Attitude: The Most Important Freedom
In September 1942, Viktor Frankl, a prominent Jewish psychiatrist and neurologist in Vienna, was sent to a Nazi concentration camp with his wife and parents. Three years later, when his camp was liberated, most of his family had perished. But he, prisoner number 119104, had lived.
In his bestselling 1946 book, Man’s Search for Meaning, Frankl describes people who would walk through the camp giving words of comfort to others, even though their circumstances were no better. He concluded that the difference between those who could give comfort and those who couldn’t came down to one thing: Meaning.
A summer stroll in Ocean City, NJ.
As he saw, those who found meaning even in horrendous circumstances were far more resilient to suffering than those who did not. “Everything can be taken from a man but one thing,” Frankl concluded, “the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way.”
Whenever I find myself in a really bad mood, or mired in boredom or life’s challenges, I remind myself that I can choose a different attitude. Something that helps is focusing on being grateful, even if it’s just to say, “I’m thankful for having the wisdom to recognize I’m in a funk so I can choose a different attitude.” I also remind myself that my circumstances are never as dire as what Frankl faced, and if he could do it there, I certainly can do it in my blessed life.
Mr. Frankl continues to teach us that we do not always choose our circumstances but we can choose how we respond to things that happen in our lives.
Sincerely,
Matt Haviland
Your Real Estate Consultant For Life
P.S If you are celebrating something special I’d like to hear about it. Please contact me.
P.P.S. For more great articles download or print my September Newsletter: September Newsletter – Matt
Relocating For A New Job Doesn’t Have To Be Stressful
Relocating for a new job is never easy. The move can be one of the most stressful changes in life. Not only do you need to find a new place to call home, but you also have to adjust to a new environment, master a new job, and build a new support network—all at the same time. Not to mention paying two mortgages, which can be overwhelming and often unrealistic.
Sweetwater Marina, Mullica Twp. NJ
According to a recent survey by CareerBuilder, nearly 50% of workers said they would be willing to relocate for the right job. But that doesn’t mean it has to be a stressful experience.
The next time you’re in a conversation with a friend, family member or neighbor, and they tell you they’re relocating for a new job or their company is thinking about moving them, take out your phone, look up my number and call or text me immediately. I belong to a national network of realtors and lenders and I can help them find a new home that makes their move a positive and exciting one.
Matthew Haviland, Your Real Estate Consultant For Life
Keller Williams Realty Atlantic Shore 609-484-9890 ext 132
The Lessons of Perserverance
An inspiring story about the life of Winston Churchill
According to biographers, Winston Churchill did not have the happiest of childhoods. Neglected by his uninterested parents, he was sent to boarding school at a young age where he would write letter after letter pleading for his parents to come visit him. Most of his letters went unanswered, and he ended up spending a succession of holidays alone at school without even the company of classmates.
Sunset on Lake Nescochague
Churchill would go on to suffer many failures both at school and in his political life, failures that would have defeated most people. But Churchill kept sticking his neck out, overcoming great odds and eventually leading his country in its finest hour.
How did a man with such a difficult upbringing and spotty professional record achieve such greatness? The answer may lie in the following story: In his 80s, Churchill was asked to deliver a commencement address at Harrow, the boarding school he attended as a boy. He is reported to have stood up at the podium, glared over his glasses, and delivered one of the shortest, yet most inspiring speeches ever given at a graduation ceremony.
“Never, never, never give up!” he roared. Then he sat down to thunderous applause. Sincerely,
Matt Haviland
Your Real Estate Consultant For Life
P.S. For more inspiring stories and articles view or download my August newsletter here: August Newsletter – Matt-2
Bring Your Business To Atlantic City, NJ!
Now may be the best time ever to do business in Atlantic City. Here's why...
You may have heard recently about the casino closures, property tax hikes, and other issues effecting Atlantic City. In my opinion I don’t see new casino’s coming to Atlantic City to solve the cities woes. I do see a great opportunity for businesses to move to Atlantic City or start in Atlantic City. There are excellent incentives to bring businesses and development to the city.
