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Update From Eileen

I promised you a report from my experience as a camp counselor at a unique weeklong away-from-home program for at-risk kids ages six to ten. Little was I prepared for the fact that I would be the one changed, challenged, and ultimately consecrated in my belief that youth hold the key to our future.

Even before the children arrived, my preconceived notions were turned upside down in the meeting of other adult counselors and teen volunteers. Among them were former gang members, a Canadian social worker, music therapist, oncologist, Hollywood producer, a graffiti artist, a volleyball captain, South American refugees, and more. The outfits ranged from low rider pants and pierced belly buttons to NYU sweatshirts and over-sized, laceless tennis shoes. And in the course of a week, I watched this crazy collection teach and love and play and control with a 24-hour diligence and compassion that DID accomplish its mission: to help kids feel supported by caring adults and discover how to create a community where you can have conflict without violence.

My seven to ten year-old campers named themselves, "Princesses in Training". That made me Queen-for-a-Week in a less- than-palatial San Bernardino mountain cabin where "turning neighbors into friends" was the motto of the Global Children's Organization. Our faces told the story of age and origin: Hispanic, Korean, African, Russian and Irish.

I surrendered my desire for Pennsylvania Dutch order and discovered that control works best if you present two equally acceptable choices. I learned repeat songs, link tag, and the precious value of waking everyone with a gentle voice and a back rub. My emotions ran from enthusiasm to despair, from excitement to anger, from obligatory concern to downright motherly love. In the absence of a clear-cut structure, the clarity of our intention created an amazing outcome. I re-wrote Dr. Seuss, got chased out of a building by a bear cub, thrilled at the tattoo on my arm (ok-magic marker but-hey!) and wept deeply with my kids when we parted seven days later.

Can a week make a difference? If anchored in emotion-most definitely. A mountain is worn by drops of water. I was privileged to be one of the many drops.

P.S. I made my girls official "Princesses" on the last day. And the duty of a princess which they solemnly accepted: to care for her people.

Managers: Forget Busy. Become Purposeful.

"Fully 90% of managers squander their time in ineffective activities." That's the result of a 10-year research project studying the behavior of busy managers in nearly a dozen companies including Sony and Lufthansa. The researchers, Dr. Heike Bruch and Dr. Sumantra Ghoshal, term this "active nonaction".

Focus and energy are dual drivers in overcoming such behavior. Focus is like laser light concentrated on seeing a goal through to completion. Today's environment demands that effective managers move business forward in innovative ways, not merely push paper, memos and meetings to maintain the status quo. Energy results from a personal commitment to a goal that has meaning and passion. One must have both.

Here are some steps to increase focus and energy:

* Take deliberate, thoughtful action toward a goal. Procrastination promotes paralysis.
* Tell the truth. Don't deny problems or let the pessimism of others sabotage a project.
* It's not enough to be busy. What are you busy about? Beware of distractions and over commitment,
* Pick battles wisely. Fighting everything will drain energy.
* Guard your time by erecting boundaries during certain parts of the day. Being available 24/7 does not create time to reflect and
refocus.
* Exercise, play golf, garden-whatever allows you to regroup, refuel, and reenergize.
* Extend your influence, build networks, manage whatever will promote LONG-term results.
* Gain support by engaging people with the urgency and vision but allow them choices into how they will meet the challenges and derive
personal meaning.

This 'N That

* Secure Shopping Cart Ready on our Web Site - Come visit us at http://www.eileenmcdargh.com. The site has been changed,
    enhanced, and made even more user friendly. In times like these, every desk deserves a copy of The Resilient Spirit!!

* Chicago Radio Station Introduces New Segment - WRMN 1410 in Chicago is the first station to begin running Celebrating the Human
    Spirit. You can hear my segments at 7:50 am CST every Friday morning. Or go online at www.wrmn1410.com at 8:50 am EST, 6:50 am
    MST or 5:50 am PST (YAWN!), This commentary celebrates what humans are doing right in the world. It's a voice needed in these
    troubled times. I owe a debt of gratitude to WRMN 1410 and its belief in the message!

* Something to Think About—Great Buddhist monk, Thich Nhat Hanh, in the midst of the Vietnam War. "Even as they strike you down,
    you will remember: humanity is not our enemy. The only thing worthy of you is compassion. Hatred will never let you face the beast in
    human beings...One day, when you face the beast alone, with your courage intact, your eyes kind.out of your smile will bloom a
    flower. And.on the long, rough road, the sun and the moon will continue to shine."

Stress Management Helps Bottom Line

Stress-related health problems are reaching epidemic proportions. There's growing evidence that stress management has both immediate and long-term benefits. Consider this data offered by Trend Letter, Sept. 16, 2002:

* One-year cost of patients using stress- management techniques averaged $1228 compared with $4523 for those following standard treatment.

* Depression, a common disorder often triggered by prolonged stress, costs US businesses about $70 billion in medical expenses and lost productivity.

* Public schools are beginning to helps kids learn how to manage stress.

What can be done: consider teaching people how to recognize the symptoms of stress. If you are responsible for employee benefits, expand intervention programs to battle alcoholism, smoking, mental disorders, and drug addiction. Provide workshops on stress management, handling change, work/life balance and managing relationships. (Call me and I can outline what programs we offer as well as recommend other resources.)

Must Read Books

Checkered Flag Projects: 10 Rules for Creating and Managing Projects that Win. Alan Randolph and Barry Posner, Prentice Hall ISBN 1-13-009399-8, 2002.

Today's white-knuckle business world leaves little learning curve for people tasked with completing a project on time and under budget! This book shortens the curve and offers step-by-step practical advise on mobilizing, motivating and managing both people and the process. If you've got a project on your plate— buy this book.

Leadership When the Heat's On. Danny Cox, McGraw Hill, ISBN 0-07-140083-4, 2002. This is Danny's revised and updated edition. I loved the first one. He's outdone himself with this one. From the Foreword written by 103 year-old Ellie Newton to the intense content, this book is a winner from start to finish.

Welcome To The McDargh Clan

American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences
National Association of Rural Electric Coops
MPI Arizona
Central California Women's Conference
Adelphia Media Services
Invitrogen
Assistant Club Managers of America

Pass Along The Newsletter—FREE

A couple of clients posed this question to me: "Eileen, how can we get your newsletter in the hands of our employees and management team?"

Great question! Here's the answer. You can send out an e-mail blast, asking if they'd like to receive a BRIEF, practical yet fun e-newsletter four times a year. If they say yes, just have them go to http://www.eileenmcdargh.com and viola! Thanks for asking!

Subscription Management:

You can now manage your subscription to The Energizer on the web! Just e-mail us at eileen@eileenmcdargh.com and let us know what you need. All new subscriptions are by e-mail only.

MISSION STATEMENT

McDargh Enterprises—Energizing the Human Spirit since 1980

Our mission is to transform the life of work and the work of your life.

We work with and speak for organizations that want people to create meaningful relationships with all their stakeholders and to develop a resilient leadership capacity for living a life of balance, engagement, productivity, and meaning in a changing world. We value laughter, life-long learning, and leadership through service.

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Testimonials

"The reviews are just in from the Los Angeles County DPSS Manager's Conference and as you must already know, you provided a stimulating and thoughtful message to our managers. Your humor and passionate delivery engaged over 500 of our managers to take a fresh look at themselves and their jobs. We appreciate your helping to make our event a great success... actually the best ever is what many noted on their evaluations!"

- County of Los Angeles Department of Public Social Services