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SEPTEMBER 2022
Inspiring Others to Be Their Best THROUGH APPRECIATION AND ENCOURAGEMENT
Sept. 12 is National Day of Encouragement, a day dedicated to uplifting people and making a positive impact on those around us. I consider myself a pretty positive person and believe that one of the greatest things that you can do when you’re not in the best of moods is to compliment or encourage somebody else, as that can actually enhance your own mood. In a broader sense, we have to understand that life is hard, and we should be mindful of this fact on a daily basis, because we never know what other people are going through and how those experiences may impact their behavior. There are many things in this world that can feel discouraging, but it’s important to encourage people to feel better about themselves, strive to be better, and raise their standards. I am usually the one encouraging people in our office, trying to help everyone understand that every job is critically important in the grand scheme of serving our clients. From the attorneys to the receptionist, our mission is to provide outstanding legal services from the moment someone steps into the office or when we pick up the phone. The reality is that we could have the best advertising and marketing and the best attorneys in the city, but if the person who answers our phones or greets our clients doesn’t make a good impression, it sets a bad example for everyone on our team. The way you encourage people to do their jobs really illustrates how that works in real life, and you can do that through anecdotes of your own experiences. When you constantly remind people of the importance of their roles within an organization, it encourages them to do their best and understand that it truly is a team effort. There may be somebody who is down or making mistakes, but you still have to encourage them to do the best that they can.
They call it the “practice of law” for a reason. We’re constantly learning new things and being presented with new scenarios that we’ve never seen before —
like to be publicly praised in front of their coworkers, but another person might cringe at that. If you’re aware of how your team likes to receive praise and
even me, who’s been in this field for almost 20 years now. I still see things on a weekly basis that just blow my mind! Some things I see in handling cases on a weekly basis, but other things I learn about the management of people on a regular basis as well.
encouragement, it can be very helpful in the long run. Conversely, if you provide appreciation in a way that does not resonate with a team member, your efforts could backfire and ultimately
be counterproductive. For that reason, we administer a workplace appreciation assessment to all our staff members and share the results with each other. This exercise gives our team clarity on how their co-workers like to be encouraged. Another thing that I do to encourage people and myself when I’m feeling somewhat down is just being cognizant of the fact that radical change and improvement — whether it’s personal development or business-related — can occur just by getting 1% better every single day. I gathered this premise from another book called “Atomic Habits” by James Clear. The basic idea is that if you can improve on something by just 1% every day, you’re going to notice a major breakthrough six months down the road. In a world of instant gratification where we want everything now, understanding this concept can be very powerful. In conclusion, it’s important to provide encouragement and support to the individuals in your life on a daily basis. In addition to being a kind person, I think you’ll discover that cultivating this habit will pay dividends for you both personally and professionally!
As our team continues to grow, maintaining a positive work environment where our staff members are encouraged on a regular basis is of paramount importance. After all, happy employees typically produce better work.
“THERE ARE MANY THINGS IN THIS WORLD THAT CAN
Through brainstorming better ways to enhance our work environment, I came across a book called “The Five Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace,” written by Gary Chapman, who also authored “The Five Love Languages.” The book describes how employees receive workplace appreciation in different ways, much like individuals receive love in different ways. Some team members like to be shown appreciation through acts of service, some like words of affirmation, but not everybody likes to be praised and encouraged in the same way. One person may FEEL DISCOURAGING, BUT IT’S IMPORTANT TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO FEEL BETTER ABOUT THEMSELVES, STRIVE TO BE BETTER, AND RAISE THEIR STANDARDS.”
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FIND YOUR BALANCE 5 EXERCISES TO IMPROVE BALANCE
Though we may not always think about it, balance is essential to just about everything we do in our daily routines. From simply getting out of bed, leaning over to tie our shoes, or even walking to the mailbox, we need good balance to keep ourselves steady while performing normal tasks. Know why balance is important. Balance is the ability to control your body’s position, whether stationary or moving. It is a key component of fitness that many people neglect while developing their fitness regimen. Balance training is a great way to help your body recognize where it is and control movements in a given space. When the body knows where its limbs are in space — known as proprioception — it is able to produce smooth, controlled movements with fewer risks of injuries.
