Why Focusing on the Problem Keeps You Stuck — and What to Do Instead

Episode Summary

In this episode, Dawn introduces a powerful shift that helps CPA Exam candidates move out of stress and into real, visible progress.

Many candidates believe their biggest challenge is time, difficult material, or the volume of content. But in this conversation, Dawn reveals that the real challenge is often where your attention is placed during your study time.

When your attention stays on stress, overwhelm, and doubt, progress slows. When your attention shifts to action, movement begins.

This episode walks you through how to redirect your focus away from analyzing the problem and toward taking the next useful step — even when you don’t feel ready or confident yet.

You’ll learn why small, simple actions are more effective than waiting for the “right” feeling, how your brain naturally pulls you toward stress, and how to gently guide yourself back to action.

This episode is for CPA Exam candidates who feel stuck, overwhelmed, or caught in overthinking — and want a clear, grounded way to start moving forward again.

🎯 What You’ll Learn in This Episode

1. Why Stress Feels Like the Problem — But Isn’t

Dawn explains how stress and overwhelm can take over your attention and make studying feel harder than it actually is. The challenge isn’t the material — it’s where your focus is during your study time.

2. How Focusing on the Problem Creates More Pressure

When your brain keeps analyzing what’s not working, it can feel productive — but it actually builds more stress and makes it harder to take action. You’ll see why this keeps you feeling stuck.

3. Why Your Brain Defaults to Overthinking

Your brain is designed to look for risks and problems. Dawn shows you how to recognize this pattern without fighting it — and how to stop letting it control your study sessions.

4. The Simple Question That Moves You Forward

Instead of asking, “Why is this so hard?” you’ll learn to ask: What is my next useful step? This shift moves your attention from stress to action immediately.

5. Why Small Actions Are More Powerful Than You Think

The next useful step is often simple — a few practice questions, a short review, or organizing notes. These small actions reduce pressure and help you build consistency.

6. Why Confidence Comes After Action — Not Before

Many candidates wait to feel ready before they begin. Dawn explains why confidence is built through taking action, not before it.

7. How to Approach Discomfort During CPA Exam Prep

Discomfort is a normal part of doing meaningful work. This episode helps you see it as a sign of progress rather than something to avoid.

Key Takeaway

You don’t move forward by solving the stress. You move forward by shifting your attention to action.

Instead of staying in analysis, take one simple, useful step. That’s how progress begins — and how it continues.

👉 Click HERE to get your FREE Ultimate CPA Exam Success Checklist download and custom GPT.

Thanks for listening to today’s episode of the CPA Exam Success Podcast.

You are not stuck. You are choosing your next step.

And that’s how you move forward— all the way to the CPA Exam finish line 🏁

👉 Join my Group Coaching Program if you're ready to study with confidence and pass with ease. ($97/month)

💬 Let's Chat on Zoom if you're stuck or overwhelmed and not sure what to do next. (one-time offer- $27 as of February 18, 2026)

🗓️ Join my 30-Day Study Challenge if you are in the start-stop study cycle and want to finally make progress. ($27 as of February 18, 2026)

📲 Join my Free Facebook Group and get real time support in my weekly LIVEs plus early access to my podcast episodes. (Free)

📩 Have a question or want to share your breakthrough? Send me a message—I’d love to hear from you!

🎧 Follow & Leave a Review if you found this episode helpful. Your support helps other CPA Exam candidates find this podcast!

©MIAMI COACH CONNECTION, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Miami Coach Connection, Inc. accepts no liability for the content of this podcast, nor for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided. Individual Results Vary.

If studying for the CPA Exam has been feeling harder than it should… you’re not alone.

But here’s the truth:

You’re not stuck. You’re just in study mode.

And there’s a difference between studying… and becoming exam ready.

In this episode, we walk through a simple study audit to help you see where you are, what’s working, and what might need to change.

Because studying harder isn’t always the answer.

Sometimes, it’s about studying differently.

🔍 In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• What a study audit is and why it matters
• How to tell if you’re actually moving toward exam readiness
• The difference between study mode and exam-ready thinking
• Why studying can feel harder than it needs to be
• What to adjust to make your studying more effective (and feel easier)

⚠️ What Most Candidates Get Wrong

Many candidates are studying consistently…

But they’re not studying in a way that leads to passing.

They stay in study mode:

• Watching lectures
• Taking notes
• Reviewing over and over

But not actively preparing for the exam itself.

This episode will help you shift out of that.

🎯 Your Next Step

Take a few minutes to do your own study audit:

• What % of the material have you learned?
• What % of multiple-choice questions have you completed?
• What % of simulations have you practiced?

Don’t overthink it—just be honest.

Clarity is what moves you forward.

💡 Key Takeaway

You’re not stuck. You’re just in study mode.

Start with a simple study audit, shift into exam readiness, and keep showing up until you cross the CPA Exam finish line 🏁

⚡ Quick Reflection

What is one shift you can make today to make your studying feel easier?

✨ Want More Support?

👉 Let's Chat on Zoom

👉 Click HERE to get your FREE Ultimate CPA Exam Success Checklist download and custom GPT.

If this episode helped you, share it with another CPA candidate who needs to hear it—and don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss what’s next.

👉 Join my Group Coaching Program if you're ready to study with confidence and pass with ease. ($97/month)

💬 Let's Chat on Zoom if you're stuck or overwhelmed and not sure what to do next. (one-time offer- $27 as of February 18, 2026)

🗓️ Join my 30-Day Study Challenge if you are in the start-stop study cycle and want to finally make progress. ($27 as of February 18, 2026)

📲 Join my Free Facebook Group and get real time support in my weekly LIVEs plus early access to my podcast episodes. (Free)

📩 Have a question or want to share your breakthrough? Send me a message—I’d love to hear from you!

🎧 Follow & Leave a Review if you found this episode helpful. Your support helps other CPA Exam candidates find this podcast!

©MIAMI COACH CONNECTION, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Miami Coach Connection, Inc. accepts no liability for the content of this podcast, nor for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided. Individual Results Vary.

A Simpler Approach That Builds Consistency, Clarity, and Progress

Episode Summary

In this episode, I walk you through eight mistakes I didn’t make while preparing for the CPA Exam—and that I see many candidates making. I truly believe that most candidates are not struggling because they lack intelligence, discipline, or time. More often, they are unintentionally making the process harder than it needs to be.

I share how CPA Exam preparation does not require constant intensity, but instead requires consistency and a simple, repeatable approach. When I simplified my process, it became easier to keep showing up—and that is what allowed my progress to build over time.

If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or discouraged, this episode will help you simplify your approach so you can stay consistent, build momentum, and move steadily toward the CPA Exam finish line.

🎯 What You’ll Learn in This Episode

1. Mistake #1 I Didn’t Make: I Didn’t Wait Until I Had More Time

I learned that just having more time does not mean I would study. Instead of waiting for the perfect schedule, I used the time I had—even if it was just 15 minutes. By planning my week in advance and scheduling my study sessions, I removed the daily decision of whether or not to study. My only job became showing up.

2. Mistake #2 I Didn’t Make: I Didn’t Try to Memorize Everything

I didn’t try to memorize everything. I let action guide my learning. When I practiced questions, I got immediate feedback on what I understood and what I didn’t. Instead of staying stuck in passive review, I focused on getting to “good enough” understanding so I could move forward and continue learning.

3. Mistake #3 I Didn’t Make: I Didn’t Keep Restarting My Study Plan

I didn’t keep restarting every time something felt difficult. Instead, I reviewed what I did each week, assessed what worked and what didn’t, and made small adjustments. Restarting keeps you stuck. Continuing—and adjusting—is what creates progress.

4. Mistake #4 I Didn’t Make: I Didn’t Force Myself to Follow the Review Course Exactly

I didn’t force myself to follow my review course perfectly. I used it as a resource and adjusted how I studied based on how I learn best. The goal was not to follow a program perfectly—it was to understand the material well enough to answer questions correctly on exam day.

5. Mistake #5 I Didn’t Make: I Didn’t Avoid Weak Areas

I didn’t avoid weak areas. I approached them with curiosity. Weak areas gave me information about what needed more attention. Instead of seeing them as a problem, I saw them as direction—showing me exactly where I could improve.

6. Mistake #6 I Didn’t Make: I Didn’t Treat Bad Days as Proof It Wasn’t Working

I accepted that not every study session would feel productive. Some days were harder than others, but I didn’t make that mean anything about my ability or my plan. What mattered most was returning to the next scheduled study session. Progress came from showing up over time, not from having perfect days.

7. Mistake #7 I Didn’t Make: I Didn’t Wait to Feel Motivated

I didn’t wait to feel motivated. I expected resistance and showed up anyway. I focused on my commitment—my desire, my belief, and my willingness to keep going. I took action first, and motivation followed later.

8. Mistake #8 I Didn’t Make: I Didn’t Try to Focus on Everything at Once

I didn’t try to tackle everything at once. I focused on the next step. I broke the process down into one exam, one week, and one study session at a time. During each study block, I focused only on what was in front of me—and that kept the process simple and manageable.

Key Takeaway

I didn’t pass the CPA Exam by making the process more complicated—I passed by simplifying it. When you focus on the next step, use the time you have, and keep showing up, progress begins to build and compound over time. You don’t need perfection. You just need to continue.

👉 Click HERE to get your FREE Ultimate CPA Exam Success Checklist download and custom GPT.

Thanks for listening to today’s episode of the CPA Exam Success Podcast. Keep it simple, keep showing up, and trust that consistent action will move you forward—one study session at a time.

👉 Join my Group Coaching Program if you're ready to study with confidence and pass with ease. ($97/month)

💬 Let's Chat on Zoom if you're stuck or overwhelmed and not sure what to do next. (one-time offer- $27 as of February 18, 2026)

🗓️ Join my 30-Day Study Challenge if you are in the start-stop study cycle and want to finally make progress. ($27 as of February 18, 2026)

📲 Join my Free Facebook Group and get real time support in my weekly LIVEs plus early access to my podcast episodes. (Free)

📩 Have a question or want to share your breakthrough? Send me a message—I’d love to hear from you!

🎧 Follow & Leave a Review if you found this episode helpful. Your support helps other CPA Exam candidates find this podcast!

©MIAMI COACH CONNECTION, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Miami Coach Connection, Inc. accepts no liability for the content of this podcast, nor for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided. Individual Results Vary.

🎙 The Three Essential Ingredients for CPA Exam Success

A Simple Approach to Studying That Builds Consistency, Progress, and Ease

Episode Summary

In this episode, Dawn breaks down the three essential ingredients for CPA Exam Success: time, materials, and willingness. While many candidates believe passing the CPA Exam requires complicated strategies or endless study hours, Dawn explains that the process can be much simpler when you focus on these three core elements.

You’ll learn how to use your time intentionally, how to work effectively with any CPA review program, and why willingness is the deciding factor that determines whether you follow through on your study plan. Dawn also introduces a simple time framework that helps you find more time in your week and explains how these three ingredients naturally create a study process that feels more effective, sustainable, and efficient.

This episode is designed for CPA candidates who feel overwhelmed by the study process and want to simplify their approach so they can stay consistent, build momentum, and move steadily toward the CPA Exam finish line.

🎯 What You’ll Learn in This Episode

1. The First Essential Ingredient: Time (and How to Find More of It)

Dawn explains that effective study sessions include both focused study time and intentional breaks. You’ll learn how to build study stamina by recognizing when your brain needs a break and why studying in focused cycles helps create a higher return on your time and effort. She also shares an important mindset shift: when you are not studying, the CPA Exam does not exist.

