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JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2025
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FROM RESOLUTION TO REALITY The Secret to New Year’s Resolutions That Actually Work
New Year’s resolutions have a funny way of disappearing faster than holiday leftovers. By February, the gyms slow back down, and our ambitious plans to save money can turn into impulsive spending sprees. Many resolutions only last for 30 or maybe 60 days before they fade away. While we set these resolutions with the best intentions every January, they’re set to fail without establishing clear goals and processes to reach them. If you want lasting change and ensure resolutions transform into habits, it’s all about building a solid foundation with actionable objectives and consistent procedures. Studies have found that although more than half of adults make New Year’s resolutions, only about 10% manage to keep them longer than a few months. Often, we think too big, striving to make complete transformations when we are not wired to make sweeping shifts quickly. Though we are completely capable of losing weight, eating better, or setting any number of goals at the start of a new year, we make them unattainable because they lack steps. In creating our resolutions, we sometimes miss the reasons behind our goals. We must ask ourselves why we have that goal and if there is an enjoyable, achievable way to get there. Real change requires incremental steps and the understanding that you won’t magically achieve all your dreams by Jan. 1. Try to break your resolutions into small steps and celebrate those little milestones as the building blocks for reaching your bigger goals. Instead of striving to “get fit” in 2025, aim to “run 10 miles a week” or “eat a salad every day.” This will give you a roadmap for
It’s hard to meet any goal without some planning. We can turn resolutions into habits when we focus on the process instead of the outcomes. When you think about your goals for the year, consider everything required to meet them. Is there a specific time of day you can work on tasks related to your resolutions? Do you need to create reminders to help you stay on track? What can you do to ensure success? Change takes time. So, break up your goals into smaller ones that will continue to build on each other. As you build your resolutions into actionable goals, remember that flexibility is just as important as consistency. Life throws us curveballs, and being able to adjust your process without abandoning your goals is crucial for long-term success. If, for example, you miss your weekly workout, don’t give up. Focus on what you can still do or how you will make sure you don’t miss it in the future. Forgive yourself for little missteps, and remember that you are still working toward something better for yourself. As you work on your goals, track them so you can reflect and adjust your process if needed. You can use a journal or one of the many apps available to help you manage your resolutions. Monitoring your progress keeps you accountable, shows you where you have done well, and increases your chances of success. As you set your goals this year, remember that incremental steps, patience, and persistence are key. Focusing on smaller goals and remaining flexible can turn your resolution into meaningful habits. Meaningful change happens one step at a time.
success and you’ll experience wins more regularly. You’ll feel more motivated as you accomplish weekly or daily tasks and get closer and closer to your target without feeling total fatigue or disappointment.
–Kit West & Ed Meyer
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Tech Tools to Ignite Your Sales
These days, it’s hard to imagine a time when landline calls, in-person meetings, handwritten day planners, and faxes fueled our sales and marketing efforts. The tools we use to grow our businesses have evolved exponentially in recent years, giving us exciting new frontiers to explore in creating and maintaining customer relationships. The technologies now available for lead generation present virtually endless possibilities for organizing goals and increasing profits. From Clicks to Clients Going through the list of followers on your company’s social media accounts may give you an idea of who’s casually interested in you, but decoding the secrets behind businesses that visit your company website is the key to identifying dependable leads who’ve directly investigated your services. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to receive word that the main purchaser at your most coveted new client company has already checked out your product page? You may be thrilled to know that visitor identification tools like Leedfeeder and Factors trace website visitors’ IP addresses to the source and identify their business, position, and contact information. This
technology enables sales and marketing pros to develop personalized campaigns to turn that warm lead into a lasting partnership. Enhancing Email Engagement Is your email outreach structure generating new accounts or functioning more as the virtual equivalent of hit-or-miss door-to-door sales? Thankfully, modern methods make generating sales from cold leads more than just a shot in the dark. As just one example, Instantly AI provides tools for mass email automation/ management, writing assistance, and analytical tracking. If you need help building a more substantial list of legitimate prospects, Instantly AI’s Lead Finder database — which, according to the company, has 160 million verified entries based on job positions, specific keywords, and other confirmed data — may be worth a look. Strategies for Streamlined Scheduling Gone are the days when we had to cover the borders of our computer monitors with Post-It notes to remind ourselves of important meetings and events. Today’s web-based scheduling software allows users to book appointments
without grabbing a pen or sending multiple emails. By sharing their calendars and availabilities virtually, sales reps and customers can slot times seamlessly in just a few clicks. Utilized by teachers and students, small businesses and major manufacturers, these technologies are especially helpful for sales forces that juggle meetings with multiple clients in various time zones. Well-known providers include Calendly, YouCanBookMe, and HubSpot. Mastering the Marketing Tool Maze Naturally, not all of today’s online business solutions are created equal. As even the simplest Google search will reveal, the marketplace is flooded with products of varying usability, capabilities, and pricing structures. Also, tech providers are prone to mergers and rebranding, so a platform known by a certain name today may change monikers overnight. Before selecting any software or service, dive into free demos/ tutorials, customer reviews, and what competing vendors offer. Above all, research with patience, as something that seems like a quick fix today could become a costly tech -ache in the long run.
