Brauns Law - March 2022

Brauns Law - March 2022

404-418-8244

MARCH 2022

WWW.BRAUNSLAW.COM

3175 SATELLITE BOULEVARD, SUITE 330, DULUTH, GEORGIA 30096

Just a Guy and His Labels WHY I’M A STICKLER FOR ORGANIZATION

Many people are tackling spring cleaning jobs this season, but for those who struggle to be organized, knowing where to start isn’t always easy. Take it from a former slob — beginning is one of the hardest parts! My advice is to start small. Make your bed every day, to give you a win right away in the morning. Furthermore, when you have a clean space, you feel better. The constant act of doing something like making your bed keeps your space clean, encouraging you to do more. You may not become as obsessed with labels or document names as I am, but small, purposeful actions can make a big difference in your life. Just give it a try. -David Brauns

This is quite the change from an earlier version of myself, and it’s given me greater control in my life. The legal world is very subjective, even if laws are created to set firm boundaries. There are always solutions and work-arounds, and interpretations of the law vary across industries and states. I love the work, but that lack of control can feel overwhelming. I’ve found that organization and cleanliness provide me with greater structure. In the office, we pride ourselves on our organization. You won’t find papers strewn about on desks — we’re paperless, anyway — and every document we create, store, and share with clients is labeled in a precise, specific manner. We spent a lot of time creating this actually. Our goal was to ensure the purpose of the document was clear and obvious to clients without having to open it, while also creating a system that was beneficial to our team. Proper labels are a big part of my personal organization, too.

Lawyers are notoriously disorganized. We’re deadline driven people, which means we do some of our best work under pressure. And in the middle of that pressure, lawyers tend to lose track of space and structure. Their sole focus is usually on the client and how they can best serve them. As a result, their lives and organization structure become chaotic. I strive to be the exact opposite of this stereotype, but it hasn’t always been easy. Until my late 20s, I was a complete slob! Like most boys and young men, I didn’t really care about organization. I was more concerned with function. If it worked, great! If it was clean — didn’t care. But by the time I hit my 30s, something switched. I became obsessed with ensuring everything was neat, tidy, and labeled correctly. To this day, I’m a stickler for labels, both at home and in the office. For instance, if you were to walk into my pantry at home, you would find an organization system like that of a grocery store. I even went to a store to map it out! Everything is labeled and categorized just as grocery stores lay it out, so I know where to find each item when searching for it. My wife and daughter don’t seem to mind my grocery-store-to-pantry organization trick, and whenever they put something away, they just follow my labels. (I find most people just follow signs and labels anyway.)

Because of our thorough procedures, I believe we can better serve our clients. One of our greatest strengths is how organized we are; we don’t get in our own way.

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HOW TO ENTERTAIN KIDS DESPITE FATIGUE Running Low on Fuel?

child explore objects in the room while you build upon their language by explaining what different items are. Since you’re sleepy, why not pretend your toddler’s stuffed animal is sleepy too? Have your child “put teddy to bed.” If you’re lucky, you may be able to get in a few moments of shut-eye too! If your child is 2–4 years old, they might love using their imagination! Try having a picnic with them in the living room (you can even invite their stuffed animals to join!). Playing doctor is also a fun option and opportunity to be lazy and sleepy if you get to play the part of the sickly patient. You may also get out the building blocks and create with them — this requires little physical exertion and is a great developmentally appropriate activity.

After working all day, it can be tough to keep up with your kids. Sometimes, it can even feel like working a second job. While you still need to be physically and emotionally present, there are ways to exert less energy and still play with kids of all different ages. If your baby is under 1 year old, they are too young to play by themselves, but you can still play while not physically overdoing it. Resting on the floor with your baby and showing them some sensory toys or reading to them is both entertaining and educational. Another great option for your infant is to blow bubbles for them — they will love watching the bubbles float and dance through the air. If your toddler is on the go and walking, they may require a little more to stay adequately entertained. Try sitting on the floor and singing nursery rhymes. You can also let your

indoor obstacle course where you get to be the timer? All you have to do is gather a few items from around the house and use furniture and pillows to build a course. Think of incorporating activities such as having them crawl under the dining room table, walk across a blanket bridge, or hop over the pillow rocks. If you’re feeling artsy and would prefer to make something with your child, you can even just sit down at the table and break out some homemade play dough. The most important thing is to get creative and never feel guilty for needing to scale back a bit after having a long day. With these interactive ideas and tips, you will make it through the tough days and still feel like the super-parent you are!

If your child is 4 years or older, they are likely very active. What about hosting an

Testimonial DON’T JUST TAKE OUR WORD FOR IT

“They have been the best ... I’ve had 2 car accidents and each time, they have gone above and beyond for me. My latest car accident was out of state and they jumped right on top of things ... I am extremely grateful that someone referred me to them. I felt like they were my family; they called and checked in with me, they make sure

things are going well and that I had everything I needed during this time ... Thank you all again and I will definitely send people your way.” –Angela M.

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That strength would come in handy when, in 2011, Dr. Shannon found himself trapped in his car, his feet burning from an accident and glass lodged all over his skin. Now a grown man and 195 pounds, Chris was an EMT on the scene of Dr. Shannon’s accident, rescuing him that day from death — just as Dr. Shannon did for Chris all those years ago. Today, the duo still meet on the anniversary of the accident. Bad Snow Saves Boy While skiing in the French Alps, a 12-year-old boy became stuck under an avalanche about 110 yards away from where he was last seen — without an avalanche detector. The boy spent 40 minutes under the snow, which meant his odds of survival were just 20–30%, according to National Geographic, until he was rescued. Somehow, the boy survived without serious injuries, NPR reports, and experts believe he only survived because the snow was very poor that day up in the Alps. ‘Falling … Saved My Life’ When Peter fell down a half a flight of stairs and landed on his head, he thought that was the biggest problem with his noggin. After a routine scan following the fall, doctors discovered something much worse. Peter had a benign meningioma tumor behind his ear, which led to balance and cognitive issues for most of his life. After Dr. Raj Mukherjee removed the tumor, Peter says it was like a lightbulb went off in Peter’s brain; he could remember things and learn in ways he never thought possible. “All of a sudden my brain was just different,” Peter says. “My brain works like everyone else’s brain … Falling down the stairs saved my life.”

FORTUNE FAVORS US ALL 3 Happy Stories of ‘Good Luck’

Whether you believe luck comes from a four-leaf clover or through the power of our actions, the following stories offer a reminder we can all agree with: sometimes good things just happen. A Life for a Life In June 1986, Chris Trokey was born 10 weeks early and weighed just 3 pounds. Months later, the Trokeys rushed their baby boy to the nearest hospital with a skyrocketing fever. Their pediatrician, Dr. Michael Shannon, vowed to personally watch over Chris, sending his parents home for well-deserved rest. Dr. Shannon followed through on his promise, spending two nights with Chris and watching him gain his strength again.

WORD SEARCH

EASY MARCH MADNESS CHILI

Ingredients • 2 lbs ground beef • 2 tbsp chili powder • 1 tbsp Creole seasoning • 1 tsp ground cumin • 2 16-oz cans diced tomatoes • 2 16-oz cans small red beans • 2 8-oz cans tomato sauce

Directions 1. In a deep pot, brown the beef, stirring often. 2. Once beef is cooked, add chili powder, Creole seasoning, and cumin, cooking for 1 minute. 3. Stir in diced tomatoes, beans, and tomato sauce and bring the mixture to a boil. 4. After the mixture boils, reduce the heat to low and let chili simmer for 15 minutes. 5. Serve with toppings of choice, like cheese, sour cream, or chives.

CAESAR EQUINOX FLOWERS FORWARD

GOLD GREEN IRISH LUCKY

MARS RAIN

SPROUT WOMEN

Inspired by MyRecipes.com

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PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

404-418-8244 | WWW.BRAUNSLAW.COM 3175 SATELLITE BOULEVARD, SUITE 330 DULUTH, GEORGIA 30096

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Organization Is My ‘Life Hack’

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Interacting With Kids While Running on Empty

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Our Clients Say It Best

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3 Stories With a Great Ending (And a Little Luck!)

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Easy March Madness Chili

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Get Healthy While Spring-Cleaning!

Sunday, March 20, is the first day of spring — which means it’s time for some spring- cleaning. Did you know that cleaning is not just about tidying up a physical space? It’s also about improving overall well-being. Here’s how organization and cleanliness can help you in more ways than you might expect. 4 HEALTH BENEFITS OF SPRING-CLEANING IT’S MORE THAN JUST TIDYING UP

Spring-cleaning reduces stress and depression. Tidiness and mental health are actually connected. Studies have found that having a clean home is directly correlated to happiness and your ability to focus. Anxiety can spike when laundry is piling up, items are strewn everywhere, and papers get scattered on various surfaces within the home. Clearing the clutter is a great way to boost your mood and increase those feel-good hormones. It prevents illnesses. Doorknobs, refrigerator handles, light switches, countertops, and remote

controls are all things we touch many times a day. Cleaning anything that’s used often is one way to reduce the spread of germs. By keeping household surfaces clean, we help thwart the spread of viruses and illnesses.

vents can make breathing effortless — and it’s truly amazing how this can improve your well-being. It keeps you more active. Off the couch and on your feet! Even just running the vacuum and clearing the clutter from the dining room table will get you up and moving, which is healthy for your heart and body. This spring season, putting some elbow grease into your cleaning will benefit you in more ways than one. Trust me, you’ll thank yourself later!

Spring-cleaning helps you breathe better.

Spring often brings pollen that triggers allergies for many. But pollen isn’t the only thing to blame when people have difficulty breathing. When dust and pet dander build up in your home, your respiratory system is greatly affected too. Deep-cleaning your air filters and

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