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Growth Doesn’t Stop at Success SELF-IMPROVEMENT AT WORK AND HOME September 2025 720 Goodlette Rd. N, Suite 304, Naples, FL 34102 • www.AttorneyShapiro.com
If there’s one thing I’ve learned in law and life, it’s that there’s no final destination. You don’t “arrive” at success and stay there. You keep learning, adapting, and finding new ways to improve. That’s why Self-Improvement Month hit home for me this year. It’s more than a nice idea: It’s a reminder that if you’re not growing, you’re probably coasting ... or stuck. Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about presence. Not productivity or pressure, just presence. For most of my career, I’ve prided myself on moving fast and getting things done. I built this firm by showing up early, staying late, and fighting hard for my clients. That drive is still part of who I am, but I’ve realized that getting results isn’t enough if I’m not fully present when it matters. This has been a hard shift for me. I’m wired to solve problems and keep things moving. But more and more, I’m learning to pause. When I’m in a strategy session with my team, I focus on
That’s especially true in a firm like ours, where culture matters and our clients rely on us to guide them through some of the most difficult times.
I’ve been especially proud of how our team has embraced this mindset. Self-improvement is part of the culture at our firm, and it’s paying off. People learn, challenge themselves, and speak up when they see a better way of doing things. This has helped us accomplish major goals, like reducing our average case resolution time by 14%. We’ve also seen improved client satisfaction with our communication and responsiveness. We take training and development very seriously. Our team works constantly to get better at every aspect of our practice. We’ve brought in consultants and coaches to help improve our processes and held various workshops on topics like leadership and communication. We’ve even started exploring how to use technology, like AI tools, to be more efficient and effective without losing that personal touch. All of this helps us show up stronger and get better client results. Systems and stats mean nothing without the people behind them. As our team grows and improves, we can pass that care and attention to every person we work with. So, if you’re reading this and thinking about where you want to grow, I suggest starting small. Pick one thing you want to work on. It could be something in your personal life or at work. Whatever it is, tell someone about it and take that first step toward improving. That’s how change gets traction. And if you ever need help working through the legal system following an injury, my team and I are here. We don’t just talk about growth, we live it. And we’re ready to help you move forward, too. -Marc L. Shapiro
listening instead of thinking ahead to the next task. When I’m with my family, I try to put down the phone and really be there. Even taking a quiet moment in the morning to think through the day has helped me stay grounded. It’s not about doing less. It’s about doing things with more clarity and intention. This shift hasn’t happened overnight, and I wouldn’t say I’ve mastered it. But I’ve seen how even small changes can make a big difference for me and the people around me. It’s clearer than ever that how I show up affects everyone I work with and everyone we serve.
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No More Manic Mondays
Sunday Habits That Set You Up for the Week After a long week of work, many Americans relax, participate in their hobbies, and try to avoid increased responsibilities during the weekend. While this can be beneficial for your mental health, have you ever felt like your week was off to a rough start as soon as Monday rolled around? There’s nothing wrong with relaxing on the weekend, but putting aside your responsibilities for a few days can put you behind the eight ball. if you have a house full of kids, but you can make it manageable by keeping up with it every week. It might be easier once the kids go to bed, but take a few minutes every Sunday to walk through your house and pick up any items off the floor, on furniture, and anywhere else they may be lying.
Plan Ahead Nothing will better prepare you for the week ahead than planning. Look through your work schedule and your kids’ calendars to make sure you’re aware of upcoming events, games, or practices. You could also consider meal prepping if the upcoming week looks busier than usual. To take it a step further, prepack your kids’ lunches, lay out clothes for the workweek, and write down additional responsibilities you’ll have throughout the week.
Light Cleaning As stated earlier, you don’t need to deep- clean every week, but your home will look much better if you establish weekly light cleaning behaviors. Wipe down the surfaces in your kitchen, clean the windows, and give your floor some love by mopping, vacuuming, or sweeping. If you have the time and energy, consider doing a load of laundry or two. These little tasks will add up, making your house consistently sparkle.
You don’t need to set aside your Sunday to deep-clean the house from top to bottom, but adding beneficial habits to the final day of the weekend can ensure every week starts on the right foot. Declutter Decluttering and clearing your space will directly impact your mental state. This can be an overwhelming task at times, especially
“Thank you to the team at Marc Shapiro’s office. Cesar, Jessica, and Randall made communication a breeze. They always answered my questions and kept me well informed. Their professional and courteous manner always put me at ease. The outcome and resolution of my case pleased me as well. Thank you, once again!” –Angela D.
“I was represented by Marc Shapiro, with Randall Austin leading my car accident claim. My case was open for nearly two years, and from the very beginning, they made me feel like family. Eric Warren, my paralegal, communicated with me on a weekly basis — sometimes more than once — always taking the time and patience to explain every single step … Thank you, Eric and Randall, for everything. You will always hold a special place in my heart.” –Harley S.
