The Big Picture for LIFE BALANCE #5

Patrick von Pander - Master-Certified Business, Corporate, & Life Coach

THE BIG PICTURE COACH

Patrick@BigPictureCoach.com
778.899.3835
http://www.BigPictureCoach.com

Patrick - Facebook Patrick - Twitter Patrick - Linkedin

Upcoming Event Links:

 

BC Chamber of Commerce Member Chamber links  

Chambers & Major Venue Events:
Burnaby Board of Trade
Surrey Board of Trade
New Westminster Chamber of Commerce
Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce
Vancouver Board of Trade
Delta Chamber of Trade
North Vancouver Chamber of Commerce
Richmond Chamber of Commerce
Ridge Meadows Chamber of Commerce
Langley Chamber of Commerce
Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce
Mission Chamber of Commerce
Chilliwack Chamber of Commerce
BC Place Stadium
Rogers Arena
Tradex Centre



‘Best gift government has given us’: The long-term power of the TFSA has yet to be fully tapped

 

The TFSA is new enough that Canadians haven’t had time to experience its long-term investing implications, generally preferring to focus more on the S-for-savings.
 
But that could be a mistake.
 
“The TFSA is the ideal place for long-term equity investment and the power of it comes from that long-term compound growth and not as a savings account with cash in it,” says Steve Bridge, a money coach from Money Coaches Canada.
 
He gives the example of someone in a 40 per cent marginal tax bracket stashing $5,000 in cash at one per cent interest. They earn $50, so only save $20 from sheltering it within a TFSA. If you compare that to an equity investment that grows at 5 per cent, earning you $250, they’re now saving $100 in taxes.
 
“That’s five times the amount of just having cash in there,” he says. “If you add in the long-term power of compounding, now you’ve gotten yourself a powerful retirement tool.”
 
The best fit for a TFSA, most advisors will tell you, are equities that have steady and stable growth.

Continue Article Here...



Life hacks - how to improve efficiency & productivity

 

I am always finding new ways to leverage my time to be more productive and more efficient in doing things. (Click the app name to get them).

SquareUp is a wonderful way to get paid. Its a mobile point-of-sale tools and online invoicing to next-day deposits and inventory management, Square has everything you need to run your business anywhere. Get the first $1000 transactions for free using this link: SquareUp

DocuSign is an amazing tool that allows you to really go paperless in your business!  Get clients to sign digitally.  Clear documents that can be safely sent via email (link to secured server) and legally binding. Get trial account to test it out for free here: Docusign

Mighty Text - this great little app allows you to "text" to people from your computer and ALL of your android devices.  For those that prefers the full keyboard to typing in the small little cell phone space, this is a game changer.  Get it here: Mighty Text

TRELLO - helps you manage your To Do list effortlessly and you can have others be part of a group to tackle a project together. TRELLO

Sync is cloudbased file storage similar to Dropbox/GoogleDrive but it is in legal compliance under Canadian laws (PIPEDA et al). Sync

Make PDF Smaller so you can email it to your friends, family or co-worker?

Text without Wi-Fi or Data with Fire Chat. No Data? No problem! Fire Chat



We moved & it wasn't traumatic!

 

Moving Day - Keeping Life's Momentum

OMG, we're so grateful that we know the right people!  

For many people, moving is a big, ugly job, a traumatic event, & one of life's most stressful times.  About a month ago, we moved from the main floor of a house into a townhouse.  We didn't want to suffer the pain of our last move about 4 years ago by not losing momentum in our personal & business lives.  So we did what most sane people might do ..... we enlisted some help.  

We started by de-cluttering where it made sense to cut down on the volume of packing.  We focused on clothing & books first.  Everything we didn't want, hadn't used, or could truly enjoy in the future was donated.  We donated 1/3 of our clothing & 2/3 of our books!  Next, we shredded a ton of documents from old files we didn't have use for anymore.  We emptied a lot of file cabinets & bankers boxes of paper that went to recycling.  All this in only 30 focused minutes each evening for a week before our move.  A lot less to have to pack & move!

Then we saved a ton of time collecting packing boxes by renting them.  We hired an experienced Packing Team & Movers ..... & we were set to go!  

Friday morning we had coordinated the rented moving boxes to arrive at the same time as the packers arrived.  The entire place was packed by 3:30pm, allowing me time to clean up so I could meet Christine for a pub dinner out in time for Happy Hour!  

Saturday morning the movers had us moved out into their 2 trucks by 2pm & moved into our new place by 7pm ..... all during daylight hours & no rain that day! (karma?)

Sunday morning had the Packers arrive at 9:30am to unpack us & were done by 2pm.  

