I just found out that my business taxes from 2011-2012 weren’t filed and the government is pissed and wants their money.
I didn’t realize they weren’t filed. I have no idea why I wouldn’t file them…
Nonetheless, I have 2 years of business taxes that need to be filed, like, yesterday.
At first, I was pissed. How the hell could I let this happen? What the hell is wrong with me? Why did I not file???
Then I started placing blame. On my accountant at the time, mostly. But then quickly put the blame back on me, where it belongs. It was my responsibility to be on top of this stuff and I wasn’t.
I spoke to my new accountant about it and he is estimating, with taxes owing, interest, and penalties, I’m looking at a $10,000 punch in the face.
Sigh.
I’m not mad anymore. I’m not upset about it. Because I’ve learned to control my emotions and take hold of them when they start to get out of control (meaning: when I start slipping into a negative headspace).
I know that there’s a lesson for me here.
It’s not even about the money. I can make $10,000 in a day if I want to. I have more than enough to pay the outstanding taxes right now. That’s not the problem. The problem is that I didn’t even know this had been missed. And I don’t like it when I miss things!
I’m not happy to foot a $10,000 bill unexpectedly, but you know what? I’m happy for the experience. Because I know I’m going to learn an important lesson from it. One that will serve me for the rest of my life.
Like maybe –
I need to check on my tax reports more often
I need to organize my receipts and paperwork better
I need to have regular meetings with my accountant
Just to name a few..
There are many lessons you can learn from a seemingly “bad” situation. Don’t let them get you down.
Every time something CRAP happens to you, ask yourself what lesson you’re meant to learn from that experience.
Instead of beating yourself up and becoming overly negative because of something that happened, flip your feelings around by asking:
“What lesson am I meant to learn here?” and also “What good can come from this experience?”
See the good.
Don’t focus on the negative.
Don’t focus on what you can’t control.
Don’t focus on what you don’t want.
See the good.
And know –
There is always a lesson to be learned from every situation, good or bad.
It’s your choice, but from my experience, it’s SO much better to focus on the good, than to focus on the bad. Every time.