Johnson Law Group - December 2020

SNOW SHOVELING HACKS

SPOTLIGHT ON ERIN MULLEN, ASSOC A Passion for Serv the Public of Colo

One of our newest members and attorneys of the Johnson Law Group Team is Erin Mullen. Erin is dedicated to helping people, and though she is new to the Denver area, she has already taken significant steps to assist and support those in need. Erin moved to Colorado in early fall of this year, and it was certainly a difficult time to move with the pandemic. However, Erin shares, “I really wanted to get my family into the state of Colorado. I felt like it would be a wonderful place to live, and it is! I heard such good things about the people here, the legal community, and just how beautiful it is. Since moving here, we absolutely love it!” For Erin, this journey was not only a great experience, but it also strengthened her motivation for the work she does. “As a divorced person, I’ve been so lucky in my own personal experience that my ex-husband and I came to an agreement where I could move out here with my children. My wish, in doing the work that I do, is to help people come to similar choices and agreements. If someone can agree to something, I believe that’s

How to Spend Less Time Clearing Your Driveway Every Winter

Everyone loves the snow ... until it settles on the driveway and creates a barrier between your car and the road. Shoveling snow off your driveway and walkway can be so tedious that you might be tempted to just hope and pray that the sun melts it all before you have to shovel it, which, of course, almost never happens. However, there are a few tools and methods you can use to clear the snow away that are faster than shoveling for hours on end. Check them out below. Create a nonstick shovel. Wet, partially melted snow might work well for packing snowballs, but it’s a pain to shovel. It has a tendency to stick to the scoop and not let go — unless you spray it with some common household cooking spray. This will make it a lot easier for the snow to slide off your shovel. Just remember to wipe your shovel down afterward! Make your own salt alternative. Sometimes you start shoveling, only to find that the snow concealed a layer of ice that you can’t scoop up with your shovel. However, if you combine 1 teaspoon of dish soap, 1 tablespoon of rubbing alcohol, and 1/2 gallon of water in a bucket, you can spread the mixture over the ice and melt it away, much like the salt you see on major roadways. Be preemptive with some tarps . Did you see on the weather forecast that your area is about to get some major snowfall? Throw down some tarps on your walkways and driveway. Then, after the snow stops falling, lift the snow off to the side, and your walkways will be as clear as if it hadn’t snowed at all. Blow the snow away. If you’re lucky enough to be clearing your driveway while the snow is still powdery, rev up your leaf blower instead of breaking out your shovel. You’ll be able to clear your driveway in a fraction of the time it would take to shovel and dump it off to the sides of your driveway.

the most important thing. But, if you can’t agree, then you need a professional who can understand your situation and help you through it. That’s exactly what I do.”

HOW TO BECOME A

It’s not always easy to share feelings

interpersonal relationship expert at the University of California, Berkeley.

of frustration, anger, sadness, or other strong emotions. However, it’s healthy to share them. Venting gives us an opportunity to release our negative emotions to achieve greater peace and mental clarity. When someone comes to you with a heavy emotional burden, listening effectively can be just as challenging as sharing. How do we offer practical support without minimizing their feelings? What can we do to be the listeners they really need in that moment? It starts with your body language. Open yourself to their emotional needs by inviting the person to have a seat with you. This is a technique suggested by Gregorio Billikopf, an

Another thing you can do as a listener is position yourself below their eye line. This puts the person speaking in a more active storyteller position and you in a more effective listener position. While in this position, maintain eye contact. It’s okay to look down or away occasionally, but try to keep steady eye contact. Billikopf also notes that, as a listener, it’s important to avoid interjecting. Don’t immediately offer input suggestions or guidance to the person speaking until after they have had a significant opportunity to speak uninterrupted. “During this venting process, there is still too much pressure for a person to consider other perspectives,” Billikopf says.

With one (or a few) of these methods, you can enjoy the fun side of snowfall in no time!

2

JohnsonLGroup.com

720.452.2540

Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator