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Celebrating small wins has a bigger impact on the brain. A few years ago, my wife and I made a decision: we were going to deliberately celebrate the small stuff. We started acknowledging little things like a new habit sticking, overcoming an obstacle, even making it through a tough week. Here’s what we’ve learned about recognizing the small wins: 1. Triggers dopamine—the motivation chemical. Even small accomplishments give your brain a hit of dopamine, which boosts mood and motivation. When you only chase big wins, you delay that feedback loop. Small wins keep you engaged and energized in the meantime. 2. Builds momentum. Your brain loves progress. Celebrating small steps reinforces the habit of moving forward, which makes it easier to keep going—even when the big goal feels far away. 3. Shifts focus from outcome to process. Big wins are outcome-driven. Small wins help your brain focus on what you can control—your habits, your effort, your consistency. That shift reduces overwhelm and increases resilience. 4. Rewires your perception of success. When you recognize and celebrate smaller milestones, your brain starts to associate progress with success—not just perfection or final results. That makes the journey more sustainable (and more enjoyable). And, maybe most importantly- 5. Reduces burnout. Waiting for a big, flashy result keeps your brain in a delayed gratification mode. Small wins give it relief, which prevents the fatigue and detachment that come from working without visible reward. So, last week, we celebrated some small wins with a hike and hot springs. Challenge: celebrate a small win today. ________ I'm Steve—I help individuals like you find financial clarity at every stage of life. Why? Because when we have financial clarity we are better parents, business owners, leaders, neighbors, and community members. Follow for actionable financial tips that fit your life, networking opportunities, and generosity inspiration. Disclosures: Thrivent .com/social #SmallWins #Celebrate #Motivation #DopamineHit #FeedbackLoop #Success #Resilience

Celebrating small wins has a bigger impact on the brain. A few years ago, my wife and I made a decision: we were going to deliberately celebrate the small stuff. We started acknowledging little things like a new habit sticking, overcoming an obstacle, even making it through a tough week. Here’s what we’ve learned about recognizing the small wins: 1. Triggers dopamine—the motivation chemical. Even small accomplishments give your brain a hit of dopamine, which boosts mood and motivation. When you only chase big wins, you delay that feedback loop. Small wins keep you engaged and energized in the meantime. 2. Builds momentum. Your brain loves progress. Celebrating small steps reinforces the habit of moving forward, which makes it easier to keep going—even when the big goal feels far away. 3. Shifts focus from outcome to process. Big wins are outcome-driven. Small wins help your brain focus on what you can control—your habits, your effort, your consistency. That shift reduces overwhelm and increases resilience. 4. Rewires your perception of success. When you recognize and celebrate smaller milestones, your brain starts to associate progress with success—not just perfection or final results. That makes the journey more sustainable (and more enjoyable). And, maybe most importantly- 5. Reduces burnout. Waiting for a big, flashy result keeps your brain in a delayed gratification mode. Small wins give it relief, which prevents the fatigue and detachment that come from working without visible reward. So, last week, we celebrated some small wins with a hike and hot springs. Challenge: celebrate a small win today. ________ I'm Steve—I help individuals like you find financial clarity at every stage of life. Why? Because when we have financial clarity we are better parents, business owners, leaders, neighbors, and community members. Follow for actionable financial tips that fit your life, networking opportunities, and generosity inspiration. Disclosures: Thrivent .com/social #SmallWins #Celebrate #Motivation #DopamineHit #FeedbackLoop #Success #Resilience


Feeling the pressure of market ups and downs? A Multi-Year Guaranteed Annuity (MYGA) might be your answer. It locks in a fixed interest rate for 3, 5, 7, or 9 years, offering a stable, low-risk way to grow your savings, withOUT fees. With MYGAs there's no need to worry about market swings. Your returns are predictable. Great for those looking to balance risk and plan for the future. Curious if a MYGA fits your plan? I'm here for questions. ________ I'm Steve—I help individuals like you find financial clarity at every stage of life. Why? Because when we have financial clarity we are better parents, business owners, leaders, neighbors, and community members. Follow for actionable financial tips that fit your life, networking opportunities, and generosity inspiration. Disclosures: Thrivent .com/social

Feeling the pressure of market ups and downs? A Multi-Year Guaranteed Annuity (MYGA) might be your answer. It locks in a fixed interest rate for 3, 5, 7, or 9 years, offering a stable, low-risk way to grow your savings, withOUT fees. With MYGAs there's no need to worry about market swings. Your returns are predictable. Great for those looking to balance risk and plan for the future. Curious if a MYGA fits your plan? I'm here for questions. ________ I'm Steve—I help individuals like you find financial clarity at every stage of life. Why? Because when we have financial clarity we are better parents, business owners, leaders, neighbors, and community members. Follow for actionable financial tips that fit your life, networking opportunities, and generosity inspiration. Disclosures: Thrivent .com/social


