How a Fairy Tale Can Make You a Better Accountant

One of my favorite parts of being a parent is reliving some of my favorite childhood fairy tales. Seeing these stories come to life with my young daughter as we curl up in bed each night is a sacred time I savor. As someone obsessed with leadership and always looking for ways to bring our best selves to work and life, I’ve been delighted to discover how much wisdom these stories offer — if we’re willing to pay attention. Goldilocks and the Three Bears is an American classic. For those who may need a refresher, it’s the story of a curious girl who stumbles upon a cabin in the woods. Inside, she finds three bowls of porridge cooling on the table. She tries each one: one is too hot, another too cold, and the third is “just right.” Her exploration continues as she tests chairs and beds — each either too hard, too soft, or again, just right. 

As a neuroscience nerd, I was fascinated to learn that this “just right” idea isn’t just a moral from a children’s book — it’s grounded in brain science. In fact, it’s directly tied to how our brains handle stress and executive functioning.

The Goldilocks zone 

As a certified executive coach with a twenty-year career in public accounting, I love integrating the heart and science of leadership to support the accounting profession. And here’s the science: our brain’s prefrontal cortex — the part responsible for decision-making, focus, and planning — only performs optimally when it’s in what researchers call the “Goldilocks zone.” 

In other words, our brain needs just the right amount of stimulation to work at its best. If we’re under stimulated (often because the work no longer challenges us or feels fulfilling), or overstimulated (think: deadlines, distractions, too many to-dos), our performance declines. In both cases, we may experience brain fog, forgetfulness, or difficulty empathizing with others. That’s not exactly the ideal state for strategic decision-making or strong client relationships. 

But here’s the catch: the “just right” zone looks different for each of us. What’s too much for one person might be just right for another. And vice versa. 

Finding your Goldilocks zone 

Finding your own zone — and helping your team find theirs — is a trial-and-error process. It’s more of an art than a science. But once you get a sense of your own optimal rhythm, it becomes much easier to lead from a place of clarity and resilience. 

In the high-pressure world of accounting — especially during busy season or tight deadlines — most of us know what “too much” feels like. We might struggle to focus and feel stressed with an overflowing inbox. We quickly become overwhelmed. And ironically, even though we may be busy, some accountants also end up in the “too little” zone once they’ve mastered their technical skills and start to feel bored or disconnected.  

After twenty years in public accounting, I found myself less challenged by the rinse and repeat nature of the audit cycle. Even though my to do list continued to be long, I struggled to stay motivated to power through each deadline.  

So how do you calibrate toward your just right zone? 

A few simple practices can help: 

1. Acknowledge overwhelm in the moment 
   Naming the emotion gives it less power. It helps your brain shift into problem-solving mode. 

1. Learn to single-task 
   When you’re overwhelmed, focusing on one thing at a time is actually more productive than multitasking. 

1. Manage your energy — not just your time 
   Take short breaks throughout the day to reset. Incorporate small creative practices such as a walk in nature, meditative coloring, or even a quick dance break before a meeting. These micro-moments of restoration help keep your brain sharp and focused. 

1. Reframe mind-wandering as productive 
   Some of our best insights don’t happen at the desk. Give yourself permission to step away — without guilt. That pause can spark innovation. 

1. Take on a stretch assignment  
   For those struggling with under stimulation, adding novelty such as a stretch assignment or learning a new skill can help fuel the brain to get into a more optimal state.  

1. Talk to your team about their ‘just right’ zone 
   Create space to understand what helps each person thrive. Tailoring your leadership to honor those needs builds trust and creates a more effective, psychologically safe work environment. 

Our technical expertise as accountants will always matter. But in an industry that’s rapidly evolving, our ability to build relationships, lead others, and bring the best out of ourselves and our teams is what will set us apart. 

Understanding what helps you operate in your “just right” zone — and encouraging others to do the same — is the first step toward building a sustainable, energized, and impactful accounting practice. 

For the world needs who we were made to be.