Pezzano Mickey & Bornstein May 2019

MAY 2019

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Perspectives PMB

MAKE YOUR TIME YOUR OWN Time-Management Tools to Improve Your Life

I’ve read quite a few time-management books through the years. There’s constantly a new take on the topic, probably because we never have enough time. Like many people, I often wish I could multiply myself to get everything done. I’ve tried different ways to manage my time. As a young associate fresh out of law school, I found myself juggling assignments from multiple supervisors, which made it difficult to prioritize my tasks. I vowed to put my head down and plow through the work as quickly as possible. Looking back, that approach led to unsustainable stress. Since then, I have tried more structured methods of prioritizing tasks to manage my time, in both my professional and my personal life. “The key is in not spending time, but in investing it.” –Stephen R. Covey The Pomodoro Technique is a time management method popularized in the late 1980s. The title comes from the tomato-shaped timer which the author used to manage his time in college. The technique involves breaking work down into 25-minute intervals, separated by 5-minute breaks, in order to heighten focus on tasks. Although I don’t subscribe to this method, I can see the potential benefit, especially for students. One of the time-management books I enjoyed was “Getting Things Done,” by David Allen. An entire productivity movement has been built around the principles outlined in “GTD,” in which Allen recommends organizing tasks into both short- and long-term plans. Whenever a task presents itself, if it can be done in two minutes or less, just do it immediately to get it out of the way. Work that requires more time

should be put onto either a “next actions list” or a list of long-term goals. Basically, if something that needs to be done pops into your head, promptly write it down on one of your lists so that it will not be forgotten. Getting tasks out of your head and onto paper (or your PC, tablet, or smartphone) will also help you to reduce stress and focus on getting your work done. I have tweaked the GTD method of time management, since I found that my “to do” list itself was becoming unmanageable. I discovered that unless a deadline was imminent, certain tasks would get bumped in place of concrete events on my calendar. So, I switched my strategy. Now, if something needs to get done by a particular date, it goes into my calendar immediately and is inserted into an available time slot. Occasionally, a task does get bumped for unexpected events, but if that occurs, I simply reschedule it to a later time, and it does not get deleted from my calendar until it is completed. What about long-term goals? They are also calendared, sometimes on a weekend, and are scheduled to repeat in monthly intervals so that they are not forgotten. It is much easier to use the calendar technique of time management if you utilize modern technology, of course. I would not suggest this method if the only calendar you are comfortable using hangs on your fridge! No matter what method you use for time- management, your plan will be useless if you allow yourself to be sidetracked by the many distractions we face on a daily basis. While social media has connected us to others, it is also a major time suck. Studies have shown that the average American adult spends more than 11 hours per day looking at a screen. What do we have to show for those 11 hours? It is wonderful to catch up with family on Facebook, but once

we are logged on, the lure of interesting photos, videos, and articles can turn what we expected to be a 10-minute break into a two-hour hole in our day. You can never get that time back, so finish your priorities before getting pulled in! While we may become distracted by social media, technology also provides many tools for taking control of our own schedules. There are several excellent time management applications and websites out there that can help you organize your life.“Rescue Time”is an app that measures howmuch time you are spending online, broken down by category (social media, entertainment, news, etc.) The“Be Focused Timer”and“Remember the Milk”applications help track your work and manage tasks. You may also want to consider turning off all email and text notifications to avoid losing focus. You do not need to have a career outside of the home to benefit from implementing a time management system. Stay-at-home parents and those enjoying retirement would also benefit from using their time more wisely. Students should certainly learn time-management skills as early as possible. While unstructured days now and then are necessary to recharge our batteries, too much unstructured time leads many to experience a sense of uselessness and hopelessness. Get yourself on a schedule for laundry, groceries, meal-planning, and all of life’s mundane tasks. Once you focus all your attention on the task at hand, you will find that you have more time left over to pursue the activities that give you joy. Ingrain this attitude in your children, and they will be more likely to find success and happiness in life at a young age. –Lisa Pezzano Mickey