“I worked with his office for two years, and all went smoothly. I worked with Katie, who was great and helped me along the way. I would recommend this office for your legal needs.” –Carol M.
“Easy experience and a good firm. Had one little hiccup but was rectified quickly, and everything is satisfactory. Would recommend if you are in an accident in SW Florida.” –Matt F.
“Very professional and they really care.” –Karissa G.
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THE IRS IS GOING DIGITAL
Are You Ready?
You might have heard the federal government is going paperless — and it’s true. This month, all federal government agencies, including the IRS, are moving to an all-electronic payment system. The goal is to bring government payment processing fully into the digital age. Starting Oct. 1, 2025, the IRS and all federal agencies will only accept electronic payments. Checks will no longer be a valid method of payment. You can make payments directly from your bank account using the IRS Direct Pay portal. Here’s how:
refunds electronically, you’ll need to take an extra step. You can provide your bank information directly on your IRS Form 1040 if you’re an individual taxpayer. This allows the IRS to store your banking details for future use, though this information won’t be shared with or accessible by other federal agencies. Creating a Secure IRS Online Account To manage your account online, visit the IRS website and click “Set Up Account.”You will be redirected to set up an ID.me profile — a secure identity verification service already used by over 30 million Americans. Keep in mind that not all government agencies use ID.me. Some, like the Department of Education and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, use Login.gov, a separate government-run sign-in service. This digital transition is a significant shift in how individuals and businesses interact with the federal government regarding payments. If you haven’t already, now is the time to set up your online account and banking information to ensure a smooth transition. Taking steps now can help you avoid last-minute headaches when these rules kick in.
1. Visit IRS.gov 2. Click “Pay” 3. Select “Direct Pay”
4. Enter your routing and account numbers
This allows you to pay securely from your personal or business bank account. Receiving Refunds or Deposits Although Direct Pay allows you to send money to the IRS, it doesn’t support receiving refunds or other electronic payments. To receive
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Grilled Teriyaki Flank Steak
Inspired by TheShortOrderCook.com
Ingredients
Marinade •
• • • •
1 tsp minced garlic 1/4 tsp black pepper 1/4 tsp ginger powder
2/3 cup red wine
• • • •
1/2 cup soy sauce or tamari
1/3 cup brown sugar 1/4 cup sesame oil 1 tbsp sesame seeds
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
Meat •
1 1/2 lbs flank steak
Directions
1. In a large bowl, whisk together marinade ingredients. 2. Place the flank steak in a large, rimmed dish. Pour the marinade over the meat. 3. Refrigerate and allow to marinate for 15 minutes. Flip and let marinate for another 15 minutes. 4. Preheat grill to 400 F. 5. Add the meat to the grill and cook for 3–5 minutes on each side. Leave the grill lid open to avoid overcooking. 6. For a medium-rare steak, remove from grill at 130 F internally, and for medium, remove at 140 F. 7. Let the meat rest on a cutting board for 5–10 minutes. Then, slice against the grain into thin pieces and enjoy!
APPLES ASTER COFFEE CONSTITUTION
FOLIAGE GRANDPARENTS LABOR LUNCHBOX
PIRATE SAPPHIRE VIRGO WAFFLES
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720 Goodlette Rd. N, Suite 304 Naples, FL 34102 www.AttorneyShapiro.com
Inside How We’re Getting Even Better Page 1
Turn Lazy Sundays Into Your Productivity Power Hour Clients Share Their Stories Page 2 IRS Payment Rules Are Changing Grilled Teriyaki Flank Steak Page 3 The Science Behind Our Secret Shine Page 4
OUR HIDDEN LIGHT INSIDE HUMANS’ GLITTERING GLOW
You know how some people seem to have a “healthy glow”? Well, there’s more to it than you might imagine.
By the way, humans and animals aren’t the only beings that give off a glow. A scientific study of an umbrella tree that had been snipped found that its glow increased as it recovered from the trauma. Researchers hope to utilize this discovery to understand the nature of forestry better and identify health crises among trees more quickly. Studying similar light in humans may also point to new directions in identifying and treating our most critical illnesses.
Although our eyes can’t detect it, humans can glow in the dark. A landmark 2009 study revealed this intriguing fact by monitoring sleeping human subjects with highly sensitive cameras. The research showed that living humans placed in dark places emit glimmering light that is 1,000 times dimmer than what the naked eye can detect. Our faces emit this light most brightly, and the light we give off varies based on our circadian rhythm. According to additional research on mice, this illumination fades rapidly once we pass away, meaning humans literally lose the light when we die. The phenomenon is called bioluminescence , or the ability of living organisms to emit light. Our glow is a metabolic reaction caused by living cells producing free radicals that interact with lipids, proteins, and other elements within the body. Based on current research, our light shines brightest in the late afternoon and dimmest in the evening. Hopefully, science will evolve so we can finally witness this human glow for ourselves.
These thrilling discoveries about bioluminescence remind us that life radiates around us in more ways than meet the eye. The next time you tell someone they light up your life, add that you really mean it!
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