Came across this article in a few email newsletters that I receive from our mortgage associates. It's a good primer for the topic. Be sure and check out the comment section for future resource additions. ~ Tim
2023 Financial Resolutions
After the whirlwind economic year we have had, making your finances work for you is already top of mind for most Canadians as we head into 2023. Here are some ideas to make your finances work for YOU in the New Year:
Purge Expenses
One of the best goals you can have for the New Year is cutting out all those things that didn’t work the previous year. While we are not referring to your water or electricity bills, there are still many ways you can cut down on costs. For instance, have you recently looked at your phone plan? Consider decreasing services or comparing costs to get a cheaper plan with the same functionality. Are you someone that buys coffee each morning or goes out for lunch once a week? Are you actually regularly watching all those streaming services? Consider where and how you spend your money to determine areas to reduce costs!
Make a List of Goals
Once you have made your budget and reviewed your existing expenses for any opportunities to reduce costs, the next step is to make a list of goals! For some people this will include paying off that credit card or loan, but for others it could be saving up for a family holiday you want to take in the next 5 years. Whatever your goals are, be clear about them and make a resolution to achieve them!
Consolidate Your Debt
Are you dealing with multiple debt sources? From a car loan to a credit card bill, having multiple payments each month can add up and quickly become more than you can manage. If you are struggling with lofty bills and hefty interest rates on your credit cards or other bills, consider consolidating your debt into your mortgage for a single, monthly payment - typically at a lower interest rate!
Pay Fast, Buy Slow
Some great advice when it comes to managing your finances is to pay fast and buy slow! If you pay your bills as soon as they come in, versus waiting, you will have a better idea of where you stand financially at any given moment. You will also avoid any late fees or compounding charges. In coordination with this, you will also want to start buying slower and working to reduce any impulse spending.
Increase Your Income
While it may not seem possible, it can't hurt to look for ways to increase your income in the New Year. Look for promotion opportunities at work, discuss a potential raise or even consider a new job to ensure that you are financially covered!
KYS - Know Your Self
KYC - Know Your Client
KYP - Know Your Product
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https://www.naphill.org/tftd/thought-for-the-day-11-06-23/
top 10 changes - disrupters for 2023
https://experience.bdo.ca/top-10-growth-and-profitability-disruptor...
1 Consumers will have less discretionary spending
2 High interest rates will make it difficult to borrow capital
3 Higher inflation will persist, albeit at lower rates
4 Supply chain irregularities will continue to be the norm
5 Digitization will become an even stronger imperative for growth
6 Data will be increasingly leveraged to predict and navigate uncertainty
7 Cybersecurity will remain critical as technology advances
8 M&A activity will continue despite downturn
9 Talent and workplace issues will persist
10 = Companies will face increasing pressure to make ESG commitments
Here are the 5 critical tasks that you MUST complete on a daily basis...
TASK #1: FOLLOW A STRUCTURED DIET
You must follow a diet geared toward YOUR GOALS ... and follow it for 75 days with zero deviations, zero excuses, zero alcohol, and absolutely NO CHEAT MEALS.
Your diet can be whatever you want it to be (Keto, Paleo, Vegetarian, etc.) ... as long as it is aligned with your goals.
This task is meant to cultivate extreme discipline that you can transfer to all areas of your life, but it only works if you follow it EXACTLY for 75 days, without deviation.
While it is the most difficult part of 75 HARD for most people, task #1 will help you gain control of every decision you make, in any situation you find yourself in.
Plus, as a byproduct of actually following a structured diet for 75 days, you will be in the best physical shape of your life ... but that's far from the purpose of this program.
TASK #2: TWO 45-MINUTE WORKOUTS (1 MUST BE OUTSIDE)
You must complete two workouts each day during 75 HARD.
Both of these workouts must be a minimum of 45 minutes long, and one of the two workouts MUST BE OUTSIDE.
Regardless of the weather or circumstances you find yourself in, if you fail to complete at least one outdoor workout each day ... you must restart 75 HARD.
