Risk Services Of Arkansas - November 2021

Risk Services Of Arkansas - November 2021

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November 2021

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NOVEMBER IS A TIME TO BE THANKFUL And Not Just Because of Thanksgiving

Academy where he discussed duty, honor, and courage. Those who have served know these words rightfully translate to blood, sweat, and tears. When I was in the military, I had complete trust in our leadership at the company and battalion levels, but since I rarely had any clue what was going on behind the scenes at the higher levels, it made trusting in their leadership and decision-making harder to come by. We just didn’t get much communication from those higher-ranking officers. We were told what to do via the chain of command, and we did it. The same goes for today. The veterans of these two conflicts should not be tainted by the ugly stain of the Afghanistan retreat and evacuation. Instead, they should be remembered for their courage, their sacrifices, and their accomplishments. Please remember, every single one of them stepped up and volunteered. I still believe that America is the greatest country in the world, and it’s earned that distinction in no small part due to the sacrifices of our veterans and their families. As you sit down for Thanksgiving this year and everyone begins to share what they’re thankful for, please try not to forget our veterans. My fear is that as the recent conflicts recede further and further into our memories, we will unintentionally forget their loss of lives, limbs, and the head traumas they experienced, voluntarily, in an effort to protect us from the scourge of terrorism. As you pass the turkey or the sweet potato casserole, please remember that you are free to enjoy it because of the generations of men and women who took up arms to protect us in the past and who will undoubtedly have to do so again in the future. –Brad Johnson President, Risk Services of AR

November is a special time of year in which Americans are able to celebrate two very important holidays. The November holiday that is most likely to come to mind in the United States is Thanksgiving. Of course, I am thankful for my family and the many blessed experiences I have had in my life, but there’s one group that should also be thought of during this time: veterans. Veterans Day usually takes place on Nov 11. I think we should always take time to properly show our appreciation and be thankful for the veterans of our country as well as all active-duty military. Recently, our military pulled out of Afghanistan after being there for nearly 20 years. I just want to express how grateful I am for the veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. It appears as though everyone in the media wants to share their opinion on the matter, but sometimes I think they fail to realize how difficult the situation is for these veterans. These mainly young men and women represent the finest ideals of our country, of going where they’re told and doing what they’re told, which they accomplish under extremely trying circumstances. It’s important that these veterans and soldiers understand the situation that unravelled is not a reflection on them or the job they did but of senior leadership. From one veteran to another, we can only do our job. It’s not our responsibility to do the jobs of the generals or the politicians. I joined the Army back in 1982, where I served until 1988. Fortunately, I never had to put myself in harm’s way by taking part in a shooting war. However, the veterans who served in Afghanistan and Iraq were doing so nearly every day. Their sacrifices and dedication are not easy to grasp for those of us who have not experienced it firsthand. General Douglas MacArthur once famously gave a speech to the cadets of the U.S. Military

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With These 4 Tips

The pandemic has created a cloud of doubt surrounding the future of many businesses. When restrictions were first imposed, many business owners worried they would never open their doors again. Now that businesses around the country have started reopening, owners are trying to increase their businesses’ values so they can pass them down to their successors without fear of their retirement being impacted. Here are four tips to keep in mind if you want to pass your business on after retirement. Be proactive. If you’re simply waiting for retirement and the perfect successor to come when you’re ready, it will never happen. Being proactive is your greatest tool. If you wait too long, plans you had in place may fall apart, leaving you back at step one. It can also make it difficult to sell your company to an interested investor or third party if you fail to put a plan in place beforehand. Include succession with your future planning . If you want to put together a strong strategic plan, you need to consider interior and exterior pressures. Building succession into your plans for the future helps prevent any disruptions or distractions from the business during a monumental change. It also shows that it’s actively being worked on. As difficult as it may be, business owners need to plan for the unexpected. Develop your key employees. Your employees are truly the future of your business. In many cases, they will continue to work for the company after you’ve left. You need to train and develop your important players so they can continue to succeed after you retire. Allow them to play into their strengths. They may not have the same leadership skills you’re familiar with, but it could help the business in the long run. Don’t walk away from the business. Many business owners make the mistake of promoting an employee to their position so they can walk away permanently. Nobody knows the business as well as you do, and you may need to continue mentoring to ensure the business stays profitable. You don’t have to treat it like a regular work schedule, but staying active with the company can help boost results.

