By McKenzie Miller CPA
CPA candidates, are you prioritizing your mental health? McKenzie’s blog post emphasizes the importance of having strategies in place to protect your mental well-being as you progress through your CPA PEP modules. McKenzie achieved her CPA designation in 2021.
In CPA PEP, I failed three of the four modules on my first attempt. What I learned from these setbacks set me up for success on the CFE, which I passed on my first try. If I had not taken the time to learn and reflect during the program, I likely would not have been as successful.
In retrospect, I failed the modules because I put too much pressure on myself to be “perfect.” I was able to effectively plan a response and identify issues, but when it came to writing down my thoughts, I would overthink and not even be able to write a sentence. I learned that my biggest downfall was the pressure to be perfect.
Of course, as I progressed through the program and understood the CPA Way, I realized being perfect was not expected, nor was it possible to provide a perfect response within the given time frame. The program is specifically designed this way because when we face time pressures at work, our supervisors and leaders will not expect perfection from us; they just need us to do our best.
When I failed the modules, I felt completely devastated, embarrassed, not good enough…. These feelings eventually seeped into my personal life; I had trouble sleeping, getting up, working, and connecting with my friends and family.
Something that helped me overcome these feelings was taking a step back and trying to understand myself. I started talking to a therapist and learned coping strategies on how to relieve some of the pressure I was putting on myself. I learned that while CPA PEP was a huge part of my life, it wasn’t the most important part. Changing this perspective, especially while preparing for the CFE, was extremely helpful.
My setbacks taught me the only thing preventing me from succeeding was myself; the only one judging me was myself; and the only one putting pressure on me was myself. I learned that in order to succeed, I had to understand I was on my own path. I did not have to compare myself to others; I had to be resilient.
The strategies I put in place to successfully navigate CPA PEP included:
- Taking time to rest when I needed it;
- Connecting with a CPA tutor to learn case writing strategies;
- Opening up about my challenges to family, colleagues, and friends; and
- Asking for their support.
If you are reading this and are in a similar position as I was, please take a deep breath and repeat after me: “I am good enough. I can do this.”
Don’t let failure and a sense of despair affect you and break your spirit. Take a day to be sad and recover, but don’t let it consume you like I let it consume me. Pick yourself back up and try again. And remember, you do not have to be perfect to succeed.
Overall, my experience was challenging, but I learned so much about myself and how resilient I am. I am so thankful for the opportunity to help others by sharing my experience.
The views expressed in this post are those of the guest writer, McKenzie Miller CPA. Please refer to cpawsb.ca for the latest guidelines from the CPA Western School of Business.If you need support maintaining your mental well-being while balancing your time in CPA PEP, CPA Assist provides confidential counselling services and 24/7 crisis support to Alberta and Saskatchewan CPAs, candidates, and their immediate families. Visit cpa-assist.ca for more information or call the confidential support line (toll-free) at 1.855.596.4222. And click here to sign up for their FREE webinar about Beating Imposter Syndrome and Boosting Self-Confidence.
