Tax season got you down?

Try these six simple steps that will help keep you sane while doing taxes.

Right now, less than a month before the April 15th tax deadline, is the time you or your accountant are buried under paperwork. Perhaps you’re drinking cups of strong coffee, getting little sleep and not stirring from that needed (and dreaded) pile of receipts, forms, bits of paper, and even torn napkins with blurred names and numbers on them.

According to a 2011 American Psychological Association national survey, money stress was at the top of the list for causing stress that leads to unhealthy coping behavior, like excessive smoking, drinking, eating and spending. When we are anxious, depressed or overwhelmed, it doesn’t bring out the best in us. We want comfort, immediate gratification and someone out there telling us it’s not so bad and that we aren’t so bad. Comfort-seeking behavior takes the edge off those nasty feeling states, but it doesn’t help us get the courage to face our realities and work with them.

What does? Everyone is different, but, in general, I have found that the best strategy is to break that mountainous pile down into smaller chunks;

First, sit down and make a list of what has to be done to finish your taxes.

Second, take the first 3 list items and put them on your do-it-today list. Let the rest wait for another day.

Third, take item 1 and imagine that you have followed through and it’s finished. What does that feel like? I’ll bet it feels good to see that list item done. Keep that image in your mind as you work through item 1 to its completion.

Fourth, reward yourself in some small way and take the time to congratulate yourself for doing something you wanted to avoid but did anyway. That item is permanently erased from your list!

Fifth, do the same with the remaining two items on today’s list.

Seventh and final step, work your way through the pile in a similar way.

If you can’t keep at it, talk to a friend, partner or spouse and ask them for support, help or ideas that might help you to continue on your path to victory.

Maggie Baker, Ph. D.
Psychologist – Financial Therapist
Author of Crazy About Money: “How Emotions Confuse Our Money Choices And What To Do About It”.