You may have heard about the call center that launched in Atlantic City. The company was approved for $33,000,000 in tax credits! The company plans to hire over 300 people and will recieve $3.27 million per year in tax credits over a 10-year period through the Grow New Jersey Assistance Program. Through this program businesses that are creating or retaining jobs in New Jersey may be eligible for tax credits ranging from $500 to $5,000 per job, per year; with bonus credits ranging from $250 to $3,000 per job, per year.
The other fantastic incentive program is the Economic Redevelopment and Growth (ERG) Program. This also run by the NJ Economic Development Authority. For residential projects: Tax credit of up to 20% of total project cost with 10% bonus possible if the project constructs and reserves at least 10% of the residential units for moderate income housing. And for commercial projects: Incentive grant reimbursement of up to 20% of total project cost. Because Atlantic City is located in one of the five Garden State Growth Zones there is up to an additional 20% in incentives. Imagine building a brand new building or development and getting up to 40% of the cost back in tax incentives!
So besides the incentives there are a few other reasons to bring your business to Atlantic City. We have an ample work force of good hard working people. You’ll have no problem hiring great talent in Atlantic City. Also the location is fantastic. We have fabulous beaches, world class restaurants, shopping, entertainment, and recreation. We’re also one hour from Philadelphia and two hours from New York City.
This is clearly the best time to bring your business to Atlantic City. If you or someone you know is considering starting or expanding their business please contact me. I’d love to connect them with the resources they need to take advantage of the opportunities right now in Atlantic City commercial real estate.
Best wishes,
Matt
P.S. For additional incentive for Atlantic County visit Atlantic County Economic Development Site.
Don’t Remodel Your Kitchen!
Before you remodel your kitchen, consider upgrading the whole house
Carol and Nate were considering remodeling their kitchen in their lovely ranch home in Linwood, NJ. This older home had the original kitchen, closed off from the living room and dining room and had limited shelf and counter space. They consulted several builders and realized a new kitchen would cost then tens of thousand of dollars and they would still not have the open concept that they wanted.
Then they considered the option of purchasing a newer home… and even considered a 55 and over community. Carol and Nate, found me on my website and asked for my help. We quickly got their home listed and staged to sell and within two weeks we had multiple offers and accepted a full price offer.
New House
From there they located a lovely newer home in Egg Harbor Township with a fabulous open layout and stunning kitchen. They sold their home and moved in to their new home on the same day.
Happy Clients!
So before you remodel your kitchen, consider upgrading the whole house. You may find that you’ll get greater value when you move up to a newer home.
Best wishes,
Matt
Slow Down With A Good Book
When was the last time you curled up to a good book? Not a business book. Or a self- improvement guide. Or a diet and exercise manual. But a truly interesting novel or gripping sci-fi story?
It seems like with the hectic pace of today’s world, the simplicity of slowing down and unwinding with a good book has been lost for many of us. We escape our harried lives by binge-watching our favorite shows on Netflix, scrolling through Facebook on our smartphones, or going to the movies.
What if you took up a good book and worked your way through it just once a month? Reading is a great way to add more “me” time to your day. And the best part is that this can happen any time of day. Set a relaxing tone by reading in the morning, or read before bed to help calm and relax your mind for a good night’s sleep. What book are you going to pick up?
Matt
Defy the Odds
Did you know that bumblebees shouldn’t fly? We all know they do fly, but according to every law of physics, this should be an impossible feat. Their lack of wing span capacity and flapping speed should make it incapable of taking flight. Yet they do.
It’s a phenomenon of nature that asks us to rethink what’s possible in the world. If the bumblebee is able to defy laws of aerodynamics, what more could we do if we brush aside “rules” that hold us back?
Would you choose another career or pursue an unthinkable dream if you had no obstacles in the way? Our biggest hurdle is often our own mind, stopping us with self-doubt, fear, or a belief in rules that just don’t apply.
Defying the odds begins with a dream and gets wings when we leave the doubts and fears behind. How will you defy the odds in your life?