For candidates who feel like they don’t have enough time to study, Dawn introduces her TIME framework: Track, Inventory, Manage, and Enjoy. By tracking how you spend your time for one week, identifying what can stay and what can change, and intentionally designing your week, you can create space for CPA Exam prep while still protecting the personal time that matters most.

2. The Second Essential Ingredient: Materials

Many candidates worry about choosing the “perfect” CPA review program. Dawn explains that all review programs work when they are used intentionally. The key is to trust the program you have, complete it, and adjust how you use it so it aligns with your learning style. With consistent learning, practice, and review, you can build a study system that works for you.

3. The Third Essential Ingredient: Willingness

Willingness is the deciding factor in CPA Exam Success. Dawn explains that passing the exam requires a willingness to show up, study, sit for the exam, and stay the course even when fear, doubt, or uncertainty appear. You’ll learn why deciding once to pursue the CPA Exam — instead of repeatedly starting and stopping — can change how you move through the entire process.

4. The Bonus Ingredient That Naturally Follows: EASE

When time, materials, and willingness come together, a fourth ingredient naturally appears: ease. Dawn explains how studying can become more effective, actionable, sustainable, and efficient when your study system aligns with how you learn.

Key Takeaway

CPA Exam Success doesn’t require a complicated system. When you intentionally manage your time, use your study materials in a way that works for you, and stay willing to show up and take action, you create a process that moves you steadily toward the CPA Exam finish line.

👉 Click HERE to get your FREE Ultimate CPA Exam Success Checklist download and custom GPT.

Thanks for listening to today’s episode of the CPA Exam Success Podcast. Focus on the essentials, keep showing up to study, and trust that consistent action will move you forward — one study session at a time.

👉 Join my Group Coaching Program if you're ready to study with confidence and pass with ease. ($97/month)

💬 Let's Chat on Zoom if you're stuck or overwhelmed and not sure what to do next. (one-time offer- $27 as of February 18, 2026)

🗓️ Join my 30-Day Study Challenge if you are in the start-stop study cycle and want to finally make progress. ($27 as of February 18, 2026)

📲 Join my Free Facebook Group and get real time support in my weekly LIVEs plus early access to my podcast episodes. (Free)

📩 Have a question or want to share your breakthrough? Send me a message—I’d love to hear from you!

🎧 Follow & Leave a Review if you found this episode helpful. Your support helps other CPA Exam candidates find this podcast!

©MIAMI COACH CONNECTION, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Miami Coach Connection, Inc. accepts no liability for the content of this podcast, nor for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided. Individual Results Vary.

What It Really Looks Like to Keep Going Until You Pass

Episode Summary

In this episode, Dawn sits down with Linsey Nicholas, CPA, to talk about her journey to CPA Exam Success. Linsey shares what it was really like to navigate the CPA Exam process while managing work, life responsibilities, and the internal challenges that can come up along the way.

Linsey walks through how she approached studying, the moments when things felt difficult, and the mindset shifts that helped her keep moving forward. She explains how she learned to stay with the process, return to her study plan when things didn’t go perfectly, and continue showing up one study session at a time.

This conversation highlights the very real experience many CPA candidates have while preparing for the CPA Exam — the ups, the doubts, the adjustments, and the persistence it takes to keep going.

This episode is for CPA candidates who are struggling right now and need a reminder of how amazing they are, how far they’ve already come, and that they absolutely can pass the CPA Exam.

🎯 What You’ll Learn in This Episode

1. What the CPA Exam Journey Actually Looks Like

Linsey Nicholas, CPA shares what the experience of studying for the CPA Exam looked like for her, including the challenges she faced and the lessons she learned along the way.

2. How She Stayed Committed to the Process

Listeners will hear how Linsey continued returning to her study plan even when things didn’t feel perfect and how consistency helped her make steady progress.

3. Navigating the Ups and Downs of Studying

Linsey talks openly about the moments that felt difficult and how she worked through them while continuing to move forward with her CPA Exam preparation.

4. What Helped Her Keep Going

Linsey explains the strategies and mindset that supported her as she moved through each stage of the CPA Exam process.

5. The Moment CPA Exam Success Became Real

Linsey reflects on what it felt like to finally pass the CPA Exam and what the journey taught her about persistence and belief in the process.

Key Takeaway

Passing the CPA Exam isn’t about perfection. It’s about continuing to return to a study plan, honoring the effort being made, and remembering that CPA Exam Success is possible.

👉 If you're ready to feel better about yourself and your study process, let's chat on Zoom.

Thanks for listening to today’s episode of the CPA Exam Success Podcast. Keep showing up, keep honoring the plan, and remember how amazing you are and how far you’ve already come. ✨

👉 Join my Group Coaching Program if you're ready to study with confidence and pass with ease. ($97/month)

💬 Let's Chat on Zoom if you're stuck or overwhelmed and not sure what to do next. (one-time offer- $27 as of February 18, 2026)

🗓️ Join my 30-Day Study Challenge if you are in the start-stop study cycle and want to finally make progress. ($27 as of February 18, 2026)

📲 Join my Free Facebook Group and get real time support in my weekly LIVEs plus early access to my podcast episodes. (Free)

📩 Have a question or want to share your breakthrough? Send me a message—I’d love to hear from you!

🎧 Follow & Leave a Review if you found this episode helpful. Your support helps other CPA Exam candidates find this podcast!

©MIAMI COACH CONNECTION, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Miami Coach Connection, Inc. accepts no liability for the content of this podcast, nor for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided. Individual Results Vary.

How to Follow Through on Your CPA Exam Plan (Even When Resistance Shows Up)

Episode Summary

In this episode, Dawn teaches a simple concept that will change how you follow through on your CPA Exam plan: The Plan vs. The Problem. There is your plan. And then there are the problems that show up internally when it’s time to take action on your plan. The plan is practical. It’s neutral. It’s not emotionally charged. The problems are what show up in your thoughts and feelings the moment it’s time to take action on your plan.

Dawn explains why it’s easy to assume something is wrong with you when you’ve made a reasonable plan and you still aren’t following through — and why nothing is wrong with you. This lesson breaks down how to separate your plan from the internal problems that surface, so you can identify what’s coming up and return to your plan without restarting everything.

This episode is designed for CPA candidates who have a plan, but keep getting pulled off track by what shows up internally in the moment it’s time to take action on that plan — and want a clear way to keep returning, one study session at a time.

🎯 What You’ll Learn in This Episode

1. The Difference Between the Plan and the Problems

You’ll learn how to separate your CPA Exam plan from the problems that show up when it’s time to take action on your plan — and why most of the time, the plan is not the problem.

2. How to Set a Plan That’s Actually Doable to Take Action On

Dawn teaches Step 1: set the plan using duration goals, not completion goals. Your plan answers two questions: Where am I starting? How long am I staying? Set a 15-minute timer as your minimum. Fifteen minutes is your baseline — you can always return to 15 minutes.

3. The 12 Internal Problems That Commonly Get in the Way of Follow-Through

Dawn walks through the 12 most common problems, in the order they typically unfold: Procrastination, Pretending, Perfectionism, Pedestal, Pressure, Plummet, Panic, Pushback, Pit, Past, Powering Down, and Pause.

4. How to Return Without Restarting Everything

Step 3 is honoring the plan and managing the problems: return to your plan and follow through on your study session anyway. Start where you said you would start. Stay for your planned time. After you study, document what you did and where you will start next time.

5. The Skill That Makes Progress Inevitable

The real skill is not eliminating problems. The real skill is recognizing the problems that surface so you can minimize them or manage them and still show up to study. You have one reasonable plan. Multiple problems may surface. And the solution is always to return to the task at hand. That could be as small as a 15-minute study session. That is how your progress becomes inevitable and how you pass the CPA Exam with confidence and ease.

Key Takeaway

Passing the CPA Exam is not about building the perfect plan once. It is about building the skill of returning to a realistic plan again and again, even when your thoughts and feelings make you want to do anything but study.

👉 Click HERE to get your FREE Ultimate CPA Exam Success Checklist download and custom GPT.

Thanks for listening to today’s episode of the CPA Exam Success Podcast. Set a realistic plan, notice what comes up when it’s time to study, and return to the task at hand — one study session at a time.

👉 Join my Group Coaching Program if you're ready to study with confidence and pass with ease. ($97/month)

💬 Let's Chat on Zoom if you're stuck or overwhelmed and not sure what to do next. (one-time offer- $27 as of February 18, 2026)

🗓️ Join my 30-Day Study Challenge if you are in the start-stop study cycle and want to finally make progress. ($27 as of February 18, 2026)

📲 Join my Free Facebook Group and get real time support in my weekly LIVEs plus early access to my podcast episodes. (Free)

📩 Have a question or want to share your breakthrough? Send me a message—I’d love to hear from you!

🎧 Follow & Leave a Review if you found this episode helpful. Your support helps other CPA Exam candidates find this podcast!

©MIAMI COACH CONNECTION, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Miami Coach Connection, Inc. accepts no liability for the content of this podcast, nor for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided. Individual Results Vary.

Why Most Candidates Don’t Need More Effort — They Need Better Conditions

Episode Summary

In this episode, Dawn walks you through the seven conditions that make CPA Exam preparation stable, measurable, and sustainable.

Most CPA Exam candidates are not struggling because they lack effort. They care. They are working. They are trying. What is usually missing is not motivation — it is structure.

When the right conditions are in place, your preparation becomes steady. And when preparation becomes steady, CPA Exam Success becomes far more likely.

If you have felt stuck in a start–stop pattern, this episode will help you understand why. It is rarely about capability. It is usually about one unstable condition inside your study system.

Dawn introduces the C.L.A.R.I.T.Y. framework — seven foundational conditions that support real CPA Exam Success. Instead of trying to fix everything at once, you will learn how to identify the one condition that needs strengthening right now and take one clear, focused step forward.

This episode is for CPA Exam candidates who want preparation that feels grounded, intentional, and sustainable — not reactive or chaotic.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

1. C- Commitment You Can Sustain

You’ll understand why the gap between effort and results can feel discouraging — and why that gap is normal in the CPA Exam process. Sustainable commitment protects your follow-through, even when progress is invisible.

2. L- Life-Aligned Structure

Studying must fit the life you are actually living. When study time has a designated place in your calendar, consistency increases and daily negotiation disappears.

3. A- Action That Produces Learning

Not all study time creates progress. You’ll learn how to shift from passive review to active correction — solving questions, identifying mistakes, and clarifying confusion so improvement becomes measurable.

4. R- Real Progress Measurement

Instead of relying only on percentages, you’ll learn how to track patterns of growth — fewer repeated mistakes, clearer explanations, and stronger recognition of question types.

5. I- Informed Decision-Making

Simple, pre-set rules reduce overthinking and preserve energy for learning and execution.

6. T- Test-Like Performance Execution

Preparation is not only about knowing the material — it is about performing under timed conditions. You’ll learn how to build familiarity and confidence through structured, test-like practice.

7. Y- Your Identity That Supports Follow-Through

CPA Exam Success is built by becoming someone who shows up, adjusts, returns after interruptions, and does not give up. Consistency strengthens identity — and identity strengthens consistency.

Key Takeaway

CPA Exam Success becomes predictable when the right conditions are in place.

You do not need perfect weeks.

You do not need flawless memory.

You do not need ideal circumstances.

You need conditions that support steady follow-through.

When one condition feels unstable, adjust that one — not everything.

One Clear Action

Set a timer for five minutes.

