FAIRFIELD Earlier this fall, Kwame Burwell was sitting in Starbucks when he was approached by a stranger. The man, bursting with curiosity, asked to take a photo, not of Burwell but of the person sitting next to Burwell.

Is that Maria Conlon? the man asked.

Yes, thats exactly who it was.

Obviously, everybody knows her from the Valley. Big name, big-time hero coming back to the community, giving back, Burwell, a local basketball coach, said Thursday. Ironically, shes doing it at Notre Dame, and she played for UConn.

Conlon, a former Seymour standout, is coaching again but not at that Notre Dame. Shes back at Notre Dame-Fairfield High School, this time as head coach of the girls basketball team. In many ways, its a natural transition for the ex-point guard, who played in four Final Fours and won three national titles at UConn from 2000-04.

Everybody always used to tell me that I would make a great coach, Conlon said Thursday before practice. I think that being a point guard your whole life, you see a lot of stuff on the floor because you have to. Youve got to know where everybodys supposed to be. For me, when I was in high school and college, I thought, All right, lets see whats going to make my teammates tick? How can I get them in the right position? Those natural tendencies usually follow really well with coaching.

Conlon was a graduate assistant on Geno Auriemmas staff at UConn in 2005 and spent a year as a full-time assistant at Division-II Southern Connecticut State. She couldve continued climbing the coaching ladder, but life got busy. And it still is, in fact.

However, Conlon, who has since started a family and opened her own business, is back doing what she loves at a place thats familiar. Conlon previously served as an assistant at ND-Fairfield in 2017 and 2018.

I have no interest in coaching at probably any other level than this. This is where I max that out, she said. I have two other companies that I own and an 8-year-old daughter, so it was more or less of, is this the right fit for me in terms of the athletic director and the school?

Conlon inherited a ready-to-win team. ND-Fairfield has four starters back, including one of the states best players in sophomore Aizhanique Mayo, who already has offers from UMass, Sacred Heart and St. Peters. Thats made the job easier, but no less stressful or time-consuming, of course.

Her day is long and structured. It begins before sunrise and ends well after sunset. She teaches classes at her gym, SWAGG CrossFit in Shelton, then goes to what she calls her big girl job, working as managing director of Maffe Financial Group. Once shes done with that, its on to coaching.

Its kind of funny because Im watching game film, Im putting together practice agendas, she said. Its constantly, what are we tweaking today? What worked? What didnt work? And we havent even had a game yet.

The Lancers tip off their season Tuesday at Mercy-Middletown.

Shes literally the energizer bunny, joked Burwell, who is one of her hand-picked assistants. Shes going, going, going, going, going.

Thats sort of how life was at UConn, where Conlon kept winning, winning, winning, winning, winning. There was immense pressure, having grown up in Derby, but Conlon, a smart and gritty player, made her home state proud. She started at point guard for the 2003 and 2004 national championship teams and was part of a 70-game win streak. In 2006, she was inducted into the Connecticut Womens Basketball Hall of Fame.

Conlon said that most of her players, some of whom werent even born when she was a Husky, are just learning about her background.

I think theyve probably looked her up at some point now if they hadnt already, ND-Fairfield athletic director Rob Bleggi said. If they didnt know then, they know now.

Around a month ago, Conlon took her players to UConn to watch practice. That gave her a chance to catch up with some familiar faces, including Auriemma, associate head coach Chris Dailey and assistant Shea Ralph. On Sunday, she was back at Gampel Pavilion to see UConn beat rival Notre Dame.

To her, it all seemed so familiar.

We still run the same plays. I went to practice, we still do all the same drills, Conlon said, laughing. Its funny because its like, if its not broke, why fix it? If I was him, I wouldnt change much either.

In some respects, Conlon plans to follow that same philosophy in her new gig. Shes going to coach, teach and educate, until she stops having fun.

And at that point, presumably, the so-called energizer bunny will find something else to do.

Im not moving out of Connecticut until my daughters at least 18. So youve got at least 10 good years, she told Bleggi. That would be the plan, minimum-wise. I think that, if its not fun parents are hard nowadays I dont know how some coaches do it. Kids are different than they were when I was growing up. It makes things a little more challenging at times.

When somethings not fun for you, its really hard to be a part of that. If Im not having fun coaching, then my players probably arent having fun either. I think, for me, fun doesnt equal, Oh, we won a state championship. Its like, are kids getting better on and off the court? Are we having fun at practice every day? Are we learning? For me, that stuff is fun.

dbonjour@ctpost.com; @DougBonjour

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Former UConn Husky Maria Conlon returns to her roots, coaching and leading - CT Insider

The New Year is the perfect time to consider a career change.

The New Year is traditionally a time for fireworks, celebrations, resolutions, and now, career change. A new study from Fiverr and YouGov shows that nearly 6 in 10 U.S. workers are looking to change something about their work or career in the New Year. Some of the changes they are considering include their company, industry or job location. These results underscore the fact that work has dramatically shifted over the past decade. People no longer have jobs for life and are prioritizing purpose over profit.

As we enter a new decade, it is important for everyone to consider the opportunities that exist for them now that might not have ten years ago, said Gali Arnon, Chief Marketing Officer at Fiverr. Technology has made it possible for people to earn a living right from their phone or computer, work from anywhere and collaborate on a global scale. It has allowed people to be measured by their skills and their talent, regardless of anything else. People nowadays are not looking for that job for life. Rather they want to be part of something that has purpose and stands for something bigger than itself.