Monday morning saw the Box rental company retrieve their 100+ boxes.

THE PUNCHLINE:  We worked & lived our lives right up until Thursday evening & were business operational & liveable on Monday morning!  Didn't need to be a big, ugly job & it wasn't.  Barely a speed bump & we didn't lose the great momentum we had going for us.  We highly recommend this most civilized way to tame the trauma!



Summer Lovin' - Vancouver Style

 

Lately it may not have seemed like it, but Summer is coming.  If you're ready to make the most of Being A Tourist In Your Own Town, then here's some local Greater Vancouver Festival & Event links to connect you with what you're looking to enjoy!:

Vancouver

Burnaby

Surrey

New Westminster

Coquitlam

North & West Vancouver

Richmond

Abbotsford

Enjoy & make this your Summer to remember!



Get More Profitable Clients

 

As a Master-Certified Business Coach for the past 14 years, I've been helping my clients have their best year ever!

Our specialty is working with Professionals to help them fill their business with Profitable clients.  Are you waking up stressed many mornings wondering why don't I have all the clients I can handle?  Are you finding you have open chunks of time in your Calendar where clients should be?

Get your FREE 30-minute Get More Profitable Clients 1-on-1 coaching session with me.  I've already helped over 500 Professionals do just that over the past decade by working 1-on-1 with them!

During your session, we'll work together to create a crystal clear profile of your ideal client.

  =>  You'll then be positioned to fill your business with more profitable clients, & not just those who drain you of your time, your energy, your spirit, & your value because you're needing cash flow.

  =>  You'll uncover the hidden challenges that may be sabotaging & undermining your potential.

  =>  You'll leave our session with renewed hope for your future & for the choices your new possibilities offer you.

This offer is only available to the first 5 people who register online.  Simply visit http://HaveYourBestYearEver.com, complete the brief Online Survey, choose your preferred session dates/times, & how you prefer to have your session.  Now is the time!



The Big Picture for LIFE BALANCE #4

Patrick von Pander - Master-Certified Business, Corporate, & Life Coach

THE BIG PICTURE COACH

Patrick@BigPictureCoach.com
778.899.3835
http://www.BigPictureCoach.com

Patrick - Facebook Patrick - Twitter Patrick - Linkedin

Upcoming Event Links:

 

BC Chamber of Commerce Member Chamber links  

Chambers & Major Venue Events:
Burnaby Board of Trade
Surrey Board of Trade
New Westminster Chamber of Commerce
Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce
Vancouver Board of Trade
Delta Chamber of Trade
North Vancouver Chamber of Commerce
Richmond Chamber of Commerce
Ridge Meadows Chamber of Commerce
Langley Chamber of Commerce
Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce
Mission Chamber of Commerce
Chilliwack Chamber of Commerce
BC Place Stadium
Rogers Arena
Tradex Centre



My 10 Favourite Super Bowl 51 commercials:

 

Simply love the creativity that advertisers put into their Super Bowl TV ads.  Here are my favourites for 2017.  Enjoy!

WIX.com

KIA Niro

T-Mobile

Skittles

Mr. Clean

Mercedes AMG-GT

TurboTax

Mobile Strike

Audi

Budweiser



Frugal Life Hack => dining out affordably!

 

If you're like me & love to dine out, but worry about how often you can afford it, here's a few tips to allow you to dine out more often:

Tip #1:  Understand you're dining out for the experience of being out with people you care about.

Tip #2:  Appreciate that a big part of your dining experience is the environment you're placing yourself into.

Tip #3:  Your chosen restaurant will be "selling" you on all sorts of upgrades & offers that works well for them, but not necessarily for you, so be prepared to say "No" without guilt or diminished enjoyment.  You're not there for them, you're there for you.

Tip #4:  Decline the offer of paid drinks (alcohol, tea, or coffee) in favour of hot or cold water with lemon.  Not only saves you money, it's healthier for your digestive system.  So long as you're not driving, you could have enjoyed a drink at home beforehand.

Tip #5:  Pass on the Appetizers.  Most Entree's are portioned to be filling enough, & you don't want to pack home the Entree because you've filled up on an Appetizer.  Besides, many Appy's are now priced almost as highly as the Entree's.

Tip #6:  Focus on & choose the Entree that you're really excited about or the choice that the restaurant is famous or really known for.  Eat slowly so as to savour the food experience.  You'll also feel fuller & more satisfied by allowing your food to "land", not to mention it's also healthier.

Tip #7:  Either skip dessert altogether or order one that you can share & enjoy with others at your table (be sure to ask for extra forks for everyone sharing).  You can always have arranged for a dessert to be waiting for you at home.