Write down the seven C.L.A.R.I.T.Y. conditions. Circle the one that feels weakest right now. Choose one small action from that step and schedule it in your calendar for this week.

Then show up.

Click HERE to get your FREE Ultimate CPA Exam Success Checklist download and custom GPT.

Thanks for listening to the CPA Exam Success Podcast.

You do not need more pressure.

You need these 7 conditions in place.

And once these conditions are in place, progress becomes sustainable.

👉 Join my Group Coaching Program if you're ready to study with confidence and pass with ease. ($97/month)

💬 Let's Chat on Zoom if you're stuck or overwhelmed and not sure what to do next. (one-time offer- $27 as of February 18, 2026)

🗓️ Join my 30-Day Study Challenge if you are in the start-stop study cycle and want to finally make progress. ($27 as of February 18, 2026)

📲 Join my Free Facebook Group and get real time support in my weekly LIVEs plus early access to my podcast episodes. (Free)

📩 Have a question or want to share your breakthrough? Send me a message—I’d love to hear from you!

🎧 Follow & Leave a Review if you found this episode helpful. Your support helps other CPA Exam candidates find this podcast!

©MIAMI COACH CONNECTION, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Miami Coach Connection, Inc. accepts no liability for the content of this podcast, nor for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided. Individual Results Vary.

Why “Just Start Studying” Fails — and What to Do First Instead

Episode Summary

In this episode, Dawn shares a powerful shift that changes how CPA Exam candidates approach studying — especially when studying “doesn’t fit” into their life right now.

After a conversation with a client who wasn’t studying, it became clear that the issue wasn’t discipline, motivation, or ability. The issue was placement. Studying didn’t yet have a place to live in her life.

Dawn introduces a simple but transformative distinction: studying is the seed. And seeds don’t grow because you keep planting them. They grow when the conditions support growth.

Instead of forcing study sessions into an already full, overwhelmed life, this episode walks you through how to cultivate an environment where studying can actually exist — and eventually thrive.

You’ll learn why “just start studying” so often fails, what needs to come first, and how a simple 15-minute planning block can help you stop starting over and finally build real, sustainable CPA Exam progress.

This episode is for CPA Exam candidates who feel stuck, inconsistent, overwhelmed, or frustrated — and want a practical, grounded way to make studying fit into real life.

🎯 What You’ll Learn in This Episode

1. Why Not Studying Is Not the Real Problem

Dawn explains why lack of studying is usually not a discipline issue — it’s a placement issue. When studying has nowhere to live in your time, mind, or schedule, it disappears. Not because you don’t care, but because the conditions don’t support it.

2. The Seed and Soil Distinction That Changes Everything

Studying is the seed. Your time structure, mindset, and study strategy are the soil. If the environment isn’t prepared, planting more study sessions won’t change the outcome. You’ll learn how to shift from forcing growth to cultivating support.

3. Why the Goal at the Beginning Is Not to Study

Instead of jumping into content, Dawn explains why the first goal is to carve out a small space where studying could live. This reframes the early phase of preparation from performance to preparation of conditions.

4. How to Use 15 Minutes to Create Stability Before Studying

You’ll learn why the first 15-minute block is not for content. It’s for planning, researching, organizing, and building the identity of someone who studies consistently for the CPA Exam. Habit comes before intensity.

5. The Three Environmental Factors That Must Support Study Success

Dawn breaks down the three areas that determine whether studying survives:

• Study strategy — If your approach doesn’t fit your actual life, studying feels pointless.

• Mindset — If your inner dialogue is full of pressure and self-judgment, studying feels unsafe and heavy.

• Time management — If time has no structure, studying has nowhere to go.

If even one of these is misaligned, studying won’t last.

6. Why You Don’t Need Perfect Conditions — Just Good Enough Ones

This episode removes perfection pressure. You are not trying to overhaul your life. You are creating conditions that are good enough for studying to exist and grow steadily over time.

Key Takeaway

You don’t stop starting over by demanding more from yourself. You stop starting over by cultivating an environment where studying can finally grow.

Instead of forcing study sessions into chaos, create a small, intentional space where studying can live. Once the environment supports it, progress becomes sustainable.

👉 Click HERE to get your FREE Ultimate CPA Exam Success Checklist download and custom GPT.

Thanks for listening to today’s episode of the CPA Exam Success Podcast.

You are not behind. You are cultivating.

And once studying has a place to live, you begin.

👉 Join my Group Coaching Program if you're ready to study with confidence and pass with ease. ($97/month)

💬 Let's Chat on Zoom if you're stuck or overwhelmed and not sure what to do next. (one-time offer- $27 as of February 18, 2026)

🗓️ Join my 30-Day Study Challenge if you are in the start-stop study cycle and want to finally make progress. ($27 as of February 18, 2026)

📲 Join my Free Facebook Group and get real time support in my weekly LIVEs plus early access to my podcast episodes. (Free)

📩 Have a question or want to share your breakthrough? Send me a message—I’d love to hear from you!

🎧 Follow & Leave a Review if you found this episode helpful. Your support helps other CPA Exam candidates find this podcast!

©MIAMI COACH CONNECTION, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Miami Coach Connection, Inc. accepts no liability for the content of this podcast, nor for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided. Individual Results Vary.

The 5 Essential Steps to Rewarding Yourself So You Stay Motivated, Confident, and Consistent with the CPA Exam

Episode Summary

In this episode, Dawn completes her Simple Study System with Part 4: Rewarding your CPA Exam study sessions. This step is what keeps the entire system sustainable and helps you stay in the process long enough for it to work. Instead of relying on pressure, self-criticism, or urgency to keep going, you’ll learn how to use rewards to support motivation, confidence, and follow-through.

Dawn explains why rewarding yourself isn’t about indulgence or bribing yourself to study — it’s about closing the feedback loop so Scheduling, Tracking, and Assessing continue to feel supportive instead of exhausting. You’ll learn how rewards reinforce consistency, protect your energy, and make studying something you want to return to, not something you force yourself through.

This episode is designed for CPA candidates who are doing the work but want a study system that feels sustainable, encouraging, and aligned with long-term CPA Exam Success.

🎯 What You’ll Learn in This Episode

1. Why Rewarding Yourself Is Essential for CPA Exam Success

Dawn explains how rewards keep the Simple Study System energizing instead of draining, and why motivation naturally fades when effort isn’t acknowledged along the way.

2. The Difference Between the Carrot and the Stick

You’ll learn why most CPA candidates rely on pressure, self-criticism, and “shoulds” to study — and why that approach makes consistency harder over time — along with how using rewards creates a gentler, more effective path forward.

3. Why You Reward Effort, Not Outcomes

Dawn walks through why rewarding yourself for showing up matters more than rewarding perfect study sessions or exam scores, and how this shift builds confidence you can rely on.

4. The 5 Essential Steps to Rewarding Yourself

You’ll learn how to:

1. Reward yourself after every study session
2. Put your rewards on your schedule
3. Keep rewards simple and supportive
4. Create a list of small daily rewards
5. Celebrate bigger milestones throughout the CPA Exam process

5. How to Choose Rewards That Support Consistency

This section explains how to choose rewards that support your energy instead of draining it, help you come back clear and focused, and fit into real life without creating more stress.

Key Takeaway

Rewarding yourself isn’t about making studying easier because it’s hard — it’s about reinforcing follow-through and building a sustainable feedback loop. When rewards are intentional and supportive, consistency becomes possible, confidence grows, and progress compounds over time.

👉 Click HERE to access the lesson slide deck.

👉 Click HERE to get your FREE Ultimate CPA Exam Success Checklist download and custom GPT.

Thanks for listening to Part 4 of The Simple Study System. This is the same process you’ll repeat for every section of the CPA Exam — Scheduling, Tracking, Assessing, and Rewarding — as you continue building confidence, consistency, and momentum toward your CPA Exam Success.

👉 Join my Group Coaching Program if you're ready to study with confidence and pass with ease. ($97/month)

💬 Let's Chat on Zoom if you're stuck or overwhelmed and not sure what to do next. (one-time offer- $27 as of February 18, 2026)

🗓️ Join my 30-Day Study Challenge if you are in the start-stop study cycle and want to finally make progress. ($27 as of February 18, 2026)

📲 Join my Free Facebook Group and get real time support in my weekly LIVEs plus early access to my podcast episodes. (Free)

📩 Have a question or want to share your breakthrough? Send me a message—I’d love to hear from you!

🎧 Follow & Leave a Review if you found this episode helpful. Your support helps other CPA Exam candidates find this podcast!

©MIAMI COACH CONNECTION, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Miami Coach Connection, Inc. accepts no liability for the content of this podcast, nor for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided. Individual Results Vary.

How to Reduce Resistance, Build Consistency, and Create Real CPA Exam Progress

Episode Summary

In this episode, Dawn introduces The 15-Minute Study Session — a simple, powerful approach to starting (and sustaining) your CPA Exam studying without overwhelm. This lesson breaks down why long, “perfect” study sessions often stop candidates from starting at all, and how a small, consistent commitment creates real momentum and measurable improvement over time.

Dawn explains how the 15-minute study session lowers resistance, builds consistency, and gets you into the feedback loop you need to study more efficiently. You’ll learn how this approach helps you collect real data from your studying, strengthen your ability to show up, and eventually expand your study time naturally — without forcing it.

This episode is designed for CPA candidates who feel stuck, overwhelmed, or inconsistent, and want a realistic way to begin studying that actually works in real life. 

🎯 What You’ll Learn in This Episode

1. What the 15-Minute Study Session Is and Why It Works

Dawn explains how a short, intentional study session helps you overcome all-or-nothing thinking and why 15 minutes is the ideal starting point for reducing resistance and actually beginning.

2. Why Studying Less Can Lead to More CPA Exam Progress

You’ll learn why progress doesn’t come from one long study session, but from small commitments done consistently — and how this approach creates real results over time.

3. How Consistency Creates a Powerful Feedback Loop

Dawn walks through how showing up consistently allows you to gather information about focus, confusion, distractions, and progress — information you cannot access if you are not studying.

4. How to Assess Your Study Sessions Without Judgment

This section explains how to take just 1–2 minutes after each session to notice what worked and what didn’t, without self-criticism, so you can study more efficiently moving forward.

5. How to Work With Resistance Instead of Fighting It

You’ll learn why resistance is normal, how to expect it, and how starting with a small, manageable commitment helps you build confidence and strength instead of burning out.

Key Takeaway

The 15-minute study session works because a small commitment done consistently leads to big results. It lowers resistance, builds consistency, creates a feedback loop, and strengthens your ability to show up and study effectively over time.

👉 Click HERE to access the lesson slide deck.

👉 Click HERE to get your FREE Ultimate CPA Exam Success Checklist download and custom GPT.

Thanks for listening to today’s episode of the CPA Exam Success Podcast. The 15-minute study session is a tool you can use at any point in your CPA Exam journey — whether you’re just starting or rebuilding consistency — to stay connected to your progress and move forward with confidence.

👉 Join my Group Coaching Program if you're ready to study with confidence and pass with ease. ($97/month)

💬 Let's Chat on Zoom if you're stuck or overwhelmed and not sure what to do next. (one-time offer- $27 as of February 18, 2026)

🗓️ Join my 30-Day Study Challenge if you are in the start-stop study cycle and want to finally make progress. ($27 as of February 18, 2026)

📲 Join my Free Facebook Group and get real time support in my weekly LIVEs plus early access to my podcast episodes. (Free)

📩 Have a question or want to share your breakthrough? Send me a message—I’d love to hear from you!

🎧 Follow & Leave a Review if you found this episode helpful. Your support helps other CPA Exam candidates find this podcast!

©MIAMI COACH CONNECTION, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Miami Coach Connection, Inc. accepts no liability for the content of this podcast, nor for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided. Individual Results Vary.

The 5 Essential Steps to Assess Your CPA Exam Study Sessions and Make Progress Every Time You Study

Episode Summary

In this episode, Dawn continues her Simple Study System with Part 3: Assessing your CPA Exam study sessions. This step is where effort turns into real progress. Instead of just showing up and hoping things improve, you’ll learn how to pause after each study session and intentionally learn from what you just did.

Dawn walks you through how to Assess your study sessions in a simple, non-judgmental way so you can improve every single time you study. You’ll learn why Assessment is the missing link for so many CPA candidates who are studying regularly but still feel stuck, and how small, intentional adjustments can help you get off the hamster wheel and move forward with confidence.

This episode is designed for CPA candidates who want their study time to actually pay off — without overhauling their entire plan or questioning their ability.

🎯 What You’ll Learn in This Episode

1. Why Assessment Is Essential for CPA Exam Success

Dawn explains why simply showing up isn’t enough — and how Assessing each study session helps you turn effort into measurable progress instead of repeating the same patterns over and over again.

2. How to Pause and Capture the Value of Each Study Session

You’ll learn why taking just 2–5 minutes at the end of a study session makes such a difference, and how this pause helps you move from “I studied” to “I learned how to study better.”

3. How to Identify What Went Well (Without Ignoring It)

Dawn shows you how to train your brain to notice what’s working so you don’t accidentally throw away progress or start every study session from doubt instead of confidence.

4. How to Spot What Didn’t Work — Without Judgment

This section teaches you how to look honestly at what didn’t give you a return on your time or energy, without slipping into self-criticism, comparison, or “shoulds.”

5. How to Decide What to Do Differently Next Time

You’ll learn how to choose one small, realistic shift to apply in your next study session, adjust your plan immediately, and walk into your next session with clarity instead of confusion.

Key Takeaway

Assessment isn’t about perfection or fixing yourself — it’s about learning. When you Assess each study session with curiosity and intention, you improve every time you study and build a CPA Exam study system that actually works for you.

👉 Click HERE to access the lesson slide deck.

👉 Click HERE to get your FREE Ultimate CPA Exam Success Checklist download and custom GPT.

Thanks for listening to Part 3 of The Simple Study System. This is the same process you’ll repeat for every section of the CPA Exam — Scheduling, Tracking, Assessing, and Rewarding (Part 4 coming soon) — as you continue building confidence, consistency, and momentum toward your CPA Exam Success.

👉 Join my Group Coaching Program if you're ready to study with confidence and pass with ease. ($97/month)

💬 Let's Chat on Zoom if you're stuck or overwhelmed and not sure what to do next. (one-time offer- $27 as of February 18, 2026)

🗓️ Join my 30-Day Study Challenge if you are in the start-stop study cycle and want to finally make progress. ($27 as of February 18, 2026)

📲 Join my Free Facebook Group and get real time support in my weekly LIVEs plus early access to my podcast episodes. (Free)

📩 Have a question or want to share your breakthrough? Send me a message—I’d love to hear from you!

🎧 Follow & Leave a Review if you found this episode helpful. Your support helps other CPA Exam candidates find this podcast!

©MIAMI COACH CONNECTION, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Miami Coach Connection, Inc. accepts no liability for the content of this podcast, nor for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided. Individual Results Vary.

The Mindset and Consistency Shifts That Helped Her Succeed on the CPA Exam and Beyond

Episode Summary

In this episode, Dawn is joined by Katherine Colig, United States of America’s Miss Texas 2026 and a licensed CPA in Texas. Katherine shares her CPA Exam Success journey, starting with the moment she decided to pursue the CPA and what happened once she became eligible to sit for the exam.

Katherine explains that once she met the eligibility requirements, she “psyched [herself] out at the beginning,” saying she “got in [her] own way” because she knew “just how challenging the exam was.” She shares that it “instilled a little bit of fear… to even start studying,” and that she struggled with that fear for several months.

She describes sitting with her CPA Exam book for “probably six, seven months,” opening it, getting intimidated by the material, immediately closing it, and “pretend[ing] I didn’t even see it.”

Katherine talks about being a “recovering perfectionist” and says the biggest challenge in her CPA Exam journey was “you getting in your own way.” She shares how she learned to “be comfortable with being uncomfortable” and how that mindset helped her push through difficult material instead of avoiding it.

She also opens up about failing FAR with a 73, calling it “gut-wrenching,” saying she was “two points away” and remembers thinking, “I can’t do this,” before deciding to buckle down and try again because she was “so close.”

Throughout the conversation, Katherine shares how studying for the CPA Exam taught her how to handle doubt, failure, and discomfort — lessons she now uses in her career and in pageantry.

🎯 What You’ll Hear Katherine Share in This Episode

1. One of the biggest things Katherine shares is that the hardest part of the CPA Exam wasn’t always the material — it was what was happening in her own head. She says plainly that “the biggest thing in the CPA journey is you getting in your own way,” and describes how fear and self-doubt made starting feel harder than it needed to be.
2. She talks openly about being a “recovering perfectionist” and how being her own biggest critic slowed her down early on. Knowing how challenging the exam was didn’t motivate her at first — instead, she says it “instilled a little bit of fear” and kept her from even opening her study materials for months.
3. A turning point for her was learning to “be comfortable with being uncomfortable.” She explains this through a fitness analogy: lifting heavier weights feels uncomfortable at first, but that discomfort is how strength is built. She connects this directly to studying — when she stopped avoiding topics she didn’t understand and stayed with them longer, things started to click.
4. She describes moments where she “couldn’t get the concept to save [her] life,” but noticed that the more she threw herself into the material, the more she actually began to understand it. Instead of backing away from what felt hard, she learned to lean into it.
5. That mindset was tested when she failed FAR with a 73. Katherine describes the feeling as gut-wrenching — being two points away made her think, “I can’t do this.” At the same time, she recognized how close she was and decided to buckle down and try again.
6. Another shift came when she heard advice that helped take pressure off FAR: you need to know the material, but you need to know a little bit about a lot. That idea changed how she approached studying and helped her stop chasing perfect understanding of everything.
7. Katherine also shares that she failed every section at least once except BEC. Realizing that failure was common — not a personal flaw — helped her stop personalizing each setback.
8. She talks about “comparisonitis” as well: watching classmates finish faster, thinking she couldn’t keep up, and later realizing she never really knew what their journeys looked like behind the scenes.
9. Throughout it all, she kept coming back to one simple phrase: “yes, you can.” She explains that it wasn’t about forcing confidence — it was about getting herself to do one more page, prep one more week, or simply pick the book back up when she wanted to stop.

Key Takeaways (in Katherine’s Words)

“Once you achieve it, you just feel like you can accomplish anything.”

And: “It’s not so much, are you the smartest to pass — it’s how dedicated are you to studying and finding the ways that work for you.”

Resource Mentioned

SuperfastCPA Podcast

Guest Info

Katherine Colig, CPA and United States of America’s Miss Texas 2026

Instagram Personal: @katherine.victoria_

Instagram USOA Miss Texas: @usoamisstexas

👉 Join my Group Coaching Program if you're ready to study with confidence and pass with ease. ($97/month)

💬 Let's Chat on Zoom if you're stuck or overwhelmed and not sure what to do next. (one-time offer- $27 as of February 18, 2026)

🗓️ Join my 30-Day Study Challenge if you are in the start-stop study cycle and want to finally make progress. ($27 as of February 18, 2026)

📲 Join my Free Facebook Group and get real time support in my weekly LIVEs plus early access to my podcast episodes. (Free)

📩 Have a question or want to share your breakthrough? Send me a message—I’d love to hear from you!

🎧 Follow & Leave a Review if you found this episode helpful. Your support helps other CPA Exam candidates find this podcast!

©MIAMI COACH CONNECTION, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Miami Coach Connection, Inc. accepts no liability for the content of this podcast, nor for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided. Individual Results Vary.

The 5 Essential Steps to Track Your CPA Exam Study Time and Build Real Consistency

Episode Summary

In this episode, Dawn continues Part 2 of her Simple Study System with a focused look at tracking — and why tracking your actual study time is one of the most powerful tools for building consistency, confidence, and momentum on the CPA Exam.

Instead of relying on guesses or judging yourself based on how long you planned to study, this lesson shows you how to track what actually happens when you sit down to study. Dawn explains why tracking creates awareness first, and how that awareness leads to better decisions, less frustration, and more effective study sessions.

This episode is designed for CPA candidates who want to study consistently but keep feeling distracted, discouraged, or unsure if what they’re doing is actually working. Tracking gives you the clarity to stop fighting yourself and start working with how your brain really functions.

🎯 What You’ll Learn in This Episode

1. Why Tracking Matters for CPA Exam Success

Dawn explains why accountants don’t guess — and why your study time shouldn’t be any different. Tracking shows you what’s actually happening, not what you think is happening, so you can make decisions based on facts instead of frustration.

2. How to Track Your Actual Study Time

You’ll learn how to use a simple timer to track only focused study time, when to start and stop the clock, and why distractions don’t count — without turning tracking into a source of pressure or judgment.

3. What Study Stamina Is and How to Work With It

Dawn introduces the concept of study stamina and explains how long your brain can realistically focus before needing a break. You’ll learn why starting with what’s real, not ideal, leads to more consistency and better results.

4. How to Track Without Judgment or Self-Criticism

This section focuses on using tracking as neutral information. Dawn explains how curiosity replaces criticism, why trial and error is part of the process, and how awareness always comes before improvement.

5. How to Use Tracking Data to Make Better Study Decisions

You’ll learn how to adjust your study plan based on real data — not guilt or “shoulds.” Dawn explains how working with your natural focus patterns helps prevent burnout, reduce overwhelm, and build a study system that actually works for you.

Key Takeaway

Tracking isn’t about perfection or discipline — it’s about awareness. When you track your study time without judgment, you stop wasting energy fighting yourself and start building a study system that supports consistent progress all the way to the CPA Exam finish line.

👉 Click HERE to access the lesson slide deck.

👉 Click HERE for the link to purchase the Activity Tracker Dawn uses and recommends. (This is NOT an affiliate link. Any timer/activity tracker will work.)

👉 Click HERE to get your FREE Ultimate CPA Exam Success Checklist download and custom GPT.

Thanks for listening to Part 2 of The Simple Study System. This is the same system you’ll repeat for every section of the CPA Exam as you continue building confidence, consistency, and momentum toward your final passing score.

👉 Join my Group Coaching Program if you're ready to study with confidence and pass with ease. ($97/month)

💬 Let's Chat on Zoom if you're stuck or overwhelmed and not sure what to do next. (one-time offer- $27 as of February 18, 2026)

🗓️ Join my 30-Day Study Challenge if you are in the start-stop study cycle and want to finally make progress. ($27 as of February 18, 2026)

📲 Join my Free Facebook Group and get real time support in my weekly LIVEs plus early access to my podcast episodes. (Free)

📩 Have a question or want to share your breakthrough? Send me a message—I’d love to hear from you!

🎧 Follow & Leave a Review if you found this episode helpful. Your support helps other CPA Exam candidates find this podcast!

©MIAMI COACH CONNECTION, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Miami Coach Connection, Inc. accepts no liability for the content of this podcast, nor for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided. Individual Results Vary.