Any gardeners out there? What are you growing in your garden this year? Investing doesn't have to be as complicated as it sounds. I get it, it's really intimidating for some of us because we weren't taught this stuff in school. so, let me break it down for you: - Start early or start now. Today is the best day to begin. - Diversify your investments to manage risk. - Review and adjust your strategy regularly as your life changes. - Stay consistent with your contributions, even during tough times. - If you're starting to invest later than you'd like, explore strategies that create guaranteed income later in life. - Consider getting advice from a financial advisor to create a personalized plan. Make sure it's someone you trust. And, in case you're wondering, I have a black thumb. Just ask my wife. ------------ I'm Steve Alderete. I love helping people find financial clarity throughout their lives. Follow for tips and networking opportunities in the Treasure Valley. Disclosures: Thrivent .com/social While diversification can help reduce market risk, it does not eliminate it. Diversification does not assure a profit or protect against loss in a declining market. Also, due to the mention of guaranteed rates, please add the following disclosure to the end of the post: Guarantees based on the financial strength and claims-paying ability of the company. #Gardening #InvestingIsEasy #StartToday #FinancialClairty #FinancialWins #Thrivent

Any gardeners out there? What are you growing in your garden this year? Investing doesn't have to be as complicated as it sounds. I get it, it's really intimidating for some of us because we weren't taught this stuff in school. so, let me break it down for you: - Start early or start now. Today is the best day to begin. - Diversify your investments to manage risk. - Review and adjust your strategy regularly as your life changes. - Stay consistent with your contributions, even during tough times. - If you're starting to invest later than you'd like, explore strategies that create guaranteed income later in life. - Consider getting advice from a financial advisor to create a personalized plan. Make sure it's someone you trust. And, in case you're wondering, I have a black thumb. Just ask my wife. ------------ I'm Steve Alderete. I love helping people find financial clarity throughout their lives. Follow for tips and networking opportunities in the Treasure Valley. Disclosures: Thrivent .com/social While diversification can help reduce market risk, it does not eliminate it. Diversification does not assure a profit or protect against loss in a declining market. Also, due to the mention of guaranteed rates, please add the following disclosure to the end of the post: Guarantees based on the financial strength and claims-paying ability of the company. #Gardening #InvestingIsEasy #StartToday #FinancialClairty #FinancialWins #Thrivent


I have a few spots left for April 2nd at Hotel Renegade (Boise). Doors open 5:30 PM. Dinner 6 PM. RSVP to me so I can register you and reserve your spot. Think of when you were at your best. Maybe you felt confident. Or powerful. Or passionate about life. What if you could be at your best more often? What if you could unleash the same power again and again? Inspired by this idea, Eric Boles, the CEO and Founder of The Game Changers, Inc. created a step-by-step approach to boosting performance in every part of life in his book, Moving to Great: Unleashing Your Best in Life and Work. Join us for this engaging presentation where you'll learn how to: - Identify your goals with clarity. - Overcome complacency to unleash your full potential. - Be your best more of the time. Free event. No products will be sold. Dinner included. Spots will fill up fast so let me know soon if you are interested. By RSVP only. ------------ I'm Steve Alderete. I love helping people find financial clarity throughout their lives. Follow for tips and networking opportunities in the Treasure Valley. Disclosures: Thrivent .com/social

I have a few spots left for April 2nd at Hotel Renegade (Boise). Doors open 5:30 PM. Dinner 6 PM. RSVP to me so I can register you and reserve your spot. Think of when you were at your best. Maybe you felt confident. Or powerful. Or passionate about life. What if you could be at your best more often? What if you could unleash the same power again and again? Inspired by this idea, Eric Boles, the CEO and Founder of The Game Changers, Inc. created a step-by-step approach to boosting performance in every part of life in his book, Moving to Great: Unleashing Your Best in Life and Work. Join us for this engaging presentation where you'll learn how to: - Identify your goals with clarity. - Overcome complacency to unleash your full potential. - Be your best more of the time. Free event. No products will be sold. Dinner included. Spots will fill up fast so let me know soon if you are interested. By RSVP only. ------------ I'm Steve Alderete. I love helping people find financial clarity throughout their lives. Follow for tips and networking opportunities in the Treasure Valley. Disclosures: Thrivent .com/social


