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NORTON NEWSLETTER
THE REAL ESTATE TAX PRO ™
NortonAccountingServices.com 985-640-6072 Info@NortonAccountingServices.com SEPTEMBER 2023
EASE OF MIND • AVAILABILITY • FLEXIBILITY • INDIVIDUAL APPROACH • EXPERIENCE • TAX SAVINGS OPPORTUNITIES
Earl Nightingale’s ‘Strangest Secret’ THE POWER OF GOAL-SETTING
Over the summer, my nephew flew down from Pennsylvania to intern with me. He’s studying for his accounting degree and needed a course credit. Of course, he could have found a closer opportunity, but he knew
It comes down to what we now call mindset. Nightingale believed we become what we think about. If you think about a goal constantly, you can barely help but achieve it. The subconscious mind opens new channels, and you begin to see opportunities you otherwise would have missed. It’s much like when you buy a new car and suddenly start noticing others of the same model on the road — only far more useful.
I could teach him a lot of things that they’re not reviewing in school. One of the most valuable things I imparted was a recommendation to read “The Strangest Secret” by Earl Nightingale. I first came across the essay in 2006 and was deeply impressed. My dad was also a businessman, so I asked if he’d ever heard of it. Of course, he told me — he came across it years ago when starting in sales. So, I was a little annoyed that he’d gone without telling me about it all those years! I wanted to save my nephew the trouble and share a bit about “The Strangest Secret” with those of you who are unfamiliar. Nightingale owned an insurance agency and regularly delivered motivational speeches to his sales team. One week, he knew he wouldn’t be in the office and recorded a talk to play at the meeting in his absence. The reception was incredibly positive, and insurance agents asked for copies. Soon, they were circulating outside the company as well. “The Strangest Secret” was officially released in 1956 and was the first spoken word recording to earn a gold record.
The most successful people have figured this out, even if they don’t consciously realize it. I believe that once you tell yourself something is impossible, you’ve closed off your mind to ever getting what you want. Instead of thinking, “I can’t,” it’s better to ask, “How can I?” With that shift, you’re already working toward your goal. One experience of putting this into practice occurred years ago. Shortly after I’d started Norton Accounting Services, my business coach asked me if I had a business plan. I couldn’t help but laugh because part of my job is making business plans for others, but I didn’t have one of my own. It was just an idea floating around in my head. So, that weekend, I sat down and began to map it out and consider what it would take to meet my sales goals. I thought about how much business I would need, which got me thinking about how many people I’d need to hire. Then, my mind turned to where to find those people and how to train them. It was like a light switch, and I suddenly found myself on track.
I’ll delve deeper into these ideas and many others in my upcoming coaching program. Statistically, everyone can’t be in the 5%, but I want to see all my clients there. Stay tuned for sign-up information to access more resources and guidance on becoming and staying financially free.
I strongly urge you to listen to or read his thoughts fully, but I will give you the gist. Nightingale was curious why some people became wealthy and others did not. In his research, he came across statistics saying that only 5% of people become financially independent when they retire. So, what sets that 5% apart? Nightingale argued it was goal-setting. Specifically, he said, “Success is the progressive realization of a worthy ideal.” While many people set goals for themselves, most eventually stagnate. They achieve their goal, decide life is great, and stop. That’s how they fall back into the 95%. The secret is to set one goal, achieve it, and set another. In Nightingale’s view, it’s the definition of success.
–Bob Norton
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We were skeptical once too, but the results are in: Positive self-talk and affirmations can indeed shift your mindset more than you think. But what exactly is self-talk? Well, it’s the thoughts and internal dialogue that pass through your mind throughout the day. These thoughts can range from positive to negative, and both sides affect our emotions. It’s normal to have negative self-talk — in fact, it’s too normal. A few years ago, a jaw-dropping study from the National Science Foundation found that out of the 12,000–60,000 thoughts we have every day, about 80% of them are negative. Harness the Power of Positive Self-Talk for a Happier Life!
or admire how beautiful the morning sun looks streaming through your windows.
Thanks to this single sentence, you’ll likely find yourself subconsciously making your day great or noticing positive things you would have originally ignored.
‘What went well today?’
Now that you have started your day strong, ending it just as positive is critical. Before you fall asleep, ask yourself, “What went well today?” Think about all the positive occurrences that day, nice things someone said, and whatever else stood out
This is a serious problem because too much negativity can affect your confidence, mental health, and even
physical health. You can easily imagine the damage that can take place when you’re constantly telling yourself you’re not good enough, people are judging you, and so on. Fortunately, you’re in charge of your mindset — which means you can make a change! With just a few tweaks to your thinking, you can start practicing positive self-talk and improve your daily life. Try these three adjustments to significantly improve your emotional well-being and outlook.
as a highlight. You can even write it down to help you better realize your day wasn’t as tiring or stressful as you once thought. Over time, you’ll appreciate more and see your life in a brighter light.
Got negative thoughts? Challenge them.
While you may be starting and ending your day on a positive note, there are times when you find yourself with negative
thoughts. The key is knowing that not all your thoughts are the truth. Our thoughts can lie, especially when we start doubting or criticizing ourselves.
‘Today’s going to be a great day.’
