Check out our April newsletter!
NORTON NEWSLETTER
THE REAL ESTATE TAX PRO ™
NortonAccountingServices.com 985-690-4498 Info@NortonAccountingServices.com APRIL 2024
EASE OF MIND • AVAILABILITY • FLEXIBILITY • INDIVIDUAL APPROACH • EXPERIENCE • TAX SAVINGS OPPORTUNITIES
How Books and Hard Lessons Cultivate Leadership LEADERS ARE READERS
It’s been several years since we committed to expanding and upgrading our business. Back then, it was just my wife and me running the entire company; I joked that I was bored, so we should apply ourselves and see just how much we could heighten and expand the venture. Well, I am definitely not bored now. Thanks to you, our business has grown more prosperously than I could have hoped back then. The success has been rewarding but has also introduced new challenges. Through growing our business, we discovered we needed to bring on talent. To achieve the goals we set out for ourselves and cultivate our talent, I soon learned that it is not enough to just manage employees — we have to lead them, too. Luckily, leadership is something you can learn through experience and preparation. As I have grown my business from a husband- wife shop to a successful enterprise, I have learned a lot about leadership through overcoming challenges and enduring hard lessons. I have sought to educate myself on what it means to be a leader and how to better guide our workforce.
I tend to read just about every book about real estate taxes and accounting I can, but lately, I have been focused on reading a plethora of books about leadership that leaders have written. One of those leaders is Jocko Willink, an ex- Navy SEAL officer and bestselling author. His book, “Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALS Lead and Win,” lays out key lessons necessary for fostering one’s leadership ability. By relaying lessons he learned through combat and training exercises, Jocko conveys leadership wisdom that applies not just to soldiers but also to corporate leaders. His podcast, simply titled “The Jocko Podcast,” is also phenomenal and has introduced me to many other authors whose work can help make me the boss I want to be. Another author I have been influenced by is Chris Voss, who wrote “Never Split the Difference: Negotiating as if Your Life Depended on It.” Chris worked for the FBI for nearly 25 years and spent 15 of those working as a hostage negotiator. Through his work at the bureau, Chris realized that all negotiations
are similar, even if the risks involved differ. By understanding how people think and what motivates them, he explains, it is possible to improve your communication and negotiation skills. His work has positively impacted my ability to speak to and motivate my team, which is especially vital when leading a business. During tax season, I am often too busy to pick up and read a book cover-to-cover in print. To mitigate this, I listen to books on Audible. When listening to an audiobook, I typically know once I’m 30 minutes to an hour in if I need a print copy for my shelf. My office bookshelves are full of books I can reference when needed: It’s a lot more convenient to flip to a page than it is to remember a timestamp. In addition to being an avid reader, I am also an author. If you want to save money and grow your net worth, you should check out my bestselling book, “Tax Savings Secrets for Real
Interested in saving money on your taxes? Check out my bestselling book, “Tax Savings Secrets for Real Estate Investors: A Simple Guide to Reducing Your Taxes,” available now on Amazon.com!
Estate Investors: A Simple Guide to Reducing Your Taxes,” available now in paperback and for Kindle through Amazon.com.
–Bob Norton
985-690-4498 • 1
Hollywood Stars Who Seem Untouched by the Sands of Time
3 PRANKS TO KEEP APRIL FOOLS’ DAY WHIMSICAL, NOT WEARY April Fools’ Day can be a tricky tradition for many families, as kids sometimes get a bit too rowdy or perhaps feel like pranks are more annoying than fun. But you can keep the laughs light-hearted and suitable for all ages with a couple of good pranks tailored to help kids enjoy the whimsy of this holiday without potential blowouts. Color-Changing Milk This creative prank is a surefire way to captivate young minds without any mess. You can add a few drops of food-grade coloring dye to a milk carton and serve it to an unsuspecting audience. The milk will appear to change colors as you pour it into their glass. It looks magical, and you can add edible glitter for an extra dose of the fairy feeling. Balloon Avalanche This one requires a bit more set-up, but it’s worth it for those who wish to keep the fun and magic of April Fools’ Day alive. Blow up 50–100 balloons and place them in your kids’ room while they sleep. They’ll awaken to a huge surprise. This prank is pretty harmless, and your kids will be sure to remember having to wade through balloons to brush their teeth. Latherless Soap Speaking of a bathroom routine, you can also use soap as a prank. Coating a bar of soap with clear nail polish and letting it dry means it won’t create a lather when your kids go to wash their hands. This prank encourages your kids to find humor in the unexpected and will at least remind them to appreciate working soap the next time they wash their hands. These are just three pranks for a whimsical April Fool’s Day. Innocent mischief is a great way to unite families and share laughter. The key to a successful celebration lies in harmless, heartwarming tricks that invite magic and the shared joy of familial love. Let the surprises unfold in the spirit of April Fools’ Day, and embrace the laughter!
The Fountain of Youth is a spring said to provide its discoverers with eternal youth. And some celebrities must have found it because they haven’t aged a day since entering the spotlight. These popular icons are remarkably youthful, weathering the sands of time with mysterious grace. Charlize Thereon (48) – Denying that she’s ever gotten plastic surgery, the South African actress from Johannesburg has aged like fine wine ever since her debut role in “The Devil’s Advocate” in 1997. She has since starred in spectacular films like “Mad Max: Fury Road” and “Atomic Blonde,” becoming one of the world’s most successful and highly-paid actresses. Gabrielle Union (50) – The activist, actor, and novelist is as radiant in 2023’s “The Perfect Find” as she was in 1993’s “Family Matters.” She was listed on Time’s 100 Most Influential People of 2020 for her integrity in the face of injustice and dedication to numerous social causes.
Jared Leto (51) – This cinematic and musical icon still sports the stunningly youthful face he became famous for. Winner of many awards over his three-decade-long career, Leto has starred in “Dallas Buyer’s Club” and numerous other excellent films. Brad Pitt (60) – Shockingly, the iconic actor turned 60 this year. His jaw is just as chiseled as ever, and his piercing eyes still sparkle the same radiant blue. First recognized for his role as a deceitful cowboy in 1991’s “Thelma and Louise,” he played the assassin Ladybug in 2022’s “Bullet Train”
Photo credit: Marvin Lynchard, GS-09
to showoff his eternal youth to the world.
Samuel Jackson (74) – This legendary actor is a true industry veteran. He first appeared in the 1972 film “Together for Days,” but his first significant role was in “Do the Right Thing” in 1989. His illustrious career continues, having been in a variety of films from “The Incredibles” to “Pulp Fiction.” While he has been in the industry for decades, the septuagenarian is just as handsome as ever. These celebrities’ supernatural resistance to aging can’t help but make us wonder what their secrets are. Do they have a magic skincare routine? Have they actually found the Fountain of Youth? Only time will tell. Until then, we’ll continue to enjoy their talents.
2 • NortonAccountingServices.com
In a heartwarming tale of courage and resilience, a pit bull named Kilo defied the odds after being shot in the head while bravely protecting his owner. The incident unfolded when an intruder invaded Kilo’s home. In a shocking turn of events, Kilo’s instinct to shield his owner led to a life-threatening injury, but “Super Pitty” survived, capturing many hearts, too. One Saturday evening 12 years ago on Staten Island, a gunman posing as a FedEx deliveryman rang the doorbell of Kilo’s home. He didn’t wait long before he pushed his way into the apartment. Kilo’s human, Justin Becker, told CBS, “He barged in. My first reaction after seeing the gun was to push him out, so I pushed him to the door.” Becker’s girlfriend, Nicole Percoco, had been holding Kilo during this encounter and let him go. Kilo jumped into action, fighting back against the invader, unfortunately getting shot in the fight. Luckily, the bullet just missed Kilo’s skull, entering and exiting right under his ears, said Dr. Gregory L. Panarello, the medical director of South Shore Animal Hospital. After a 40-minute surgery to remove bullet fragments, he was patched up and even given a superhero insignia on his bandage. Three days later, Kilo was up and going on every dog’s favorite pastime: walkies. Kilo’s story is a powerful reminder of the indomitable spirit of canine companions and the strength of their love for us. Even 12 years later, Super Pitty Kilo’s story still spreads love and happiness. Give your pet an extra cuddle tonight so they know just how much you love them! SUPER PITTY! Kilo’s Amazing Bravery and Survival
TAKE A BREAK
Grilled Steak With Chimichurri Sauce Ingredients
For the chimichurri sauce: • 1 cup fresh parsley, chopped • 2 cloves garlic, minced • Juice of 1 lemon
• 2 lbs steak (flank,
• 2 tbsp olive oil • 1 tsp red pepper flakes • Salt and pepper, to taste
sirloin, or skirt steak)