Episode Summary

In this episode, Dawn walks you through how to plan your 2026 CPA Exam Success by learning directly from your 2025 experience.

Instead of starting over with another “perfect” plan, this episode shows you how to keep what helped, change what didn’t, and build a study plan that actually fits real life. You’ll learn how to break the start–stop cycle by planning with clarity instead of pressure.

This lesson is especially for candidates who have high goals but keep getting pulled off track by work, family, fatigue, or unexpected disruptions.

By the end of the episode, you’ll have a clear process for turning what happened in 2025 into a realistic, sustainable plan for 2026.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• Why planning for the result without planning for real life leads to repeated setbacks

• How to review your 2025 CPA Exam experience without judgment

• What to keep and what to release from last year

• How to define success for 2026 in a way that feels realistic and motivating

• How to build a study plan that works during normal weeks and fluctuating weeks

• How to create a continuation strategy so life interruptions don’t cause you to stop

• Why smaller, sustainable plans lead to more consistent follow-through

The 5-Step Planning Process Covered

1. Review what actually happened in 2025
2. Identify what helped and what got in the way
3. Set a clear and realistic 2026 goal
4. Build a study plan that matches real life
5. Create a strategy for life’s fluctuations and distractions

Action Step

Set aside one hour this week to work through the five steps covered in this episode. You can do them all at once or break them into smaller sessions. The goal is not speed — the goal is clarity.

Click HERE to download the Workbook.

Click HERE to download the Lesson Slides

Recommended Episodes

For additional support with planning and follow-through, listen to:

• Episode 2 of the CPA Exam Success Podcast: Planning

• Episode 12 of the CPA Exam Success Podcast: Your CPA Exam Passing System – A Real Plan for Real Life

These episodes will help reinforce how to build a plan that fits your life and how to stay engaged when distractions show up.

Click HERE to join my CPA Exam Confident! 30 in 30 Challenge.

👉 Join my Group Coaching Program if you're ready to study with confidence and pass with ease. ($97/month)

💬 Let's Chat on Zoom if you're stuck or overwhelmed and not sure what to do next. (one-time offer- $27 as of February 18, 2026)

🗓️ Join my 30-Day Study Challenge if you are in the start-stop study cycle and want to finally make progress. ($27 as of February 18, 2026)

📲 Join my Free Facebook Group and get real time support in my weekly LIVEs plus early access to my podcast episodes. (Free)

📩 Have a question or want to share your breakthrough? Send me a message—I’d love to hear from you!

🎧 Follow & Leave a Review if you found this episode helpful. Your support helps other CPA Exam candidates find this podcast!

©MIAMI COACH CONNECTION, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Miami Coach Connection, Inc. accepts no liability for the content of this podcast, nor for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided. Individual Results Vary.

The 5 Essential Steps to Create a Weekly CPA Exam Study Schedule That Actually Works

Episode Summary

In this episode, Dawn kicks off Part 1 of her Simple Study System with a deep dive into scheduling. Instead of vague advice or overly complicated plans, she walks you step by step through a simple, repeatable process you can complete in just 15 minutes each week.

This episode is designed to help you create a study schedule that fits into your real life. Dawn explains how CPA exam preparation doesn’t happen in a vacuum, and why looking at your entire week is the key to staying consistent without burnout.

You’ll learn how to decide on your weekly study sessions, account for work, family, and personal responsibilities, and intentionally schedule your time so studying stops feeling overwhelming and starts feeling doable.

🎯 What You’ll Learn in This Episode

1. How to Plan Your Weekly Study Schedule in 15 Minutes

Dawn explains how to set aside just 15 minutes each week to plan your study sessions, then rinse and repeat. This approach removes daily decision fatigue and gives you clarity for the entire week.

2. How to Decide on Study Sessions Before Scheduling Them

You’ll learn how to choose the number of study hours for the week, break them into realistic study sessions, and list them before placing anything on your calendar.

3. How to Account for Your Whole Life (Not Just Studying)

Dawn walks you through listing all weekly tasks and activities including work, family responsibilities, self-care, meals, and sleep, then prioritizing them so studying fits into your actual schedule.

4. The Difference Between Fixed, Flexible, and Free Time

You’ll learn how to:

• Identify fixed time that must happen at specific times

• Schedule flexible time for priorities that need consistency but not rigidity

• Protect free time so your schedule doesn’t get overtaken by other people’s urgencies

5. How to Create a Trial Schedule and Adjust It Over Time

Dawn explains why scheduling is a process of trial and error and how, after a few weeks of testing and adjusting, you’ll land on a schedule that supports consistent studying and long-term CPA Exam Success.

Key Takeaway

You are the guardian of your time. When you intentionally schedule fixed time, flexible time, and free time, you stop reacting to your week and start leading it. This process helps you build consistency without sacrificing the rest of your life.

👉 Click HERE to access the lesson slide deck.

👉 Click HERE for your FREE 🎁: Custom GPT Scheduler that walks you through this entire process step-by-step.

👉 Click HERE to get your FREE Ultimate CPA Exam Success Checklist download and custom GPT.

Thanks for listening to Part 1 of The Simple Study System. In upcoming episodes, Dawn will continue breaking down her Simple Study System so you know exactly how to Track, Assess, and Reward your progress all the way to the CPA Exam finish line 🏁.

👉 Join my Group Coaching Program if you're ready to study with confidence and pass with ease. ($97/month)

💬 Let's Chat on Zoom if you're stuck or overwhelmed and not sure what to do next. (one-time offer- $27 as of February 18, 2026)

🗓️ Join my 30-Day Study Challenge if you are in the start-stop study cycle and want to finally make progress. ($27 as of February 18, 2026)

📲 Join my Free Facebook Group and get real time support in my weekly LIVEs plus early access to my podcast episodes. (Free)

📩 Have a question or want to share your breakthrough? Send me a message—I’d love to hear from you!

🎧 Follow & Leave a Review if you found this episode helpful. Your support helps other CPA Exam candidates find this podcast!

©MIAMI COACH CONNECTION, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Miami Coach Connection, Inc. accepts no liability for the content of this podcast, nor for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided. Individual Results Vary.

So many CPA candidates tell me they “just can’t find the time,” and I hear this more often than any other challenge. The truth is: it’s rarely about discipline. It’s usually about having a plan that matches your real life — and most people don’t.

In this episode, we explore a simple, compassionate approach to understanding where your time is actually going. Not with restriction or pressure, but with curiosity. Once you become aware of how your day is truly unfolding, pockets of time begin to reveal themselves — often without changing anything in your life.

We also talk about the different ways people relate to time: the time optimist, the time pessimist, and the time realist. Seeing yourself in one of these patterns can help you create a schedule that supports you instead of stressing you.

If you’ve been feeling behind, overwhelmed, or unsure how to fit studying into an already full schedule, this episode will help you see your time in a new, more empowering way. A few small adjustments can make consistency so much easier.

Quick reflection: What’s one small window of time you’re ready to reclaim for something that truly matters to you?

Tune in to Episode 17 to learn how to uncover the time you already have — and use it with more clarity, confidence, and ease.

👉 Join my Group Coaching Program if you're ready to study with confidence and pass with ease. ($97/month)

💬 Let's Chat on Zoom if you're stuck or overwhelmed and not sure what to do next. (one-time offer- $27 as of February 18, 2026)

🗓️ Join my 30-Day Study Challenge if you are in the start-stop study cycle and want to finally make progress. ($27 as of February 18, 2026)

📲 Join my Free Facebook Group and get real time support in my weekly LIVEs plus early access to my podcast episodes. (Free)

📩 Have a question or want to share your breakthrough? Send me a message—I’d love to hear from you!

🎧 Follow & Leave a Review if you found this episode helpful. Your support helps other CPA Exam candidates find this podcast!

©MIAMI COACH CONNECTION, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Miami Coach Connection, Inc. accepts no liability for the content of this podcast, nor for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided. Individual Results Vary.

The holiday season can leave many CPA Exam candidates feeling stretched thin. End-of-year deadlines, family commitments, travel, and social plans all collide with your study goals—and it’s easy to feel like you have to choose one or the other.

But you don’t have to. You can enjoy the holidays and make meaningful progress toward your CPA Exam Success with clarity, intention, and ease.

In this episode, I walk you through five simple ways to study without stress and still enjoy the season—so you can stop second-guessing yourself and start following through in a way that supports your life and your goals.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

🎯 How to define a realistic year-end goal using duration—not completion

📅 How to schedule your study time so it supports both progress and celebration

🪷 How to set up a study space that feels calm, clear, and easy to return to

🎁 Why mini rewards help you stay consistent without added pressure

🛡️ How boundaries protect your energy, your time, and your commitments

You’ll also hear real stories from candidates navigating this season—like the client who found a test date that gave her both the review time she wanted and the family time she valued simply by looking at her calendar with intention.

And we finish with three gentle reminders:

⚖️ Support your energy in ways that keep you steady

✨ Let small, consistent steps work in your favor

🏁 Stay connected to the bigger goal you’re moving toward

If you want extra support, CLICK HERE to download the holiday planning worksheet that helps you map out your year-end study plan and keep your next steps visible.

If you’re listening during Consult Week, CLICK HERE to book your 15-minute strategy chat. If you’re listening later, use the same link to check availability.

🎧 Listen now and learn how to move through this season with clarity, consistency, and confidence—so you can enjoy what matters most to you and stay connected to your CPA Exam Success.

👉 Join my Group Coaching Program if you're ready to study with confidence and pass with ease. ($97/month)

💬 Let's Chat on Zoom if you're stuck or overwhelmed and not sure what to do next. (one-time offer- $27 as of February 18, 2026)

🗓️ Join my 30-Day Study Challenge if you are in the start-stop study cycle and want to finally make progress. ($27 as of February 18, 2026)

📲 Join my Free Facebook Group and get real time support in my weekly LIVEs plus early access to my podcast episodes. (Free)

📩 Have a question or want to share your breakthrough? Send me a message—I’d love to hear from you!

🎧 Follow & Leave a Review if you found this episode helpful. Your support helps other CPA Exam candidates find this podcast!

©MIAMI COACH CONNECTION, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Miami Coach Connection, Inc. accepts no liability for the content of this podcast, nor for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided. Individual Results Vary.

There comes a point in every CPA Exam candidate’s journey when you realize you can’t stay halfway in anymore.

You want to pass—but part of you still doubts it’s possible. That quiet tug-of-war drains your focus, your energy, and your motivation.

Half commitment creates full exhaustion.

It’s not that you can’t pass the CPA Exam—it’s that you haven’t decided how you’ll show up yet.

When you commit fully, everything gets simpler:

✅ Your plan gets clearer

✅ Your schedule feels lighter

✅ Your belief grows stronger

Indecision burns more energy than action ever will.

In this episode, I share the simple but powerful decision that brings relief and clarity: choosing to be all in or all out—with intention. No more back-and-forth. Just one clear answer for today.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

✨ How to reclaim your time and energy with one clean daily decision

✨ What “all in” really looks like—steady, not extreme

✨ How willingness—not perfect belief—keeps you moving forward

✨ How to use my CPA Exam Success Formula to create structure you can trust

✨ How the STAR Framework (Schedule, Track, Assess, Reward) becomes your built-in feedback loop for progress

I also share real client stories that show how clarity changes everything—how one decision to stop debating and start deciding became the turning point in their CPA Exam preparation.

Whether your answer today is all in or all out, my hope is that you walk away with permission to choose clearly, rest fully, and come back focused.

🎧 Listen now to discover how clarity—not pressure—moves you toward your CPA Exam Success, one intentional decision at a time.