When you wake up, it’s easy to start thinking about your responsibilities and everything that may be stressing you out. The best way to change your outlook on life is to start each day with positivity. Instead of mulling over your daily duties, tell yourself, “Today’s going to be a great day.” This simple statement directs your mind to a new way of thinking, and you’ll find yourself noticing the best parts of your day rather than the worst parts. You might notice that traffic isn’t as jammed as usual, take the time to cook yourself a particularly delicious breakfast,
When you have a negative thought, challenge it! Ask yourself if this is factually true and if others would agree with this thought. You’ll soon realize this
thought is false and simply harmful self-talk. Once you learn this, you won’t become attached to it and allow the thought to dictate your emotions and behavior. Does this all sound too good to be true? Give it a try! Over time, you’ll notice your negative self-talk will head in a more positive direction. With practice, you can change your outlook on life. You’ve got nothing to lose and everything to gain.
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HOW A WWII CAT SURVIVED 3 SHIP SINKINGS: THE STORY OF UNSINKABLE SAM
You’ve heard the saying, “Cats have nine lives,” and while there are countless tales of cats falling from trees or high-above windows, one cat put this theory to the test, earning himself the name “Unsinkable Sam.” Sam’s original name was “Oscar,” and his legacy began aboard the Bismarck, one of the two first-class Nazi battleships in World War II. The Bismarck (with Sam) was launched on Feb. 14, 1939, and soon after engaged in battle with The Prince of Wales, an Allied battleship. The Nazi ship was severely damaged in this battle and ultimately sunk. Only 118 of the 2,200 crew members survived, plus Sam. The British destroyer HMS Cossack found Sam floating on a board hours later, and they promptly scooped him up and welcomed him aboard. Sam had officially switched sides to the Allied forces. Now on the right side of history, Sam lived with the British crew for the next few months as they performed convoy escort duties — until a torpedo struck the HMS Cossack in October 1941, killing all 139 members aboard. Except for Sam. Once again, Sam clung to a wooden plank and floated safely to the nearby shore of Gibraltar, a British Overseas Territory. British service members who found him ashore put two and two together and realized the cat — the very one their fellow servicemen saved in 1939 — was the only survivor of HMS Cossack, earning him the nickname “Unsinkable Sam.”
it, a torpedo struck the HMS Ark Royal just a month later, leaving him once again clinging to a floating plank near a boat launch back in Gibraltar.
Luckily, Sam’s boating days were over, and he was honorably transferred to the position of “mouse hunter” in the building of the governor-general in Gibraltar. Eventually, the British restationed their favorite floating feline to a “home for sailors” in Belfast, where he lived for the rest of his days until his peaceful passing in 1955.
Sam’s story may not officially prove cats have nine lives, but it makes at least three seem likely!
The group in Gibraltar was from the HMS Ark Royal crew, and of course, they loaded Sam aboard when it was time to launch. But as Sam’s luck would have
TAKE A BREAK
Walnut and Blue Cheese Tomato Salad Inspired by FeastingAtHome.com
Ingredients
• 1/2 cup walnuts • 2 lbs ripe heirloom tomatoes • Kosher salt, to taste • Black pepper, to taste • 1/4 cup smoked blue cheese, thinly sliced
• 1 tbsp fresh dill • Chopped fresh Italian parsley, to taste • 3 tbsp olive oil • 2 tbsp red wine or balsamic vinegar • 1 garlic clove, finely minced
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 F. On a baking sheet, toast the walnuts in the oven for 12–14 minutes. 2. Wash and slice the tomatoes. Place slices on a platter, slightly overlapping. Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste. 3. Scatter toasted walnuts and blue cheese on top, followed by dill and preferred amount of parsley. 4. In a small bowl, whisk olive oil, wine or vinegar, and garlic to make the dressing. 5. Spoon dressing evenly over salad and serve.
Aster Blueberries Citizenship Grandparents
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THE REAL ESTATE TAX PRO ™
Norton Accounting Services, LLC
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NortonAccountingServices.com 985-640-6072 Info@NortonAccountingServices.com
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The Strangest Secret to Financial Success Shift Your Mindset for a Happier Life Unsinkable Sam: The Feline Hero of WWII Walnut and Blue Cheese Tomato Salad
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Simple, Affordable DIY Projects You’ll Love
Get Your Home Fall-Ready SIMPLE, AFFORDABLE DIY PROJECTS YOU’LL LOVE
Housewares stores are currently full of cute autumn decor, but the cost of refreshing your house’s look each season adds up quickly. Fortunately, you can do a lot for less. Many DIY crafts are not as complicated as you might think. In addition to saving money, you’ll create personalized charm none of your neighbors can match.
top of your pumpkin, you can set wax and a candle wick to create something unique. If you’re bored with pumpkins, try the same with acorn caps. An even simpler idea involves glazing real or fabric leaves on the outside of mason jars with craft glue. Then add decorative stones and a wax or battery-operated tealight for a seasonal twinkle.
Repurpose your pumpkins. Small gourds are incredibly versatile. Just sprinkling a few around your dining room table or mantle makes it feel like fall. But you can quickly elevate them using metallic paint to add cute designs, phrases, or names. Another option is to wrap seasonal fabric around them like a pouch, gathered at the stem. If you feel more ambitious, you can also use pumpkins to make succulent planters. Cut a crater in the top of the pumpkin, pop in the succulent and soil, and press the dirt until snug. Light up the night. The soft glow of a lantern or candle is the perfect way to get the cozy vibes started. Instead of succulents in the
Decorate your door. Wreaths are a DIY staple for several reasons. They’re easy for beginners to make and can set the tone for your home by offering visitors an autumnal focal point. You can buy a variety of starter wreaths at the craft store, so find one that suits your taste. Then pick up other supplies like leaves, pine cones, dried corn, and ribbon. Now you’re ready to hot glue to your heart’s content and create something distinctive. If you need further ideas, look closer the next time you shop. Many of the fun fall items for sale aren’t very difficult to make yourself with a few minor adjustments and a little creativity.
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