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THE GOLDEN ERA OF ATHLETES ON SOCIAL MEDIA Out of the Dark and Onto the Web

It’s not an overstatement to say that social media has revolutionized the way we live our lives today. But with that massively powerful platform comes a massive responsibility, especially if you’re already in the spotlight. Athletes have taken the opportunity social media affords them to build their personal brands and engage in community outreach with the fans who look to them as role models, but there’s a downside to cataloging years of unfiltered thoughts on the internet. For better or worse, social media is here to stay, and we have full access to all the drama that unfolds for our entertainment. Despite the web’s potential for good, some pros can’t seem to get the message that every post falls under the scrutiny of the public. PR firms representing players have now made it a top priority to keep their clients’ images in line by scrubbing old posts that could be offensive and land them in hot water. Still, though, it seems like there’s a new controversy every week. One of the best examples comes courtesy of former football star“Johnny Football”Manziel. The former HeismanTrophy winner was notorious for posting embarrassing images of himself partying when he should have been practicing, and he often blasted his private issues in public, seemingly

with no filter. He’s out of a job now, most recently having been banned from the Canadian Football League. For every bad apple, though, there is a bushel of athletes who use their platforms for the greater good. HoustonTexans defensive end J.J. Watt, five-time Pro Bowler and NFL star, has used his social media“juice”to spread the word about his charity, raising over $4.6 million for youth athletic programs and organizations.

Philanthropy aside, part of the beauty of celebrity social media is that the people who seem so much larger than life become accessible because of it. In decades past, you might have written a letter that, if you were fortunate, got a response from some unpaid intern. Today, fans can reach out directly to their favorite athletes. It is a personal connection unparalleled in history. What a time to be alive.

Leaving a Legacy of Giving MAKING CHARITY A PART OF YOUR ESTATE PLAN

Your estate plan is far more than just a set of documents. It’s a declaration of what you find most important and a roadmap of the legacy you’d like to leave. Not only does a proper estate plan ensure that your loved ones will be taken care of when you’re gone, but it also allows you to make an impact on the wider world through charitable giving. Many avenues exist for making planned gifts to nonprofits, but here are some of the basics on how to make giving a part of your plan.

notify an organization about what you are planning to give. Smaller philanthropies may not accept complex assets, such as stocks or real estate. On the other hand, some charities may specialize in specific assets. For example, if your home is considered a historic site within your town, you may want to gift it to a preservation society so that it stays properly maintained.

DECIDE HOW TO GIVE

NAME A CHARITY IN YOURWILL

There are different ways to structure a charitable bequest, giving you the flexibility to make sure your estate planning goals are met. If you have a set sum of money or a particular asset you wish to leave to a charity, you can make a specific bequest in your will. However, if you want to ensure your loved one’s needs are met before giving a portion of your estate to charity, you can make what’s known as a residuary gift. With a residuary gift, once debts have been paid off and your other beneficiaries have received their bequests, a specified percentage of your remaining estate will go to a charity of your choice.

The most basic way to give to a charity is by naming it in your will. Simply name the charitable organization you wish to support among your beneficiaries, and specify the assets you wish to give. If estate or income taxes are a concern, ensure your chosen organization is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit. These are the charities the IRS deems tax-exempt.

MATCH THE ASSETS TO THE CHARITY Almost all charities will accept cash bequests, though

OTHER AVENUES

Depending on your income level and the kinds of assets in your estate, more complex means of making a planned gift may be available to you. Talk to your estate planner to see if creating a charitable trust or establishing a foundation is the right move for you.

it is always a good idea to

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TAKE A BREAK

How to Cultivate Valuable Customer Reviews THE GOOD KIND OF GOSSIP When you’re thinking about buying a new product or service, what’s the first step you take? If you turn to the WorldWide Web in search of reviews, then you’re in good company. According to a survey conducted by BrightLocal, 85 percent of consumers regard the customer review to be the single most credible and trustworthy source of advertising. That same survey found that 68 percent of customers surveyed were willing to provide feedback for a company. So, how do you get your customers to write the glowing reviews that help close deals? Don’t rely on customers to go to your website to leave reviews. There are numerous websites you can utilize that make leaving feedback more convenient for your clients. What’s more is that these other platforms are highly trafficked. BrightLocal found that Facebook and Yelp were consumers’ most trusted sources of user reviews in the U.S., but you can also use Google My Business or the Better Business Bureau. Most importantly, be sure you are active on all the platforms you use. DIVERSIFY YOUR PLATFORMS

