January 2019
MAKING WAY FOR A GREAT NEW YEAR Build On a Strong Year
Are you the type of person who makes resolutions? I was reading a study the other day about how people who write down their goals are 42 percent more likely to achieve them than people who don’t. Isn’t that amazing? So I better get to it! Personally, my ambitions are some of the usual suspects that many people list for the new year: I want to get more sleep, exercise more, and work more normal hours. I want to stop getting up at 4 a.m. to kick off my work day! Can any of you relate? I want to put some focus back on my health because it impacts every other part of my life. I can only bring the best version of myself to my family, team, and clients if I’m taking care of myself.
I also plan to continue spending more time with my family — some of you might remember that was my resolution last year. Ashley and I are planning a road trip to take with the kids next summer. We haven’t really done a big trip since we’ve been working, so this excursion is something we want to make a priority this year. I couldn’t be more ecstatic! On the work side of things, I’m excited to implement new strategies that will help us deliver more “wow” experiences to our clients. We want to focus on our clients because that’s why we’re here — to give people great experiences during what can be very hard times in their lives. Last year was eventful for our firm. We saw great growth within our team, adding two new attorneys, Rosalie and Charlie, and a second paralegal, Jennifer. The expertise of our new recruits combined with Nicole’s strong foundation and knowledge of our specific area of law enabled our team to better serve our clients. It’s kind of incredible to think back to just a year and a half ago when it was just Nicole and me. It was fun and often very busy with just the two of us, but adding to our team allows us to confidently tackle large-scale projects and strategies. Thanks to my talented team for freeing up more time to work on our internal processes and make sure we are doing everything we can to help our clients. I can now focus on improving our clients’ experiences, which feels really good. Our aim is to do as much as we can to improve our systems, with an emphasis on making them better for our clients in the long run. We also appreciate our partners in the community and the attorneys who’ve been our referral partners, and we can’t wait to build on those relationships this year. Thank you for being part of what made 2018 great for us. In the coming year, with our great team in place, we’re eager to serve our clients better! We are attending a seminar in Orlando as a team at the end of the month, and it’s going to be a great opportunity to learn and grow both as individuals and as a group. I can’t wait to see what this year has in store!
What are you looking forward to in 2019?
Russell loves boats, even while sleeping!
– Chris Bruce
(561) 810-0170 • 1
Jennifer’s Take on What Makes Our Team Click
This past spring, we welcomed a new paralegal, Jennifer, to our team, and we’re excited for you to get to know her a bit better this month. Since starting with Bruce Law Firm, she’s been contributing her skills and legal knowledge to our team. Although Jennifer’s a newer addition to the firm, she’s no stranger to her co-workers. She and attorney Rosalie have been friends since high school — a friendship that contributed to connecting Jennifer to her career in the legal field. As for meeting attorney Chris Bruce, “That’s where Rosalie comes in again,” Jennifer explains. Rosalie introduced the two, and
SOCIALLY SECURE
SOCIAL MEDIA REMINDERS FOR PARENTS
Social media has been making the world smaller than ever. The distance among cross-country relatives and friends shrinks with each post or Skype call. And instant updates from loved ones are particularly valuable during the holidays. That Christmas morning video call means Grandma and Grandpa get to see their grandkids in their new holiday outfits, but so can online predators. According to digital and safety experts, half of the photos filtered onto the darknet are stolen from parents’ social media accounts. If these predators are privy to your photos, they’re also able to snag your location and other sensitive information, putting you and your children at physical risk as well. On a less disturbing note, social media content is permanent. Even after you delete a post or a photo, it leaves a digital footprint that could follow your child throughout their education and could even affect job interviews or future relationships. It’s still possible for you to foster a sense of privacy in the digital age, but it’s important to respect what your child deems private information. After all, it’s their future. Consider these rules before you share. 