🎙 The 5 Phases of CPA Exam Success

How to Keep Going Until You Pass

Episode Summary

In this episode, Dawn breaks down the five phases of CPA Exam Success and explains why passing the CPA Exam is far simpler than most candidates make it — even though it often doesn’t feel simple while you’re in it.

Many CPA Exam candidates stay stuck in the cycle of thinking about studying, starting and stopping, or believing they need to completely put their lives on hold in order to pass. This episode reframes that experience and shows you a different way forward.

Dawn walks through the basic levels of CPA Exam Success and explains how candidates move from simply thinking about studying to consistently showing up, passing sections, and ultimately becoming a CPA.

Dawn also introduces the concept of the Study Success Sweet Spot — the intersection between your study session length, focus capacity, break structure, time of day, and weekly study schedule — so you can create a study system that actually fits your life instead of fighting against it.

This episode is for CPA Exam candidates who feel stuck in the start-stop cycle, discouraged after failed attempts, or unsure how to make CPA Exam prep sustainable long enough to finally reach the finish line.

🎯 What You’ll Learn in This Episode

The 5 Basic Levels of CPA Exam Success

Dawn simplifies the CPA Exam process into five clear levels:

1️⃣ Start studying.

2️⃣ Keep studying.

3️⃣ Pass your first section.

4️⃣ Pass the remaining sections.

5️⃣ Become a CPA.

The process is much simpler than most candidates think — but consistency is what moves you through each stage.

The 5 Phases of CPA Exam Success

Dawn explains the five phases that help candidates continue moving forward:

⓵ Commitment

⓶ Clarity

⓷ Consistency

⓸ Confidence

⓹ Completion

She also explains how confidence builds as candidates start seeing evidence that their studying is working.

Why CPA Exam Success Is Not About Intelligence

Dawn shares Roger Philipp’s message that the CPA Exam is “a test of endurance, not an IQ test.”

If you are eligible to sit for the CPA Exam, you are capable of passing it.

The Difference Between Studying and Learning How You Study

Passing the CPA Exam is not just about covering material.

It’s about learning:

• how you focus

• how long you can effectively study

• what time of day works best for you

• how to structure study sessions in a sustainable way

Once you learn how you study and how this fits into your life, you can repeat that process section after section.

The Study Success Sweet Spot

Dawn introduces her Study Success Sweet Spot concept:

• number of study sessions per week

• study session length

• focus time

• break time

• best time of day to study

Why Shorter Focused Sessions Often Work Better

Dawn shares her own study structure:

• 2-hour study sessions

• 40 minutes focused study

• 20 minute break

• repeated twice

• 6 days per week

She explains why pushing past your focus capacity often creates diminishing returns.

Why You Don’t Need to Put Your Life on Hold to Pass

Many candidates feel like they need to put their lives on hold in order to pass the CPA Exam.

Dawn explains why creating a study system that fits into your real life creates a far better experience — and often leads to faster progress.

How Failure Becomes Information

A failed score is information.

Dawn explains how to separate your identity from your scores and use each result to decide:

What worked?

What didn’t work?

What will I do differently next?

Why Invisible Progress Still Counts

Dawn compares CPA Exam prep to learning French — showing up consistently even when it feels like nothing is happening, until one day you realize progress has been building all along.

Key Takeaway

The CPA Exam process becomes much simpler when you stop trying to force yourself through it and instead learn how to study in a way that works for you.

You do not need to study perfectly.

You do not need to sacrifice your life.

You need:

commitment,

clarity,

consistency,

and a study system you can realistically continue long enough to complete the process.

Because the way you get to the CPA Exam finish line is often how you’ll continue showing up in the rest of your life.

👉 Click HERE to find your Study Success Sweet Spot

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

You do not have to put your life on hold to pass the CPA Exam.

You can build a study system that works with your life and gets you all the way to the CPA Exam finish line.

Other episodes referenced in this episode:

Episode 23: The 15-Minute Study Session

Episode 25: Cultivating Space for CPA Exam Prep

References mentioned in this episode:

Roger Philipp — “The CPA Exam is a test of endurance, not an IQ test.”

Brooke Castillo — Believing ahead of time

Stacey Boehman — “Failure Gold”

“How you get there is how you’ll be there.” I'm not sure who said this originally

👉 Get Coached if you're ready to be supported, study with confidence, and pass with ease.

💬 Let's Chat if you're stuck or overwhelmed and not sure what to do next. ($27 one-time offer)

🗓️ Join 30-Day Study Challenge if you are in the start-stop study cycle and want to finally make studying a consistent habit. ($67)

📲 Join 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.

🎙 Protecting Your Focus During CPA Exam Prep

Why Staying on Track — Not Studying Longer — Is What Creates Real Progress

Episode Summary

In this episode, Dawn walks you through the critical shift from getting into action to staying on track — because starting your CPA Exam prep is only the beginning.

Many CPA Exam candidates begin studying with strong intentions, but struggle to stay focused, consistent, and engaged during their study sessions. When that happens, it’s easy to assume the problem is not having enough time. So they try to add more hours — but still don’t see the progress they expected.

This episode reframes that entire experience.

The issue is not how much time you have — it’s how well you protect your focus during the time you already committed to studying. Dawn breaks down why focus is the real driver of progress and how learning to return to your work, again and again, is the skill that leads to CPA Exam Success.

You’ll learn why distractions are normal, how to stop making them mean something has gone wrong, and how to build the ability to come back to your study session quickly and effectively.

This episode is for CPA Exam candidates who are showing up to study but feel distracted, inconsistent, or frustrated — and want a simpler, more effective way to stay on track and move forward.

🎯 What You’ll Learn in This Episode

1. Why More Study Time Doesn’t Lead to Better Results

Dawn explains why adding more hours doesn’t solve the problem if you’re not focused during the time you already have. Progress comes from how you use your time — not how much of it you schedule.

2. The Real Challenge: Staying on Track

Starting is only the first step. The real work is staying engaged long enough to understand the material and follow through on your study sessions.

3. Why Getting Distracted Is Completely Normal

Your mind will wander. That’s part of the process. Dawn shows you how to stop resisting distractions and instead practice returning to your focus.

4. The Skill That Changes Everything: Coming Back

Each time you return to your work, you strengthen your ability to focus. This is the skill that creates consistency and long-term progress.

5. The Two Decisions That Simplify Every Study Session

Before you begin, decide:

Where are you starting?

How long will you study?

This removes overwhelm and makes it easier to follow through.

6. The STAR Framework for Consistent Progress

Schedule your study sessions

Track your actual time

Assess how each session went

Reward yourself for showing up

This structure helps you build consistency and improve over time.

7. Why One Clear Task Improves Focus

Trying to do too much creates distraction. Focusing on one concept or one set of questions helps you stay on track and engaged.

8. The Better Question to Ask While Studying

Instead of asking how to study longer or better, ask:

How can I stay focused and return to my work when I get distracted?

9. How Short, Focused Sessions Create Real Progress

Even 15 minutes of focused study can move you forward. Consistency and focus matter more than long, unfocused sessions.

Key Takeaway

Studying is not about being perfectly focused the entire time.

It’s about noticing when you get off track and coming back — again and again.

When you protect your focus and return to the task at hand, your study sessions become more effective, your consistency improves, and your progress builds over time.

CPA Exam candidates make the most progress when they stay on track and keep coming back to their work.

👉 Click HERE to join my next Masterclass and Coaching Preview on Zoom

👉 Click HERE to schedule a CPA Exam Success Strategy Chat

👉 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 don’t need more time. You need protected focus.

And that’s what gets you all the way to CPA Exam finish line 🏁.

Other episodes referenced in this episode:

Episode 7: Margaryta’s CPA Exam Success Journey- You Don’t Have to Sacrifice Your Life to Pass the CPA Exam

Episode 23: The 15-Minute Study Session

👉 Get Coached if you're ready to be supported, study with confidence, and pass with ease.

💬 Let's Chat if you're stuck or overwhelmed and not sure what to do next. ($27 one-time offer)

🗓️ Join 30-Day Study Challenge if you are in the start-stop study cycle and want to finally make studying a consistent habit. ($67)

📲 Join 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 Study Shift That Turns Study Time Into a Passing Score

Why Studying More Isn’t the Answer — and What Actually Moves You Forward

Episode Summary

In this episode, Dawn introduces a simple but powerful way to evaluate your study time so you can focus only on what actually produces progress.

Many CPA Exam candidates believe they need to study longer to see results. So when progress feels slow, they add more time. But even with longer study sessions, they still feel unsure, stuck, or like nothing is improving.

This episode reframes that entire approach.

👉 Click HERE to to download the workbook and follow along with this episode.

The issue is not how many hours you study — it’s how those hours are being used. Dawn walks you through how to shift from asking “How long should I study?” to a much more useful question: Which study activities actually move me closer to passing?

You’ll learn how different study activities produce different levels of progress, why some common habits create the illusion of learning, and how to start identifying the activities that give you the highest return on your study time.

This episode is for CPA Exam candidates who are putting in the time but not seeing the results — and want a clearer, more effective way to study that actually works. 

🎯 What You’ll Learn in This Episode

1. Why Studying More Hours Doesn’t Solve the Problem

Dawn explains why adding more study time often leads to more overwhelm — and sometimes even less follow-through. The challenge isn’t time. It’s how that time is being used.

2. The Real Study Question You Should Be Asking

Instead of asking how many hours to study, you’ll learn to ask: Which study activities actually produce progress? This question changes how you approach every study session.

3. Why Some Study Activities Feel Productive — But Aren’t

You’ll see how certain habits, like passive review or repeating familiar material, can feel useful while creating little real progress.

4. The Return on Study Time Investment (ROSTI) Matrix

Dawn introduces a clear framework with four categories of study activities based on time invested and progress gained — helping you evaluate what’s actually worth your time.

5. How to Identify High-Return Study Activities

You’ll learn how to recognize the activities that build understanding quickly and efficiently — and why these should become your priority.

6. What to Minimize (or Eliminate) From Your Study Plan

Dawn breaks down the types of activities that consume time without producing results, so you can start reducing or removing them from your routine.

7. The One Question to Ask Before Every Study Session

A simple, practical question you can use immediately:

What study activity right now will produce the most progress?

Key Takeaway

Not all study time produces the same results.

You don’t need more hours. You need better use of the time you already have.

When you focus on study activities that actually produce progress, your sessions become more effective, your confidence starts to build, and your path to passing becomes much clearer.

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

👉 Click HERE to join my next Masterclass and Coaching Preview on Zoom

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

You’re not behind. You’re refining how you study.

And that’s what gets you all the way to the CPA Exam finish line 🏁

👉 Get Coached if you're ready to be supported, study with confidence, and pass with ease.

💬 Let's Chat if you're stuck or overwhelmed and not sure what to do next. ($27 one-time offer)

🗓️ Join 30-Day Study Challenge if you are in the start-stop study cycle and want to finally make studying a consistent habit. ($67)

📲 Join 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 Shift from Stress to Action

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 🏁

👉 Get Coached if you're ready to be supported, study with confidence, and pass with ease.

💬 Let's Chat if you're stuck or overwhelmed and not sure what to do next. ($27 one-time offer)

🗓️ Join 30-Day Study Challenge if you are in the start-stop study cycle and want to finally make studying a consistent habit. ($67)

📲 Join 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.

• 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)

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.

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.

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 🏁

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

👉 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.

👉 Get Coached if you're ready to be supported, study with confidence, and pass with ease.

💬 Let's Chat if you're stuck or overwhelmed and not sure what to do next. ($27 one-time offer)

🗓️ Join 30-Day Study Challenge if you are in the start-stop study cycle and want to finally make studying a consistent habit. ($67)

📲 Join 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.

🎙 8 Mistakes I Didn’t Make to Pass the CPA Exam

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.

👉 Get Coached if you're ready to be supported, study with confidence, and pass with ease.

💬 Let's Chat if you're stuck or overwhelmed and not sure what to do next. ($27 one-time offer)

🗓️ Join 30-Day Study Challenge if you are in the start-stop study cycle and want to finally make studying a consistent habit. ($67)

📲 Join 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.

👉 Get Coached if you're ready to be supported, study with confidence, and pass with ease.

💬 Let's Chat if you're stuck or overwhelmed and not sure what to do next. ($27 one-time offer)

🗓️ Join 30-Day Study Challenge if you are in the start-stop study cycle and want to finally make studying a consistent habit. ($67)

📲 Join 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.

🎙 Linsey's Inspiring Journey to CPA Exam Success

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. ✨

👉 Get Coached if you're ready to be supported, study with confidence, and pass with ease.

💬 Let's Chat if you're stuck or overwhelmed and not sure what to do next. ($27 one-time offer)

🗓️ Join 30-Day Study Challenge if you are in the start-stop study cycle and want to finally make studying a consistent habit. ($67)

📲 Join 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 Plan vs. The Problem

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.

👉 Get Coached if you're ready to be supported, study with confidence, and pass with ease.

💬 Let's Chat if you're stuck or overwhelmed and not sure what to do next. ($27 one-time offer)

🗓️ Join 30-Day Study Challenge if you are in the start-stop study cycle and want to finally make studying a consistent habit. ($67)

📲 Join 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 7 Conditions for CPA Exam Success: C.L.A.R.I.T.Y.

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.

👉 Get Coached if you're ready to be supported, study with confidence, and pass with ease.

💬 Let's Chat if you're stuck or overwhelmed and not sure what to do next. ($27 one-time offer)

🗓️ Join 30-Day Study Challenge if you are in the start-stop study cycle and want to finally make studying a consistent habit. ($67)

📲 Join 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.