👉 Join my Group Coaching Program if you're ready to study with confidence and pass with ease. ($97/month)

💬 Let's Chat on Zoom if you're stuck or overwhelmed and not sure what to do next. (one-time offer- $27 as of February 18, 2026)

🗓️ Join my 30-Day Study Challenge if you are in the start-stop study cycle and want to finally make progress. ($27 as of February 18, 2026)

📲 Join my Free Facebook Group and get real time support in my weekly LIVEs plus early access to my podcast episodes. (Free)

📩 Have a question or want to share your breakthrough? Send me a message—I’d love to hear from you!

🎧 Follow & Leave a Review if you found this episode helpful. Your support helps other CPA Exam candidates find this podcast!

©MIAMI COACH CONNECTION, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Miami Coach Connection, Inc. accepts no liability for the content of this podcast, nor for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided. Individual Results Vary.

Episode Summary

In this episode, Dawn walks through the different ways CPA candidates can get support — and how to decide what makes sense for you right now. Many candidates know they need support, but feel unsure about what kind, where to find it, or whether they’re “ready” to ask for help.

Dawn explains that CPA Exam Success does not look the same for everyone. Some candidates need time and space to listen quietly and learn. Others need short-term structure to build consistency. Some want ongoing group guidance, and others know they benefit most from personalized one-on-one support.

This episode is designed to help you understand how Dawn supports CPA candidates, what problem she actually helps solve, and how to choose your next step without pressure, confusion, or second-guessing.

🎯 What You’ll Learn in This Episode

1. What Kind of Support Actually Helps CPA Candidates

Dawn explains why many candidates think they need more help with the material — when what they really need is support with consistency, focus, time management, and mindset.

2. How Dawn Helps (And What She Doesn’t Do)

You’ll learn why Dawn does not teach CPA Exam content, and how her work focuses on study strategies, mindset strategies, and time management so your existing review materials work better for you.

3. Free Support Options Available Right Now

Dawn walks through her free resources, including:

• This CPA Exam Success Podcast
• The Ultimate CPA Exam Success Checklist
• The CPA Exam Confident 5-Day Audio Bootcamp
• The Free private Facebook community

These resources are designed to give you clarity, reassurance, and practical guidance without any pressure to invest.

4. Low-Cost Support to Build Consistency

You’ll learn about the 30-Day Challenge — a short, structured experience designed to help you practice showing up consistently without intensity or perfection, including an optional VIP upgrade for added accountability.

5. Ongoing Group Coaching and Digital Course Support

Dawn explains her CPA Exam Success Mastery Group Coaching and Digital Course, including what’s included, how long you can stay, and who this level of support is best for.

6. High-Touch One-on-One Coaching

For candidates who know they need personalized strategy and accountability, Dawn outlines her VIP one-on-one coaching option and explains who this level of support is designed for.

7. How to Decide What’s Right for You Right Now

You’ll learn simple questions you can ask yourself to identify the next step that fits your current season — without rushing or choosing more support than you need.

Key Takeaway

You don’t need to choose everything all at once. CPA Exam Success comes from choosing the level of support that fits your life right now and allowing that to evolve over time. There is no “right” place to start — only what’s right for you. What would feel the most supportive and doable right now?

If you’re unsure where to begin, start with the free resources and give yourself time to listen, learn, and steady yourself.

If you want help deciding what level of support makes sense, you can also schedule a 15-minute Zoom strategy chat to talk it through.

You don’t have to do this alone — and you don’t have to feel overwhelmed anymore.

👉 Join my Group Coaching Program if you're ready to study with confidence and pass with ease. ($97/month)

💬 Let's Chat on Zoom if you're stuck or overwhelmed and not sure what to do next. (one-time offer- $27 as of February 18, 2026)

🗓️ Join my 30-Day Study Challenge if you are in the start-stop study cycle and want to finally make progress. ($27 as of February 18, 2026)

📲 Join my Free Facebook Group and get real time support in my weekly LIVEs plus early access to my podcast episodes. (Free)

📩 Have a question or want to share your breakthrough? Send me a message—I’d love to hear from you!

🎧 Follow & Leave a Review if you found this episode helpful. Your support helps other CPA Exam candidates find this podcast!

©MIAMI COACH CONNECTION, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Miami Coach Connection, Inc. accepts no liability for the content of this podcast, nor for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided. Individual Results Vary.

Do you ever feel like you’re “behind” in your CPA Exam prep?

That thought alone can keep you stuck in frustration instead of moving forward with clarity.

In this episode, I’ll show you how to let go of the urgency, simplify your approach, and study in a way that’s both effective and sustainable. You’ll discover how to move forward as your Future-CPA-Self—without adding unnecessary stress, struggle, or sacrifice.

Here’s what you’ll learn in Episode 13:

✨ Why consistency always beats rushing (think tortoise > hare)

✨ How to use duration goals to gather honest study data

✨ The power of recalibrating—what worked, what didn’t, and what’s next

✨ Why simplifying to one or two resources saves time and accelerates progress

✨ How to apply the scientific method to your CPA Exam prep: hypothesize → test → analyze → adjust

You’ll also get practical strategies you can use today—like the “first five minutes” approach and designing a realistic study plan that fits your life.

The big shift? Passing the CPA Exam doesn’t require rushing, piling on resources, or sacrificing your life. You can choose clarity, confidence, and ease—and let your system unfold one informed study block at a time.

🎧 Tune in now to reframe how you study and move forward toward your CPA Exam Success with confidence and ease.

👉 Join my Group Coaching Program if you're ready to study with confidence and pass with ease. ($97/month)

💬 Let's Chat on Zoom if you're stuck or overwhelmed and not sure what to do next. (one-time offer- $27 as of February 18, 2026)

🗓️ Join my 30-Day Study Challenge if you are in the start-stop study cycle and want to finally make progress. ($27 as of February 18, 2026)

📲 Join my Free Facebook Group and get real time support in my weekly LIVEs plus early access to my podcast episodes. (Free)

📩 Have a question or want to share your breakthrough? Send me a message—I’d love to hear from you!

🎧 Follow & Leave a Review if you found this episode helpful. Your support helps other CPA Exam candidates find this podcast!

©MIAMI COACH CONNECTION, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Miami Coach Connection, Inc. accepts no liability for the content of this podcast, nor for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided. Individual Results Vary.

Do you ever feel like your study effort isn’t matching your results?

You’ve committed. You’ve planned. You’ve even taken action.

But somehow, the progress just doesn’t add up.

You’re not doing anything wrong. You’re simply ready for something more refined:

👉 Not just a schedule.

👉 Not just another plan.

👉 But a system that works with your life.

In this episode, I’ll walk you through how to use your time, energy, and focus as part of a true CPA Exam Passing System—one that’s realistic, repeatable, and built for real life.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

✨ Why starting with your real time and energy (not the “ideal” version) is the key to lasting consistency

✨ How to see your time as an account, not just a schedule—and use it wisely

✨ Why building a study rhythm matters more than chasing perfect conditions

✨ How the 🌟 STAR Framework (Schedule, Track, Assess, Reward) turns effort into steady progress

✨ The Track → Train → Compound loop that transforms study sessions into sustainable momentum

Resources & Links Mentioned in This Episode:

🔗 The Ultimate CPA Exam Success Checklist

🔗 The 30 in 30 Challenge

🔗 Chat with me to see if 1:1 coaching is the right fit for you

🔗 ATimeLogger app for tracking study sessions (not an affiliate link)

This system isn’t about pushing harder—it’s about studying smarter, building trust in yourself, and creating steady momentum toward your CPA Exam Success.

🎧 Tune in now to learn how to stop starting over and start moving forward with a real plan that fits your life.

👉 Join my Group Coaching Program if you're ready to study with confidence and pass with ease. ($97/month)

💬 Let's Chat on Zoom if you're stuck or overwhelmed and not sure what to do next. (one-time offer- $27 as of February 18, 2026)

🗓️ Join my 30-Day Study Challenge if you are in the start-stop study cycle and want to finally make progress. ($27 as of February 18, 2026)

📲 Join my Free Facebook Group and get real time support in my weekly LIVEs plus early access to my podcast episodes. (Free)

📩 Have a question or want to share your breakthrough? Send me a message—I’d love to hear from you!

🎧 Follow & Leave a Review if you found this episode helpful. Your support helps other CPA Exam candidates find this podcast!

©MIAMI COACH CONNECTION, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Miami Coach Connection, Inc. accepts no liability for the content of this podcast, nor for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided. Individual Results Vary.

⛓️‍💥 Broken Promises = 💔Broken Progress on the CPA Exam

Episode Summary:

If you’ve ever said “I’ll study tonight” and then didn’t—this episode is for you. Most CPA Exam candidates assume the struggle is about time, material, or motivation. But what quietly stalls progress is the erosion of self-trust—the subtle doubt that builds each time you don’t follow through on a promise to yourself.

In this episode, Dawn explains why self-trust—not pressure or guilt—is the steady force that turns intentions into action. You’ll learn how small, repeatable commitments compound into confidence, shift your identity into someone who follows through, and carry you to the CPA Exam finish line.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

✅ Why lack of self-trust—not lack of time—keeps candidates stuck

✅ How small, consistent promises build your “self-trust muscle”

✅ What happens when studying stops being a negotiation and becomes a promise you honor

✅ How identity shifts (from “I procrastinate” to “I follow through”) create lasting momentum

✅ Why self-trust spills over into work, relationships, and well-being

✅ How the STAR Study Framework supports reliable follow-through (Schedule, Track, Assess, Reward)

What Self-Trust Looks Like in Practice:

• Decide on one doable commitment—and keep it (e.g., a short set of MCQs or a focused 30 minutes).
• Align your actions with your word—especially on ordinary days.
• Expect discomfort at first; honor the block you planned anyway.
• Let repeated follow-through build evidence-based confidence.
• Watch the identity shift: from doubt to dependable.

Truth Check + Reflection Prompt:

• What is one small promise you’ll keep with yourself this week?
• Where do you most feel the urge to bargain (“I’ll catch up tomorrow”)?
• How will you apply Schedule, Track, Assess, Reward to reinforce your follow-through?

Mentioned in This Episode:

• 🌟 STAR Study Framework — Schedule study blocks that match your real energy, Track what actually happens (without judgment), Assess what’s working/what needs to shift, Reward yourself for showing up.
• ✅ The Ultimate CPA Exam Success Checklist (Free) — Use it (and Dawn’s custom GPT (Free) that walks you through it) to design your Ideal and Unique Study System with ease.
• 🎯 CPA Exam Confident! 30 in 30 Study Challenge ($27) — for 30 days of supported, consistent study—one study hour at a time—to build self-trust and momentum you can sustain.
• 🤝 15-Minute CPA Exam Success Strategy Chat ($27) — Explore next steps and learn about a special 4-week 1:1 coaching option available to challenge participants.

Final Takeaway:

You don’t need more pressure to move forward—you need self-trust. Keep one small promise today. Repeat it tomorrow. That steady follow-through is what carries you all the way to your CPA Exam Success.

👉 Join my Group Coaching Program if you're ready to study with confidence and pass with ease. ($97/month)

💬 Let's Chat on Zoom if you're stuck or overwhelmed and not sure what to do next. (one-time offer- $27 as of February 18, 2026)

🗓️ Join my 30-Day Study Challenge if you are in the start-stop study cycle and want to finally make progress. ($27 as of February 18, 2026)

📲 Join my Free Facebook Group and get real time support in my weekly LIVEs plus early access to my podcast episodes. (Free)

📩 Have a question or want to share your breakthrough? Send me a message—I’d love to hear from you!