Follow these 7 Tips and you'll be able to dining out 2-3 times more often.  Enjoy!



Accidental Genius?

 

Everybody knows that having a goal is important & vacation travel is a powerful thing to look forward to. We hadn't been on a real vacation for over 3 years & we were excited to celebrate Christine's milestone birthday ..... the one that we had missed out on because of the car accident that she had been involved in.

Little did we know when we boarded a flight to Palm Springs at YVR early Boxing Day morning that it would be a stroke of accidental genius!  

Even though we had already been through 2 full weeks of cold, miserable, back-straining snow-shoveling weather that we'd be missing the next 3 weeks of it!  All we knew is that we took care of being there for family Christmas events, & then escaping the cold for sunshine & warmer temperatures.

It was hilarious that, for the 2 weeks we were in Palm Springs & LA, the locals were so bundled in layered clothing while they complained how unseasonably cold it was (it was 15-22 degrees Celsius).  Meanwhile, we & a few other noticeable Northerners were running around in shorts & shirtsleeve shirts enjoying the sunshine.

Was a great bonus that we transitioned easily & smoothly from a 2-day Convention in Long Beach onto a week's Mexican Riviera cruise with stops in Cabo & Puerto Vallarta.  Was good to remind ourselves how much we enjoyed cruising & the west coast of Mexico!  Thanks to social media, we even coordinated meeting with friends who were in Cabo & PV at the same time.  

We highly recommend planning vacations in advance.  It makes handling tougher situations (like this recent crazy weather) easier to tolerate!



Automating Your Personal Finances?

 

Many of us don't enjoy tracking & managing our personal finances.  Most of us really hate the necessary evil of doing our taxes, especially if we run our own business.  The life-sucking process of collecting & compiling & organizing all those receipts, accounts, invoices is draining!

That's why I'm so relieved that I've found new tools & technologies this past year that takes over the heavy lifting of these draining, life-sucking activities.

Contact me & I'll connect you with these time-saving, headache-rescuing, money-saving technologies & resources.  Email me directly at Patrick@BigPictureCoach.com or text me to 778.899.3835 and I'll send you the video links that demonstrate how these automate & simplify this complex job & free you up to do the more important things in your business & your life!  You'll be glad you did.  I sure am!



New Online Programs!

 

Want to fill your business with profitable clients?
Want a more satisfying, fulfilling life?
Want a better Business/Life Balance?

Check out The Big Picture for BUSINESS + The Big Picture for LIFE & fill your business with profitable clients & enjoy your life!

Members get access to a comprehensive Online Course + a monthly Webinar + private Facebook Mastermind Group access, all for a ridiculously low fee!

Become a Member of one or both Online Programs! You'll be so glad that you did.



The Big Picture for LIFE BALANCE #3

Patrick von Pander - Master-Certified Business, Corporate, & Life Coach

THE BIG PICTURE COACH

Patrick@BigPictureCoach.com
778.899.3835
http://www.BigPictureCoach.com

Patrick - Facebook Patrick - Twitter Patrick - Linkedin

Upcoming Event Links

 

BC Chamber of Commerce Member Chamber links  

Chambers & Major Venue Events:
Burnaby Board of Trade
Surrey Board of Trade
New Westminster Chamber of Commerce
Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce
Vancouver Board of Trade
Delta Chamber of Trade
North Vancouver Chamber of Commerce
Richmond Chamber of Commerce
Ridge Meadows Chamber of Commerce
Langley Chamber of Commerce
Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce
Mission Chamber of Commerce
Chilliwack Chamber of Commerce
BC Place Stadium
Rogers Arena
Tradex Centre



New Live Coaching Workshop groups starting in October!

 

 The Big Picture for BUSINESS © – teaches, trains, & coaches the 4 Pillars for creating your ideal Business Foundation and experiencing a level of success sooner within your business, profession, or working role. Within these Group Coaching Sessions, we share the GamePlans to increase Sales, Productivity & Efficiency, Customer Satisfaction, & to lower Costs.

½ Day Monthly for 3 months. Final Monday afternoon monthly. Next Group starts in October. Only $97/month *

 

The Big Picture for YOU © – teaches, trains, & coaches the 4 Pillars for creating your ideal Personal Foundation and experiencing a quality of life in your personal life. Within these Group Coaching Sessions, we share the GamePlans to establish Health, Relationships, Finances, & Environments.

½ Day Monthly for 3 months. Final Friday afternoon monthly. Next Group starts in October. Only $47/month *

 

The Big Picture for SOLO PROFESSIONALS © – teaches, trains, & coaches the 10 Strategies for generating a Six-Figure income as an individual Service Professional. If you’re trading your time for money & working alone, then this Program is for you! Within these Group Coaching Sessions, learn the 100 Plays for creating your successful Business GamePlan.

½ Day Monthly for 12 months. 1st Monday morning monthly. Next Group starts in October. Only $97/month *

 

The Big Picture for PROFESSIONALS © – teaches, trains, & coaches the 10 Strategies for operating & growing a successful Professional Services firm as an Enterprise. If you’re a Solo Professional wanting to grow beyond yourself, then this Program is for you! If you’re an established firm that feel’s it’s underperforming, then this Program is for you! Within these Group Coaching Sessions, learn the 100 Plays for creating your successful Business GamePlan.

½ Day Monthly for 12 months. 1st Monday afternoon monthly. Next Group starts in October. Only $97/month *

 

The Big Picture for SMALL BUSINESS © – teaches, trains, & coaches the 10 Strategies for operating & growing a successful Product-based business. If you’re a Retailer, Wholesaler, or Manufacturer of products, then this Program is for you! Within these Group Coaching Sessions, learn the 100 Plays for creating your successful Business GamePlan.

½ Day Monthly for 12 months. 3rd Monday morning monthly. Next Group starts in October. Only $97/month *

 

The Big Picture for MANAGERS © – trains & coaches the 10 Strategies for functioning successfully as a Manager leading a team of people as direct reports. If you’re an aspiring or established Manager wanting to more effectively unleash the greater, unrealized potential of others, then this Program is for you! Within these Group Coaching Sessions, learn the 100 Plays for creating your successful Business GamePlan.

½ Day Monthly for 12 months. 3rd Monday afternoon monthly. Next Group starts in October. Only $97/month *

 

  

The Big Picture for PRIORITIES © – helps you discover & connect deeply with your highest Personal Values. If you feel your life is draining you more than it’s energizing you, then it’s likely that you’re living outside your highest Personal Values, & then this Program is for you! Within these Group Coaching Sessions, connect with your Life’s Purpose & start living your life in alignment with your Personal Values.

½ Day Monthly for 12 months. 1st Friday morning monthly. Next Group starts in October. Only $47/month *

 

The Big Picture for PERSONALITIES © – helps you discover & connect deeply with your Personal Style. It helps you understand how you were born with predispositions toward how you deal with Time, People, Tasks, & Situations. If you feel friction & tension with others & want to understand Why, then this Program is for you! If you’re ready to play to your natural strengths & Be more, Do more, and Achieve more, then this Program is for you! Within these Group Coaching Sessions, discover how many others perceive the World differently than you, & how many Think, Communicate, & Behave differently than you.

½ Day Monthly for 12 months. 1st Friday afternoon monthly. Next Group starts in October. Only $47/month *

 

The Big Picture for LIFE © – teaches & coaches the 10 Strategies for creating a deeply satisfying & fulfilling Personal Life. If you feel there’s more to life & you’re ready to create your ideal life, then this Program is for you! Within these Group Coaching Sessions, learn the 100 Plays for creating your successful Personal GamePlan.

½ Day Monthly for 12 months. 3rd Friday morning monthly. Next Group starts in October. Only $47/month *

 

The Big Picture for RELATIONSHIPS © – teaches & coaches the 10 Strategies for creating a deeply satisfying & fulfilling Spousal Relationship. If you are single & want a great Partner in your future to share your life with, then this Program is for you! If have a Spouse already & feel there’s unrealized potential with your partner & are ready to create your ideal relationship, then this Program is for you! Within these Group Coaching Sessions, learn the 100 Plays for creating your successful Relationship GamePlan.

½ Day Monthly for 12 months. 3rd Friday afternoon monthly. Next Group starts in October. Only $47/month *

 



Summer Lovin'

 

Having something fun to look forward to is important for couples to keep the feelings flowing.  

Whether it's arriving early at a Whitecaps game, a road trip, a local music festival or concert, cheering our BC Lions on, visiting friends, attending a pot luck BBQ, or recharging on a long weekend by staying in ..... enjoying time you've been looking forward to together is golden!  

What are you filling your calendar with that keeps your spark fired up & burning bright?



Love Your Ride!

 

So, for the past few years, I've been riding around in a 1997 Toyota Camry.  Got it from my parents after a few bumps & scrapes from pillars & walls in their underground parkade.  Mom said to Dad, "You're 85 now & if this is happening here, then we're not risking it out there in traffic, so no more driving for you!"  

While it was an older model, it was meticulously maintained.  Dad changed the oil every 3,000 km's & had only logged 66,000 km's on it in 15 years, so it was in great shape.  My parents are the type that like to keep things simple & basic, so not only was it a basic model, but at the time they bought it, there weren't many features or electronics available.  Never mind Low Tech, compared to modern vehicles, it was No Tech!  Manual key door locks, hand-crank windows, & fortunately a simple radio.  But, as a Camry, it was reliable & strong and we appreciated that.

Then, very recently, an opportunity came up for us to have brand new Jeeps be sponsored.  Just a few short months later we picked up my new Jeep Cherokee.  OMG, it has so much technology in it that I'm still going through some culture shock:  Touch Screen Navigation, smart phone integration, climate controls, sensors for almost everything, warning alerts, & much much more.  Plus it rides like a limo; Smooth & Strong!

It has totally rekindled my joy in driving again & wondering how we can help people Love Your Ride again!  So many of us spend enough time in our vehicles that it has become an environment that helps to shape us.  Does your ride support your ideal lifestyle or does it hold you back from it?  Do you look forward to being in it?  Does it help you feel great when you're in it?

We believe you deserve to Love Your Ride too!



Food is Love

 

Ever wonder why it is that building our relationships is so centred around the sharing of food?  Our World is filled with so many opportunities to meet or reconnect with others that is built on the sharing of food in some form or another.  

Dinner Parties, Birthday Parties, Anniversaries, Social Mixers, BBQ's, Picnics, Wedding Receptions, Engagement Parties, Retirement Parties, & Business Networking Breakfasts, Luncheons, After 5 Events.  Even coffee meetings are based on sharing food or drink.

This even spans across most every culture around the planet.  Food is the Currency of Hospitality.  It is an expression of Welcome, Graciousness, Abundance, Sharing & Caring.  Few other things bond us more quickly as family, friends, or acquaintances.  

Food is Love!  

Here's some events to help you connect with more Food Love:

www.Eat-Vancouver.com

www.YVRFoodFest.com

www.DineOutVancouver.com

www.TourismVancouver.com

www.FraserValleyFoodShow.com

www.VegFestVancouver.com

www.EuropeanFestival.ca 

www.ItalianDay.ca

www.VancouverGreekSummerFest.com



Live your highest Personal Values

 

Most people who live their most fulfilling & satisfying lives are doing so by living & working in alignment with their highest Personal Values.

Who do you know that isn't even aware of their Personal Values?  Who do you know that is not even clear about which of their Personal Values are most important priorities for themselves?

Most people are unaware that each of our 21 major Personal Values are directly linked to a personal Need that drives & motivates Behaviour  +  are directly linked to a personal Fear that drives & motivates Avoidance.  When we understand & appreciate what these are for ourselves, we're better able to proactively manage ourselves.  We're able to Be more, Enjoy more, Do more, Achieve more, and Live more!

We believe the World both wants & deserves us to be the best possible version of ourselves.  

The Big Picture for PRIORITIES ©

Our wish for you is get out of your own way, Decide to see The Big Picture for yourself, Decide to find your Life Balance, & Decide to be your Best.  Now let's get started!



The Big Picture for LIFE BALANCE #2

Patrick von Pander - Master-Certified Business, Corporate, & Life Coach

THE BIG PICTURE COACH

Patrick@BigPictureCoach.com
778.899.3835
http://www.BigPictureCoach.com

Patrick - Facebook Patrick - Twitter Patrick - Linkedin

Upcoming Event Links

 

BC Chamber of Commerce Member Chamber links  

Chambers & Major Venue Events:
Burnaby Board of Trade
Surrey Board of Trade
New Westminster Chamber of Commerce
Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce
Vancouver Board of Trade
Delta Chamber of Trade
North Vancouver Chamber of Commerce
Richmond Chamber of Commerce
Ridge Meadows Chamber of Commerce
Langley Chamber of Commerce
Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce
Mission Chamber of Commerce
Chilliwack Chamber of Commerce
BC Place Stadium
Rogers Arena
Tradex Centre

The Big Picture Coach



2 Live Workshops start in June! Balance Your Life & Your Work.

 

Join us Friday, June 24th for The Big Picture for YOU for the first of 3 monthly Friday afternoon Summer sessions.  

Most people realize Life Balance is important, & most people say they want more Life Balance for themselves.  Yet when asked, many are unable to clearly articulate what Life Balance specifically is or means for them.  How clear are you?

If you or someone you care for does not yet have a framework for Life Balance, then I will share with you the 4 pillars that will help you set a solid foundation to experience an extraordinary life.  