SHRIMP SAUSAGE SKEWERS

Ingredients

OFFER INCENTIVES

CREOLE SEASONING

1/2 pound raw shrimp, peeled and deveined 1/2 pound cooked sausage, cut into 1-inch pieces

2 tablespoons paprika

Give your clients a reason to write reviews. Consider offering incentives like a discount or coupon code, coffee gift card, or an entry to win a contest for an even bigger prize.

1/2 tablespoon garlic powder

1/2 tablespoon onion powder

2 zucchini, cut into 1/2-inch cubes

1/2 tablespoon cayenne or chili powder

ASK THE RIGHT QUESTIONS

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

Wooden skewers, soaked in water for 30 minutes

Think of the review process as a conversation rather than a request to be met, and use open-ended questions to start. Before you even request a review, you can ask customers questions like “How was your recent experience with us?” or “How are you liking your product?”That way, you can gauge their satisfaction before they leave any feedback.

1/4 tablespoon dried oregano

1/4 tablespoon dried thyme

Directions

1. Heat your grill to medium-high. 2. In a bowl, combine all ingredients for creole seasoning. 3. In a large bowl, combine the shrimp, zucchini pieces, and sausage pieces, and cover them with the olive oil. 4. Add creole seasoning and mix well until all ingredients are covered. 5. Load up skewers with alternating pieces of shrimp, sausage, and zucchini until they’re full. 6. Grill skewers until shrimp are well-cooked (6–8 minutes). Inspired by Food Network

RESPOND, RESPOND, RESPOND

The last thing you want to see is a scathing one-star review. But no matter how hard you work, they are still bound to happen. When you receive one, take the time to respond thoughtfully —without being defensive — and try to come up with a possible solution to the complaint. And be sure to respond to your positive reviews as well. When you show that you engage with all of your customers, prospective ones will be more likely to give you a shot.

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INSIDE THIS ISSUE

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Lisa Talks Time Management

The Golden Era of Athletes on Social Media Making Charity a Part of Your Estate Plan

Shrimp Sausage Skewers The Value of User Reviews

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Genealogy Sites Provide Breakthroughs in Cold Cases

GENEALOGY SITES AND THE WARMING OF COLD CASES The Revolution in Forensic Science Continues to Captivate the Masses

We’ve come a long way in the field of forensic science since 1986, when DNA was first used to convict someone in court. In 2019, criminals who would have gotten away with their crimes in the past are now put behind bars where they belong. The advent of genealogy testing has been thrust into the spotlight with high- profile cases that were solved by sequestering information from sites like 23andMe and Ancestry.com. With this revolution in DNA testing on the rise, there’s really no end to the impossible-to-solve cold cases that can finally be put to rest. Whatever the motivation was behind genealogy sites in the beginning, they’re now some of the most sought-after databases in the world and are worth billions for their collection of the most personal consumer data in existence. Using these websites’ data, investigators can make DNA matches with potential offenders. The most famous recent case is the successful apprehension of Joseph James DeAngelo, otherwise known as the Golden State Killer.

After 13 murders and dozens of assaults, he was finally brought to justice after investigators matched his DNA to the evidence found at the crime scenes. They gained access to his DNA from the personal genomics site GEDmatch.

to its customers, law enforcement agencies successfully subpoenaed the companies to hand over the requested data. With the ability to theoretically solve any crime with preserved DNA, law enforcement and websleuths alike are foaming at the mouth at the possibilities genealogy testing has to offer. If only we’d preserved some of Jack the Ripper’s DNA!

Although access to the data of popular sites like 23andMe and Ancestry.com is restricted

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