🎧 Follow & Leave a Review if you found this episode helpful. Your support helps other CPA Exam candidates find this podcast!

©MIAMI COACH CONNECTION, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Miami Coach Connection, Inc. accepts no liability for the content of this podcast, nor for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided. Individual Results Vary.

CPA Exam Success Podcast with Dawn Edelstein CPA

Episode Summary:

If studying for the CPA Exam feels like pushing a boulder uphill—you're not alone. And you're not broken. More often than not, the frustration and lack of progress aren’t about intelligence, effort, or even your study plan.

In this episode, Dawn unpacks five clear signs that you’re truly ready to study—not just on paper, but in real life. When these signs are missing, study sessions become inconsistent, overwhelming, and draining. But when they’re present? You gain clarity, momentum, and a calm, repeatable rhythm that actually works.

Whether you're just starting, restarting, or wondering why progress still feels hard—this episode gives you the insight and tools to move forward with confidence.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

✅ Why readiness is an internal shift—not a perfect schedule

✅ What quiet willingness looks like (and why motivation isn’t required)

✅ How to create space for study inside your actual life

✅ Why failure isn’t a setback, but a sign of engagement

✅ How to stop rushing and start building a system that lasts

✅ What to do when your resistance is louder than your reason

The Five Signs You’re Ready to Study for the CPA Exam:

1. You’re willing to put in the time and focus.
2. You’ve considered how studying will—and won’t—impact your life.
3. You’re prepared to fail—if that’s what it takes to figure it out.
4. You’re in it for the long haul—no shortcuts, no panic.
5. Your reason for wanting this is stronger than your resistance.

Truth Check + Reflection Prompt:

At the end of the episode, Dawn invites you to reflect on each readiness sign and check in with honesty.

Which ones earned a yes?

Which ones need strengthening?

👉 Download the free Episode 10 Worksheet to go deeper with personalized prompts and micro-actions for each sign of readiness.

Mentioned in This Episode:

🎯 The 30-Day CPA Exam Confident Challenge

✨ Join Anytime ✨

You’ll get:

– 30 days of focused study support

– A guided email sequence with all of the lesson replays

– Access to the private Facebook group

📚 Margaryta’s CPA Exam Success Story

From three FAR failures to passing the entire CPA Exam—proving that resilience, not perfection, is what carries you to the finish line.

Listen to Episode 7 for her full journey.

Final Takeaway:

Readiness isn’t something you wait for—it’s something you build.

You don’t need perfect conditions to begin.

You need clarity, intention, and one step forward.

This episode helps you find that step—and take it.

👉 Join my Group Coaching Program if you're ready to study with confidence and pass with ease. ($97/month)

💬 Let's Chat on Zoom if you're stuck or overwhelmed and not sure what to do next. (one-time offer- $27 as of February 18, 2026)

🗓️ Join my 30-Day Study Challenge if you are in the start-stop study cycle and want to finally make progress. ($27 as of February 18, 2026)

📲 Join my Free Facebook Group and get real time support in my weekly LIVEs plus early access to my podcast episodes. (Free)

📩 Have a question or want to share your breakthrough? Send me a message—I’d love to hear from you!

🎧 Follow & Leave a Review if you found this episode helpful. Your support helps other CPA Exam candidates find this podcast!

©MIAMI COACH CONNECTION, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Miami Coach Connection, Inc. accepts no liability for the content of this podcast, nor for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided. Individual Results Vary.

Are you stuck chasing a never-ending to-do list—and still not making real progress on the CPA Exam?

In this episode, we unpack the hidden trap of completion goals and why they’re keeping you from the finish line.

If you’re constantly telling yourself, “I just need to get through this…” — this mindset shift is going to change everything.

You’ll learn how to shift your focus to duration-based goals that actually help you stay consistent, reduce burnout, and build the momentum you need to pass with confidence and ease.

💡 In this episode, you’ll discover:

• The #1 mindset keeping smart, capable candidates stuck in the spin cycle
• Why completion goals are sabotaging your study process—even when they feel productive
• The power of duration goals (and how to set them the right way)
• A new approach to progress that builds belief, consistency, and results

Want to start making real progress toward your CPA Exam Success? Download the Ultimate CPA Exam Success Checklist—your go-to guide for setting up a study plan that actually works for you. The Ultimate CPA Exam Success Checklist is a step-by-step guide to structuring your study plan so you can make real progress without unnecessary stress.

Download the Checklist & More Here

Join the Conversation:

I’d love to hear about your study plan! Send me a message and let me know what timeline you’re choosing and how you’re structuring your study sessions. Remember, you’re not in this alone!

Thank you for tuning in! Until next time, keep believing in yourself and in your CPA Exam Success!

👉 Join my Group Coaching Program if you're ready to study with confidence and pass with ease. ($97/month)

💬 Let's Chat on Zoom if you're stuck or overwhelmed and not sure what to do next. (one-time offer- $27 as of February 18, 2026)

🗓️ Join my 30-Day Study Challenge if you are in the start-stop study cycle and want to finally make progress. ($27 as of February 18, 2026)

📲 Join my Free Facebook Group and get real time support in my weekly LIVEs plus early access to my podcast episodes. (Free)

📩 Have a question or want to share your breakthrough? Send me a message—I’d love to hear from you!

🎧 Follow & Leave a Review if you found this episode helpful. Your support helps other CPA Exam candidates find this podcast!

©MIAMI COACH CONNECTION, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Miami Coach Connection, Inc. accepts no liability for the content of this podcast, nor for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided. Individual Results Vary.

You’re not just stuck in your study plan.

You might be stuck in an identity that’s quietly keeping you from making real progress.

In this episode, we go deeper than strategies and schedules to uncover the mindset patterns that shape how you study, how you recover from setbacks—and whether you keep going at all.

This is about more than passing. It’s about who you believe you are in the process.

Here’s what we’ll cover:

✅ The subtle ways your “I can’t” identity shows up in your study habits

✅ Why feeling stuck doesn’t always mean doing nothing

✅ The truth about failure—and why it’s not a verdict

✅ How to close the mental CPA Exam tab that’s draining your energy

✅ The Reset Rhythm: Awareness, Boundaries, Reset

✅ How to shift into the “I can” identity—with grounded confidence, not pressure

🎧 Whether you're starting over or starting fresh, this episode will help you reset with clarity, confidence, and a mindset that moves you forward.

🔗 Ready to stop second-guessing and start making real progress?

👉 Join my Group Coaching Program

👉 Join my Group Coaching Program if you're ready to study with confidence and pass with ease. ($97/month)

💬 Let's Chat on Zoom if you're stuck or overwhelmed and not sure what to do next. (one-time offer- $27 as of February 18, 2026)

🗓️ Join my 30-Day Study Challenge if you are in the start-stop study cycle and want to finally make progress. ($27 as of February 18, 2026)

📲 Join my Free Facebook Group and get real time support in my weekly LIVEs plus early access to my podcast episodes. (Free)

📩 Have a question or want to share your breakthrough? Send me a message—I’d love to hear from you!

🎧 Follow & Leave a Review if you found this episode helpful. Your support helps other CPA Exam candidates find this podcast!

©MIAMI COACH CONNECTION, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Miami Coach Connection, Inc. accepts no liability for the content of this podcast, nor for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided. Individual Results Vary.

In this inspiring episode, I sit down with Margaryta, who shares how she went from self-doubt and burnout to passing all four CPA exam sections—without putting her life on hold.

She failed FAR multiple times and believed she wasn’t smart enough to pass. But instead of giving up, she learned to study in a way that supported her—not drained her.

We talk about the exact shifts that made all the difference, including how she tracked her time, protected her energy, set real boundaries, and totally reframed her mindset on exam day.

You’ll hear how she went from:

• Studying in her car at lunch and feeling like a failure

• To taking walks, going on vacation, and showing up calm and confident on exam day

In this episode, you’ll learn:

✨ How to track your time and study more efficiently

✨ Why rest and boundaries are not a luxury—they’re a strategy

✨ What mindset Margaryta used to walk into the exam to yield an 81 score

✨ How to rinse and repeat your ideal and unique study system

If you’ve ever felt like this exam demands your entire life, Margaryta’s story is the proof you need:

You can pass—and feel good doing it!

👉 Join my Group Coaching Program if you're ready to study with confidence and pass with ease. ($97/month)

💬 Let's Chat on Zoom if you're stuck or overwhelmed and not sure what to do next. (one-time offer- $27 as of February 18, 2026)

🗓️ Join my 30-Day Study Challenge if you are in the start-stop study cycle and want to finally make progress. ($27 as of February 18, 2026)

📲 Join my Free Facebook Group and get real time support in my weekly LIVEs plus early access to my podcast episodes. (Free)

📩 Have a question or want to share your breakthrough? Send me a message—I’d love to hear from you!

🎧 Follow & Leave a Review if you found this episode helpful. Your support helps other CPA Exam candidates find this podcast!

©MIAMI COACH CONNECTION, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Miami Coach Connection, Inc. accepts no liability for the content of this podcast, nor for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided. Individual Results Vary.

If you’ve ever wondered why the CPA Exam feels so overwhelming—even when you’re “doing all the right things”—this episode is for you.

I’m sharing the five mistakes I see CPA Exam candidates make again and again (because I made them too). These aren’t just study missteps—they’re mindset and strategy errors that can quietly stall your progress and drain your motivation.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

✅ Why thinking too big can keep you stuck—and what to do instead

✅ How independence can backfire when it turns into isolation

✅ The subtle (but dangerous) mistake of sacrificing your well-being

✅ How comparison chips away at your confidence—and how to rebuild it

✅ The truth about failure (and how to stop fearing it before it happens)

Whether you’re just starting or stuck in the messy middle, this episode will help you pause, reflect, and reset—so you can move forward with clarity, calm, and confidence.

🔗 Ready to stop second-guessing and start making real progress?

👉 Join my Group Coaching Program

👉 Join my Group Coaching Program if you're ready to study with confidence and pass with ease. ($97/month)

💬 Let's Chat on Zoom if you're stuck or overwhelmed and not sure what to do next. (one-time offer- $27 as of February 18, 2026)

🗓️ Join my 30-Day Study Challenge if you are in the start-stop study cycle and want to finally make progress. ($27 as of February 18, 2026)

📲 Join my Free Facebook Group and get real time support in my weekly LIVEs plus early access to my podcast episodes. (Free)

📩 Have a question or want to share your breakthrough? Send me a message—I’d love to hear from you!

🎧 Follow & Leave a Review if you found this episode helpful. Your support helps other CPA Exam candidates find this podcast!

©MIAMI COACH CONNECTION, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Miami Coach Connection, Inc. accepts no liability for the content of this podcast, nor for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided. Individual Results Vary.

Episode Summary:

Welcome to Episode 5 of the CPA Exam Success Podcast!

Today, we’re talking about something every Future CPA experiences at some point: Self-Doubt. If you’ve ever found yourself wondering if you’re really cut out for this, or felt the weight of past failures creeping into your thoughts, this episode is for you.

You’ll learn why self-doubt isn’t a stop sign — and why it’s actually a normal part of your CPA Exam Success journey. Most importantly, you’ll discover practical strategies to build belief step-by-step, even when your confidence feels shaky.

Remember: You don’t need 100% belief today. You just need enough to take your next step.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

✅ Why self-doubt shows up when you're doing something important—and why that’s actually a good sign.