We'll cover how to make the most of your Health, Relationships, Money, & Environments.  Imagine setting up the GamePlan for you to design & build your ideal life.  Join Us.  

Register Online Here!

__________

Join us Monday, June 27th for The Big Picture for BUSINESS for the first of 3 monthly Monday afternoon Summer sessions.  

Statistically, most businesses fail within the first 5 years.  Business is complicated enough, which is why any businessperson looking to operate a successful business can benefit from simplifying their focus toward a few key priorities.  

If you own a business & want to maximize your success, you deserve to benefit from a winning GamePlan.  I'm ready to share with you the 4 pillars that help you design this GamePlan for business success.  

We'll cover how to increase your Sales, Customer Satisfaction, Productivity & Efficiency while decreasing your Costs.  Imagine setting up the GamePlan for your to design & build your ideal business.  So Join Us.

Register Online Here!

Email Patrick@BigPictureCoach.com or call/text 778.899.3835 to learn more or to Register yourself for either or both Live Group Coaching Series.



Financial Management Workshop for Small Business Owners

 

Do you own your own family based business?
Do you wonder if you’re as profitable as your competitors?
Are you concerned about running into cash flow shortfalls?
Worried about making payroll or reimbursing vendors?
Does you have stale inventory got you grinding your teeth?
Do you wonder about how much money you'll need to grow your company?
Do you have challenges in getting what you need from lenders?


If you said YES to any or all of the above, you are not going to want to miss this workshop weekend by Tom Lewis from Profit Mastery!

Join us at our Profit Mastery workshop & you'll learn to understand your financials, learn how to manage your business to increase profitability, and strengthen your relationship with your lender. Discover how to actively manage YOUR business and accomplish YOUR goals.

Alongside other business owners and managers, you will analyze real-world business problems and uncover how to:

Overcome common business problems
Understand your financial position
Use tools to take active control of your finances
Make effective pricing decisions
Evaluate and manage cost patterns
Make your business bankable
Avoid cash crunches
Plan for transition
Strengthen your lender relationship

Location: Garage Door Depot Head Office
Time: June 25th & 26th from 9 to 5:30 both days
Investment: $970 goto www.profitmastery.ca to register on line or Call Tom Lewis @ 778-846-1554 make sure Profit Mastery is a good fit for your company.



Power Couple? Making it work.

 

My Queen Christine and I have been hearing more people describing us as a Power Couple. 

This surprises us because we feel like we're simply focused on helping others & complementing one another while we're building our household.

We've come to realize that both working & living together successfully is not an automatic for many, especially when you have 2 or more businesses all within the same household.  Having been on the other side of this coin in the past, I can speak from personal experience that when this doesn't work, it can be negative & even destructive.

When you can make it work, though, it is both powerful & fulfilling.  We love working & playing together!



A Guide To Vancouver's Night Markets

 

As the weather gets warmer and we inch closer to summer, it also means that the plethora of summer night markets are beginning to open its doors. 

From Richmond nightmarkets that focus on Asian foods and knick-knacks to North Vancouver's Shipyard night market that is a bustling scene of food trucks, there is so much to do and see and here's a guide to sum it all up.

Vancouver's summer night markets



Corporate Refugee?

 

Entrepreneurship isn't perfect ..... it's simply better!  For over 17 years, I worked for a couple of corporations.  

First with BIC Canada, where I learned a great deal about the consumer packaged goods industry.  Over several years, realized how biased & corrupt the consumer products marketplace really is.  

The huge number of products that are controlled & distributed by a relatively few companies was astonishing to me.  University really didn't prepare me for the reality that grocery & convenience retailing was so deeply rooted within in-store real estate & manipulation.

I learned the "Game" quickly & was able to leverage this into several career advancements within a pretty short period of time, so long as I delivered the numbers & was willing to relocate whenever management wanted.

Unwilling to trade my soul & commit to this industry as a career, I chose to return to my beloved Vancouver from Winnipeg & enter the newly-deregulating Telecom industry.  It did leave me ruined, however, for being able to enjoy the shopping experience, knowing firsthand how it operates.

The Good News was that my time with BCTel throughout most of the 90's was truly spectacular.  It was a magical time to be in such a vibrant & critically important sector.  I learned so much from the massive amount of training they provided.  The culture was one built on a Customer First philosophy, which I enjoyed immensely, & I flourished as a byproduct of this.

The Bad News was that when a new CEO came into play & orchestrated the merger that created TELUS as we know it today.  Operating like a US-style corporation with a focus of quarterly profits above most everything else.  With the 2001 DotCom meltdown, it was time to look for options for the future.

Call me naive, but it was a revelation to me that advancing one's career virtually always comes at someone else's expense.  That didn't sit well with my personal values.  Neither did making millions for shareholders I didn't know or care about, & it was time for a change.

Thankfully I was introduced very early to another major upcoming trend that happened to combine 2 of my favourite things:  People & Business.

Now, am grateful for my corporate experience, both understanding & appreciating more fully that being an entrepreneur isn't perfect ..... it's just better.  I wish the same for you!



The Big Picture for LIFE BALANCE.

Patrick von Pander - Master-Certified Business, Corporate, & Life Coach

THE BIG PICTURE COACH

Patrick@BigPictureCoach.com
778.899.3835
http://www.BigPictureCoach.com

Patrick - Facebook Patrick - Twitter Patrick - Linkedin

Upcoming Event Links

 

BC Chamber of Commerce Member Chamber links  

Chambers & Major Venue Events:
Burnaby Board of Trade
Surrey Board of Trade
New Westminster Chamber of Commerce
Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce
Vancouver Board of Trade
Delta Chamber of Trade
North Vancouver Chamber of Commerce
Richmond Chamber of Commerce
Ridge Meadows Chamber of Commerce
Langley Chamber of Commerce
Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce
Mission Chamber of Commerce
Chilliwack Chamber of Commerce
BC Place Stadium
Rogers Arena
Tradex Centre



Date Night almost Pitch Perfect

 

Settled into BC Place early for the Whitecaps vs. the LA Galaxy earlier last month with my queen Christine.  Really great energy there & the fans were fantastic!  

Left most of my voice behind at BC Place.  The game was exciting too, even though neither team scored.  Not bad since the Whitecaps were down a player for most of the game.  

Only our 2nd time to a live Whitecaps game & enjoyed them both.  We'll be back for sure!



Tax time, 2016: A look at 7 changes this year

 

Tax season is upon us, and there are a number of changes to keep in mind for your return this year.  CTVNews.ca has highlighted some of the major changes that can impact how much you owe, or what kind of return may be in store.

The controversial income-splitting benefit ushered in by the former Conservative government in 2014 is on its way out, but some families can still benefit from the tax cut in their returns this year.  The Family Tax Cut allows parents or common-law partners with children under 18 years old to split their income to shrink their tax burden. The higher-earning partner can transfer up to $50,000 of income to the lower-earning partner, for a tax credit of up to $2,000.  

Caroline Battista, senior tax analyst with H&R Block, says income splitting is most beneficial for spouses or common-law partners who have a big difference between their incomes. But she recommends that all families take a look at the credit.  “I’ve seen people who might not get the full $2,000. But I had many clients last year that got $300 or $400, and who wouldn’t want that?” Battista told CTVNews.ca

The Enhanced Universal Child Care Benefit:  Was introduced in 2015, is also on its way out, with the Liberal government promising to introduce a new, tax-free Canada child tax benefit later this year.

However, families will have to account for the UCCB when they file their tax returns this year.  The UCCB saw families receive $160 per month for each child under six years old, and $60 per month for each child aged six through 17. Battista points out that families will have to pay tax on the UCCB, which replaced the Child Tax Credit that was worth an average of $337 per child.  “So people are seeing smaller refunds,” she said.

New tax brackets:  The Liberal government campaigned on a tax cut for the middle class and a tax hike for the top one per cent of income earners.  Beginning this year, the federal marginal tax rate on those earning between $45,283 to $90,563 will drop from 22 per cent to 20.5 per cent. Those earning more than $200,000 will see their tax rate increase from 29 per cent to 33 per cent.  

Paul Woolford, tax partner at KPMG, says it’s important for higher-income earners to keep these changes in mind when filing their 2015 taxes.  “For those higher income earners, there’s some thought of not deducting your RRSPs in 2015 and applying it in 2016,” he said.  

Woolford said the same goes for other discretionary deductions, such as certain medical expenses.  “You’re forgoing a benefit in 2015, but in theory you should get a bigger bang for your buck in 2016, when you’re taxed at potentially a higher level,” he said.

Child-care expenses:  The amount parents can claim for child-care expenses has increased by $1,000 annually, per child, to $8,000 for a child under six and $5,000 for a child aged between seven and 16 years old.

Child fitness tax credit:  Has changed from a non-refundable to a refundable credit, meaning that families who claim the program cost or registration fee for a physical activity can now receive up to $150 per child.  

Battista said, since non-refundable credits go towards taxes you owe, lower income families often don’t submit the expenses.  “The good things about changes to the fitness tax credit to a refundable tax credit, it means that lower income families will still get the same benefit,” she said.