Reaction time and agility are also improved with balance training. The body learns how to quickly correct itself but not overcompensate and has the ability to quickly change direction effectively and efficiently. Though balance training is important for everyone, it is especially important for those who have problems due to illness, weakness, or dizziness. It allows them to overcome stiffness or unsteadiness and to develop an awareness of body segments and how to align them. These exercises help with balance. Balance training involves exercises to strengthen the muscles that help keep you upright and improve stability. These types of exercises can be done as often as you like or even every day.
Consider trying the following exercises:
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Standing with your weight on one leg and raising the other leg to the side or behind you. Putting one heel right in front of the other foot, as if you were walking a tightrope. Standing up and sitting down from a chair without using your hands. Walking while alternating knee lifts with each step. Stretching and gentle movement as part of yoga or tai chi.
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Balance is essential to living a healthy, functional life. It’s important to incorporate balance training into your fitness regimen. That way you can decrease the risk of injuries and help move freely and confidently.
Empowering Your Employees
THROUGH MOTIVATION AND ENGAGEMENT
Job motivation is one of the most important considerations that any team leader faces. After all, motivated employees are more productive and happier, but ideas to motivate employees can be hard to come by. Take a look at these strategies to motivate your own employees and boost work productivity in the workplace! Provide quality feedback. Employees tend to respond very well to active feedback methods that are connected to individual and organizational success. Let your employees know if what they did was great or if there is any room for improvement! Good constructive feedback facilitates positive outcomes and creates a positive work environment. Continuous feedback gives every employee a stronger feeling of investment in your business’s goals and builds stronger relationships within the work environment. Don’t wait for six months or a year to provide the feedback; otherwise, your employees may think they are performing their job to a satisfactory level when the reality
is that they are not. It is unfair to the employee to wait six months or even a year for a review. The feedback must be provided on a regular basis. Recognize hard work. A simple pat on the back or even a “good job on that project” can make all the difference in your employee’s motivation to complete the job. It allows employees to see that their company values them and appreciates their contributions to the success of their team and the business overall.
Whether it be a catered lunch for the whole team, a shoutout on your social media platforms, or a gift basket of their favorite things, showing your employees you appreciate their hard work is proven to increase engagement and motivate them to keep up the good work. Host a work party. A company party is a great way to get your team together in a casual environment. Your team can get to know one another a bit better, relax, and enjoy seasonal festivities together, which promotes higher morale, tighter social cohesion, and better relationships between management and staff. Teamwork is one of the greatest motivators out there! Having those strong relationships and knowing that your colleagues have each other’s back can help them root for one another to complete the next task. By implementing these strategies to empower your employees, those sparks of motivation can come from just about anywhere.
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Position Your Business to Be Sold NAVIGATING A PRE-SALE TO-DO LIST There are many reasons why you may want to sell your business, but regardless of why you want to sell, you can’t just hang up a “for sale” sign and wait for the offers to start rolling in. Selling your business takes time and preparation. Get a business valuation. Obtain a realistic idea of what your business is worth from objective, outside sources — like a local accounting firm or regional business brokers. A professional business valuation can give you a basis for gauging buyer offers and will give you a better idea of what you can expect to net from the sale. It also allows you to see your business’s marketing position, financial situation, strengths, and weaknesses. Get your documents in order. Typically, buyers evaluating your business require at least three years’ worth of financial information. The more formal the statements, the better the impression you’ll make, and the easier the due diligence for a potential buyer. It is also important to gather your legal documentation, like incorporation papers, permits, licensing agreements, leases, customer and vendor contracts, etc. Be sure to have them ready, current, and in order! Consider management succession. If your position is vital to your business, have you given thought to whom the buyer can turn for help running the business after you leave? Creating a succession plan before listing your business for sale on the market may reduce the chances of any detrimental effects on your former business. Identify any tangible and intangible assets. As you get closer to your targeted sale date, be sure to create a list reflecting the value of all your business’s physical assets, such as equipment or inventory. You should also consider the value of your intangible assets — your contracts, agreements, customer relationships, and brand recognition. Any non-material assets that contribute to your business’s profit line have the potential to boost their price! Navigating through the process of selling your business can be complex. Here at Douglass & Runger, PLLC, Attorneys at Law, we assist our business clients in tackling the legal issues and questions they may encounter! Call us today at 901-388-5805.