1. ASK YOUR CHILD’S PERMISSION . If they can speak, then they can speak for themselves. Children love to see photos of themselves, but they may also be aware of what they are and aren’t comfortable with, even at a young age. 2. LIMIT THE NUDITY. Everyone loves a beach day, but think twice before posting swimsuit or skinny-dipping pictures. Opt to post safer photos, like the family posing prior to fun in the sun. 3. CHECK YOUR SETTINGS. Your privacy settings may be exposing your family to more people than you know, and if you feel the need to share every minute of your child’s day online, making these settings airtight will protect your children and their reputations. 1. TINYBEANS.COM is a secure photo-sharing website for parents of babies and young children. The digital photo album app allows you to share photos with only the people you choose. 2. CREATE A SEPARATE, SECURE GROUP ON FACEBOOK . Family, friends, or coworkers in closed groups can still fawn over their little ones in a personal, safe setting. Despite the dangers your digital life can elicit, you don’t have to avoid the digital world completely. Social media is still a great tool for families to stay connected, as long as you take precautions. Go ahead and brag about your kids online — just be safe and considerate of your child’s wishes. Consider some of these safe alternatives to regular public posting:
Jennifer and Family
Jennifer began working for the firm where he was an attorney. When Chris left to open his own firm, Jennifer stayed on until she saw an advertisement that Chris was looking to hire another paralegal. “I reached out to him, and he said yes,” Jennifer explains. “I’d always liked working for him, and I feel like we communicate well together.” Jennifer attributes being a good fit with the Bruce Law team to knowing Rosalie and to Chris Bruce’s ability to bring talented, driven, and team-oriented people together under one roof. “Chris did an amazing job bringing all of us together. It helped that I already knew Rosalie, and Nicole is a very friendly person. One thing Chris does is that he wants to interview each person with everyone in the office. When we interviewed our newest attorney, Charlie, we all got to meet him one-on-one, and it clicked. Everyone worked well together right off the bat. It’s amazing that it’s worked out as well as it has.” It’s no wonder Jennifer and Rosalie have remained each other’s biggest supporters. The two met when Rosalie had just moved to Florida from New York and was a new student in Jennifer’s school. “I remember seeing her at lunch, and she was sitting by herself. I was with my group of friends and felt bad that she didn’t know anyone,” Jennifer explains. “I went up to her, introduced myself, and asked if she wanted to sit with us. That’s where it started.” Jennifer’s kind gesture made an impact, and the two have been friends since. Outside of work, it’s all about family for Jennifer. “I have a husband, Enrique, and a daughter, Isabella, who’s 7,” Jennifer says. “It’s all about spending time with them, from the park to the movies. And any family event we can locate in our area, we’re definitely there.”
We’re so glad to have Jennifer on our team, and we know you will be, too!
As Chris shared on the cover, we want to make 2019 the best year yet for our clients. To do that, we need feedback from you. Here’s what we want to know: What is the most important thing a law firm can provide for its client experience? We Want to Hear From You!
Email cbruce@brucepa.com with your thoughts and get entered to win a $25 Starbucks gift card.
2 • BrucePA.com
The Brain-Stimulating Magic
OF WRITING DOWN YOUR GOALS
Have you ever felt deflated by a goal you didn’t get around to accomplishing? The end of the year tends to bring those unattained ambitions into sharp focus. We often use this season to make resolutions for the coming year and reflect on where we failed in the last one. So, what’s the trick to making our 2019 goals happen?
you live, but your mind starts to open up to opportunities all around you that will help you achieve your goal.
Sound like magic? Try this experiment laid out by HuffPost contributor and author Mary Morrissey. For the next seven days, write down your goals in these key areas of your life:
1. Health and relationships
3. Vocation
2. Love and relationships
4. Time and money freedom
It starts with writing them down.
Give yourself room to dream within each category, going beyond the confines of what you feel is practical or pragmatic. Morrissey encourages, “Write down what you’d truly love.” The act of writing down your goals signifies that you’re serious about them and causes a shift in your perspective and awareness, “magically” bringing to light opportunities that connect to your goals. Here is one additional note about Dr. Matthews’ study: It also found the odds of achieving your goals go up even higher if you enlist a “partner in believing,” someone to share your goals with who supports and believes in your ability to succeed. So, write down those goals, share them with a close friend, and watch the universe collude to make them happen.
A recent study by Dominican University psychology professor Dr. Gail Matthews found that people are 42 percent more likely to achieve their goals when they write them down.
It has do with the two hemispheres of the brain and how they function together. Your right hemisphere is the more imaginative side, and your left hemisphere is the more literal side. Because of the way the hemispheres communicate, merely thinking about a goal, like when daydreaming, stimulates your right hemisphere. But thinking about a goal and writing it down stimulates the left hemisphere along with the right.
Together, the hemispheres’ communication stimulates every cell in your body and every neuron to move you toward your goal. Not only does that begin to transform the way
have a LAUGH
Citrus and Avocado Salad
ingredients
•
1 blood, cara cara, or navel orange, sliced 1/8-inch thick and deseeded
• • • • •
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 bunch arugula
•
1 Meyer or regular lemon, sliced 1/8-inch thick and deseeded 4 tablespoons olive oil, divided 1/4 small red onion, thinly sliced
1/2 cup fresh mint leaves 1 avocado, cut into wedges Salt and pepper, to taste
• •
Directions
1.
Heat oven to 425 F.
Inspired by Bon Appétit 2. In a rimmed baking sheet, toss citrus slices with 1 tablespoon oil and season with salt and pepper. Roast citrus until lightly charred and caramelized, about 10–15 minutes. Let cool. 3. Meanwhile, in a large mixing bowl, combine onion and lemon juice. Season with salt and let sit for 5 minutes. 4. Add citrus, arugula, and mint to onion mixture. Drizzle with remaining oil, season with salt and pepper to taste, and toss thoroughly. 5. Add avocado, combing very gently to not crush avocado. (561) 810-0170 • 3
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
1601 Forum Pl. Ste. 1101 West Palm Beach, FL 33401
What We’re Excited About in 2019 page 1
Staying Safe on Social Media
Meet Our Talented Team page 2
How to Meet Your Goals This Year page 3
The Best Skiing Destinations in the World page 4
3 of the World’s Greatest Winter Sport Destinations WHO’S READY FOR SOME POWDER?
187 trails, 34 lifts, four terrain parks, and a renowned cross-country trail. After a day on the slopes, head into the town of Breckenridge for dining and activities that ditch the glitz and glamour of Vail or Aspen and take you straight to the heart of fun. WHISTLER, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA A destination that looks like a cross between a Nordic paradise and Olympic-level runs, Whistler is filled with true magic, winter activities, and a town that captivates the senses. When you see the mountains of British Columbia, you’ll understand why they hosted the 2010 Winter Olympics. The location’s beauty is only part of your stimulating experience, because every curve of fresh powder makes your pupils dilate. Once you’re done flying down the hill where Bode Miller took the bronze, head over to the winter wonderland of the old Olympic Village for a cozy night in a picturesque town. ST. ANTON, AUSTRIA If you want a great location for next year’s Christmas card photo, there’s no better place than the Tyrolean Alps. Nestled in a valley between perfectly molded mountains, the Austrian landscape provides a beautiful backdrop for your winter excursions. The densely wooded areas and the bright reflection of the snow frame the vibrant town that’s just waiting to be explored.When you’re ready for world-class runs, hop in one of the 11 gondolas and zip down the hills that hosted the 2001 Alpine World Ski Championships.
The sound of the first carve through fresh powder is the anthem of all winter sports enthusiasts. Here are three of the world’s best places to experience that powder you’ve been craving all year. BRECKENRIDGE, COLORADO John Denver’s anthem “Rocky Mountain High” is about the freedom he felt here. Where there are great mountains, there’s even better snow. The ski resort boasts five peaks,
4 • BrucePA.com
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4Made with FlippingBook - professional solution for displaying marketing and sales documents online