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NORTON NEWSLETTER
THE REAL ESTATE TAX PRO ™
NortonAccountingServices.com 985-640-6072 Info@NortonAccountingServices.com AUGUST 2023
EASE OF MIND • AVAILABILITY • FLEXIBILITY • INDIVIDUAL APPROACH • EXPERIENCE • TAX SAVINGS OPPORTUNITIES
How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love a Crowd THE SECRET TO PUBLIC SPEAKING
Public speaking is one of the most common fears — especially when you exclude things that could cause you great bodily harm. The University of Florida reports that up to 75% of the population is afraid of getting up in front of a group and talking. That’s an unfortunate reality for entrepreneurs because public speaking is one of the most effective ways to grow your business. I got involved in public speaking for precisely that reason. After Hurricane Katrina, I founded Business Network International (BNI) with other local business owners. We’d meet weekly, speak about our companies, and pass along referrals to each other. At first, getting up and talking about myself was nerve-wracking. But I found that it got easier every time I did it. After I outgrew BNI, I kept speaking in front of groups. Today, I feel comfortable getting up and talking at a moment’s notice. Most of my engagements involve talking about taxes to real estate investors and associations. Realtors and landlords should consider themselves business owners and need to engage in tax planning as someone who runs any other type of business would. So, I also talk about structuring those businesses properly and even do some presentations on marketing.
Public speaking isn’t as frightening as it seems, and the more you do it, the more comfortable you become. As someone who has been at it for many years, I can pass along several tips that have helped me gain confidence and communicate better with prospective clients. First, Powerpoint presentations feel very helpful to beginners, but they can quickly become a crutch. Instead of getting into the rhythm of your speech, you keep referencing the screen behind you. It interrupts your thought process and leaves less room for improvisation. Not having that visual aid has other advantages, such as forcing the audience to focus on your words instead of other distractions. And since they’re not reading along, they’ll never know if you inadvertently skip a point. That tip ties into my next point. Audiences are more forgiving than you imagine them to be. When you lose your train of thought for a moment as a speaker, panic can overwhelm you. The flow of time changes in your mind, and it feels like you’ve paused for a very long time. The reality is quite different and usually feels like a normal pause to the people listening. More often than not, the audience is there to learn, and they don’t care much about small mistakes. But most importantly, speaking in front of others is easy when you know your subject well. I can talk about taxes and real estate investing all day, and I have plenty of stories from my years as a CPA I can tell. Sharing it with a room full of people isn’t very different from chatting with a single client in my office. Good public speaking isn’t about memorizing a presentation but knowing your stuff. I’ve formed many lasting professional relationships through public speaking and consider it an underutilized marketing technique for small- business owners. Talking in front of groups builds trust, demonstrates expertise, and gets you in front of prospective clients.
If your Realtor association or other trade group might benefit from hearing Bob speak, email us at Info@nortonaccountingservices.com. Bob will be in touch to discuss how he can help.
If speaking engagements aren’t currently part of your strategy, it’s time to shake off the nerves and reconsider.
