Wheat State's January 2019 Newsletter

New Year’s resolutions typically focus on changing something about yourself with which you’re not satisfied. Think you weigh too much? Resolve to lose 20 pounds. Think you’re a lousy money manager? Resolve to save a certain number of dollars per month. If these types of resolutions haven’t worked for you in the past, consider more enjoyable alternatives: 1. Choose one word for the year. This one word should sum up how you want to feel or what you want to experience in the coming year. By selecting just one, it gives you clarity and focus. Ideas include: Peaceful • Helpful • Simplify • Fun • Action 2. Pick your people. Make a list of the top 10 people in your life who bring out the best in you, make you laugh, support your endeavors, and leave you in a good mood. Then commit to regularly spending time with them throughout the year. 3. Create a bucket list with a twist. This isn’t a list of everything you want to do before you “kick the bucket.” It’s a list of what you want to do in the coming year—such as activities you’d like to try, places you’d like to visit, books you’d like to read, and cuisines you’d like to taste. 4. Make a commitment to someone other than yourself. The beginning of a new year can also be a great time to turn one’s focus outward. Start volunteering for a nonprofit organization or program in your community. Connect with family members more often. Offer to help an elderly neighbor with yardwork. 5. Process the past year. When you only concentrate on the year ahead, you can lose sight of where you’ve been. Spend some time reflecting on your past year. What were your favorite moments, proudest achievements, and most difficult challenges? What did you learn about yourself and others? However you decide to approach the transition from one year to the next, remember to live each day to the fullest. Cornerstone Group © 2019 5 Alternatives to Making New Year’s Resolutions Cold-Weather Care for Your Mobile Devices Mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablets, don’t like cold weather. When a lithium-ion battery is exposed to cold temperatures, it can drain faster than normal or indicate it has ample power remaining and then sud- denly go dead. Low temperatures can also make a device’s glass surfaces more sensitive to cracks and breaks, especially if there’s already a nick. Here’s what to do: • To keep your device from getting too cold, don’t leave it alone for long in frigid places such as a parked car. It’s best to stash it inside pockets closest to your person, where it can absorb some of your body heat. • In the event your device does shut down, do not restart it until you’re inside and have given it time to warm up. Restarting immediately could actually cause more harm and shorten your battery life. • Cases also help to keep devices warm. You may want to consider the cases designed to regulate a phone’s temperature in extreme weather. To get specifics for your device, consult the manufacturer’s website.