If you are yearning for a career change in the New Year, here are five tips to guide you through the transition.

If you are considering a career change, this is a good time to ask yourself why. Take a step back to understand your motivation. Are you considering a change because you hate your boss or because you really dont like your job? Try not to make a fear-based decision. If youre thinking of starting a business because you are afraid of company layoffs, thats not a good reason to pursue entrepreneurship. Your goal is to run towards something you love, not away from something you hate. To feel fulfilled, youll also want to ensure that your future career aligns with your values and priorities. For example, if your number one priority is your family, a job that has you on the road 42 weeks out of the year wont be a good fit.

The Fiverr and YouGov study also confirmed that many workers are looking for increased flexibility, the ability to work remotely, and a career that theyre genuinely passionate about. If that sounds like you, you may want to consider a freelancing career. According to the sixth annual Freelancing in America study sponsored by Upwork and Freelancers Union, more people than ever see freelancing as a long-term career path. The share of those who freelance full time increased from 17% in 2014 to 28% in 2019. Not only that, but at nearly $1 trillion (approaching 5% of U.S. GDP), freelance income contributes more to the economy than industries such as construction and transportation. Skilled services are the most common type of freelance work, with 45% of freelancers involved in other areas such as programming, marketing, IT and business consulting.

Thinking about going from employee to entrepreneur? One of the best methods to test a new business idea without immediately abandoning your day job is to launch a side gig. Its also a rewarding way to acquire valuable skills while generating a bit of extra income. As your side gig grows, youll get a sense of whether this is a more meaningful and fulfilling career path. Eventually, youll have the potential to turn your side gig into a full-time business.

As someone who is a coach and has hired coaches for myself, I can attest to the power of coaching. They are sometimes referred to as career coaches, life coaches, or business coaches. If you are feeling stuck, wrestling with what to do next or wondering how to put your ideas into action, a coach can help. Coaches are especially valuable in terms of holding you accountable and assisting with the creation of short and long-term action plans. They essentially keep you on track and moving forward toward your goal. Ultimately, getting an outside perspective from a professional can be extremely helpful when navigating a career change.

Has your LinkedIn profile gone untouched for months or even years? Did you send your last Tweet back in 2012? Or, worse yet, do you lack a social media presence altogether? The New Year is an ideal time to revisit your personal brand. Your personal brand is the unique combination of skills and experiences that make you who you are and allow you to stand out from the crowd. Cultivating a personal brand has become more important than ever. According to a recent CareerBuilder survey, 70% of employers use social media to screen candidates during the hiring process. Personal branding is also essential if you are a consultant or a small business owner. By effectively managing your online reputation, you will be able to control the narrative and differentiate yourself from the competition.

If you are contemplating a career change, the New Year is the perfect time to reflect on the past 12 months, inventory your skills and chart a new course forward. In the words of author Melody Beattie, The New Year stands before us, like a chapter in a book, waiting to be written. Get out your pen because the best is yet to come.

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5 Tips To Make A Career Change In The New Year - Forbes

Whether youre looking for an entertaining conversation to listen to at the gym or a talk that stimulates your brain on your commute, podcasts can help you learn something new, immerse yourself in a story, or simply have a good laugh.

With so many podcasts out there, we were curious to hear which ones our Thrive community loved this year. Which of their recommendations will you start listening to in 2020?

How I Built This

So often, we label companies as overnight successes, but theres always so much that goes into the creation. Thats why I love this podcast. Hearing which challenges entrepreneurs face is so refreshing, and hearing how theyve overcome them is incredibly inspiring.

Rachel Finger, founder and co-president of Gryph & IvyRose, Miami Beach, FL

Idea Cast

I really like Idea Cast from the Harvard Business Review. It gives you new ideas for your business, and advice on how to be a forward thinker. I feel like it gives you a way to go back to school to learn in a quick episode.

Molly Sims, actress and model, Beverly Hills, CA

Armchair Expert

I love this podcast because it humanizes a lot of Hollywood actors, directors, and producers in a way you rarely see. Its a fun listen, and the host is very engaging which is everything I want to be in my career as I grow as a host and thought leader.

Dale Moss, NFL player and Special Olympics global ambassador, New York, NY

The Secret History of the Future

This podcast has made me realize that any problems our society is encountering now have already been solved in the past. History repeats itself, and we should take advantage of the answers that have already been given to us.

Cassey Ho, health and fitness influencer and entrepreneur, Los Angeles, CA

This Land

Ive absolutely loved listening to This Land by Crooked Media. Its inspired me to know more about the untold history of the United States!

Jessamyn Stanley, yoga instructor, body positivity advocate, and writer, Durham, NC

Living the Dream

My friend Rory OMalley started this podcast, and its my favorite. He interviews friends and coworkers, talks about show business, and discusses what it takes to stay sane and on top of your game. Its a really fun listen, and you walk away with some cool life gems.

Carly Pearce, singer, Nashville, TN

Philosophize This!

This is one of my favorite podcasts because its educational, and has encouraged me to deepen my understanding of the world in which we live.

Madeleine Arthur, actress

The Ed Mylett Show

He is the real deal. He gives tangible and tactical strategies to overcome situational, habitual, mental, and emotional roadblocks, laying a personal foundation for a better quality of life. In the past year, I have used so many of his tips and tactics to improve my own life!

Chris Powell, personal trainer, Mesa, AZ

WEST Podcast

The WEST Women Empowered Stronger Together Podcast has been my favorite of 2019. Kiersten McIntire digs deep into conversations that are geared towards healing some of our societys toughest issues. After listening to a new episode, I always feel uplifted, inspired, and hopeful that we can create impactful change in our world.

Heather Reinhardt, author, Los Angeles, CA

The Daily

I love The Daily from the New York Times. Each segment is less than 25 minutes and brings you up to date on current news in the most interesting storytelling. It is hosted by Michael Barbaro, and the guests tell interesting and creative stories about our world.

Andrea Lambert, life coach, San Diego, CA

My Taught You Podcast

This podcast helped me change my career with four words: Create your own opportunity. Myliek Teele, the creator and host, provides the tools to help other women become the best version of themselves. Her advice has helped me secure a position with a great company in my dream career field. Her podcast is great for anyone looking to take their career and their overall mindset to the next level.

Tawanda Carlton, account executive, Atlanta, GA

Meditative Story

I really love that the Meditative Story podcast adds mindfulness to my days in such a creative, heartwarming, and powerful way. It has taught me so many beautiful perspectives about life, grief, identity, relationships, and our view of the world that I feel its consistently making me a more positive person. I highly recommend it to anyone whos on the edge about meditation and just wants to dip their toes into being more mindful!

Smriti S., social media director, New York, NY

Wild Ideas Worth Living

I love Shelby Stangers podcast because it gathers a great group of diverse individuals with unique backgrounds to share their stories. Her podcast is sponsored by REI, and all of these really different stories somehow relate to the great outdoors, which I love. If you want to be inspired to live more wildly, its worth checking out.

Danielle Wolter Nolan, CEO, Nashville, IN

The Tim Ferriss Show

I discovered Tim Ferriss podcast last year, and I am completely obsessed. He chats with world-class athletes, decorated military personnel, politicians, chess champions, entrepreneurs, and everything in between. He dissects excellence and finds out what these leaders read, eat for breakfast, and the daily patterns that help them achieve their dreams. Tims advice has encouraged me to lose 23 pounds, and feel better than ever as I face my forty-seventh birthday this month. There is nothing like learning about the little things you can do to change your life.

Siobhan Kukolic, author, speaker, and life coach, Toronto, CA

Women at Work

HBRs Women at Work podcast shares a very real conversation between three down-to-earth cohosts interested in helping women thrive. It has inspired me to examine my responsibilities at work, and make sure I continue to advocate for myself. I am preparing to go back to work after maternity leave, so these conversations are important to have!

Jenn Chaney, physician practice management, Pittsburgh, PA

Coaching for Leaders

As a solopreneur, I look for podcasts that cover logic, intellect, and leadership. Coaching for Leaders with Dave Stachowiak is one of my favorites. From team building to leadership and communication, his podcast is brimming with wisdom for business and leadership. His podcasts inspire me to constantly improve my leadership skills in practical ways.

Luisa Molano, transformation and leadership coach, Denver, CO

TED Talks Daily

I enjoy TED Radio Hour and TED Talks Daily, and I love to listen to them on the way to work. I can relate to many stories featured in these podcasts. and I feel like going to therapy, with the ability to self-reflect and take action in my own life.

Isabelle Bart, marketing director, Irvine, CA

Unbeatable Mind

My favorite podcast is Unbeatable Mind with Commander Mark Divine. He is a Navy SEAL commander who has an authentic way of combining a warriors mindset with ancient teachings. His take is unique in the space. His guests bring deep knowledge of mind, body, and soul and explain how to optimize all three.

Patrick J. Sweeney II, author, Boston, MA

The Anxious Achiever

This year I had the pleasure of discovering Morra Aarons-Meles new HBR podcast, The Anxious Achiever. If you dont already know, anxious achievers are highly successful individuals who struggle with anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges. Each episode focuses on a business leader who has been there. The fact that Morra has managed to get so many leaders to speak out publicly about their mental health struggles is amazing, and so are their stories. It will change how you think about leadership, resilience, and mental health in the workplace.

Camille Preston, business psychologist and founder and CEO of AIM Leadership, Cambridge, MA

Good Life Project

Led by award-winning author Jonathan Fields, this is one of my favorite mid-week inspiration boosters. His down-to-earth approach to interviewing interesting people makes you feel like youre sitting in your living room with a cup of tea, enjoying a rich, curious, and always inspiring conversation.

Margalit Ward, Thrive Global executive coach and facilitator, Los Angeles, CA, US

Ellevate Podcast

Hosted by Ellevate Networks CEO Kristy Wallace, this podcast features interviews with women in business who share their stories of climbing the ladder, and the work they are doing. Its always interesting to hear the challenges theyve experienced, and how they overcame them.

Jennefer Witter, CEO and founder, New York, NY

Mind Vitamins

This podcast is meant to shift your mindset and provide mental nourishment, and it has immeasurably enriched my life. Quite often, I want to share the joys and nuggets of wisdom with others, and I have secretly been waiting for someone to ask me what my favorites are!

Kate Carey, owner of A Blissful Life, Flagstaff, AZ

GenHerations

This podcast is hosted by four smart, hilarious women: one in her twenties, one in her thirties, one in her forties and one in her fifties. They dive into candid conversations about topics ranging from mortality to menstruation and everything in between. Coming from very different perspectives, their banter is intelligent, raw, and off-the-charts funny. But the best part is learning from them as they learn from each other. Every woman could use a group of girlfriends like this!

Thea Andrews, producer, Los Angeles, CA

Retirement Wisdom

Im in my early sixties and starting to think about when I might retire. Im also realizing how little I know about retirement. But Im getting wiser, thanks to this podcast and the various thought leaders who are interviewed. Im learning the importance of having a purpose in retirement, why having one increases longevity, and the value of breaking up with busy. While I still dont know what lies ahead, I do know Im both wiser and better prepared to thrive in the future thanks to this podcast.

Bev Bachel, freelance writer, Minneapolis, MN

Do you have a podcast that helped you thrive in 2019? Tell us about it in the comments!

Follow us here and subscribe here for all the latest news on how you can keep Thriving.

Stay up to date or catch-up on all our podcasts with Arianna Huffington here.

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24 Inspiring Podcasts to Help You Thrive in 2020 - Thrive Global

Dave Nelson grabbed the Bay Bell, hoisting it up. Winning just once in seven previous meetings, a week four victory over Wayzata, on their home field, caused for a little more celebration.

Urged by players and fellow coaches, Nelson picked up the trophy once more. A little flick of the finger and the ball rang.

"That sounds good," he told his players.

After 18 years leading the Minnetonka football team, through trophy games, section and state tournaments, trying to find a way to beat Eden Prairie each year, Nelson is retiring from the head coach position.

"It has been a privilege to lead the football program at Minnetonka High School for the past 18 years," said Coach Nelson. "I would like to thank our coaches, administration, support staff, youth coaches, parents, and especially our players for making Minnetonka such a special place."

Prior to joining Minnetonka, Nelson spent 18 years as Blaines head coach where he won a state title in 1988. In 2004, he led the Skippers to the first state title in program history, capturing the Class 5A crown with a 23-14 win over rival Wayzata. His son, Jesse, the starting quarterback.

Additionally, the Skippers won Classic Lake Conference Championships in 2004, 2006 and 2009 and made it to the Class 6A State Playoffs in 2012, 2016, 2017 and 2018. His 2017 team played in the 6A State Championship, losing to Eden Prairie in the first big-school title game at U.S. Bank Stadium.

Coach Nelsons 267 career wins rank him among the winningest high school coaches in Minnesota state history.

"It has been an absolute honor to work with Dave Nelson. Not only is he a hall of fame coach, but he is a hall of fame person,"Ted Schultz, Director of Athletics and Activities, said. "He is one of the best to ever walk the sidelines in the State of Minnesota. Coach, thanks for investing in the Minnetonka Community and building better men through the game of football."

Over the years, Coach Nelson has carved out a lasting legacy, not only on the field, but as a mentor and role model for students. In 2014, he was inducted into the Minnesota Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame. His successful and impactful coaching career has spanned 42 years.

That sentiment was shared on social media platforms.

"Coach Nelson was truly one of the greats. He has had a huge impact on me as a leader, father, and husband. Very grateful to have had the opportunity to work with him," said former player Ryan Carlson, now assistant principal at Southview Middle School in Edina.

"Great man, great coach, I learned a lot from him at Blaine," Brainerd head boys hockey coach Dave Aus said.

"I played for Dave when he was a coach at Blaine in the 80s. Great guy and great coach," Mankato Free Press publisher Steve Jameson said.

Coach Nelson says none of his accomplishments would have come to fruition without the influence of his father, Stan, who coached at Anoka for 26 years and was inducted into the Minnesota Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1983.

Watching -- and later playing for -- his dad convinced Nelson early on that coaching and teaching was what he wanted to do, something he shared with his father when he was just an eighth-grader.

"I looked at his life and it seemed like he was always happy," Coach Nelson said of his father. "I saw the influence he had on others and I said to myself that I wanted to try to do that as well."

Nelson started the "Men of Character" program at Minnetonka High School several years ago, and it continues today. He was also a leader for students who participated in the Tonka Leadership Challenge, a program he ran for five years, in which he provided guidance to live life with care, respect and commitment toward others.

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Additionally, he has collaborated with Student Support Services to organize the annual "We Are One" football camp that matches children with special needs with MHS football players for a fun, inclusive event, focused on community.

"High school students are at a very critical age in life," Coach Nelson said. "Trying to develop them as young men is really important. It has to be about more than just winning football games. Hopefully, theyll look back on every season and know they became better young men for their experience."

Additional, Coach Nelson is also very involved with the Minnesota Football Coaches Association and serves as the Assistant Executive Director. He is proud of his involvement with Tackle Cancer, a Minnesota Football Coaches Association initiative that has raised more than two million dollars for the Randy Shaver Cancer Research and Community Fund over the past eight years.

"(Dave is) such a great coach and even greater man! He started Tackle Cancer in Minnesota supporting the Randy Shaver Cancer Research and Community Fund. I wish my friend nothing but the best. Job well done Coach," Shaver said on Twitter.

Nelson not only had a positive effect on his players, but on the Minnetonka football community as a whole. When he first came to Minnetonka, the Skippers had won just nine of 37 games in the previous four seasons. He was committed to changing the culture of the program.

"We wanted to make Friday nights in Minnetonka special and to make them a community event," Coach Nelson said. "We wanted to make our players part of something special."

Minnetonka won five section championships and a state title during his tenure. The youth football program in the community has also been revitalized, resulting in more kids playing the sport than ever before.

Dave and his wife, Maureen, have three children (Sarah, Ashley, and Jesse) and 10 grandchildren.

The search for a new head football coach will begin immediately.

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Football coach Dave Nelson retires after 18 years with Minnetonka - SW News Media

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the birth of financial planning. On Dec. 12, 1969, 13 men gathered at Chicagos Hilton OHare Airport Hotel with a sense of shared mission: to raise the level of professionalism in retail financial services and to make financial consulting, rather than salesmanship, the driving force of their industry. (The History of Financial Planning: The Transformation of Financial Services, E. Denby Brandon, Jr., and H. Oliver Welch; John Wiley & Sons, 2009).

Organizers Loren Dunton and James Johnston contacted a wide range of people in financial services, but as with any new idea, only a few inquisitive and service-minded people are likely to show up, in this case 11 men, primarily insurance and securities salesmen, paying their own expenses to birth what became a profession.

Loren Dunton, who I came to know, had been a seller of vacuum cleaners and encyclopedias, transitioning to financial consulting and mutual fund sales. Dunton told a story of traveling around Europe with his family. People asked him, Why, if America was such a great country, its citizens had to rely on the government and Social Security for retirement? Pondering his future, Dunton thought that we had to improve the way financial products were sold and bought in America.

James Johnston, a former life insurance salesman and seller of school supplies with an interest in education, shared Duntons vision regarding financial services. Concluding two days of meetings, the Chicago group resolved to form a membership organization and an educational organization.

The membership organization, open to anyone in financial services, became the International Association for Financial Planning (IAFP) in 1972.

The educational entity emerged as the College for Financial Planning, with Johnston as the first president. In 1972, the Certified Financial Planner designation (CFP) was introduced and 40 men and two women graduated with the first class in 1973.

Since the IAFP was open to anyone in financial services, some of the first graduates from the college decided to create an alumni association strictly for credentialed CFPs, founding the Institute for Certified Financial Planners (ICFP). Yours truly graduated in the third class from the college, attaining CFP certification in 1975. Forming an independent financial planning firm with a partner in 1976, I was a member of both the IAFP and ICFP. In those days, a volunteer paid all of his or her expenses. The tuition was worth every penny given the opportunity to know and learn from pioneers and visionaries as a profession was being built.

In 1980 I was asked to join the national board of directors of the ICFP, serving for eight years, including national president, 1986-1987, and chairman, 1987-1988. For any young person dedicated to growth in his or her profession, voluntarism and leadership is one of your most valuable advancement strategies, affording the opportunity to learn and grow with the best and brightest. It takes time and, often, money, but go for it!

In 2000, the IAFP and ICFP merged, forming the Financial Planning Association (FPA). The Georgia chapter of FPA is one of the largest in the country.

As CFPs grew in capability and wisdom along with the Age Wave and economic cycles, and as planners and clients wrestled with real world challenges, Loren Duntons vision was refined to encompass financial life planning. Merging ideas from life coaching, behavioral finance, and theories of stewardship and spirituality, concepts of ones relationship with money emerged.

Mitch Anthony, an early proponent of financial life planning, speaker, author of The New Retirementality and myriad other books, asks you, dear reader, to ponder the question, Several years from now, what does your life have to look like in order for you to feel a sense of well-being, that youre making progress, and that you have the freedom to live life the way you want? Anthony posits that its not return on investment (ROI) that counts, its return on life (ROL).

Today we see the terms holistic and comprehensive financial planning. In the 2012 inaugural Life Planning column for the Journal of Financial Planning, this writer opined, TheWorld English Dictionarydefines holistic as of or relating to the medical consideration of the complete person, physically and psychologically, in the treatment of a disease. In financial planning parlance, holistic means a plan that goes beyond money, a comprehensive life planning approach that integrates finances into a bigger picture. What is important to the client, and how do we build a financial and life transitions plan around that? Like a holistic physician, we wish to combine meaning with money in framing strategies that consider the whole person and family.

Loren Dunton, who died in 1997, would be proud of what his idealistic and prescient vision has become.

Happy golden anniversary, financial planning!

Lewis Walker, CFP, is a financial life planning strategist at Capital Insight Group; 770-441-3553;lewis@lewwalker.com. Securities & advisory services offered through The Strategic Financial Alliance, Inc. (SFA). Lewis is a registered representative and investment adviser representative of SFA, otherwise unaffiliated with Capital Insight Group. Hes a Gallup Certified Clifton Strengths Coach and Certified Exit Planning Advisor.

View original post here:
The origins of financial planning | Our Columnists - Dunwoody Crier

Editor's note: This is an updated version of a Jim Mullen favorite.

Dear Friends and Family,

Well, it's that time of year again! We Fergusons have had a great year. Here are a few of our highlights.

As you can see from the enclosed family photo, Bob lost 40 pounds on a low-carb diet. He had to get a second job to afford the diet, because he now eats more red meat than a grizzly bear, but you can't knock the results. The low-carb plan doesn't allow you to eat anything inexpensive like pasta, potatoes or rice. But you can eat as many $12-per-pound steaks as you like. We've spent so much on food this year, we can't afford to buy him new clothes! His pants are so baggy, he looks like he just graduated from clown school. Still, it beats the stomach staple the doctors were talking about, and he says he feels good.

Speaking of health, Chardonnay's nose ring got infected and she missed most of this last semester at junior college. The whole experience has made her think seriously about changing her major from Tattoo Art Appreciation to Life Coaching, but nothing's firm yet.

The really exciting news is that Chardonnay finally has a boyfriend a lawyer. No, wait a minute. Bob says I've got that wrong. The boyfriend isn't a lawyer, the boyfriend has a lawyer. My bad. Kids these days! I could never have afforded a lawyer when I was his age. He must really be smart. He's living above our garage "until the heat dies down" at his place, he says. Bob and I used to have an apartment like that, too once the heat came on, you could never turn it off.

Josh is doing well in Golf Course Management; he came "this close" to making the Pro's List this semester, except for his low grade in lawn-mowing. Thank goodness he got an A in Watering Grass 101.

Bob's mother is still living. With us. Sometimes she's a little forgetful. I think she would probably be better off in a nursing home, but Bob won't hear of it. He says, "As long as you're healthy, why shouldn't she stay with us?" Except for the smoking, the drinking, the cleaning, the cooking, the swearing and the laundry, she's not much of a bother. And the kids love her. They're always trying to make her comfortable. But no matter how many times I tell them, they still try to turn her oxygen back on when she's smoking.

I suppose this is as good a time as any to explain that newspaper headline in June, "Bob Ferguson Arrested in Credit Card Fraud." Actually, it was good news: They finally arrested the guy who had stolen Bob's identity. They caught him trying to charge a Slim Jim and a box of Handi-Wipes down at the Gas and Go Away. Little did the thief know that Bob's credit cards have been maxed out for months, and all the clerks have orders to call the police if he ever tries to use a credit card there again.

The thief is in jail and is still pretending to be Bob, but that will probably change when he finds out about the back taxes we owe from that tax-shelter fiasco last year. Apparently, you can't just skip mowing your backyard, call it a "tree farm" and start taking an agricultural deduction. Who knew? But if the fake Bob Ferguson wants to do eight to 10 years for tax fraud, that's fine with us.

Which reminds me, be sure to watch Bob's dad on "60 Minutes" next week to hear his side of the story. The church calls it embezzlement, but Dad swears it was just a bookkeeping mistake.

Well, that's about it from the Fergusons. I've got to go pick up Fluffy from the vet. I'm not sure I want to see the bill, but really how much could a simple tail reattachment cost, anyway?

Wishing you and yours a Happy Holiday,

The Fergusons

Contact Jim Mullen at mullen.jim@gmail.com.

Link:
Village Idiot: News from the Fergusons - Times Record

Craig Allred (far left) and his family.(Photo: Desert Hills Athletics Twitter account/@DhillsAthletics.)

About one month after Desert Hills ran the table and finished the 2019 volleyball season as the 4A runner up, the Thunder have a new coach.

Desert Hills announced on November 19th that Craig Allred would be taking over the volleyball program, bringing over 20 years of experience to the sidelines.

Allred is also bringing some important perspective with him, which he found while being a part of the volleyball community in Montana.Allredcoached withhis best friend, who is a two-timebreast cancer survivor.

"There were times I had to take over the team for her while she was going through surgeries," Allred said. "Some of those life experiences give you a little bit of perspective on the sport."

Allred also currently lives with his brother, Desert Hills baseball coach Chris Allred, who's wife Becky is finishing her breast cancer treatments as well.

Experiences like this provide an overarching lesson about sports that Allred like to ensure he's getting across.

"We're all driven to win and we want to be competitive," Allred said."But,sometimes there's good perspective to keep on things and to make sure our kids are learning

Allred also brings 22 yearsof volleyball experience to Desert Hills, including time in Southern Utah. He coached Dixie High's volleyball team for two seasons

Allred directed Montana AAU Volleyball for 15 years when he was in Billings, and spend the last year in Austin, Texas before moving to St. George.

Desert Hills volleyball coach Craig Allred.(Photo: Desert Hills' Staff Directory)

"We decided to try something new last year and went to Texas," Allred said. "It just wasn't a good fit for our family and we just started looking for something else this summer."

That's when Allred moved back to St. George and began seeking opportunities.

"Originally, I thought I was going over to Crimson," he said. "I was really just looking for a math job. Then my brother, being here at Desert Hills, said I think we're going to have a spot."

Allred now teaches math at Desert Hills and assisted Sharon Christensen, who was the head coach of the Thunder Volleyball team for the past three seasons.

Christensen retired after 34 years in education, and spent two of the last three seasons coaching her daughter, Kylee,at Desert Hills. In a text to The Spectrum, Christensen said it was time to move in another direction.

Christensen earned13 region titles and five state championships as a coach and held a 66-31 record at Desert Hills.

"Life is good!!!!" she wrote in a text.

Allred is taking over a team that will lost three seniors, including Region 9 co-MVP Kami Bliss. But the Thunder will have six seniors next year on a team that's looking to contend.

"Even just being here one year, there's the expectation on the Desert Hills volleyball is always going to be pretty high," Allred said. "Having the majority of the kids coming back is a big plus, but that comes with some expectations as well."

Allred pointed out that moving up levels of competition means winning is important, but this doesn't detract from the philosophy that he's derived over his 22 years of coaching. That's simply to have fun.

"If the kids aren't having fun, it starts to become a chore going to practice and they're not really enjoying it,"Allred said. "I want it to be fun for them."

Follow Chris Kwiecinski on Twitter @OchoK_. You can contact him atCKwiecinsk@thespectrum.com, or (435) 414-3261.

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New Desert Hills volleyball coach boasts 20 years of experience and life perspective - The Spectrum

CORAL SPRINGS, Florida Lifes a beach these days for Wendell Duclair.

When he wasnt basking in the sun with the rest of the Ottawa Senators fathers in Florida on the weekend, he was basking in the red-hot success of his son.

That, of course, would be Anthony Duclair, who registered the third hat trick of his NHL career and the first with proud father in attendance in the Senators 4-3 overtime victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets Saturday.

The other time Duclair capped a hat trick by scoring in overtime came against the Senators, while he was with the Arizona Coyotes in 2017.

That was awesome, the senior Duclair said while checking out the Senators Sunday workout in Coral Springs, in preparation for Mondays game against the Florida Panthers.

I was hoping for a goal or at least an assist, but this is over the top and well take it.

Naturally. After Duclairs recent tear, he has 18 goals, tied for eighth in the NHL goal scoring race before Sundays games, a group that includes Bostons Brad Marchand.

While the Senators gamble in trading for Duclair at last Februarys trade deadline has been well-documented the Blue Jackets also sent the Senators a pair of second round picks in exchange for Ryan Dzingel the father always believed his son could be a major part of an NHL squad if given the proper chance and circumstances.

Just the same, the Senators represented Duclairs fifth and perhaps final opportunity to prove himself. Primarily, the challenge was to be adequate enough defensively so that coaches could trust him.

The one thing that has never been a question is his talent and his desire, said Wendell Duclair.

In terms of doing exactly what coaches wanted and that kind of stuff, the difference here is they let him play. Of course, you have to have a (defensive) structure to follow. But also be yourself. In the past, people wanted him to do everything exactly maybe there were specifics he wasnt geared to do or it would take him a little more time to.

Dont get Papa Duclair wrong. He isnt pretending to know more about the game than the people who coach professional hockey for a living. He jokes that he stopped coaching Anthony when he was in novice hockey I retired, because other people should be doing that, he said content to share in fun games in the basement or garage of their Montreal home.

While his son has endured some very public criticism of his game, most notably from Columbus coach John Tortorella, Wendell Duclair says he has done his best to let his son live his own life.

We just support him, he said. Were not talking about hockey much when he comes to visit in the summer or whenever. We just let him loose and let him figure it out for himself.

The younger Duclair cant say enough about the support of his father along the way.

Its definitely special, definitely a fun one, Duclair said of Saturdays triumph in front of the fathers.

Its huge motivation. I think I can speak for everyone in saying we wouldnt be here without these guys. Its nice for them to experience this and see how we live on the road and see what we go through and especially here in Florida, when the weather is nice. (Were here) because they sacrificed so much when we were younger.

When reminded that his father stopped coaching him directly at an early age, Duclair said the support went a lot deeper than that.

He was still very heavily involved, the young Duclair said. Every practice, every game, he was there. He was doing the same thing with my little brother and my little sisters (whose passion is tennis) back home. He was definitely heavily involved and so was Mom, as well.

Its hard to imagine a parent receiving a better early Christmas gift than what Wendell Duclair has witnessed.

kwarren@postmedia.com

Twitter: @Citizenkwarren

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Duclair shines with proud Dad along for the ride - National Post

On December 11, Time magazine named Greta Thunberg its 2019 Person of the Year. When I read the TIME article about her, I was deeply moved, and as a career happiness coach and a happiness expert, I couldnt help reflecting on what Greta teaches us each about life & career. Heres how we could learn from her to create our own Effect on earth.

1. Uncover and Own Our Life Purpose

My stomach twisted when I read about her cause. At the age of 32, I had no clue about my life purpose. Greta, at the age of 15, had found hers and Id put it as this: To inspire and mobilize young people around the world to demand world leaders to take real action on climate change in order to reserve our planet earth.

Your life purpose gives you life! In the case of Greta, she suffered from depression when she was 11. Learning about climate change triggered my depression in the first place, she said. But it was also what got me out of my depression, because there were things I could do to improve the situation. I dont have time to be depressed anymore. She came back to life after the strike, according to her father.

So what is your life purpose? Often, one of the most powerful questions that helps guide people find their purpose are: Why do you think you were born? For some, they know that calling as if it was printed on their forehead the moment they were born, even though they dont know why. However, I often see people will recognize their calling after having gone through a lot of severe suffering, thrived from it and reflected deeply on the experience.

For those who cant articulate their life purposes, we can ask ourselves a different question: Which problem in the world makes me feel so uncomfortable that I have to take action on? It could be advancing women and girls (Tiffany Dufus), the connection between well-being and performance (Ariana Huffingtons after her collapse), uplevelling mothers personal and professional happiness (my own). etc. Our life purposes may be different but they all about making this world a better place.

For me, since I was asked that question about my purpose in life a few years ago, my brain had been on and off searching for it for me. And one day, it came. Deeply. Profoundly. Unexpectedly. It was the moment I sat down to write an article for an interview and faced with the question, Why do you choose to be a career happiness coach? Then I relived the previous episodes of my life and started to connect the dots: the emotional challenges I have gone through as well as the matters that made me feel uncomfortable and inspired me to take voluntary action. My life purpose had been waiting for me to discover it all that while.

The next time you are in the train, or in a queue, or in a quiet cafe, muse over those questions. Gradually, your purpose will take shape. And once it takes shape, you will feel truly alive and its effect will come in full force.

[More detailed guidance on defining ones life purpose can be found in my article on Forbes here.]

2. Arm Our Life Purpose with Expertise

Greta read a lot about climate change and the more she read about it, the more she understood. The more she understood, she couldnt walk away, as she said. Her strike, her movement, her action all started with that deep knowledge about the topic she really cares about and meaningfully connects with. Watching Trevor Noah interview her in his The Daily Show, I was amazed at the numbers and statistics she shared. I also felt embarrassed. Although I have read here and there about pollution and similar topics and I apply the 3 Rs in my home, I am not aware of those seemingly basic information.

Greta, at the age of 15, is an expert. Despite her simple and straightforward language, she was able to move millions heart to the point they took action because she armed herself with so much understanding about climate change and she walks the talks by deliberate action like stop flying or going vegan.

The moment I could touch and feel my life purpose, I took on one of the best training programs (Brain-based Coaching by the NeuroLeadership Institute) and read tons of books about the neuroscience of happiness. There are too many books out there about How to Be Happy or of similar sort, nothing convinced me fully when I started to understand about how the human brain works and how we can reprogram it for positivity, and religiously practice powerful brain-based happiness habits myself every single day.

Only when we arm our life purpose with internalized and hardwired expertise, can we truly influence others and bring impact.

3. Take Consistent Small Action

A thousand miles begin with a single step, said a famous Chinese proverb. And for Greta, her one voice led to 11 million people going on strike around the globe. It started with that one small action of sitting in front of her school with a hand-written banner and her insistence presence led to thousands of people swearing off air travel and using more train services and many other positive changes at structural level by worldwide governments.

If you have had your purpose, built your knowledge and experience, and want to create your own voice, remember that it all starts with that one blog entry, that one social media post, that one article, that one video, that one podcast, that one speaking engagement, that one first line on a blank paper, that one first stroke on the canvas, etc. And do it consistently. Dont be overwhelmed by existing authorities or experts who have thousands and millions of followers or who are invited to speak everywhere or who are featured on media, as they have been working on it for years. They also never give up as they know if a podcast doesnt click, they learn from it to make a better one. If their manuscripts are rejected, they use the feedback to improve their work.

When I started to create my platform the purpose of which is to share about real life brain-based happiness stories to mothers, who will then spread it to their families and communities to make our world a happier place, I had a few followers and after 2 years, the page now has over 4,000 followers organically with many thanking me for helping them feel happier and become better parents. Yes, it all started with that one entry and consistently posted ones every week. This inspired me to create another called Diary of a Happier Mom Brain about 2 months ago for a broader audience: I post every Friday, whether rain or shine.

Take one consistent action that aligns with your purpose, you will be surprised how much youve contributed to the world one soon day.

4. Turn Your Weakness into Your Superpower

Greta suffers from Aspergers syndrome and one of its symptoms is she speaks in direct, flat and simple language and shows few emotions. However, its these traits that help her effectively push her message through.

Often, we feel ashamed about our weaknesses. When we experience such emotions, we are not in a good place to learn, to grow and to develop as a human being. The next time you worry about them, reverse that statement that I am not good enough in your head by asking yourself, This is my superpower in disguise. How do I want to make use of it? This will surely help you live your purpose and bring impact to the world in the most powerful way.

Practice these four principles and you will be thanked for The [your name] Effect one day.

More:
THE GRETA EFFECT & THE YOU EFFECT: WHAT THE 16-YEAR-OLD GIRL TEACHES US ABOUT LIFE AND CAREER - Thrive Global

I spent two years working as a financial adviser before starting my financial coaching practice in 2017, and over that time I've worked with about 50 clients. There were a lot of mistakes I've seen people make (and I too have made my fair share of financial mistakes over the years!) but the biggest mistake I saw was clear: People had no idea how they were spending their money.

At the start of a working relationship with clients I have them go through all of their income and expenses in order to determine their surplus, if they had one. If they didn't have a surplus, that was a huge red flag that needed to be addressed first and foremost. If they did have a surplus, the next step was to determine what amount was going to be allocated to short-term savings, long term-savings, and protection needs.

Right before I gave birth to my first child, I took on a young couple as clients. They had just had their first child as well, and were looking to get their finances organized, plus get a professional recommendation on how to start planning for their future. They were completely stumped as to why they made good money but couldn't get their credit card balance down to zero.

After doing some review, they realized the husband was spending $10,000 a year on video games! That's $833 a month that could have been spent on other discretionary spending or put towards savings. It was no wonder they couldn't pay off their credit card when that amount of money was sifting through their bank accounts without them even noticing!

Unfortunately, not having awareness of where money is being spent is a pretty common problem.

When discussing retirement goals and protection needs these clients were unsure of what their current lifestyle cost them, which made it very difficult to plan for the future. It also made it difficult to understand what their cash flow situation is like, and how much extra money they had to put towards their future financial goals. Future goals such as college planning for kids, retirement planning for themselves, or even just knowing how much money they would need to maintain a comfortable lifestyle in the unforeseen death of a partner.

Needless to say, we made some changes to their spending.

If you're heading out to meet with a financial planner, adviser, or coach soon, here's what I recommend:

These steps are important because if you show up to your financial adviser or coach's office and they tell you that you need however-much life insurance, or should be putting however-much towards retirement, but you don't have the cash flow to support either of those goals, then you'll need to go back to the basics.

Might as well get a head start.

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As a financial adviser and coach I've helped about 50 different people with their money, and I saw too many make the same mistake - Business Insider