–Bob Norton
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WHY OUTDOOR MOVEMENT IS BETTER Where You Exercise Matters
GET YOUR BRICK ON ‘LEGO Masters’ Will Please All Ages
Most of us fondly remember letting our imaginations run wild with
LEGO blocks as a kid. But it turns out some people never outgrow that fun. A community of high-level adult LEGO builders can
We all know exercise is good for our physical and mental health. But whether we’re going on a jog through nature or clocking minutes on a treadmill, it’s all the same — right? A recent study suggests there may be a crucial difference. There is mounting evidence that where you exercise matters. A small study from the University of Victoria recently researched the benefits of “green exercise,” or that performed in nature. The authors of the 2023 paper found that physical activity in natural surroundings had benefits beyond those generally associated with movement. Study participants who went on 15-minute walks outside saw improvements in memory and concentration more significantly than when they performed the same exercise indoors. Neuroscientists behind the research can only guess why these results occurred. Some experts believe being out in nature helps us relax and quiet our brains. Additional research also demonstrates that people generally find outdoor exercise less physically taxing than indoor varieties — even when the outdoor exercise is quite strenuous. These findings confirm something you may have already expected to be true. You probably feel better after a bike ride through the park than spending the same time on a stationary bike in your basement. Exercise on gym equipment can also be tedious, and many people spend the bulk of their time staring at the clock, counting down the minutes until they’re finished. We’re less likely to have that problem outside. Unsurprisingly, doctors argue that any physical activity is better than none. Using gym equipment will provide far more benefits than sitting on your couch. But when you have the option to exercise outdoors, you should take it. Just remember that all outdoor exercise is not created equal. The Washington Post reports that outdoor activity in urban areas surrounded by concrete does not appear to have the same benefits as exercise in quieter, greener places. Fortunately, it doesn’t take much to see an impact. From a mental health perspective, 15 minutes of green exercise at a time seems to be ideal. So, get out as much as you can. And when you’re stuck inside due to weather or other circumstances, continue to make the most of it with as much exercise as possible.
construct astounding creations. And in the
competition show “LEGO Masters,” they compete spectacularly to determine who is the best of the best.
“LEGO Masters” follows a format similar to most reality competition shows. Teams of two compete every week in a new challenge. The team that does the worst
goes home, while the others advance closer to the title of LEGO Master. Jamie Berard and Amy Corbett, two “master builders” who design kits for LEGO, judge the contestants. Meanwhile, actor and comedian Will Arnett covers hosting duties. Contestants have access to 3 million LEGO in the studio. (Fun fact: “LEGO” is the plural of “LEGO.”) But while they have every size and shape they could ever want, the challenges are no cakewalk. The builders must create structures that move, incorporate water, or hold enormous weight. Amy and Jamie give tips while the builders work and judge the teams on creativity, function, and storytelling. Unsurprisingly, at least one team disappoints most weeks, but many builds are incredibly impressive. You’ll be shocked to learn how much is possible with six-studded bricks! Arnett is a great host who is equally impressed with the contestants’ abilities and willing to inject some levity into the proceedings. His comedic bits keep the show moving, and he’s passionate about the different builds. He also has a destructive streak. Several challenges include builders creating masterpieces for Arnett to blow up, sledgehammer, or try to break with weights. Kids, in particular, will enjoy seeing the pieces go flying. “LEGO Masters” will entertain kids, teens, and adults with laughs, competition, and some education. However, there may be one downside to watching with your children: They might ask you to buy a lot more LEGO. But that, too, presents a new opportunity to bond and spend time together as a family. Even if you don’t win any prizes, making your own creations can be just as fun as watching the pros. As Will Arnett regularly instructs contestants, “Get your brick on!”
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We all wish our pets would be there for us in an emergency. Dogs, cats, and other animals can accomplish amazing feats when provided with enough love and care, and a cat from Liverpool named Willow recently proved that many times over. A cat’s sense of smell is incredibly effective at detecting when something is abnormal, and Willow used her nose to save her owner in the nick of time. For many with diabetes, falling into a diabetic coma is a constant concern, and they regularly check their blood sugar levels and take insulin shots to avoid that scenario. Amanda Jameson, a 51-year-old woman from Liverpool, received a diabetes diagnosis years ago but had always stayed on top of it. In April 2023, she fell asleep while her blood sugar was dangerously low. Thankfully, her cat, Willow, noticed something was wrong and sprang into action. Willow went to the living room, where Amanda’s husband had fallen asleep watching television. Willow proceeded to bite his leg and jump on him until he woke up around 4 a.m. He could tell something was wrong, as this was abnormal behavior for Willow, so he followed her to the bedroom, where he spotted his wife. She was slumped over and unresponsive, and he immediately called her an ambulance. Doctors informed Amanda’s husband that she was moments away from slipping into a diabetic coma, but Willow had smelled something off and gotten help before it was too late. How Willow Saved Her Owner’s Life A CAT’S NOSE KNOWS
Most pets would get a few extra treats for their heroism, but Willow’s feats earned her a more prestigious award. The National Cat Awards named Willow as a finalist for their “Moggy Marvels” category. If Willow wins, she’ll receive a trophy, a £200 pet store voucher, and a year subscription to Cats Protection’s “The Cat” magazine. Although Willow likely doesn’t care about the trophy or the subscription, she’ll be happy enough with £200 worth of goodies and her owner safely by her side.