Canada Apprentice Loan:  Students in a designated Red Seal trade program can now claim interest on their government student loans.

TFSA's:  The Liberal government is reducing the contribution limit for Tax-Free Saving Accounts to $5,500 after the former Conservative government raised the limit to $10,000 in 2015.  

But Woolford said it’s important to keep in mind that there’s no loss of the $10,000, as the room in your TFSA accumulates, and you can use it in later years.
“There’s no benefit of a tax deduction, but you can invest without paying tax,” he said. “The takeaway is: don’t lose sight of that, that’s an important vehicle to shelter investment income from tax.”



My 6-Year Journey

 

6 years ago, I was 40 pounds heavier, was still experiencing skin problems, allergies, & chronic sinus congestion.  I was sleeping OK, but not that great.  

My energy was dipping mid-afternoons and running out of steam by 6-7pm to start anything new.  I wasn't that physically active, but when I was, it took me 2-3 days to recover, with plenty of that stiffness & achiness that seemed to come with pushing whatever physical activity I might have been doing.

In a heart-to-heart with my parents, they recommended I prioritize my health above all else, since "if you don't have that, you won't have much", they said.  I made the choice to do better & be better from that time forward.  

First, I detoxed.  Just from that, my sleep got better, my energy got stronger longer, my skin/allergies/sinuses all cleared up, & my mental focus/clarity improved ..... all within the first 90 days!  Plus I released 25 pounds within 2 years, without any real change in diet & exercise. 

After hitting a plateau for over a year, I decided to release the Love Handles that were stubbornly hanging on, & released another 10 pounds within another 90 days.  Loving the new wardrobe that came with this as I approached my 50th Birthday.

After hitting 50, I decided that I missed being as strong as I was in my 20's, so I joined a local gym (Club16 Fitness is a ridiculously great deal!) & committed to working out 5 times weekly.  

I'm loving my gym time (it's Zen for me) and loving the healthy chemistry rush that I walk out of the club with every time (it induces a condition I fondly call PermaSmirk!)  

This pic is me at an early morning workout earlier this month.  So now I'm Patrick who's convinced we were designed to move & to heal ourselves.  I wish the same for you too!



Creating your Home's Flow & Energy

 

Feng Shui video

Imagine improving your health, grades, & relationships just by rearranging your furniture or coordinating the colours of your room.  Well, all of this is possible according to the ancient study of Feng Shui.  

The idea of Feng Shui revolves around the belief that the earth's energy, called Chi, should flow freely throughout space, creating peace.  

Feng Shui originated in ancient China & continues to guide how buildings are designed & furnished.  Experts on the topic note that, in order to see positive affects, you should always keep a positive attitude to encourage positive Chi to flow naturally through your room or house.  

So, what can you do to improve the energy in your dorm room or apartment or home?  

One good place to start is by looking at the Bagua Map illustrated. To utilize the map in your room, stand in the doorway facing in, & imagine the bottom of the map (black) is the wall next to the entrance; if your door does not face North, just rotate the map so the appropriate direction is closest to you.  The map will point to which corners & areas of the room correspond in the picture.



2 Live Workshops start in May! Balance You & Your Business.

 

Join us Friday, May 27th for The Big Picture for YOU for the first of 3 monthly Friday afternoon sessions.  

We'll cover how to make the most of your Health, Relationships, Money, & Environments.  Imagine setting up the GamePlan for you to design & build your ideal life.  So Join Us!

Most people realize Life Balance is important, & most people say they want more Life Balance for themselves.  Yet when asked, many are unable to clearly articulate what Life Balance specifically is or means for them.  

If you or someone you care for does not yet have a framework for Life Balance, then I will share with you the 4 pillars that will help you set a solid foundation to experience an extraordinary life.  

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Join us Monday, May 30th for The Big Picture for BUSINESS for the first of 3 monthly Monday afternoon sessions.  

We'll cover how to increase your Sales, Customer Satisfaction, Productivity & Efficiency while decreasing your Costs.  Imagine setting up the GamePlan for your to design & build your ideal business.  So Join Us!

Statistically, most businesses fail within the first 5 years.  Business is complicated enough, which is why any businessperson looking to operate a successful business can benefit from simplifying their focus toward a few key priorities.  

If you own a business & want to maximize your success, you deserve to benefit from a winning GamePlan.  I'm ready to share with you the 4 pillars that help you design this GamePlan for business success.  

Email Patrick@BigPictureCoach.com or call/text 778.899.3835 to learn more or to Register yourself for either or both Live Group Coaching Series.