Will the TCJA Be Extended? IF NOT, HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW While some people have benefited from lower tax payments due to recent legislation, much of that help may start decreasing soon. This upcoming year, many provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) of 2017, which included significant changes to our tax code, are due to expire. However, since the Republican party gained control of the House and Senate in November, it’s likely the Act will be extended. Since we don’t know yet, here is what you need to know about how potential changes may impact your income tax season. Deductions If the TCJA expires, it will lead to large differences in deductions for many. Married couples will be particularly impacted. For instance, the standard deduction for a married couple is set to be $16,525 in 2026, but if the TCJA stays in effect, that deduction will be $30,725. However, the personal exemption was eliminated through the TCJA and will be brought back if it
expires. That means the personal exemption will go from $0 in 2025 to $5,275 in 2026. The child tax credit was doubled under the TCJA from $1,000 to $2,000 and would decrease to pre-2017 levels. The TCJA also set a $10,000 cap on the maximum state and local taxes that could be deducted each year. If this expires, it will benefit high-income taxpayers in certain states. Marginal Tax Brackets For many taxpayers, their marginal tax bracket rate was heavily affected by the TCJA. Before 2017, the marginal tax bracket rates were 10%, 15%, 25%, 28%, 33%, 35%, and 39.6%. These were changed to 10%, 12%, 22%, 24%, 32%, 35%, and 37%, respectively, when the TCJA went into effect. If the TCJA expires, depending on your tax bracket, you may be paying anywhere from 3%–6% more every year. It is important to understand the full breadth of changes possibly coming your way and budget accordingly. Depending on what happens, you may end up paying more (or, fingers crossed, less) in taxes.
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Citrus-Herb Pork Roast
Break Down the Costs, Build Up the Gains
Inspired by TasteOfHome.com
INGREDIENTS
• 1 boneless pork sirloin roast (3–4 pounds) • 2 tsp dried oregano • 1/2 tsp ground ginger • 1 tsp pepper • 2 medium onions, cut into thin wedges • 1 cup plus 3 tbsp orange juice, divided
• 1 tbsp sugar • 1 tbsp grapefruit juice • 1 tbsp steak sauce • 1 tbsp reduced-sodium soy sauce • 1 tsp grated orange zest • 1 tsp salt • 3 tbsp cornstarch • Egg noodles, cooked
Choosing the Best Financing for Your Equipment
DIRECTIONS
1. Cut roast in half. In a small bowl, combine oregano, ginger, and pepper; rub over pork. In a large skillet coated with oil, brown roast on all sides. Transfer to a slow cooker; add onions. 2. In a small bowl, combine 1 cup orange juice, sugar, grapefruit juice, steak sauce, and soy sauce; pour over roast. Cover and cook on low for 4–5 hours or until meat is tender. Remove meat and onions to a platter. 3. Transfer cooking juices to a small saucepan. Add orange zest and salt. Bring to a boil. Combine cornstarch and remaining orange juice. Gradually stir into the pan for 2 minutes or until thickened. Serve with pork and noodles.