TAKE A BREAK
GRILLED HALIBUT WITH ROASTED RED PEPPER SAUCE Inspired by FoodAndWine.com
Ingredients
• 1 16-oz jar roasted red bell peppers, drained • 5 garlic cloves • 1 tbsp sherry vinegar • 2 tsp honey
• 1 tsp kosher salt • 1/4 tsp black pepper • 1/2 cup olive oil • 4 6-oz skin-on halibut fillets
Directions
1. In a food processor or blender, mix bell peppers, garlic, vinegar, honey, salt, and black pepper until smooth. Transfer sauce to a bowl; whisk in oil. 2. Into a large plastic zipper bag, pour 1 cup of sauce; add halibut fillets and seal bag; turn to coat fillets. Let marinate in refrigerator for 20 minutes. Reserve remaining sauce for serving. 3. Preheat a grill to medium-high (400–450 F). Remove halibut from marinade; scrape off excess. 4. On oiled grill grates, arrange fillets and grill, covered, until fish flakes easily, 4–5 minutes per side. 5. Transfer fillets to serving plates or a large platter. Drizzle with reserved sauce. Serve alongside preferred veggies and crusty bread.
Backpack Books Daffodil Festival
Friends Harvest Learning Meteor
Produce Smores
Sunscreen Yardwork
985-640-6072 • 3
THE REAL ESTATE TAX PRO ™
Norton Accounting Services, LLC
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
NortonAccountingServices.com 985-640-6072 Info@NortonAccountingServices.com
1527 Gause Blvd. Ste. 132 Slidell, LA 70458
INSIDE 1
Bob’s Public Speaking Secrets
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Become a Kid Again With ‘LEGO Masters’ Are You Exercising in the Right Place? A Guardian Angel Covered in Fur Grilled Halibut With Roasted Red Pepper Sauce
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End Summer on a High Note
SUMMER ISN’T OVER YET! 3 Memorable Ways to Close the Season
As much as many of us wish we could have an endless summer, all good things must come to an end. But why let the season close with a whimper when you can go out with a bang? Strive for a memorable last few days of the season with one of these family-friendly ideas. Take a family road trip. What says “summer” more than piling in the car and driving somewhere? You don’t necessarily have to go far. A new town a few hours away can still be an adventure. Check out a local state park or nearby museum you’ve always meant to visit and let your
You could help your kids build a sandcastle, rent a kayak or paddleboat, or try water skiing. You might even surf or snorkel.
Have a late night. Bedtime routines are about to make a return for school kids, much to their possible dismay, but you can indulge them with one last hurrah. Plan a special late night the family can enjoy together. You might go to a drive-in theater or host a movie marathon at home with plenty of popcorn. Camping on your lawn will also allow staying up late together doing something exciting. No tent? No problem — build a pillow fort in the living room instead!
children enjoy the novelty of sleeping in a hotel room or camper. Even a weekend away will feel like an occasion and stick out in everyone’s memories. Spend a day on the water. Enjoying the water is one of the summer’s greatest pleasures, so make the most of it one last time. Depending on where you live, you might incorporate this idea into your road trip. Head to the nearest beach, lake, or river and pack in as much summer fun as possible with a favorite summer activity or something new!
Summer only comes once a year, so don’t let its final days go to waste. A special celebration to mark the season’s end will leave you with lasting memories and even more reasons to look forward to next year.
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