• 2 tbsp olive oil • Salt and pepper, to taste
Directions
1. Preheat grill to medium-high heat. 2. Rub the steak with the olive oil, salt, and pepper.
Arbor Aries
Chocolate Daisy Diamond Environment
Garden Kite Rainbow Showers
3. Grill the steak for 4–5 minutes per side or until it reaches desired doneness. 4. Meanwhile, make the chimichurri sauce: In a small bowl, mix together the parsley, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, red pepper flakes, and salt and pepper. 5. Let the steak rest for 5 minutes before slicing. 6. Serve the steak with the chimichurri sauce and enjoy!
Baseball Cherries
985-690-4498 • 3
Norton Accounting Services, LLC
THE REAL ESTATE TAX PRO ™
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
NortonAccountingServices.com 985-690-4498 Info@NortonAccountingServices.com
1527 Gause Blvd. Ste. 132 Slidell, LA 70458
INSIDE 1
How to Build Leadership Skills Through Reading
2
Keeping April Fools’ Day Wholesome A-Listers Who Haven’t Aged a Day
3
Protective Pup Takes a Bullet for His Owner — And Survives!
Grilled Steak With Chimichurri Sauce
4
Lesser-Known Facts About High Blood Pressure
Surprising Facts About High Blood Pressure
Blood pressure is a vital metric in determining heart health. Nearly half of all American adults have high blood pressure, or hypertension, making it one of the biggest threats to the nation’s health. A crucial tool in the fight against high blood pressure is education. There are many interesting facts about this common condition; knowing them can help you make the right lifestyle choices and moderate your risks. The numbers can be misleading. Blood pressure readings can vary depending on many factors. Some results have nothing to do with health at all: Merely talking during the test can raise your blood pressure as well as tight clothing, anxiety, and your sitting position. And here’s the kicker: High blood pressure doesn’t usually have symptoms. Some refer to it as “the silent killer” because it can be undetectable and dangerous. As a consequence, a substantial portion of people with hypertension don’t know they have it, especially younger people. Lifestyle has a huge impact. It shouldn’t be surprising that diet is a primary contributor to high blood pressure. Sodium, in particular, is detrimental to
cardiovascular health, so reducing sodium intake is essential for those pursuing a heart-healthy diet. Processed foods, especially those with sodium nitrates like beef jerky, are especially harmful. Meanwhile, potassium lowers blood pressure by relaxing arterial walls. Bananas, spinach, and avocado are excellent sources of potassium. Getting enough sleep every night is also essential for those seeking a healthier heart. Besides getting enough hours in, you must follow sleep hygiene protocol just before bedtime, such as avoiding cellphone and tablet screens, refraining from caffeine, and abstaining from alcohol. The reality is that everyone is susceptible to high blood pressure, including young people. So, when you have your blood pressure measured, dress comfortably and relax. Understand that many variables can impact your results. We know high blood pressure can damage many essential organs, from the liver to the kidneys. It leads to heart attacks, strokes, and an array of other life- altering issues. So, arm yourself with knowledge so you can mitigate the risk or reduce its impact.
4 • NortonAccountingServices.com
Published by Newsletter Pro • www.NewsletterPro.com
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4www.nortonaccountingservices.com
Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator