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T he Q uiet S kill T hat S peaks V olumes HOW MASTERING LISTENING CAN BOOST YOUR LIFE AND CAREER
MARCH 2025
Every day, we experience countless scenarios where we have an opportunity to listen to others. We experience it when we have conversations with our loved ones, discuss situations with our clients or customers, and attend seminars and other classes. However, too often, we turn down our listening skills, only hearing what other people are saying instead of fully comprehending the meaning behind their words. When we improve our listening skills, we can experience stronger communication, enhanced relationships, increased learning opportunities, and more. March is Listening Awareness Month, so there’s no better time to improve your listening skills. Over the years, I’ve become very comfortable in listening and speaking roles. I grew up in a house with an incredibly vocal mother and sister. Whenever I wanted to get a word in, I had to talk louder than everyone else in the room. Frankly, it was too much effort to be heard so I decided to let them do the bulk of the talking unless there was something I absolutely had to get out of my system. My mom would say I never argued but did whatever I wanted whereas my
sister would yell and scream but ultimately fall in line. I certainly did not realize at the time, but this helped me develop my listening skills and my ability to hear more than just the words being spoken. One of the greatest benefits of developing your listening skills is that people will always feel like they have an amazing interaction with you, regardless of how much speaking you actually do. When they do all the talking, and you are able to listen and reflect on their words, it can mean a lot to them. Every book on networking and business development explains that being a good listener is the key to building strong relationships. This has helped me grow my business significantly. Additionally, listening allows you to learn about other people and their pain points. This allows you to find solutions for them, find ways to relate to their experiences, and celebrate their milestones with them. You’ll also gain great insight into their motivations and how to connect with them. At some point, you will likely meet someone who is not a talker. You may feel like this is your opportunity to dominate the conversation, but you should consider it a chance to ask questions and learn more about them. There are all kinds of reasons why people don’t jump at every opportunity to talk, and they might just need you to lead the discussion. When I first started networking for my business, I had to deal with a lot of stress before going to lunch with someone new since I am a natural introvert. I worried about awkward silences, so I prepared beforehand. I would come equipped with 5–10 comments, questions, or topics I could bring up if an uncomfortable silence filled the air. This helped keep the conversation moving, which made everyone involved more comfortable. I don’t have to do this too much anymore, but I still have a few go-to topics in mind if I need to break a silence. They’re often focused on family, holidays, movies, work experience, travel or other recent experiences It’s a great way to build meaningful, long-lasting relationships. Improving your listening skills is one of the best things you can do to enhance your professional and personal experiences. You’ll be amazed at how much you can learn about others and even yourself by listening instead of simply hearing (or talking).
- Esther Vayman
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I ndulge W ithout the G uilt SIMPLE WAYS TO MAKE YOUR FAVORITES MORE NUTRITIOUS
sauce — or even to your favorite mac and cheese! Finding the right additions might take some creative thinking, but once you do, you’ll never look back! CUT BACK ON THE SALT. Salt is a staple ingredient in many comfort foods, but it can contribute to high blood pressure and increase your risk of heart disease and stroke. Limit how much salt you include in your dish, and use low-sodium or salt-free ingredients when possible. If it feels like you’re taking the flavor out of your dish, use spices and herbs to replace the salt.
When we were children, our parents served us many dishes that filled our bellies and hearts with warm, positive feelings. Many of us hold on to these nostalgic recipes, cooking them whenever we need a pick-me-up, but many have realized those classic comfort foods aren’t as healthy as they could be. If you’re trying to eat healthier, you may think you have to cut way back on comfort foods, but that’s not the case. You simply have to find ways to make them more nutritious. Here are three ideas to get you started. SWAP OUT INGREDIENTS. One of the best ways to make your favorite comfort food healthier is to swap out less nutritious ingredients for healthier options. Do you love eating pasta but don’t want to
overindulge on carbs? Then, swap out your standard spaghetti noodles for spaghetti squash. Mashed cauliflower can replace mashed potatoes, Greek yogurt can stand in for sour cream, and whole wheat crust and low-fat cheese can replace traditional crust and full-fat cheese on pizza. The options are endless! ADD MORE VEGETABLES AND WHOLE GRAINS TO THE RECIPE. Our favorite comfort foods can be full of simple carbs and fat (which is why they taste so good!), but adding healthier ingredients can balance the carb-fest. Whole grains are a way to get more fiber, B vitamins, iron, and magnesium into your diet, and adding vegetables also increases fiber and vitamins. For example, sauté onions, mushrooms, and zucchini and add those to your spaghetti
T he E xecutor ’ s R ole in K eeping the P eace and P aying the B ills BEYOND THE WILL The executor’s primary responsibility is to act in the best interest of the beneficiaries. This isn’t the time to express your personal opinion about who should get what. You must be fair and distribute assets according to the will. Once you agree to the role, it’s time to identify and safeguard the estate’s assets, including bank and investment accounts, real estate, vehicles, and other expensive or prized possessions. It’s best practice to create a detailed inventory of all assets, as this will help avoid familial disputes in the future. You should also look into opening an estate bank account to house all estate funds. Once all possessions and assets have been gathered, executors must explore debts the deceased owes. They’ll need to inform creditors and debtors that the individual has passed away and may need to provide proof, such as their obituary or death certificate. Executors must use the estate’s assets to pay any lingering debt before distributing the rest to the heirs and beneficiaries. At this point, the executor should distribute assets, following the provisions of the last will and Georgia law. Be prepared to report if the court asks you to create inventories or submit annual returns. Once you’ve distributed everything, it’s time to file for discharge from your role as executor. Understand that the executor can be held liable in certain situations, such as mismanagement of assets, failing to pay debts, neglecting tax obligations, and breaching fiduciary duty. Working with an experienced probate attorney is incredibly beneficial, as they’ll ensure you do everything by the books. We’re available if you need assistance or have any questions. - Andrea Johnson
After a loved one passes away, you may find yourself in the unique position of executor. This is a vital role in the estate planning and probate process, but many are unfamiliar with the responsibilities involved. It’s not a position we necessarily imagined ourselves in earlier in life, and it’s not something most people do more than once. In most cases, the deceased will name an executor in their will, but if they didn’t, the probate court will appoint an administrator to carry out many of the same duties. Regardless of how you end up in the position, you must understand all the executor’s responsibilities.
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WHAT DOES YOUR PERFECT DAY LOOK LIKE?
Amanda D. A Sunday thunderstorm, a good book, a fire going with chips and queso. Amanda H. Any day at the beach is better than any day anywhere else. Sara Day at the beach, long nap, then dinner. Brooke Yoga to start the morning and shopping in the afternoon. Ashlyn Dinner and a concert.
Leah On the beach, add wine. Mari On the beach all day until the sun sets. Grace Wake surfing at the lake and grilling out for dinner. Abby A quiet day at home. Nicole Pool day with my kids. Abigayle Any day ending with fireworks: Fourth of July and New Year’s!
“VAYMAN & TEITELBAUM DID AN EXCELLENT JOB IN A DIFFICULT LEGITIMATION AND CUSTODY CASE FOR MY SON. GIVEN THE COMPLEXITY OF HIS CASE RAVE REVI EWS AND THE SLAM DUNK OUTCOME, I WOULD RECOMMEND THIS FIRM TO ANYONE WHO NEEDS A FAMILY LAW FIRM.”
‘C heesy ’ C ashew Q ueso Inspired by GoodHousekeeping.com
ingredients • 2 large poblano peppers, halved and seeded • 1 tbsp olive oil • 2 cloves garlic, pressed • 1 cup cashews
BRAIN BREAK
• 1/2 tsp ground coriander • 1/2 tsp ground turmeric • 1/2 tsp salt • 1/2 tsp pepper • 2 cups water, divided • 1/4 cup nutritional yeast
• 2 tsp chili powder • 1 tsp ground cumin
directions 1. Heat broiler. Add poblanos face down to a rimmed baking sheet and broil for 4 minutes or until charred. Transfer to a bowl, cover, and let sit for 5 minutes. Then, remove skin and cut into 1/4-inch pieces. 2. In a saucepan, heat oil and garlic on medium heat for 1 minute. Remove from heat and stir in cashews and spices. 3. Return saucepan to heat. Add 1 1/2 cups water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 10–12 minutes or until cashews are tender. 4. Put contents of saucepan in a blender and add yeast and 1/2 cup of water. Purée until smooth. 5. Pour mixture back into saucepan and simmer 7 minutes or until thickened, stirring occasionally. 6. Fold in poblanos and serve with chips.
AQUAMARINE BASKETBALL BLUEBIRD
LEPRECHAUN MADNESS PISCES SPRING TANGERINE TULIP
CLOVER GREEN IDES
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WHY LISTENING MATTERS MORE THAN EVER
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ENJOY YOUR FAVORITE COMFORT FOODS WHILE EATING HEALTHIER WHAT IT REALLY MEANS TO BE AN EXECUTOR
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QUESTION AND ANSWERS
‘CHEESY’ CASHEW QUESO
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HOW THE DOL’S FINAL RULE PROTECTS RETIREMENT INVESTORS
T he F inal R ule T ransforms W hat I t M eans to B e a F iduciary A NEW ERA FOR ERISA
For more than 14 years, the U.S. Department of Labor has been trying to determine a new definition of a “fiduciary” under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA). A fiduciary provides investment advice for a fee to employee benefit plans. Under ERISA, someone is a fiduciary if they have control over managing or using a plan’s assets, provide investment advice for a fee, and have responsibility for managing the plan. Since 1975, these discussions were only considered “investment advice” if they adhered to a five-part test. However, this past September, the Department of Labor released new regulations called the Final Rule that redefines what it means to be an investment advice fiduciary. With this recent change, the five-part test goes out the window. The Final Rule expands the definition of who can
be considered a fiduciary. Someone is a fiduciary if they regularly provide investment recommendations and advice to retirement investors for a fee. That advice must be based on the investor’s needs and reflect expert judgment that serves the investor’s best interests. They must also state that they are acting as a fiduciary when giving advice; however, if you’ve previously received one-time advice, that could now be considered fiduciary advice. That’s a lot of information to swallow, and by now, you’re probably wondering how this will affect the average person. In most cases, these changes will only affect those acting as fiduciary advisors and retirement investors, including participants, beneficiaries, IR owners (Ingersoll Rand Inc.), and anyone else involved with an ERISA plan. Through the Final Rule, you should receive better advice that puts your interests first, providing more
transparency about recommendations and any fees involved. It should also create greater accountability for advisers, brokers, insurance agents, and anyone else acting as a fiduciary. All in all, this is a great change for those who interact with fiduciaries. You can rest assured knowing the advice you receive will benefit you and your investments.
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