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February 2023
HANSON HEADLINES
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Showing Kindness Not Only Impacts Others But It Can Also Impact You
While Valentine’s Day is the main holiday that most people will celebrate this month, another holiday should also be observed. Random Acts of Kindness Day is on Feb. 17, and it encourages people to do something kind for others “just because.” This day celebrates how we can become positive influences in other people’s lives as well as the positive impact it can have on ourselves and others. I like to spread kindness and positivity around whenever I can. Whether I compliment someone, take extra steps with a client to ensure their finances and goals are squared away, or do something for someone without them asking. Many people are still experiencing the lasting effects of the pandemic, and now many of us are facing harsh weather conditions, inflation, and other tribulations — because of this, showing kindness and providing encouragement goes a long way. One of the ways I spread kindness is by helping my community. I live in a neighborhood where there are lots of older people. When the weather drops below freezing, and there is snow or ice in the driveway, I like to clean out my neighbors’ driveways so they can safely enter and exit their cars and their homes. My neighbors don’t ask me to clean their driveways; I do it because I want to. I know it will save them lots of time and prevent injuries.
my local coffee shops, and a woman stood with her children in front of me. After she had ordered and paid for her coffee, she told the cashier that she also wanted to pay for my drink. No matter how much I told her that she didn’t have to do that, she wouldn’t budge. Showing kindness can turn someone’s day around. When I had my coffee paid for, it gave me an extra boost that wasn’t just the caffeine of the coffee. It helped me start my day off on a high note, and I kept that energy for the rest of the day. You never know what someone is going through in their day-to- day lives, so showing kindness can positively impact them in more ways than one. But you don’t have to do anything grand — a simple compliment, holding the door for them, and asking them how their day’s going will do the trick. Displaying kindness not only impacts the person receiving the gesture; it benefits all parties who are involved. When you show compassion to others and help them when you can, it can help improve your day and attitude, too. So the next time you’re having a bad day or need a pick-me-up, provide kindness to those around you — you’ll be surprised by the lasting impact it will have on you and others. While celebrating your loved ones and showing them how much you care this Valentine’s Day, don’t forget about those you don’t know, too.
While I enjoy performing random acts of kindness, I never expect
Happy Random Acts of Kindness Day, everyone!
anything in return. I simply do this because I want to and it has a lasting impact. That reminds me of a few years ago when a woman showed kindness to me. I was at one of
–Craig Hanson
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SHOW YOUR EMPLOYEES YOU CARE! Through Recognition and Appreciation
Valentine’s Day is a great time to recognize those you care about — your employees included! Employee recognition and appreciation are some of the most essential elements of creating a positive work culture. Not only does recognizing employee efforts boost morale, but it also creates higher levels of trust between employees and their managers.
If you’re running a remote company, Zoom or other virtual platforms can make for a stellar party too! A small gathering this Valentine’s Day could be just what your employees need to bond and improve their overall performance. If it continues to be a big hit, it may become an annual tradition everyone looks forward to! CATER A MEAL. Who doesn’t enjoy food as a gift? Picking up a catered lunch or buying the staff dinner is highly appreciated. Like they always say, the way into someone’s heart is through their stomach! Not only are you showing your appreciation, but you can keep your employees performing at their best with some fuel! When your employees feel valued, they’re more likely to be engaged in their work and feel more driven and satisfied while performing their duties. It’s important to recognize the connection between well-being and performance in the workplace. If your employee feels valued and sees that their well-being is being considered, you may find that they’ll perform to the best of their abilities. Employee appreciation can be easy to show, and even small changes in your company culture to focus on recognizing your workers can increase productivity significantly. So, consider taking time to make your employees feel loved and valued this Valentine’s Day.
Check out these ways to show your employees that you care!
GIVE GIFTS OF APPRECIATION. Sometimes, employees deserve more than a simple “thank you.” It can be as simple as giving handwritten cards expressing gratitude or even a small gift of their favorite candy or snacks. By learning what your employees like and how they like to receive recognition, you can be sure to put a smile on their faces. Whether you’re working in a fast-paced warehouse or a small boutique, distributing the gift appropriately will vary. For example, you may want to email a virtual card or mail one to an employee if you don’t want to interrupt them with a physical gift. However, a small gift or hand-delivered card may be more beneficial if they have the time to handle it! HOST A PARTY. A company party is a great way to gather all your employees in a casual setting. This way, they can interact, relax, and celebrate holiday festivities with one another! It also makes it easier to promote higher morale, tighter social cohesion, and stronger relationships between managers and general staff.
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AN APPROACH TO LONG-TERM INVESTING Reach Your Financial Goals
Benjamin Graham first published “The Intelligent Investor” in 1949, and the book has been acknowledged globally as the most significant investment guide of the 20th century. It has taught and inspired people worldwide, including Warren Buffett, who described it as one of the best books ever written on investing! According to Graham, those willing to devote energy and cultivate a specific mindset have the opportunity to generate profitable long-term investments. He was able to gain wealth by precisely evaluating companies in the stock market without taking any significant risks.
This can help you better understand how your investment could appreciate or depreciate over time. Just as Graham did, precisely evaluating versus guessing could make you a more successful investor. DON’T LET BIAS LEAD YOU TO BAD DECISIONS. One of the significant risks when investing is when investors allow bias to lead to wrong investment decisions. The news, economic forecasts, and others’ views can alter a decision. It seems as though investors become attached to information that tends to have little to do with the long-term value of their investments. That is why it is essential to prioritize your research over impulses. FOCUS ON THE FACTS. It can be easy to follow what the majority are doing. Still, you must rely on something other than the herd mentality to buy or sell your holdings. If you’re looking to invest long term, you must analyze your preferred stocks. This will help you make informed investment decisions rather than selling or buying based on what everyone else is doing.
Here are three lessons from “The Intelligent Investor” that can help you invest successfully!
UNDERSTAND THE VALUE BEHIND THE BUSINESS. Whatever stock you are looking to invest in, it is essential to know that it isn’t simply an asset. There is a real business behind it, and if you’re looking to invest long term, you must understand how much value the company has. Some important questions to ask are: •Is it worth the market price it trades at today? •Is it overvalued? •Does it have potential growth in the future?
With Graham’s long-term investment strategies and understanding the basic do’s and don’ts of investing, you’ll be better positioned to become an intelligent investor yourself!
HAVE A Laugh
In July 1518, a strange mania seized the residents of the French city of Strasbourg. Hundreds were struck with the sudden and uncontrollable urge to dance — seemingly for no reason. The plague began when Frau Troffea entered the streets and began to twist, twirl, and shake. She seemed unable to stop and danced until she dropped from exhaustion. However, once she rested, she resumed the compulsive, frenzied dancing. She continued for a week, and other residents eventually joined her. Many dancers would collapse from exhaustion, and some even died from heart attacks or strokes! Dance Until You Drop — Literally! When French Residents Had the Uncontrollable Urge to Dance
The most widely accepted theory is that the plague was a mass psychogenic disorder, which can occur under extreme stress. During this time, a series of famines and diseases tore through Strasbourg, which may have triggered the hysteria.
Whatever the cause of this strange phenomenon, the dancing plague remains one of the world’s most interesting mysteries.
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The World Needs More Kindness
Celebrate Your Employees This Valentine’s Day ‘The Intelligent Investor’ by Benjamin Graham The Dancing Plague of 1518 Ways to Disconnect From Technology
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Return to Work Recharged TAKE TIME TO UNPLUG!
CHOOSE A SECOND IN COMMAND. Suppose you’re dedicated to checking out now and then. In that case, it can be beneficial to have someone handle anything that may arise. Consider someone trustworthy and reliable, and give them an overview of day-to-day operations. You can explain what can and cannot be done and alert other employees that all questions and concerns be directed to this person.
Though technology makes everyday tasks a bit easier, sometimes, the best thing a business owner can do is unplug and recharge! Running a business is a time-consuming and stressful effort. But by stepping back, you can reset and get a fresh perspective on your work. START SMALL. Create small habits if you can’t go an entire day without technology! Try starting your morning completely unplugged until you get into the office, or step away from your devices for an hour or two during the day. When you start small, you can build from there! SCHEDULE EMAIL TIME. We are all too familiar with an overwhelming email stream. We wake up and fall asleep to it, and if we’re not careful, the constant interruptions can run our entire day! If you want to cut down on screen time, schedule email checks. You can make a commitment to address them in the morning or maybe the late afternoon. But during after-hours, establish a hard cutoff time! Inform your employees and clients of your available time frame — set an expectation for more productivity and communication.
MAKE TIME FOR YOURSELF. When you’re at work, your main priority is to focus
on your business and clients. But when you pack up and head home, you must take time for yourself! Do activities you love, spend quality time with family and friends, and put away your laptop and phone. That email or call can wait until the next business day begins. Pulling the plug on technology can feel intimidating as a business owner, but give it a try! You may be surprised at how refreshed you feel returning to work.
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