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NORTON NEWSLETTER
THE REAL ESTATE TAX PRO ™
NortonAccountingServices.com 985-690-4498 Info@NortonAccountingServices.com JANUARY 2026
EASE OF MIND • AVAILABILITY • FLEXIBILITY • INDIVIDUAL APPROACH • EXPERIENCE • TAX SAVINGS OPPORTUNITIES
Fresh Focus for a New Year RETHINKING GROWTH, ONE BOOK AT A TIME
January is when many people start thinking about goals. But if you’re running a business, waiting until the calendar flips to start planning means you’re already behind. That’s something I’ve learned the hard way. I try to set goals as soon as I know what I want to do, not because it’s January but because that’s when the momentum begins. This past October, I was at a mastermind group I attend a couple of times a year. Two people I respect recommended books that ended up being exactly what I needed. They’ve helped me look at my business, team, and growth strategy with fresh eyes, and I think they could do the same for other business owners. The first book is “The 6 Types of Working Genius” by Patrick Lencioni. His premise is simple: There are different types of work, and we all have strengths, or “genius zones,” that make some of that work energizing and some of it exhausting. For me, reading that was a bit of a lightbulb moment. I realized I was spending too much time doing tasks I was competent at but didn’t enjoy. And that’s a fast track to burnout. So, I had my team take Lencioni’s assessment. It’s 25 bucks. Totally worth it. We sat down afterward and reorganized how we approach certain things so people are doing more of the work that fits them. I’m still handling a few tasks in my “frustration zone,” but I won’t be doing that forever. Eventually, the right systems and people will take those off my plate. That one shift to getting clear on where the energy flows and where it drains has already made a difference. And it’s just one of a few changes I’m working on as I approach the new year. The second book I picked up is “The Science of Scaling” by Benjamin Hardy and Blake Erickson. They make a different point. Hardy and Erickson say many business owners get stuck thinking small. They shoot for a 10%–20% increase but never actually get there. The problem is the goal itself. If the goal doesn’t stretch you, your mind doesn’t bother solving it. However, if you set a goal so ambitious that you don’t know how you’ll reach it yet, your brain starts to work differently. Instead of tweaking what you’ve always done, you start thinking about what really needs to change.
The book also challenges the way people think about time. Most of us look to the past to figure out what we’re capable of. It says we’ve got that backward. The future should shape our present. If you’re clear about where you want to go, you’ll move toward it. The momentum builds the minute you believe it’s possible, and you stop wasting time and start seeing better options. Another takeaway was the danger of chasing too many things. It’s far too easy to overcomplicate your business. When things are working, it’s tempting to add more services, more tools, more everything, but growth doesn’t usually come from doing more. It often comes from doing one thing really well.
That’s where my head is right now. I’m looking at what I do best, where the energy flows, and where I want to go next. If you’re doing the same, don’t be afraid to rethink how you’re working and what you’re aiming for. That’s usually where the real change starts. –Bob Norton
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THE DIGITAL REVOLUTION IN FAN ENGAGEMENT
One Jar, Countless Smiles
Kick Off the New Year With Gratitude
AI Is Changing the Game
The start of a new year always feels like a blank page full of possibilities. While many families dive into resolutions and goal-setting, try another tradition just as powerful (and a lot more fun): creating a family gratitude jar. Instead of focusing on what to change, this little project helps you notice and celebrate what’s already good in your life. With nothing more than a jar, scraps of paper, and a few minutes daily, you can build a collection of joyful moments your family will treasure all year. GETTING STARTED Pick a container. It doesn’t have to be fancy. A mason jar, decorated tin, or clear plastic container all work as long as they can sit where you’ll see them daily. Prepare the supplies. Cut paper into squares (3-by-3 inches works nicely) and have pens, crayons, or markers nearby. If someone doesn’t love writing, they can draw, circle options, or dictate for an adult to write. Have extras ready so you’re never scrambling. Set a daily ritual. Decide together when you’ll pause to think and share. It could be after dinner, tucked into bedtime routines, or first thing in the morning. What matters is consistency. Stick with it long enough that it becomes part of your rhythm. Use a simple prompt. Here’s an easy method: Ask each person, “What was a bright moment today?” Encourage them to name something specific, even if it’s small, like “the puppy barking” or “a funny joke.” Give them space. Then have them write or draw it, slip it into the jar, and (if you like) share aloud. Make it meaningful later. Open the jar together once a month or at the end of the year and read through the notes. You’ll be surprised how small moments you may have forgotten feel powerful all over again. Use them to spark intention for the coming year: “I want more of that,” or “Let’s do more kind acts like this.”
Gone are the days when fans had to settle for a quick autograph or a brief tweet. Today, celebrities are leveraging artificial intelligence to bridge the gap between stardom and personal connection. Technology is giving stars a supercharged way to engage audiences, from AI chatbots that answer fan questions in real time to digital avatars that can attend virtual events. As a result, fans feel closer than ever, while celebrities can scale interactions without sacrificing their connection to fans. This isn’t just marketing; it’s a digital revolution. AI ‘TWINS’ BRING STARS CLOSER TO FANS. Some celebrities take fan engagement to the next level by creating AI “twins.” Imogen Heap, for example, developed Mogen, an AI persona trained with her voice and artistic style. Fans can interact with Mogen, co-create music, or ask questions, and they receive responses that reflect Imogen Heap’s personality. This approach allows stars to maintain a 24/7 presence without stretching themselves thin. CONVERSATIONAL BOTS SCALE INTERACTIONS. AI chatbots are now integral to celebrity digital strategies. Projects like ChatNekoHacker enable real-time Q&A during live sessions, which increases fan engagement and loyalty. By automating thousands of conversations simultaneously, these bots make fans feel seen while freeing up time for the stars themselves. DIGITAL AVATARS BUILD VIRTUAL EXPERIENCES. Digital avatars bring a new level of immersion to fan interactions. Celebrities can license their likeness or voice to AI avatars, allowing fans to chat, receive personalized content, or even participate in virtual reality events. DATA-DRIVEN PERSONALIZATION WINS. AI is all about understanding fans. By analyzing social media, streaming data, and fan behavior, celebrities can craft content that resonates. From tailored posts to surprise merch drops, AI helps stars deliver the experiences fans want. WHAT ARE THE RISKS? AI engagement comes with challenges. Scams have already exploited celebrity likenesses to deceive fans. Platforms like Meta have faced backlash for unauthorized AI avatars, and celebrities like Celine Dion now warn fans about the risks of AI-generated content. IS AI THE FUTURE OF FAN ENGAGEMENT? AI tools are transforming how celebrities connect with fans, making interactions faster, more personal, and more immersive. Success comes down to balancing innovation with authenticity, privacy, and control. The stars who get it right will feel more present to their audience than ever without even being in the room.
Starting a gratitude jar is about building a modest, consistent habit that opens your eyes to abundance. Over time, the jar becomes a treasure chest of your family’s stories, reminders, and unseen miracles. That collective memory anchors your family
in kindness, wonder, and connection as each new year unfolds!
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SMALL HEARTBEAT, BIG RESCUE KITTEN KEEPS TRAPPED CLIMBER ALIVE IN MOUNTAIN BLIZZARD
Trapped in an icy mountain ravine, soaked and nearly frozen, 28-year-old Vladislav Duda contemplated what he feared would be the last night of his life. Escape from the ravine, more than 430 yards deep, was out of the question. Suffering from fatigue as hypothermia set in, Duda believed only one thing separated him from death: the furry warmth of his months-old kitten, Peach, huddled against his chest beneath his coat. Duda, a Ukrainian journalist, had undertaken a perilous journey in late 2024 across the Carpathian Mountains into Romania to avoid being drafted to fight in Ukraine’s war against Russia. Four days earlier, he had run out of food for his cat and himself, and they were surviving on icy water from melted snow. Rescue workers from a regional mountain team had tried to reach Duda by helicopter, but hazardous blizzard conditions forced them to turn back. Instead, more than a dozen ground workers battled through deep snow in 14-degree temperatures into the ravine. When they finally reached Duda, they opened his coat and found the tiny orange tabby kitten curled against Duda’s chest. “The cat was warm, and was warming him,” Dan Benga, director of the Maramures Mountain Rescue Service, told The Associated Press. “He saved his life.”
Asked if he was okay, Benga says that Duda told his rescuers, “I’m happy because my cat is alive. I got a chance from God for a new life. The happiest moment is because the cat is here with me.” Although climbing out of the ravine took more than five hours, Duda held Peach close to his chest the entire way. Forced to turn the kitten over to rescue workers when he was placed in an ambulance, Duda begged them, “Please take care of the cat.” When Duda was rescued, he was one of roughly 160 Ukrainian men saved while crossing the mountains to avoid the draft. Sixteen others died trying. The rescue was “like a dream, after all I have been through,” Duda said. “Peach kept my heart warm, and he kept my faith alive.” Duda was treated for hypothermia at a nearby hospital. Peach was taken to a veterinary clinic nearby and, at last report, survived the ordeal in good health.
SLOW COOKER BIRRIA TACOS
TAKE A BREAK
Ingredients • 3 dried guajillo chiles • 2 dried ancho chiles • 1 medium onion, chopped • 4 garlic cloves • 1 (14.5-oz) can diced tomatoes • 3 lbs beef chuck roast • 2 cups beef broth • 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 tbsp dried oregano • 2 tsp ground cumin • 2 bay leaves • 1 tsp salt • Pepper, to taste • Corn tortillas • Fresh cilantro and diced onion for garnish
Directions
1. Soak dried chiles in hot water for 15 minutes. 2. Process chiles, onion, garlic, and tomatoes in a blender until smooth. 3. Place beef in a slow cooker and pour the chili mixture over it. 4. Add beef broth, vinegar, oregano, cumin, bay leaves, salt, and pepper. 5. Cook on low for 8–10 hours or until the beef is tender. 6. Shred the beef using forks, then mix back into the sauce. 7. Fry tortillas in oil until crispy, then assemble tacos as desired.
Boots Candles Carnation Furnace
Garnet Hockey Insulate Janus
Opposite Resolution
Skating Sweater
Inspired by SimpleWhisk.com
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Norton Accounting Services, LLC
THE REAL ESTATE TAX PRO ™
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
NortonAccountingServices.com 985-690-4498 Info@NortonAccountingServices.com
1527 Gause Blvd. Ste. 132 Slidell, LA 70458
INSIDE 1 Big Takeaways From 2 Great Books
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End the Year With a Jar Full of Joyful Memories AI-Powered Stardom Tiny Paws, Big Rescue: Kitten Helps Man Survive Mountain Ordeal Slow Cooker Birria Tacos
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The Smart Shopper’s Guide to Mastering Nutrition Labels
Outsmart the Food Industry
Master the Nutrition Label Game Reading nutrition labels can feel like trying to crack a secret code on the back of your favorite snack. However, once you know what to look for, you have the key to making smarter, healthier
LIMIT UNHEALTHY NUTRIENTS. Certain nutrients are best consumed in moderation. Aim for foods with 5% or less of the Daily Value (%DV) for these ingredients: • Saturated Fat: Often found in animal products and some plant oils. • Trans Fat: Often present in processed foods; even small amounts can be harmful. • Added Sugars: Excessive intake is linked to various health issues. • Sodium: High intake is associated with high blood pressure and heart disease. GET ENOUGH BENEFICIAL NUTRIENTS. Look for nutrients that support overall health, foods with 10% or more of the %DV for these nutrients: • Dietary Fiber: Aids digestion and can help lower cholesterol. • Protein: Essential for muscle repair and immune function.
choices in the grocery store. You can quickly spot hidden sugars, unhealthy fats, and sodium overloads, while also identifying the nutrients your body actually needs. Here’s the scoop! BEGIN WITH SERVING SIZE. The foundation of any nutrition label is the serving size. It tells you the amount of food the nutritional information is based on. Be mindful of how many servings you consume. For example, if a package contains two servings and you eat the whole thing, you eat double the calories and nutrients shown. CHECK CALORIES PER SERVING. Calories measure the energy in a serving. This number is crucial if you’re aiming to manage your weight or energy intake. Remember, it’s easy to underestimate how much you’re eating, so always check the serving size first.
• Vitamins and Minerals: These, like calcium, iron, and vitamin D, are vital for various bodily functions. WATCH OUT FOR MARKETING TRICKS. Terms like “fat-free,” “sugar-free,” or “natural” can be misleading. “Fat-free” products often compensate with added sugars or starches. “Natural” doesn’t always mean healthy. Always check the nutrition facts and ingredient list to get the whole picture.
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