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Happy New Year! Did 2018 sneak up on you like it did me? Wowzer! 

1% Factor – What Could it Do For You in 2018

What happens every new year? Most people reflect on the prior year’s accomplishments and perhaps unachieved goals, as they look forward to the new year with anticipation and expectations. 

Now think about the 1% factor. Some may think that 1% wouldn’t make a big enough difference. However, when investors rebalance their portfolios as a new year rolls around, they don’t always make major changes, just small adjustments. In 33-degree weather you have rain. One-degree lower (32 degrees), you may encounter snow. Or a small change, such as cutting down on food portions resulting in a 500-calorie deficit per day could result in a significant weight loss by the end of the year. 

What if you changed just 1% – what would that look like for you?

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Before I can focus on new goals, I have to get organized. Those of you who know me are rolling your eyes about now. Somehow in a year’s time the paperclips in my desk have grown legs and wandered to all parts of my office. I need to have my new calendars on the wall and my desk (even though I use an online calendar to actually schedule appointments). Last year’s paperwork has to be boxed up or shredded and, and, and….. 

So in the interest of getting organized and inspired, I’m sharing with you a few books and websites with some interesting tools and information. There is one website about food waste that opened my eyes.

The Cottage Market Free Printable Planner. I loved school, not so much for education in my younger days, but because of the school supplies. I can almost smell the pencil lead when freshly sharpened. This website has free printables available for download, including a 2018 planner that has about any kind of list you would need or want, plus a calendar, and provides a front and back cover if you want to print it out into a planner book. 

And food related, The Cottage Market has a post with some great healthy food infographics and info. Start The Year Out Healthy.

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The 12 Week Year. This book is about getting more done in 12 weeks than most people do in 12 months. I’ve used the theory in my own life, as well as presenting the concepts at many business conferences. One quote from the book I thought poignant: “If you are not in control of your time, then you are not in control of your results.” Sixty pages packed with good ideas.

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The Four Agreements. Don Miguel Ruiz hits the nail on the head with his practical guide to personal freedom. This book gives you a powerful code of conduct in four statements that transform lives. I have recommended this book to many clients and friends who have found value in the writings. 

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What’s Your Red Rubber Ball? I love this book! I met Kevin Carroll about 10 years ago and have admired his sense of playfulness wrapped up in a book of self-exploration. He has worked with the Philadelphia 76ers and Nike using the activities and exercises in this book, so don’t think it is filled with fluff. You don’t have to be young or at a certain stage in life to find passion, and inspiration. 

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Save The Food. This website might be a little over the top for some but was an interesting read and contained a lot of useful information about food. I learned that you can cook and eat the stems of zucchini plants. I’ve cooked the flowers (yum!) but never thought the stems were edible. One of the tools that I liked was the Guest-imater. You insert the factors of your situation (i.e. how many guests, are they large or small eaters, etc.) to calculate how much food you need. Worth checking out this website when you have a minute.

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So if you are someone who likes to take stock at the end of a year, here are a few things to observe:

What are you….. noticing, reading, buying, wearing, disliking, worrying about, pretending, loving, hearing, embracing, hating, wondering, hoping, enjoying, wanting, celebrating, admiring, and above all COOKING! 

Let’s look forward to 2018 with hope, health, and happiness!