When financing construction equipment, choosing the right terms goes beyond securing a loan. It’s about ensuring the equipment pays for itself and contributes to your business’s growth. Brokers can play a pivotal role in helping clients by examining the potential return on investment (ROI). By making smart choices about equipment financing, you can gain more significant returns for your business. Let’s explore how to get the most out of your equipment financing this year. Assess Your Needs First, examine your company’s needs and determine what equipment will help it grow and meet the industry’s demands. Think about how long the equipment is needed and whether you want to own it. As you compare costs, you can determine if buying or leasing is the better fit for your goals, keeping in mind that you want to increase cash flow and maximize your ROI. Break down your revenue to make sure financing equipment will support your business. Strategic Financing Choices
Take a Break
Compare options like loans, leases, and lines of credit carefully, as each has its benefits. Loans can provide money upfront to help you purchase equipment versus leases, giving you flexibility and lowering monthly payments. You should note factors like interest rates, taxes, and repayment terms. Be prepared to negotiate. An excellent credit score will help you secure the most favorable terms. You can also explore tax benefits. Section 179 provides tax benefits to companies purchasing equipment, allowing them to deduct the full price of qualifying equipment financed in that tax year. Invest Wisely Purchase high-quality equipment that will stand the test of time and save money on future repairs or replacements. Though it may cost more up-front, it will garner a more substantial ROI. You should also create a plan for regular maintenance and care to keep your equipment in good working condition. So, when you are looking at different vendors, check to see what their warranty coverage and service agreements are like. By carefully evaluating your needs and making smart financing choices, you can turn equipment investments into powerful growth tools. With the right strategy, your equipment can pay dividends for years to come.
BEGINNINGS BLANKETS CARNATION CAPRICORN
GARNET HEALTHY ICICLE PENGUIN
PLANNING RESOLUTION SNOWBOARD SOUPY
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PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
C.H. Brown Co., LLC A PLATTE VALLEY COMPANY 20 W. Frontage Rd. • Wheatland, WY 82201 307-322-2545 • chbef.com
Inside
1 Build Habits, Not Just Dreams 2 Transformative Tech for Top Leads 2 Big Tax Changes May Be Coming in 2025 3 Citrus-Herb Pork Roast 3 Take a Break 3 Ensure Your Equipment Pays for Itself 4 Galaxy Gazing in the Cowboy State
Bundle Up for an Epic Night of Stargazing in Wyoming CONSTELLATIONS AND COCOA
Gear Up While you don’t need a telescope to spot stars here in the dark sky, it can enhance what you see. Bring binoculars for closer viewing and utilize star-finding apps like SkyView, which can help you locate and identify specific stars and constellations. You can also find the Big Dipper and use it as a reference point as you seek out different heavenly bodies. Don’t forget to bring a flashlight to check for wildlife in the area. Wyoming’s winter skies offer a breathtaking view of the cosmos and all its stars. Whether you are a seasoned stargazer or just beginning to explore the night skies, you will find endless wonders under the sparkling canopy above.
There’s something magical about stargazing during Wyoming’s cold winter nights. The state has some of the darkest skies in the country, making it ideal for spotting hundreds of stars, constellations, and even the Milky Way. Thanks to the vast darkness, low light pollution, high altitude, and wide open spaces, Wyoming is truly one of the best locations to immerse yourself in the wonder of the night sky. So, bundle up, grab a cup of hot cocoa, and get ready to count the constellations with these tips for an epic night of astronomy-based fun. Why Wyoming? Wyoming is the least populated state in the U.S. and has some of the lowest light pollution, which helps you see even more
stars, planets, and galaxies. It also has a high elevation, putting you closer to the sky with less atmosphere to look through. You won’t have trouble finding a perfect location to look to the skies with the state’s many parks and undeveloped lands. Prepare for the Cold Though the winter months put exciting astral sights front and center, like the constellation Orion and the Andromeda Galaxy, they also drop the temperature to extreme lows. Wear layers on your stargazing trip, and bring supplies like extra socks and a shovel to scoop snow out of your observing area. Blankets and a thermos of your favorite hot beverage will make the whole night a better experience.
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