Capital Advisory Group - January 2022

Capital Advisory Group - January 2022

119 Old State Rd., Ellisville, MO 63021 THE WEALTH ZONE THE SECRET TO ACHIEVING YOUR GOALS Take Pressure Off the New Year CapitalAdvisoryGrp.com January 2022

We always put so much pressure on ourselves at the start of a new year. There’s this innate belief that the new year has to start just right or we have to celebrate it a certain way to “set ourselves up” for a great year. It’s a lot to expect from one holiday. Years ago, I decided to take the sting out of the new year. I made up my mind to quit smoking in the new year, and instead of making my “quit” date Jan. 1, I chose Jan. 18. The day felt far enough away, but it was early enough that I would still feel motivated to finally quit. And it worked! I’m not saying it was the magical decision to choose Jan. 18 that made it possible — I worked hard to quit! But taking the mystique and intensity out of New Year’s Day gave me some of that control back. It allowed me to drive my actions how I saw fit to achieve my goal, and today, I’m happy to say I’ve kept it up. That’s more than many people can say when it comes to making resolutions. While I don’t believe in making a big deal out of the start of a new year, I do believe that starting a fresh set of 365 days is a great opportunity to examine your habits and create goals for yourself. Improving your financial wellness is a great place to start. This can look like a number of habits. Have You Heard Us on the Radio Yet? Tune in to KTRS 550 AM radio every Saturday from 3–4 p.m. as Jeff Zufall and Josh Gilbert discuss all things taxes and financial planning. From innovative strategies to optimize your benefits to breaking down proposed and current legislative measures, Jeff and Josh guide you through the most pressing topics in the financial world today.

It’s fitting that January also happens to be Financial Wellness Month because I believe financial knowledge is worth continually improving. Maybe you need to be more proactive in your tax planning. (We can help. Check out Page 3!) Or, maybe you need to do a better job of tracking your spending habits or sharing your financial goals with your partner. Whatever it may be, gaining greater financial knowledge and strength is as simple as starting. I’ll even let you use my trick of starting on Jan. 18! As you approach this new year and inevitably brace for all the pressure that comes with it, I hope you remember just how lucky we all are to experience another new year. Every season, I’m reminded of one year when we all thought we were destined for chaos, only to realize the panic had been for naught. If you were alive 22 years ago, then you may remember the panic of Y2K. For months leading up to Jan. 1, 2000, computer experts warned that computers had been programmed to only display the last two digits of a year in a date, and that when the new millennium hit, the computers would not understand how to transition from ‘99 to ‘00. Professionals forecasted travel and financial woes, and we all braced for impact. Personally, I set my computer’s date back four days and waited. I figured I would get some buffer between myself and the eventual “end of the world,” just in case anything happened. And then … nothing happened. Or, very little happened, I should say. All that panic wasn’t necessary, and we entered 2000 like it was any other year. No pressure — it’s just a new century. The point is, 2022 is just another year. What we choose to do with it and the goals we set for ourselves are what make a year important. Keep that in mind as we begin 2022.

Happy New Year!

-Jeff Zufall

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Neuroplasticity is the brain’s ability to change and adapt throughout your life, forming new connections that can have a direct impact on your energy, productivity, focus, creativity, motivation, and much more. Your brain can expand and grow even after an injury. 6 SCIENTIFICALLY PROVEN WAYS TO BOOST YOUR BRAIN POWER Is Neuroplasticity the Secret to Success?

For Real, This Time How to Keep New Year’s Resolutions New Year’s Eve has come and gone, and now that the champagne is finished and the decorations are put away, it’s time to buckle down and work on those New Year's resolutions. The only problem is ... your resolutions for this year and last year are the same. Change is tough, so you’re not alone in being unable to stick to your resolutions. This year can be different, if you want it to be. Here are some tips to keep you on track. Have a specific goal. Many resolutions are vague — along the lines of “exercise more” or “eat healthier.” That’s too ambiguous to inspire motivation, and vagueness leaves room for excuses. Make your goal more concrete, so you can measure your success. Specific goals could include going to the gym three times a week, being able to bench a certain number of pounds, or only indulging in fast food once a month. Make your goal realistic — if it’s too drastic or difficult, it’s easier to give up. Have a plan. Bad habits are hard to break, so change won’t come about naturally. It’s important to consider how you’ll structure your day around your resolution and what obstacles you might face. When will you go to the gym, and what will you do if that time gets interrupted? How will you plan meals to avoid spontaneous drive-thru visits? Write down what you want to accomplish and all the things that might stand in your way. Then, figure out how you’ll deal with them before they happen. Start small. On Jan. 1, you’re probably enthusiastic about your resolution and ready to hit the ground running. Not so fast — doing too much too soon is a classic mistake. It’s okay to be excited, but working out until you’re sore all over or constantly eating salads you hate will turn your resolution into a chore that you’ll want to avoid. Start with light workouts or replacing some of your carbs

That’s why many entrepreneurs are saying the same thing: One of the smartest ways to invest in your business is to devote resources to your most important asset — your brain.

But how do you keep your brain active, healthy, and functioning at a high level? Param Dedhia, MD, says six key areas are involved: sleep, exercise, joy, nutrition, internal medicine, and inflammation. All of these factors work independently, but together, they can promote neuroplasticity, which is why they all require equal attention. Everyone wants to stay engaged with the world around them, but you can’t do that without sleep. In fact, research published by the journal PLOS One discovered that getting six or fewer hours of sleep was associated with memory and executive function problems, i.e. problem-solving, planning, and execution. So, make sure you get enough sleep before tackling your day. Exercise is crucial because, according to brain plasticity researchers at IOS Press, exercise “alters the synaptic structure and function in various brain regions,” promoting brain growth and even delaying the onset of Alzheimer’s disease. Promoting growth can also be as simple (or as difficult) as focusing our attention on thoughts that bring us joy. Gratitude promotes very different brain activity than negativity, anger, or bitterness, and studies on gratitude show that the positive effects can be lifelong. Nutrition can’t be understated either, since it can assist your body in maintaining health and fighting inflammation. The brain uses about 20% of the body’s calories, and eating plenty of omega-3 fatty acids can strengthen brain cells, while antioxidants reduce cellular stress and inflammation, which are linked to brain aging and neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s disease. With the right habits, you can keep your brain healthy for many decades to come. You might even grow in entirely new and unexpected ways.

with veggies. Once you get the hang of that, you’ll be ready to scale up slowly. Using these guidelines, you’ll make lasting changes that extend beyond February. Get 2022 started off on the right foot, and next year you’ll be ready to make a whole new resolution — and keep it.

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It’s baaack … It should come as no surprise that tax season has started again, and it’s important you use this time as an opportunity to get ahead. Far too often, people wait until the last minute, creating added stress and opportunities for inaccuracies. This tax season, you can avoid the panic by preparing early. Here’s how. Use Your Tax Organizer If you haven’t already received your Capital Advisory Group tax organizer, keep an eye on your mailbox. Every year, we send the tax organizer to operate as a cheat sheet of sorts to help you prepare your taxes and documents. This is one of the best tools you can use to ensure you have all the information and documents you need to file accurate tax returns. If you haven’t received yours yet, it’s on its way! Organize Your Files You hear about it all the time, but having an organized file system will be a major timesaver when you finally file your taxes. Catalog all the documents you need for your 2021 return and gather other pieces of information you may think you will need. For instance, if you purchased a printer for your business this past year, a copy of It’s Tax Time

the receipt and other documents pertaining to the purchase and sale of that machine will be beneficial. You may not need every file, but having the documents on hand and organized will make searching for what you do need easier. Determine Your Best Method Some people plow through their Start the Season Right

taxes and get everything done in one day. Others prefer a piecemeal approach, taking their time to ensure each step is completed correctly. No matter how you approach big projects like doing your taxes, create a plan for that method. For example, if you’re someone who takes their time, it’s best to start your tax prep as soon as possible. If you do it all in one day, select the weekend that’s best for you and stick to it! Our team at Capital Advisory Group can help you make this tax season a breeze (or at least make it not so bad). If you have questions, please give us a call.

TAKE A BREAK

Chicken and Leek Filo Pie Inspired by GoodHousekeeping.com

Ingredients

Directions

• 3 oz unsalted butter, divided • 2 large leeks, finely sliced • 2 large carrots, finely chopped • 1 tbsp flour • 14 oz chicken stock, warmed • 2 tsp Dijon mustard • 3 tbsp heavy cream • 12 oz cooked chicken, cut into chunks • 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley • 12 sheets frozen filo pastry, thawed

1. Preheat oven to 350 F. 2. In a pan over low heat, melt 1 oz butter. 3. Add leeks and carrots and cook for 15 minutes, until softened but not colored. 4. Stir in flour and cook for 1 minute. 5. Gradually add chicken stock, stirring until sauce is smooth, then let simmer for 10 minutes. 6. Stir in mustard and heavy cream, then add cooked chicken and parsley. Transfer to a large ovenproof dish. 7. In a pan, melt remaining butter. 8. Put a single filo sheet on a board and brush with melted butter. Scrunch up pastry sheet and place on top of chicken mixture. Continue until pie is covered. 9. Bake for 20–25 minutes, until the filo is golden and chicken mixture is bubbling.

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Inspired by GoodHousekeeping.com

119 Old State Rd. Ellisville, MO 63021 CapitalAdvisoryGrp.com

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ISSUE INSIDE THIS

Achieve Your Goals Without the Pressure in 2022 Stick to Your Resolutions — For Real, This Time Make Neuroplasticity Your Secret to Success Start Tax Season Now, Experience Less Stress Later

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Chicken and Leek Filo Pie

Plants Can Boost Productivity and Reduce Stress

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Greenery Is Good for the Body and Mind!

3 BENEFITS OF INDOOR PLANTS

They improve the quality of indoor air. A NASA study in the 1980s attempted to find ways to improve the air quality in their spacecraft. They found that soils and roots of houseplants reduced harmful compounds in the air significantly. By using photosynthesis, they help create more oxygen. They also lower the levels of carbon monoxide and formaldehyde found in indoor areas. Some of the best greenery to purify your air include spider plants, Boston ferns, and ficus trees. They reduce stress levels. A study published in the Journal of Physiological Anthropology found that plants can make you feel more comfortable and relaxed. The researchers found that indoor gardening tasks lowered the stress levels of participants before they began working — even for those who are highly experienced within their field.

Jan. 10 is National Houseplant Appreciation Day! Having these green friends in your home can provide all sorts of science-backed benefits. Here’s what research tells us about why living and working with indoor plants is so good for us. They can boost your productivity. Several studies have found that having plants in your workspace can increase your productivity and creativity. In a 2004 study, researchers asked individuals to create word associations. The individuals who had some sort of real greenery near them performed better than those who didn’t. A study in 2007 showed that people with more plants at their work took fewer sick days and were more productive while working. The belief is that plants increase productivity because a “green office” inspires us to have more physical, cognitive, and emotional involvement in tasks.

Find plants for your lifestyle and space. If you have a busy schedule, you can buy plants that are low-maintenance and easy to take care of. Some green friends don’t need a lot of watering and thrive on sunlight. You can look into purchasing snake plants, succulents, ZZ plants, aloe vera, and blushing philodendron. Talk to experts at your local nursery to find plants that fit your home and lifestyle. Plants not only make for great decor but also have some amazing benefits as well. Happy growing!

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