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DD Web • October 25, 2018
The ‘Happiness’ Factor: Why Utah?
“Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.” Most Americans are familiar with these words. Written in the introduction of the Declaration of Independence, these unalienable rights were given to all human beings by their creator. (Thanks Thomas J! No wonder he was called ‘Man of the People.’) And while we may all be free to pursue happiness, where we live in the U.S. affects the outcome of this quest more than we may realize.
WalletHub recently ranked 2018’s Happiest States in America, finding that some states are doing significantly better in this pursuit than others. They analyzed the 50 states across 31 metrics, and found that the happiest places are “rich in nature and community”. The most important metrics that affected happiness were the share of adult depression, suicide rates, number of work hours, job security and ideal-ness of weather.
So, what did their results reveal? The five happiest states based on these metrics are Hawaii, Utah, Minnesota, and North Dakota, with California coming in at No. 5. The bottom-ranking states are Oklahoma, Alaska, Louisiana, and Arkansas, with West Virginia coming in at No. 50.
Utah is reportedly the second-happiest state based on this ranking, just behind Hawaii. The Beehive State is, of course, very different in both in geography and culture than The Aloha State. But it ranks highly on a variety of levels; it’s first in fewest work hours, volunteer rate and has the lowest divorce rate. It also came in second (after Colorado, which ranked at 18th overall) in highest sports participation rate. It’s cost of living is also relatively low compared to other large metros.
A connection to nature is also profoundly powerful, and having beautiful and accessible natural scenery within reach is major a perk for Utah, California and other high-ranking states. Utah boasts some of the best outdoor recreation and scenery in the nation, and it is proven that time spent outdoors relieves stress and is one of the best natural mood boosters.
According to happiness expert Gretchen Rubin (author of ‘The Happiness Project’), one secret to happiness, or even “The secret to happiness” is relationships. Having the lowest divorce rate has an impact because whether marriage or friendship, these relationships play a huge role in our happiness. Looking for a happy pick-me-up? Making a difference in the lives of others can also boost happiness, and Utah’s high volunteer rate certainly contributes to its second-place ranking.
Frank Niles, PhD, a social scientist, adventure athlete and executive educator says it best. “Happiness comes down to being physically and emotionally healthy, pursuing things that are meaningful to us personally and contributing to something larger than ourselves.”
A connection to nature? Check. Meaningful relationships? Check. Helping others? Check. How cool is it that Utah is succeeding in all of these areas? Here at Novation, we believe in making an impact in the lives of others and having a purpose within our community. It’s our MISSION! Maybe that’s why we’re so happy… :)
#whyutah
Welcome, 2020! We made it through the first week of the New Year and are already excited for what’s to come in this brand new decade. Anything can happen, and we have so much to create! Whether you’re a fan of long-term resolutions or prefer setting smaller, short-term goals, it feels good to start the year off with a desire to change for the better. If you know us, you know our approach at Novation Title has always been goal-centric, not only within our business but in our personal lives and out in the community. In today’s world where we are constantly connected (and distracted), it’s no wonder that we increasingly find ourselves overwhelmed mentally and physically drained. Often, the issues in everyday life are the ones that prevent us from enjoying the very same everyday life! How can we balance this out? We believe we can do better. That is why we are introducing meditation into our workspace. While meditation has been practiced for over 5,000 years, it is increasingly becoming a necessary way for us to unplug from the modern world. But what, exactly, is it? Meditation is a practice where an individual uses a technique — such as mindfulness — to train attention and thoughts. Mindfulness is awareness, it is a state of peace. It is being in the present moment, intentional and serene. It is the process of being aware of your thoughts while also disconnecting from them so you can connect within. Connecting within is the highest form of intelligence and results in proven mental, emotional and spiritual health benefits. Here are just a few science-based benefits of meditation: Reduces blood pressure Increases serotonin production that improves mood and behavior Improves immune system Increase in energy levels Lessens stress and anxiety Increases happiness and creativity Clarity and peace of mind Increased memory retention and recall Enhances self-awareness and self-acceptance Each one of us, regardless of gender, age or other factors, undergo daily stress and tension at some level or the other. That’s why we’re so excited to introduce #NovationMeditation into our business and we encourage others to join us this year. We can ALL benefit from improved mental and physical health in 2020. Who’s with us?!
“Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.” —William Arthur Ward ‘Tis the season for giving! November officially kicks off the holiday season with America’s favorite foodie holiday — Thanksgiving. It is the month where we are once again reminded of all of the things we are thankful for as we gather with family and friends, stuff ourselves with turkey and pumpkin pie, and watch (a lot) of football. It’s fitting, then, that November has been dubbed National Gratitude Month here in the United States. Americans are encouraged to ‘practice gratitude’ which goes beyond just feeling thankful, and actively showing gratitude by giving back. While ideally it is something we should be practicing all year long, people are more likely to give more generously during the holiday season than the rest of the year. According to the annual Holiday Giving Survey conducted by Harris Poll, more than 3 in 5 Americans (63%) typically donate to an organization or charitable cause in the last two months of the year (known as giving season). Americans are among the world’s most generous people, ranking No. 4 out of 140 countries. Utah has consistently ranked the most charitable state in the nation, coming in second this year behind Minnesota. Beyond the obvious benefit of helping and enhancing the lives of others, research shows that practicing daily gratitude can enhance our own moods, decrease stress and drastically improve our overall level of wellbeing. On average, grateful people tend to be happier, healthier, more physically fit, have a higher income and have much more satisfying personal and professional relationships. It’s a win-win for everyone! The easiest way to practice gratitude is to say THANK YOU to someone who has helped you or impacted your life in a positive way or spending time with a loved one who may be lonely or going through a difficult time. Your words and your time are often the best gifts! -The Novation Team
Mission accomplished. Or is it? It is common practice for organizations to summarize their goals and objectives in the form of mission and/or vision statements. For many, they come in the form of a typed out statement hung on a wall, easily forgotten about and only reminded of when a crisis strikes. Or they come in the form of a long-winded, regurgitation of thoughts following a midnight-hour ‘breakthrough’ (see Jerry Maguire). While they are often confused for relaying near identical messages, both serve very different purposes. A mission statement describes what a company wants to do now, and a vision statement outlines what a company wants to be in the future. A mission statement guides the day-to-day operations and decision-making of an organization. It helps in tactical planning and “rallying the troops” around a common short to medium-term goal. A vision statement outlines the long-term view of the organization and why it exists. It attracts people — not just internally but also externally — who believe in the vision of the organization. Your mission, then, brings your vision to life. We believe these statements are the lifeblood of our company. They are something we live and breathe by, because as with anything else, our thoughts become our actions and our actions become our reality. We want our reality to reflect the words written on our walls, the words we use to describe who we are and the words our clients attach to our reputation. To us, they are much more than words. Mission: We believe in making an impact and having purpose within our community. Whether we are protecting real estate investments, giving back to our surroundings or creating opportunity and growth for others. We are here to redefine the experience. Vision: To create an experience that our industry has never seen before . To develop individuals to live by their full potential in all areas of life. To have unlimited growth and make an impact in people’s lives for the better. To empower our team members to dream big so together we can make a difference in our world. Impact. Purpose. Growth. Empower. Create. Dream. These are our words, our actions, our reality, and something we are proud to stand by each and every day. Experience the difference!
REDEFINING THE EXPERIENCE
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801-727-8420
6955 Union Park Center Suite 210, Cottonwood Heights, UT 84047
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