Thinking Long-Term: Taxes, Confidence, and Better Decisions | Ryan Bakke, CPA

In this episode of The Progress Zone, Jody D. Donaldson welcomes Ryan Bakke, CPA, a real estate-focused accountant and educator who helps investors move from confusion and overthinking to clarity and confidence.Ryan shares the story behind leaving Deloitte, building a fast-growing firm, and why he believes most people approach taxes — and money — the wrong way.Rather than chasing short-term savings, this conversation focuses on long-term thinking, consistency, and understanding how today’s decisions affect future opportunities.You’ll hear about:Why taxes should be viewed over a lifetime, not year by yearThe compounding impact of saving and reinvesting moneyHow over-deducting can hurt future lending and growthRyan’s 60% Confidence Rule for breaking paralysis by analysisWhy confidence matters more than perfectionHow consistency and education build trust and communityA healthier definition of success that includes fulfillmentThis episode is for anyone who feels stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure where to begin — and wants a clearer way forward.