3 GOALS EVERY By now, you should have an idea of what you want your business to achieve in 2022, but have you considered how you will grow during that year — and the impact that could have on your business? Often, entrepreneurs and business leaders take on the identity of their companies, but in order to personally thrive and see their companies take off, they have to grow right alongside it. To do so, consider these goals all entrepreneurs must focus on at some point in their careers. Goal No. 1: Get a Life You are more than the company you started. Plus, having hobbies or personal interests outside of your work can help you excel in work. It allows your brain to grow in new ways, sparking fresh ideas and perspectives. Consider activities that you’re interested in learning more about — like painting, podcasting, reading, or running — and get started. Maybe you’ll fail, but just keep trying! You may find a new activity that brings you the joy you need. Goal No. 2: Save More ENTREPRENEUR NEEDS IN 2022 Many of the dimes you earn as a business owner go back into the company, but don’t forget to consider your future. Is your retirement plan in order? Do you have a plan should your company need to close? Will your family be secure? Consider these questions and hire a trusted financial advisor who can help you find personal investment success. Goal No. 3: Meet New People Becoming inundated by daily, menial tasks can make us miss opportunities. This is where meeting new people can be so valuable! By doing so, you create a network of people who have different experiences than your own. They can help you see beyond your biases and discover a new path. Who knows? You just might find the next great venture for your company!

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A Polish Olympian Auctioned Off Her Medal

Athletes train from early youth into adulthood for an opportunity to compete at the Olympics. For many of these athletes, winning an Olympic medal is a surefire way to bring honor to their country, along with national and international attention they would otherwise never receive. An Olympic medal is a once-in-a-lifetime achievement for most and a prize to be treasured for the rest of their lives. However, one Polish Olympian decided she could do more with her medal than simply display it. Maria Andrejczyk represented Poland as a javelin thrower during the Tokyo Olympics, where she took home the silver medal. Andrejczyk decided to auction off her medal after returning home to Poland. She said, “This silver can save lives instead of collecting dust in a closet.” She wanted to raise money to help give an 8-month-old boy with a dire heart defect a better chance at survival. She announced on her Facebook page that a Polish convenience store had won the medal with a bid of $125,000. Andrejczyk stated that she felt incredible happiness over winning the medal and wanted to share that feeling with a young child.

Andrejczyk previously competed in the Rio Olympics but narrowly missed winning a medal

there. Two years later, she was diagnosed with bone cancer. She fought through the pain and earned her spot to compete again in Tokyo. At only 25 years old, Andrejczyk could potentially compete once again during the next summer Olympic games in Paris.

FOR A GOOD CAUSE

After learning of the cause that Maria was fighting for, the Polish convenience store decided to return the medal back to her. They proceeded to donate the dollar amount they had bid directly to the 8-month-old’s cause. Their

donation combined with previous donations may save the boy’s life. There is now enough money for him to have a potentially life-saving surgery at Stanford University Medical Center, all thanks to Andrejczyk.

Solution on Pg. 4 Have a Laugh!

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INSIDE This Issue

November Is a Time to Be Thankful page 1

3 Personal Goals to Make 2022 Better 4 Tips for a Successful Succession of Business page 2

Why an Olympian Auctioned Off Her Medal page 3

How to Make Fidgeting Work for You page 4

Fidget Toys Are Here to Stay

But Are They Helpful?

allowed to fidget. Anecdotal evidence from both children and adults with ADHD supports the idea that fidgeting boosts attention and improves memory retention. One of the biggest complaints about fidgeting is that it can be distracting to others. It’s important to know the time and place for your preferred fidget and to find alternatives that won’t be disruptive. No one wants to hear repeated clicking noises (unless they’re the one doing the clicking), but fidget toys with joysticks, sliders, soft buttons, and other quiet options can be a big help. Fidgeting can also be disruptive to the person fidgeting if you choose an overly complicated or visual toy. If you’re paying more attention to the fidget than whatever you’re trying to concentrate on, it’s time to put the toy away. This is why fidget spinners have been banned in so many schools and why most other fidget toys are very simple, quiet, and tactile-based. If you have a tendency to fidget in your daily life, a fidget toy might be right for you. There are many options available for purchase, and many people like to buy several to determine which works best for them. Who knows, one just might help you stay alert during that conference call!

Fidget spinners may be so 2017, but fidget toys (or “fidgets”) are here to stay. While fidget toys are relatively new, the idea of fidgeting isn’t. Clicking your pen, tapping your foot,

twirling your hair, and biting your nails are just some examples of fidgeting that you might already engage in. So, why do we fidget — and is it a good or bad thing?

Scientists don’t completely understand why people fidget, but many

theories point to its potential effects on concentration. Proponents of this idea suggest that people tend to fidget when they are trying to concentrate on something that is either too boring or too challenging. Fidgeting while bored may help you keep your attention up, while fidgeting when overly challenged may help you focus and relax.

One case study showed that students had a 10% increase in academic scores when using fidget toys as opposed to without. Even more impressive, students with ADHD showed a 27% increase in scores when

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