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Here’s a classic tasty recipe for Ham & Potato soup that is very easy to make. Not only is it yummy, but it will also keep you warm during the cool winter months! Plus, you can add your own twist to it by adding some of your favorite ingredients.

Ingredients

3 1/2 cups peeled & diced potatoes
1/3 cup diced celery
1/3 cup finely chopped onion
3/4 cup diced cooked ham
3 1/4 cups water
2 tablespoons chicken bouillon
1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
1 teaspoon ground black pepper, or to taste
5 tablespoons butter
5 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups milk

Directions

Combine potatoes, celery, onion, ham, and water in a stockpot.

Networking… We all do it. You do it. I do it. Other business owners do it.

Networking is positioning your name and what you do in your market, which can dramatically help with referrals, retention, new business, and cross-sells.

To become the best at networking, you need to ADD VALUE to your Centers of Influence (COI) relationships.

Are you a boss or a leader? Can you juggle being both?

Last week, I shared a few differences between being a manager and a leader. This week, I want to dive a bit deeper and go over some differences between being a boss and a leader.

Here are a few key differences between a leader that inspires, supports, and encourages their team and a harsh boss that only gives orders in an authoritative way seeking control.

Now, more than ever, it is important to meet the needs of your team. As more and more people join the “Great Resignation” movement, it is time to not be just a manager but to be a leader in the workplace.

Unlike a manager, a leader establishes and influences the entire office, inspires, and charts the course for your agency’s success.

To kick off January and the new year, here are a few lesser-known fun facts:

Apart from leap years, January always begins on the same day as October. In leap years, January always begins on the same day as April and July.
January is the only month when the North Pole is on average colder than the South Pole.

As we kick off the new year, let me ask you a question.

When you’re faced with a choice, do you choose to take hard action or do you make the easy excuse?

Think about these questions; Do you go to the gym, or do you say you’re too busy? Do you call that scary prospect or choose to send an email instead? Do you fire that employee or choose to look the other way hoping they will change?

Most people choose the easy excuse over the hard action.

As an avid reader, I sometimes come across lessons that I know I need to share. A while back I ran across an article that was talking about high achievers vs. low achievers. I can’t remember the source but wanted to share them with you. It’s a long list of 14 traits.

Have you ever considered how your energy affects everyone around you? This is something I've noticed in my years as a boss, that my attitude affects my team and their interactions with each other and with me. When it comes down to attitude and motivation in the workplace, I can't be just a coach - I have to suit up and play on the team too.

If the hustle and bustle of the holidays has you feeling more frantic than festive, consider starting a new family tradition this year. My family loves having holiday traditions and looks forward to them each year. Having something to look forward to can help you feel more grounded during this busy time of year--plus, the whole family can get involved.

As business owners, one of our most important assets is our team members.

There are many motivational tools out there, but I have found none more effective than praise, recognition, and positive reinforcement. As a leader, you can only benefit by rewarding behaviors that you want to see repeated by your team members.