✅ How to reframe self-doubt so it stops holding you back.

✅ Why belief is like a muscle — and how to strengthen it over time.

✅ The role of small wins in building lasting confidence.

✅ How accountability and support can accelerate your CPA Exam Success.

✅ A simple, actionable exercise to start redirecting your self-doubt today.

Ask Yourself:

✨ What thoughts have been quietly holding you back from moving forward?

✨ If you believed you were capable of passing, how would you study differently?

✨ Who could you invite into your support system to make this process easier and lighter?

Your Next Step:

🔥 Choose one self-doubt thought you’ve been carrying.

Write it down — and then choose a new thought that feels just a little bit stronger.

Small shifts create big momentum toward your CPA Exam Success.

👉 Join my Group Coaching Program if you're ready to study with confidence and pass with ease. ($97/month)

💬 Let's Chat on Zoom if you're stuck or overwhelmed and not sure what to do next. (one-time offer- $27 as of February 18, 2026)

🗓️ Join my 30-Day Study Challenge if you are in the start-stop study cycle and want to finally make progress. ($27 as of February 18, 2026)

📲 Join my Free Facebook Group and get real time support in my weekly LIVEs plus early access to my podcast episodes. (Free)

📩 Have a question or want to share your breakthrough? Send me a message—I’d love to hear from you!

🎧 Follow & Leave a Review if you found this episode helpful. Your support helps other CPA Exam candidates find this podcast!

©MIAMI COACH CONNECTION, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Miami Coach Connection, Inc. accepts no liability for the content of this podcast, nor for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided. Individual Results Vary.

Today, we’re diving into one of the biggest challenges CPA candidates face: staying productive without burning out. If you’ve ever felt like you’re juggling work, family, life, and CPA Exam prep—and you’re constantly running on empty—this episode is for you.

I’m sharing the exact strategies that helped me and my coaching clients stay grounded, focused, and consistent… even during the busiest seasons of life. And trust me, burnout doesn’t have to be part of the CPA Exam journey.

Most importantly, I walk you through my STAR Framework—a simple system to help you study with intention, track your progress, and make space for rest and reward.

And today, we’re breaking down all five burnout-proof strategies.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

✅ Why being busy doesn’t have to mean being burned out

✅ The STAR Framework for sustainable studying:

• Schedule: Plan study time based on your energy, not just your availability
• Track: Get honest about how much time you're actually studying
• Assess: Reflect on what’s working and adjust as needed
• Reward: Celebrate your effort so studying becomes sustainable

✅ How to protect your non-negotiables so you don’t lose yourself in the process

✅ How your thoughts might be fueling burnout more than your schedule

✅ The 5 burnout traps and how to avoid them: victim thinking, physical neglect, perfectionism, isolation, and reactive living

Ask Yourself:

✨ What are my true non-negotiables—and am I protecting them?

✨ Where can I build in flexibility and support, instead of pressure and perfection?

✨ What thoughts are fueling my stress—and what new thoughts could ground me instead?

Your Next Step:

🔥 Download the Busy Without Burnout Checklist and pick one small step from each strategy to implement this week. Consistency—not perfection—is what moves you forward.

Remember:

You can stay busy, pursue your goals, and still feel good. Burnout isn’t a badge of honor. You deserve a CPA Exam journey that’s sustainable, empowering, and aligned with a life you love.

Until next time, keep believing in yourself and your CPA Exam Success! 💪✨

👉 Join my Group Coaching Program if you're ready to study with confidence and pass with ease. ($97/month)

💬 Let's Chat on Zoom if you're stuck or overwhelmed and not sure what to do next. (one-time offer- $27 as of February 18, 2026)

🗓️ Join my 30-Day Study Challenge if you are in the start-stop study cycle and want to finally make progress. ($27 as of February 18, 2026)

📲 Join my Free Facebook Group and get real time support in my weekly LIVEs plus early access to my podcast episodes. (Free)

📩 Have a question or want to share your breakthrough? Send me a message—I’d love to hear from you!

🎧 Follow & Leave a Review if you found this episode helpful. Your support helps other CPA Exam candidates find this podcast!

©MIAMI COACH CONNECTION, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Miami Coach Connection, Inc. accepts no liability for the content of this podcast, nor for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided. Individual Results Vary.

Today, we’re diving into the third pillar of the CPA Exam Success Formula: Action—the piece that transforms your plan into real, measurable progress. If you’ve ever felt stuck in planning mode, overwhelmed by where to start, or frustrated that you’re not making the progress you want, this episode is for you.

I’m breaking down why taking consistent, imperfect action is the key to momentum, confidence, and ultimately, CPA Exam Success. You’ll learn how to overcome resistance and how to move forward—even when you don’t feel ready.

Most importantly, I’ll show you how to get into the feedback loop that helps you refine your study system and keep improving week after week. This is where the magic happens.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

✅ Why resistance is normal—and what to do when it shows up.

✅ How to stop overthinking and start building real momentum.

✅ The value of imperfect action—and how showing up today creates confidence tomorrow.

✅ How to develop your unique study system by doing, not just planning.

✅ The 4-part STAR Framework and how it helps you study intentionally and effectively.

✅ Find Your Study Success Sweet Spot- Identify your IDEAL STUDY SYSTEM

Ask Yourself:

✨ What’s one small action I can take today to move toward my CPA Exam Success?

✨ Am I waiting to feel ready—or am I willing to act now and figure it out as I go?

✨ If I knew my efforts were adding up—even when I can’t see it—how would I show up differently?

Your Next Step:

🔥 Take 5 minutes to schedule one study session this week. That’s it. One session. One block of time you will actually show up to. Action creates clarity. Action creates confidence.

Remember:

Even if it doesn’t look like it’s working right away, something is happening every time you show up. Stay consistent. Keep taking action. Because success doesn’t come from perfect plans—it comes from persistence.

You can pass the CPA Exam. And I’m here to help you do it—step by step, study session by study session.

Until next time, keep believing in yourself and your CPA Exam Success!

👉 Join my Group Coaching Program if you're ready to study with confidence and pass with ease. ($97/month)

💬 Let's Chat on Zoom if you're stuck or overwhelmed and not sure what to do next. (one-time offer- $27 as of February 18, 2026)

🗓️ Join my 30-Day Study Challenge if you are in the start-stop study cycle and want to finally make progress. ($27 as of February 18, 2026)

📲 Join my Free Facebook Group and get real time support in my weekly LIVEs plus early access to my podcast episodes. (Free)

📩 Have a question or want to share your breakthrough? Send me a message—I’d love to hear from you!

🎧 Follow & Leave a Review if you found this episode helpful. Your support helps other CPA Exam candidates find this podcast!

©MIAMI COACH CONNECTION, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Miami Coach Connection, Inc. accepts no liability for the content of this podcast, nor for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided. Individual Results Vary.

Welcome back to the CPA Exam Success Podcast! In today's episode, we’re diving into why planning—not motivation, not luck, and not endless hours of study—is the real key to CPA Exam success.

Many CPA candidates believe they need to work harder, push through exhaustion, and sacrifice everything to pass the exam. But success doesn’t require burnout—it requires strategy and a plan that actually works. But without a solid plan, even the most determined effort can feel frustrating and ineffective.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• How to choose a study timeline that works for YOU—whether you’re on a 3-month, 6-month, 9-month, or 12-month track.

• Why a weekly study plan is the key to making consistent progress without burnout.

• How to find your Study Success Sweet Spot—so that studying fits into your life, rather than taking over your life.

A study plan isn’t just about scheduling—it’s about making every study session count. You don’t have to overhaul your entire life to pass the CPA Exam; you just need a realistic and sustainable plan. Planning is not a one-time event. It’s an ongoing process of reflection and refinement. Your plan should work for you, not the other way around.

Want to start making real progress toward your CPA Exam Success? Download the Ultimate CPA Exam Success Checklist—your go-to guide for setting up a study plan that actually works for you. The Ultimate CPA Exam Success Checklist is a step-by-step guide to structuring your study plan so you can make real progress without unnecessary stress.

Download the Checklist & More Here

Join the Conversation:

I’d love to hear about your study plan! Send me a message and let me know what timeline you’re choosing and how you’re structuring your study sessions. Remember, you’re not in this alone!

Thank you for tuning in! Until next time, keep believing in yourself and in your CPA Exam Success!

👉 Join my Group Coaching Program if you're ready to study with confidence and pass with ease. ($97/month)

💬 Let's Chat on Zoom if you're stuck or overwhelmed and not sure what to do next. (one-time offer- $27 as of February 18, 2026)

🗓️ Join my 30-Day Study Challenge if you are in the start-stop study cycle and want to finally make progress. ($27 as of February 18, 2026)

📲 Join my Free Facebook Group and get real time support in my weekly LIVEs plus early access to my podcast episodes. (Free)

📩 Have a question or want to share your breakthrough? Send me a message—I’d love to hear from you!

🎧 Follow & Leave a Review if you found this episode helpful. Your support helps other CPA Exam candidates find this podcast!

©MIAMI COACH CONNECTION, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Miami Coach Connection, Inc. accepts no liability for the content of this podcast, nor for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided. Individual Results Vary.

I’ll walk you through how I went from an overwhelmed high school French teacher with no accounting background to earning my CPA. You’ll learn how one conversation changed my mindset, reignited my belief, and helped me fully commit to passing the CPA Exam—without stress, struggle, or sacrifice.

Most importantly, I introduce the CPA Exam Success Formula:  

Commitment + Planning + Action = CPA Exam Success.

And today, we’re breaking down the first pillar: Commitment.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

✅ Why mindset—not intelligence or study habits—is the real key to passing the CPA Exam.  

✅ The three parts of Commitment:  

   - Desire: Connecting with your “why” and understanding what the CPA means for your life and career.  

   - Belief: Building confidence in yourself and shifting your inner dialogue from "I can't" to "I can."  

   - Willingness: Taking consistent, strategic action without burnout.  

✅ How failure isn’t the opposite of success—it’s part of the process.  

✅ The exact steps I took to go from multiple failed attempts to passing all four sections.  

✅ How to start building your Ideal and Unique Study System—a plan that actually fits your life.

Ask Yourself:

✨ If success was guaranteed, how would you approach your CPA Exam studies differently?  

✨ Are you holding yourself back with doubt and fear?  

✨ What small step can you take today to shift your mindset and move forward?  

Your Next Step:

🔥 Take action today! Whether it’s reflecting on your why, creating a plan, or simply telling yourself, “I can.” Small steps lead to big results.

Remember:  

You don’t have to sacrifice your well-being to pass the CPA Exam. You can do this—and I’m here to guide you every step of the way.

Until next time, keep believing in yourself and your CPA Exam Success! 💪✨

👉 Join my Group Coaching Program if you're ready to study with confidence and pass with ease. ($97/month)

💬 Let's Chat on Zoom if you're stuck or overwhelmed and not sure what to do next. (one-time offer- $27 as of February 18, 2026)

🗓️ Join my 30-Day Study Challenge if you are in the start-stop study cycle and want to finally make progress. ($27 as of February 18, 2026)

📲 Join my Free Facebook Group and get real time support in my weekly LIVEs plus early access to my podcast episodes. (Free)

📩 Have a question or want to share your breakthrough? Send me a message—I’d love to hear from you!

🎧 Follow & Leave a Review if you found this episode helpful. Your support helps other CPA Exam candidates find this podcast!

©MIAMI COACH CONNECTION, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Miami Coach Connection, Inc. accepts no liability for the content of this podcast, nor for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided. Individual Results Vary.