• Work That Matters

    Tips for Taxpayers Who Travel for Charity Work

    Do you plan to travel while doing charity work this summer? Some travel expenses may help lower your taxes if you itemize deductions when you file next year. Here are five tax tips the IRS wants you to know about travel while serving a charity. You must volunteer to work for a qualified organization. Ask the charity about its tax-exempt status. You can also visit IRS.gov and use the Select Check tool to see if the group is qualified. You may be able to deduct unreimbursed travel expenses you pay while serving as a volunteer. You can’t deduct the value of your time or services. The deduction qualifies only if…

  • Listening to Jesus

    When Plans Change: Looking Back 10 Years

    Ten years ago this summer I met Michelle.  One day later I came to New Orleans for the first time. I had a plan for my life and it did not include Michelle or living long term in New Orleans.  I was going to spend the summer in NOLA and then prepare for a life overseas.  Michelle was living in another country, and we continued living in separate countries for the first 20 months of our dating relationship. Plans are important.  I love planning.  I have an addiction to planning.  It comes naturally to me.  It gives me purpose and direction.  It helps me accomplish goals in my personal and professional life.…

  • Idea Addicts

    Three Reasons I Use Gmail for My Email and You Should Too

    There are so many options for email now.  Whether you are new to email or have been doing it for awhile, I want to suggest you use Gmail.  I have used others in the past including hotmail and yahoo.  I have friends that use everything.  The best experience I have had, however, has been with Gmail. Here are 3 reasons why you should switch to, or start with Gmail: It’s Simple.  Of all of the emails I have used over the years, the layout of Gmail is the best.  It is simple to use for a beginner or a technology expert.  Although it does have labels for you to use…

  • Work That Matters

    Necessary Endings

    Endings are difficult.  One of the most difficult things in one’s professional life is choosing to bring something to an end.  It could be a project, a way of thinking, a strategy or even a relationship.  This is particularly true in the nonprofit world where there are so many needs to meet. Endings are necessary.  It is important to remember this truth.  At the 2013 Chick-fil-A Leadercast, Dr. Henry Cloud talked about “necessary endings” and compared it to pruning a rose bush.  Dr. Cloud explained that a rose bush produces more buds than it can sustain.  He then shared these three insights about the buds: The best ones need the…

Discovery Call

Thinking about coaching? Let's begin the conversation. Please click on the link above to email me and request a Free 15 minute Discovery Call.