INTHEBLACK July 2026 - Magazine - Page 50
P O D C AS T
The 7% rule
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In a recent episode of the INTHEBLACK
podcast, seven-time world surfing
champion Layne Beachley discusses the
mindset strategies behind her illustrious
career, and how they can apply to anyone
working in finance and accounting.
ENERGY MANAGEMENT
Beachley believes in the 7 per cent rule: spending
7 per cent of her waking hours to focus on wellbeing,
recovery and mindset. That time is not all taken at once,
she says, but in 5-minute mini bursts.
“Time management is actually energy management,”
she says. “When I learned how to prioritise my energy,
I stopped being distracted and started establishing
clearer boundaries, which ultimately impacted my
performance. That 7 per cent heavily impacts the other
93 per cent of the day.”
Micro-habits such as sunshine breaks, intentional
breathing exercises, rest and clear boundaries can
significantly improve performance and resilience,
she says.
THE COST OF PUSHING THROUGH
Such ideas may seem idyllic to accounting and finance
professionals with big jobs and strong work ethics,
which is a sentiment that Beachley echoes. “I was
convinced that to be at the top of my game for as long
as I was, I had to work twice as hard as everybody else.”
“I did that, but at what cost? Pain, suffering, strained
relationships, isolation, loneliness and now pain
management,” she continues. Pushing through is now
something Beachley does not recommend, urging
professionals to “listen to the whispers before
[the body] starts screaming”.
Layne Beachley spoke on the topic of mental wellness
at CPA Australia's recent conference, CPA Week.
INTHEBLACK, The 7% rule used by a 7x world champ
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50 INTHEBLACK July 2026