The type of workout doesn't matter.
You can run, lift weights, do a cross-training workout, go for a walk, or even do yoga. As long as you're getting up and getting your body moving with the intent to get better, it counts.
Throughout 75 HARD, task #2 will teach you the ability to control what you can control, while not making excuses about what you can't control ... because the job has to get done no matter what.
By learning this skill, you can increase your value in all areas of your life ... as you will be someone who "gets things done" ... rather than making excuses for why you can't.
TASK #3: DRINK A GALLON OF WATER
Drinking a gallon of water each and every day will teach you discipline, and that sometimes in life the simplest tasks are the hardest ... but you can't let them slip through the cracks.
It doesn't matter how simple or easy a task is to complete ... you've got to find a way to get it done ... every time.
In addition to the mental benefits that task #3 is designed for, drinking a gallon of water is just good for you.
It's something you should be doing every day for the rest of your life ... whether you're completing 75 HARD or not ... as it is good for both your physical AND mental health.
TASK #4: READ 10 PAGES
Task #4 is designed to teach you a habit that will benefit you greatly from now, until the day you die.
You must read something that is non-fiction, educational, and can be used to improve any area of your life.
Whether it be about entrepreneurship, personal development, or a job/career related topic ... you must read AT LEAST 10 pages each and every day.
That does not mean you can't read more than that, but you must read a minimum of 10 pages.
You must physically read those pages ... meaning audiobooks DO NOT COUNT toward your 10 pages for the day.
I've been reading every day for the last 21 years ... and had I been reading at least 10 pages/day before that, I would without a doubt be further ahead in life than I am right now.
Use every reading session as an opportunity to sharpen your skill set ... and take complete control of your life.
TASK #5: TAKE A PROGRESS PICTURE
If you truly follow this program to a T, you will be able to look back and see how far you've come and what you've done.
In the beginning, it'll be hard to take your picture ... trust me, I know.
People don't like being uncomfortable...
Which is what makes this task so important.
Because while taking a picture is actually a very simple task ... it teaches you to push through those uncomfortable moments or situations, and get the job done.
It also teaches you that EVERY detail matters, as small and insignificant as it may seem at the time ... and you can't forget about them, because that is what separates successful people from everybody else.
For a completely detailed breakdown of the 75 Hard program and each critical task, my experiences while completing 75 Hard, and helpful tips and takeaways that can help you take control of your life forever ... check out my book, 75 HARD: A TACTICAL GUIDE TO WINNING THE WAR WITH YOURSELF, today.
WHAT IS 75 HARD?
75 HARD is the only program that can permanently change your life ... from your way of thinking, to your health, to the level of discipline you approach every single task in front of you with.
This is about mental toughness.
75 HARD will show you how to 100x the following traits in your life...
• Confidence
• Self-esteem
• Self-worth
• Self-belief
• Fortitude
• Grittiness
• Discipline
https://andyfrisella.com/blogs/articles/what-is-75-hard
15 Simple Ways To Be More Present With Family — And Yourself
Being in the moment is more difficult than it seems. But these simple exercises can help you get there.
by Adam Bulger
Oct. 31, 2022
Father laying on ground and laughing while toddler pinches his cheeks
Getty
How can you be more present? That is, really, truly present? How can you be more engaged and grounded in the moment? It feels like an impossible question to answer, especially as a parent. The duty basically requires you to keep, at minimum, 1,001 things in your head, all of which may tug you away from the here and now. Then there’s the modern world, which is always pawing at you. Apps. Email notifications. News updates. Screens. All of these vie for your attention. For hours, we’re physically present but in many important ways, just not there.
It's easy to find yourself in the past, in the future, or simply focusing on something else besides the present moment. Who isn’t guilty of this? Hell, we can’t be present all the time. But if you’re constantly being pulled away, you’ll feel increasingly alienated from loved ones and even yourself. If you can’t, say, play with your kids without always thinking about what needs to happen this weekend, or make dinner without running through a checklist, that’s not good for anyone. When you’re checked out, you’re not taking full advantage of the here and now, and missing out on the happiness, fulfillment, and instruction the moment can offer.
"Being present is not a superpower,” says New York City-based psychiatrist Jeff Ditzell. “It's a skill that can be developed with practice.” That practice doesn’t have to be a disruptive chore. Small steps can make a big difference, and there is a wealth of quick and simple, yet effective, ways to be more present. Here are 15 snack-sized ways of pulling yourself into the moment as offered by a variety of experts.
1. Ask Why You’re Doing What You’re Doing
We often move from task to task on autopilot, staying busy without really accomplishing anything or deriving satisfaction from our actions. Life coach Tom O’Leary says one of the best ways to be present is to make a regular habit of asking yourself: Why am I doing what I’m doing? Whether you’re performing a household task or watching your kid at the playground, this per O’Leary, is a profound way of being in the world, and “runs wholly counter to the idea of multi-tasking and stuffing as much as possible into each moment.”
2. Schedule Moments Of Self-Reflection
Portland, OR therapist and yoga teacher Halle Thomas recommends scheduling a specific time to check-in with yourself once or twice a day can be a helpful tool for busy people. “During these check-ins, you can ask yourself how you are feeling both physically and emotionally,” she says.
3. Tune Into Natural Sounds
Go for a walk and focus on the many noises of nature happening around you and allow yourself to be present. “The sounds you hear in nature can be so soothing and are just the perfect place to turn your attention away from all of your problems, worries, and even responsibilities,” Ditzell says. And the best part is, those sounds are out there, just waiting for you.
4. Be An Engaged, Active Listener
By making an effort to pay attention to what a person is saying without allowing your mind to wander (or simply waiting to speak), you’ll not only be more present but also more engaged with whoever is speaking. “When you're actively listening, you should make eye contact, nod your head, and provide feedback occasionally to show that you're engaged,” says Flora Sadri-Azarbayejani, a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine at Psyclarity Health in Boston.
5. Set Boundaries For Electronic Devices
Create app limits. Use an analog alarm. Delete attention-stealing software. Consider instituting the occasional ‘No phones at the table’ policy at dinner or when out with friends. We can wrest control of our lives back from our electronic devices with conscious effort and simple actions says Becca Smith, Chief Clinical Officer of Basepoint Academy in Dallas.
6. Take Screen Time Breaks
Obvious but crucial. Even during times that are within the boundaries you’ve set for your devices, you need to put the phone down for short intervals throughout the day. “Use this opportunity to take a walk, stretch, or engage in a calming activity,” Smith says. “This can help break patterns of constant distraction and improve overall well-being.”
7. Clean
The simple act of putting something where it’s supposed to go can spur us into active thinking and, per Smith, help us be more present in the moment.
8. Pay Attention to Your Body
When you want to feel more available, leadership coach and mediator Chuck Wisner says to take a breath and turn your attention to your hands, feet, belly, or back. “Feel into that body part and let it ground you into the present moment,” he says. “Our bodies are always in the present moment.”
9. Feel Your Feet When You’re on the Move
Rushing from place to place but want to connect with where you are right now? Minnesota therapist and coach Lindsey Konchar recommends this quick grounding activity to engage yourself with the present. To do it, take a few moments to notice everything about how your feet are feeling as you walk. What are they touching? How are they pressing into the ground as you walk? How are they lifting off?
10. Eat Consciously
Chances are, you eat too quickly. The next time you sit down for a meal practice slowing down and paying attention to all the components. “Focus on taking one bite at a time, putting your fork down in between bites to experience what the food feels like being chewed, savor the complex tastes and the temperatures of the food,” suggests Victoria Murray, LSCW.