No-Fuss Chicken and Rice Soup
Inspired by RecipeTinEats.com
Fall is almost here, so it’s time to break out the soup! Your family is sure to love this recipe — it’s a classic.
INGREDIENTS • 2 tbsp olive oil • 1 onion, chopped • 2 garlic cloves, minced • 3 carrots, sliced • 3 celery ribs, sliced • 2 chicken bouillon cubes • 1/2 tsp dried parsley
• 1/4 tsp pepper • 4 cups chicken broth • 4 cups water • 1 1/4 lbs bone-in, skinless chicken thighs • 1 cup uncooked white rice • Salt, to taste
DIRECTIONS 1. In a large pot over medium-high heat, warm the olive oil. Add the onion and garlic and sauté for 5 minutes. Add the carrots and celery, then sauté for 1 more minute. 2. Add the bouillon, parsley, pepper, chicken broth, and water. Stir, then add the chicken thighs. 3. Cover and simmer on medium-low for 30 minutes, then add the rice. Stir, cover, and simmer for 15 more minutes. 4. Remove the pot from the heat and transfer the chicken to a large bowl. Shred the meat and add it back to the soup. Discard the bones. 5. Stir, salt, and serve! INSPIRATION “If you are always trying to be normal, you’ll never know how amazing you can be.” —Maya Angelou
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2820 Summer Oaks Drive Bartlett, TN 38134 901-388-5805 www.DouglassRunger.com
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1 Encourage Those Around You 2 Balance Training Key to Quality Movement 3 Strategies to Increase Work Productivity 3 How to Prepare to Sell Your Business Inside This Issue
No-Fuss Chicken and Rice Soup 4 Places to Visit Similar to Montana
Get Out and Explore 3 VACATION DESTINATIONS SIMILAR TO MONTANA
Because of the popularity of the Kevin Costner miniseries “Yellowstone,” the state of Montana is seeing an economic boom, both in tourism and real estate, as people flock to explore the natural beauty of the state. But with Montana’s increasing popularity, traveling there may not be ideal, especially if you want to avoid crowds. Here are some other destinations that offer similar sights and activities! Stanley, Idaho If the mountains are calling your name, then Stanley, Idaho, is the place to go! About three hours northeast of Boise, this gem has three different mountain ranges: the Sawtooth, Lost River, and White Cloud. This trifecta is home to whitewater rafting, hiking, sightseeing, rock climbing, mountain biking, and exploring. While there’s tons to see and experience during the day, the beauty doesn’t stop at night. As Stanley is situated in the Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve,
you’re able to see so much more in the night sky, such as the Milky Way, meteors, and even planets!
Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming In Grand Teton National Park, you’ll find many sights and wildlife similar to those seen on screen in “Yellowstone.” The towering craggy peaks and luscious landscape do not disappoint, and sometimes there is no sign of human development for miles. It’s a truly remote and beautiful place to visit and explore. You are sure to encounter some amazing wildlife while hiking or camping — the park is home to more than 60 species of mammals and 300 species of birds. Bighorn National Forest, Wyoming Specifically known for being remote, Bighorn National Forest is located in north-central Wyoming and offers over 192,000 acres of
open wilderness and 1,200 miles of hiking trails to venture out on. The forest contains many meadows and grasslands surrounded by large, dancing mountains and rolling hills. The best part is that there are many different ways to explore Bighorn National Forest. Fishing, camping, mountain biking, rock climbing, camping, hunting, and horseback riding are just a few of the many ways to experience Wyoming’s beauty. Are you ready to get out and explore these different areas of our nation’s beauty? Check some of these great destinations off your bucket list!
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