You've got until April 15th to max out your IRA contributions for 2024 (or until you file your taxes if you have an extension). This is one of the best ways to save for retirement and lower your taxable income. Don't wait until the last minute. Make sure you're doing everything you can to set yourself up for a stronger financial future. Need help with your IRA or contributions? Let's talk. ------------ I'm Steve Alderete. I love helping people find financial clarity throughout their lives. Follow for tips and networking opportunities in the Treasure Valley. Disclosures: Thrivent .com/social #Taxes #IRA #Deadlines #SavvyTaxes #TaxableIncome

You've got until April 15th to max out your IRA contributions for 2024 (or until you file your taxes if you have an extension). This is one of the best ways to save for retirement and lower your taxable income. Don't wait until the last minute. Make sure you're doing everything you can to set yourself up for a stronger financial future. Need help with your IRA or contributions? Let's talk. ------------ I'm Steve Alderete. I love helping people find financial clarity throughout their lives. Follow for tips and networking opportunities in the Treasure Valley. Disclosures: Thrivent .com/social #Taxes #IRA #Deadlines #SavvyTaxes #TaxableIncome


Excited to partner with the Meridian Library unBound for a Lunch and Learn for Small Businesses. Wed., March 26th at 12 PM You can RSVP to me OR you can RSVP Cortnie Brown or Mariah Farmer. Let me know if you have any questions. Hope to see you there! Disclosures: Thrivent .com/social No products will be sold.

Excited to partner with the Meridian Library unBound for a Lunch and Learn for Small Businesses. Wed., March 26th at 12 PM You can RSVP to me OR you can RSVP Cortnie Brown or Mariah Farmer. Let me know if you have any questions. Hope to see you there! Disclosures: Thrivent .com/social No products will be sold.


Nervous about recent market volatility? It's understandable. When markets are unpredictable, it can make long-term planning feel uncertain. But there are strategies out there that can offer financial clarity, especially when it comes to locking in stable returns. By focusing on solutions that provide guaranteed rates of return, it's possible to build a financial plan that's not dependent on the ups and downs of the market. These solutions can offer a sense of security, knowing exactly what your returns will be, no matter what happens in the broader economy. If you're feeling uneasy about market fluctuations, it might be time to consider a strategy that can help stabilize your future without the stress of market risks. Hit me up for coffee to chat about options. Coffee is on me. ------------ I'm Steve Alderete. I love helping people find financial clarity throughout their lives. Follow for tips and networking opportunities in the Treasure Valley. Disclosures: Thrivent .com/social Guarantees based on the financial strength and claims-paying ability of the company. #MarketVolitility #GuaranteedReturns #Solutions #Economy #MarketFluctuations #Strategy #CoffeeOnMe

Nervous about recent market volatility? It's understandable. When markets are unpredictable, it can make long-term planning feel uncertain. But there are strategies out there that can offer financial clarity, especially when it comes to locking in stable returns. By focusing on solutions that provide guaranteed rates of return, it's possible to build a financial plan that's not dependent on the ups and downs of the market. These solutions can offer a sense of security, knowing exactly what your returns will be, no matter what happens in the broader economy. If you're feeling uneasy about market fluctuations, it might be time to consider a strategy that can help stabilize your future without the stress of market risks. Hit me up for coffee to chat about options. Coffee is on me. ------------ I'm Steve Alderete. I love helping people find financial clarity throughout their lives. Follow for tips and networking opportunities in the Treasure Valley. Disclosures: Thrivent .com/social Guarantees based on the financial strength and claims-paying ability of the company. #MarketVolitility #GuaranteedReturns #Solutions #Economy #MarketFluctuations #Strategy #CoffeeOnMe


Would you be okay with only half of your paycheck? Imagine only insuring half your house. A storm damages it, but only one side is covered. The rest? That’s on you. That’s how most employer disability plans work. They typically cover about 50–60% of your income—before taxes. Now, ask yourself: Could you cover your mortgage, groceries, and bills with that? Maybe. Maybe not. What's really important is knowing how much you are insured. Disability insurance isn’t a one size fits all. But it is one of the most overlooked parts of financial life. When you need it, it could mean the difference between stress and stability. Worth a second look? If you need someone who can read your employee benefits paperwork, I can do that. Disclosures: Thrivent .com/social

Would you be okay with only half of your paycheck? Imagine only insuring half your house. A storm damages it, but only one side is covered. The rest? That’s on you. That’s how most employer disability plans work. They typically cover about 50–60% of your income—before taxes. Now, ask yourself: Could you cover your mortgage, groceries, and bills with that? Maybe. Maybe not. What's really important is knowing how much you are insured. Disability insurance isn’t a one size fits all. But it is one of the most overlooked parts of financial life. When you need it, it could mean the difference between stress and stability. Worth a second look? If you need someone who can read your employee benefits paperwork, I can do that. Disclosures: Thrivent .com/social