayside and after everything I'm not letting distractions/etc get in the way of the fact is if I don't do it now, it could be never ….That being said I still have days where I goof off a little too much or fall a little behind but thankfully after a while you can into a groove. I think it's important to take maybe one week or two week breaks between exams if you're exhausted but worse comes to worse, you don't think of anything but go day by day, or just the opposite you think of the finish line and that's it. Whatever works.

TBH when you're working you're not going to be as efficient anyway so as long as you're studying and actually retaining the information, I think it's fine. It's just going to be longer and harder. Some ppl I know in public accounting though…I think they deserve a medal for getting it and keeping everything else together (if they are). Maybe I could do it myself but I would never want to do it..Ugh.

[Anonymous]

Yeah, I don't even really know what my motivation is for doing it. The only thing keeping me going with it is the prospect of someday passing, and the fact that I've spent so much time learning accounting, that I might as well do it. Most people who get the CPA are…well, far different than I am. It's almost like the CPA is a networking tool or just some prestigious letters to put behind your name. If you want to move up in the Big 4, you have to have it. But not all of us work in the Big 4. I often times wonder if the effort is worth it. Somehow I never do quit though. I'd feel really guilty and would hate myself if I were to give up on it. I don't have much enthusiasm for it though, that's for sure.

[C / X]

I don't think there is a type of for public accounting (except willing to work, work, work*- I'm more of the cost benefit mindset that my brain will get foggy and not up to par if I work 12 hour days too much so I'm a bit afraid of it but I'd still rather have the option than not), a lot of ppl burn out from it anyway because it's not good to spend half a year having your life revolve around it…but of course it's all about the deadlines so I can kind of understand it. Honestly I choose accounting as a safety net career and it's another safety net tool. It's more like if I don't do it now, all that information is going to eventually get lost (Use it or lose it!)

Heck it's not even bragging rights for me (I've had had friends that have passed in 1 year or less and worked public accounting so there isn't even anything to brag about) it's more about the fact that it's a challenge you got to face, I just never want to be stuck in a rut and have few opportunities or get shoehorned in a specialty. TBH a lot of people have passed the CPA exams and done nothing else with it… I will tell you it has helped me learn how to focus better and pay even more attention to detail…and seem smart to other accountants even though I'm studying the same all the other accountants are studying lol.

[Anonymous]

Yes. I always like to tell the short story of my friend who became a paparazzi after passing the CPA exam. She studied and passed all four, and then, she moved on to something totally different.
CPA is a very brainy credential – it's a stereotype, indeed. I do wish it was a doctoral-type credential though…it should be! About public accounting, yeah, it's a nightmare for most people.
Some people thrive in that kind of environment but I am not one of them. Yes, the info you study for the CPA exams is mostly use it or lose it, unless you have a really good memory.

[rlarivee01]

As of right now, I have not passed any sections, and I've been attempting on and off (let's be honest, mostly off) since early 2013.

That's four years. I could have taken a year to pass each section, if you ignore the 18 month window thing. I could have taken the CPA, and a couple levels of the CFA, and the GMAT to get in to a good MBA program. Or at the very least finished a masters for my 150 hours. Any way you slice it, that is a lot of wasted time.

There are three CPA exam statuses: Not started (or given up), Working on it, and Passed. If you're dead set on passing it, you're only prolonging the misery by not focusing on it. And believe me, I'm right there with you.

So really, my motivation to you is once you pass it, you won't need motivation anymore. Now you might drink to cope, but once you pass, you can drink for enjoyment. Instead of studying a couple hours a few times a week, half-assing your studying, failing exams, prolonging your torture, study for a few hours nightly, get those MFers done sooner, and have free hours every night.

Now a caveat is that I tell myself that and it still hasn't worked… but one of these days I'll figure it out!

[T Rev]

I really want my daughter to know that even the most difficult goals are attainable if you work hard and stay at it. The CPA was much cheaper than climbing a mountain, and you can “do some 420” or drink at the end of the day to unwind from studying. The CPA also sets you apart from other accounting grads and creates a lot of career opportunity.

[Tncincy]

This has definitely been a difficult goal for me. I like the comments….is there a good supplement to take for retaining information. (getting pretty desperate)

It begins with a 75
Been here too long as a cheerleader....ready to pass

[Tncincy]

I guess I should have answered the motivation question, but I am like the others can't seem to pass, but just can't quit either. I have been a sole proprietor for over 24 years, having the cpa license would give me an extra boost since the industry has changed so much. I hate to be defeated, so I go at it again. I started out using cpaexcel, but since I have changed to ninja products. I am still trying to figure it out.

It begins with a 75
Been here too long as a cheerleader....ready to pass

[waffle_house]

Motivation is temporary. What kept me going was the fact that I wanted to show myself that I could defeat this exam. After 2 years I am finally done. Was it easy, hell no I had to sacrifice a lot of things I liked to do because you always have to give up something for another.

You'll start to get serious when you believe this exam is serious. If you think you can half ass and pass this exam you are wasting your money and time.

[taayllorr]

i've smoked weed every day of my 40 week study hell. not even joking. before, during, and after studying. haven't failed an exam yet. *knock on wood* like to think i'm doing the 420 community proud. maybe i'm just a degenerate. for me, i can name 10 other things i'd rather be doing at any given moment. i just don't have it in me to give up.

edit: also… i work full time.

[RockLobster]

I'm a strong believer in rewards based motivation. Plan a trip or some sort of incentive for yourself as motivation, then work towards it. I've been needing to upgrade my computer so I don't have to keep running games that aren't that demanding on absolute crap quality, so that's part of what's helping me push through these exams. Having a supportive and understanding significant other is important as well. I'll admit though I dont always have the most productive study sessions, I find that locking myself in my house every weekend helps me get a fair amount of studying done.

[Anonymous]

Very good comments people…. Yeah, I am not a quitter. If I did “quit”, it would be for like 3-4 days and then I'd find myself studying again. There were days during my FAR preparation where I broke pencils, threw things, and yes, even shed some blood (by accident, slamming my hand down on coffee table onto car keys after getting an easy MCQ incorrect, after a whole string of incorrect harder ones I was really fed up haha.)

Once I do finish this, I will take a week-long cruise for sure.

I don't know many people who start the CPA process and then stop. I think most people either want it or need it or both. And, if that's the case, then there's no reason to stop. I will say, I think there are more obstacles in this thing than there should be, but we can't do anything about them, so why complain.

[jereumie]

I say to myself that I will have to spend as much time and effort along with stress again if I don't pass it, and eventually when I get back on studying after failing, I will probably think of giving up again. AND this will not be over like the mobius strip until I pass them all.

[Author]

Replies