11. Say Not To Multitasking
We think multitasking saves time but that’s often simply not true, as Stefan Allen-Hickey, therapist with Downtown Somatic Therapy, notes. Moreover, juggling two or more actions sends our minds reeling and prevents us from being in the moment. “Researchers say that multitasking distracts you and you can end up having more stress, less efficiency, and poor emotional stability,” he says. “To be more present, keep your focus on one task at a time.”
12. Use Everyday Routines To Connect To Your Senses
It’s good to remind ourselves of the tools we use to experience the world and that even moments that seem mundane can be opportunities to do so, says Portland, OR therapist Courtney Burns says. For instance, taking a few moments during a shower to smell the soap, focus on the sound and feel of the rushing water, and be grateful for having hot water.
13. Reconsider Your Phrasing
The way we frame our thoughts with language makes a big difference to our ability to tune into the moment, says Konchar. Luckily, it’s something we can change. “Instead of using phrases like, ‘I have to x, y, z,’ start saying, ‘I get to x, y, z,’” she says. “Shifting your vocabulary will shift your thinking. You'll start feeling more at ease with the things you have in your life.”
14. Write Out Self Criticism
We’re often our own worst critics. If a little voice in your head is sapping your confidence and making it impossible to be present for your job and home life, Wisner says writing down negative judgments can make them more manageable. ”Writing gets it out of your head where you can read it, feel it, and bring it into the light of day,” he says.
15. Take A Deep Breath
Finding mindfulness in the most hectic moments — when your toddler is going berserk or you have a mile-long to-do list that needs to be done now — can feel impossible. But, as Andy Pudicombe, mindfulness expert and founder of Headspace told us, there’s a simple practice that can help: One, take a deep breath. Two, focus your mind on drawing that breath in and releasing it slowly. Three, Acknowledge your fear/anxiety/annoyance but don’t let it overwhelm you. Four, be excellent to each othe
https://www.fatherly.com/life/how-to-be-more-present
Power
Passion
Purpose
Production
https://www.spreaker.com/user/omegastewardship/episode-34-stop-dwel...
Planning for Distinction in 2023!
If you haven't worked on it already, it's time to start planning for 2023. If you're like me, the week between Christmas and New Year's offers a special opportunity for planning. The phone isn't ringing as frequently, many people take the week off of work, and the pace is certainly slower. That makes it a perfect time for contemplation and forward-thinking.
This week can be all about setting goals and getting a vision for the year. It can be tough to think ahead, but it's important to make sure you're on track for distinction and success. So what can leaders expect in 2023?
As we move into the new year, it's important for leaders to create a specific plan for standing out and earning more. By doing so, they can set themselves up for success and ensure that their team is on track to achieve their goals. Here are some tips on what leaders can expect in 2023 and how they can prepare:
1. First, take some time to reflect on the past year. What went well? What didn't go so well? What did you learn? This reflection will help you to set goals for the coming year.
2. Second, use this week to brainstorm some goals for the coming year. What do you want to accomplish? What do you want to change? What do you want to learn? Write down as many goals as you can think of.
3. Third, put together a plan for how you will achieve your goals. This may include setting deadlines, creating action steps, and finding resources. Don't try to do too much at once, but getting started on your planning will help you to achieve your goals in the coming year.
So why is planning for the coming year so important? Because it provides direction, focus, and accountability - all of which are essential for any organization or professional desiring to achieve success in 2023.
Planning allows leaders to allocate resources appropriately and plan for potential risks. Without a plan, organizations can flounder and may not be able to achieve their desired results.
2023 is shaping up to be an exciting year full of possibilities. It's critical to make sure you're on track for distinction and success.
By planning ahead, you can ensure a successful 2023 for yourself and your team.
Distinctive Discussions
Each week, we'll take a look at powerful ideas to make your efforts in CX, EX, and sales more distinctive!
• Scott McKain
Expert/Researcher on creating organizational distinction and the Ultimate Customer Experience.® Author of "Ten Best" Biz Book (Forbes); Sales & Marketing Hall of Fame; Speaker Hall of Fame; villain in Werner Herzog movie
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