Energize your day with the ENERGIZER newsletter!
SMALL—FAST—and WRITTEN WHEN THE MOOD STRIKES.
“What consultant worth her salt would be without a newsletter? It’s a dandy little sheet, written when the mood strikes (which is at least quarterly). To be notified when a new issue is available sign-up for my list in the box to your right. I protect your private information and will never, sell, rent or otherwise abuse what you have entrusted to me. And, of course, you can unsubscribe at any time! Unsubscribe instructions are at the bottom of the e-mail you received pointing you to this page.”
Update From Eileen
Summer for me is synonymous with vacations, mosquitoes, barbeques, white shoes, ears of corn, hours of sunlight, strawberries, blueberries and camping.
The latter calls to me at the end of June. Only this time, it won’t be High Sierra backpacking with my husband. Nope —I’ll be surrounded by some 100 children ages 7 to 11 for one week. These are special children. Many will be refugee children from such countries as Columbia, Ukraine, Ethiopia, and Afghanistan who have come to the U.S. with their families. Others will come from inner city environments where violence and gang warfare are a way of life.
Organized by Global Children’s Organization, this is the second annual violence prevention and diversity camp in the U.S. Beginning in 1992 in Croatia with the war-traumatized Bosnia, Croatian, and Serbian children, Global Children’s Organization (GCO) has impacted the lives of over 2,000 youngsters. Under the guidance of founder Judith Jenya, GCO expanded it’s programs into Northern Ireland and now into the U.S.
The Southern California camp, “Turning Neighbors into Friends,” offers children a place of safety and compassion in a cross-community setting. Using the creative expression of art, theater, music, sports, and play, campers begin to understand and respect each other’s personal histories while finding nonviolent solutions to conflict. And these children will get a change to be just that: kids!
Sounds like an overwhelming task to me. I wonder what I have gotten myself into. How will we do this? After my 3-day training, I will know more, and by July 8 I’ll see the results. Wait for the next issue of The Energizer for the process and the results. In the meantime, I invite you to explore their website (http://www.globalchild.org).
Keep me and the children in your thoughts and prayers.
Five Half Truths of Leadership Puts Truth into Today
Fast Company (June 2002) featured a memo to CEOs” “Five Half Truths of Business.” Written by professors from Harvard, McGill University, and Oxford, the article grinds down common platitudes we all have heard and probably too often said when it comes to “how business should operate.” Capitalism faces a crisis of gigantic ramifications brought about by corporate greed, fudged balance sheets, and exorbitant rewards doled out to incompetent executives. And, as honestly stated by the authors, business schools have also taught a series of assumptions that now are only partially accurate. (Go to http://www.fastcompany.com and search under the keyword “Memo to CEOs”.)
WARNING: Do not go on the Web site and read it UNLESS you like truth of heroic proportions. If you’re tempted to dismiss it as the musings of academics who don’t operate in the real world, be careful. These are the thoughts of employees, shareholders, customers, and concerned citizens of a global economy. Remember —these are HALF-truths. Our task is to live the part that is true.
Are We Communicating?
A man (in LA) spoke frantically into the phone, “My wife is pregnant and her contractions are only two minutes apart!” “Is this her first child?” the doctor asked. “No!” the man shouted, “This is her husband!”.
Energizing Others—To Your Ideas
Getting other people excited about our ideas is all about preparation and knowing the audience.
First, consider preparation.
Do all your advance research. Has this worked in other places? Can you cite authorities or statistics that back your idea? What are the available resources of time, money, people, etc.?
Think in terms of results. What will happen if your idea is accepted? What will happen if it won’t?
Who do you need on your side as an advocate for your idea? Tell them your idea and get their feedback so that they have no problem supporting you.
Now, analyze the audience.
Is your idea best received as a report? Presented live at a meeting? Brought up in casual conversation?
When is the optimum time to present your idea? In other words, when is a prime time to get their attention?
Know what your audience values and present your idea in terms of benefits that they value.
Don’t get bogged down into too much detail. Have detail in hand and be ready to anticipate objections and questions. But first, paint the picture.
Must Read Books
The Resilient Spirit, by Eileen McDargh, ISBN 0-962319-01-5—just off the presses.
The events of 9-11 proved that our spirits are larger than we ever imagined. We can do amazing things—collectively and individually. This small book gleans wisdom from the ordinary and extraordinary, offering simple reminders of powerful actions that produce resilient results. You’ll find it simple yet provocative. Now available in the Success Store on our website (with a NEW secure shopping cart). And watch for a brand new Web design within the month!
Laughter Made from Experience by Lola Gillebaard, ISBN 1-891127-06-9.
Take this book with you to the beach. Stick it on the nightstand and read it before dropping off to sleep. I guarantee you’ll laugh, you’ll think, and maybe you’ll even get tears in your eyes. I did all the above. Lola is as gifted a writer as she is a humorist. You can visit her at http://www.laughandlearn.org.
Tips for Energizing Yourself
Nothing succeeds like seeing results. If you find yourself caught in the doldrums, slumped in sales, discouraged by investments, or spiraled by too many questions and not enough answers, it’s time for a “Do-able, See-able” project.
Let’s face it. Humans want to know that, at the day’s end, their efforts counted for something. So if life and work aren’t giving you that closure, find a physical project that will give you a sense of accomplishment and maybe even relief. For example, you might organize and clean the garage, a closet, your files. Weed or plant a garden. Detail your car. Wash walls and paint. Workout for 3 days and track the repetitions, the mileage, the poundage, whatever. But make it something you will feel great about doing.
Trust me, the act of throwing yourself into a physical project cleans out the mental cobwebs, offers a break from the ordinary, and will give you a renewed “can do” spirit to pick up where you left off.
Welcome To The McDargh Clan
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Overview and Contact Information
Is life leading you instead of you leading a life?
Is work working you instead of you doing the work?
You’re not alone! It’s the challenge of our times.
From business leaders to rank-and-file workers, the competitive 24/7 world of heart-stopping change has left many feeling in need of new tools to answer these questions:
- How do I engage more of my talent and that of the folks around me in meaningful work?
- Why is it that resiliency is a word I think of only with rubber bands?
- Why does it seem that we compete more with each other than the competition?
It’s tough when the rate and pace of work leaves you feeling disconnected, unheard, and certainly not aligned to produce results that matter in the long run.
Then there’s the issue of joy. Flat out joy. You don’t want “work” to become exclusive of play. Leave your spirit and heart at the door, and it’s hard to be creative and productive. You want to be connected with people who respect you and vice versa. You want to do good work— no, make that GREAT work– in the bargain. You want to spend your time in a place that lets your spirit soar and your talent shine. My joy is in helping individuals and organizations rediscover the joy of living and the joy of satisfying work.
If you want results that go well beyond the bottom line—contact us. Since 1980, we’ve been engaging the human spirits of individuals and organizations. Now—it’s your turn.
Call 949-496-8640 or send email eileen@eileenmcdargh.com
McDargh Communications
(949) 496-8640
Eileen@EileenMcDargh.com
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