Update From Eileen

As I write this, my suitcase sits on the luggage rack and the distant foothills behind the city of Santa Rosa look mottled from the hotel window. This afternoon is the last presentation of a four-city trip for audiences who ranged from global market researchers to eager entrepreneurs. The topics have also ranged from Work/Life Balance to Resiliency. Today's group strikes the closest to home: California Assisted Living Association.

The "closeness" has little to do with the fact that I am now back in my home state. Instead, it's coming to grips with the reality of caring for an aging parent. I am remarkably unsuited for that task and tremendously uneducated. And I am not alone! According to U.S. Department of Labor estimates, some 54% of us will be caring for an older adult by 2008. It might be a friend, a spouse or a relative and—inevitably—we too will be the elder in need of help.

When I talk to my friends and business colleagues, many of us are sharing the same dilemma: what steps do we take, how do we help, what is this confusing continuum of care? We're all so busy that even finding time to do the research is a daunting task. It's made harder by the fact that we also want to honor their wishes within the realities of safety, security, and finances.

Here's one of the things I've learned: Assisted Living refers to a "special combination of housing, personalized support services and health-related care to help individuals who require assistance with the activities of daily living." It's a non-institutional setting that promotes maximum independence and dignity for each resident and encourages family and community involvement. I've explored all manner of these communities in preparation for this speech and—regardless of location or fee structure—I've been encouraged by what I have observed. And there's so much more to know.

Just as the season of summer brings about longer days, medical advances and technology have brought about longer life spans. Educating ourselves about aging and alternatives in care will stockpile options for helping our elders as well as ourselves. And we must share what we learn. My friend, Dick Johnson, passed along a book he found helpful. How to Care for Aging Parents by Virginia Morris is indeed a great primer. Throw in Mary Pipher's book, Another Country, and you'll discover insights on charting the emotional terrain of our elders.

Let me know what you learn and I'll pass your wisdom along—either in this newsletter or in my Plain Talk Blog. (www.eileenmcdargh.com/blog) In the meantime: barbecue, swim, travel, stargaze, sleep, hike, and above all laugh. There will never be another Summer 2006.

"You are the same today as you'll be in five years except for two things, the people you meet and the books you read!" -Charlie "Tremendous" Jones

"Mompreneurs" Experience Unique Challenges

Summer Funnies

Beauty is in the eye of the beer holder.

I'm not a complete idiot—some parts are missing.

Wouldn't it be nice if whenever we messed up our life we could simply press 'Ctrl Alt Delete' and start all over?

Brain cells come and brain cells go, but fat cells live forever.

Lemon Cake Energizes Relationships

In the scheme of culinary talent, I cook a little better than average. The operative word is "cook". I cook killer soups: soups that vary in ingredients and size; soups that range from stick-to-the-ribs to light-and-fancy; soups that contain whatever leftovers haunt the Tupperware containers.

But baking? That's another matter. Personally, I have this aversion to following recipes. Maybe that's why I like soups. Broth is pretty forgiving about whatever you add to it. But baking—there's the rub. Fail to follow directions and angel food cake tastes like the devil. Brownies turn into blackies. And lemon chiffon pie tastes like Chiffon dish detergent.

All this makes my lemon cake nothing short of a miracle. I don't follow the recipe (natch!) and the result is a tangy confection that can be frozen and sliced into delicate pieces of pure delight. It has become my signature dessert for guests and a gift I send to friends, to colleagues, and to clients.

Besides its mouthwatering sweet/sour deliciousness, folks seem just blown away by the fact that I took the time in this too time-intense world to bake them a cake. I realize the power of the old Pillsbury ad: "Nothing says lov'n like something from the oven…." Lemon cake has become the metaphor that connects our relationship.

You, too, have your own version of lemon cake. What time will you spend to connect with someone who is important to you?

"We must learn to love each other or die. The choice is between non-violence or non-existence."

—Martin Luther King

Feminine Factoid

Women between 55 and 64 are the fastest growing segment of new entrepreneurs, up 33 percent since 2000. Why?? According to Nell Merlino, CEO, Count Me IN (http://www.countmein.org) and the creative genius behind the Make Mine A $Million Business Program, over-forty women know the corporate game and have honed specialized skills. They're tired of waiting for an organization to appreciate what they know and to move them forward. They're bailing out to chart their own course. That's something to consider if you want to keep these talented women in your employment pool.

What Helps Jet Blue Soar?

I have been flying Jet Blue to Ft. Lauderdale and Boston. Nothing like a non-stop from Long Beach to the East Coast. While they're struggling now with the next level of growth, I'm still impressed by this upstart airline that makes passengers happy and competitors wary. David Neeleman, CEO and Founder, claims that equality and fairness are at the heart of making customers and employees happy. Here are four of his concepts:

• Get rid of vast inequities of privilege (have more leg room for people in the back of the plane who have to wait).
• Establish one class of service and give people choices. It's not just peanuts but a variety of snack options. It's not one video but individualized TV sets for everyone.
• Make sure the CEO works beside the crew. No privileged parking here.

Set up a crisis fund that goes beyond standard corporate health benefits. Donations are voluntary.

Must Read Books

Get Inspired to Retire, David Saylor and Greg Heffington ( Dearborn, 2006). Greg and I met on an airplane a number of years ago. He's a vice president of Van Kampen Investments and a talented speaker on retirement and investment options. We hit it off immediately and have stayed in touch. Now I am thrilled to urge any one even thinking about retirement to get this book. It's a marvelous collection of over 150 ideas and tools to help make the "retirement" phase of life one of personal meaning and value. Color photos throughout, too. Consider this a travel guide for the next part of your life.

Pillars of Success, Pat Bender (Insight Publishing, 2006). Pat and Bob Bender have perfected a method to help leaders and teams achieve great results. It's no secret that success is something everyone wants. The process can be a mystery and Pillars Of Success is a book all about revealing success secrets of several of the most powerful people in business today. Contributing author Pat Bender has an Awareness Is Power® process. "The more aware you are, the more aware you'll become," she says. You will learn what Pat says are three important things leaders and successful people have in common. SPECIAL TO MY READERS: drop an e-mail to Pat@awarenessispower.com and tell her you want the book. She's offering a special discount to readers of THE ENERGIZER.

Steal These Ideas And Win Employees

RBF, an engineering firm in Orange County, CA pays 100% of the health insurance premiums for employees and reimburses the full cost of tuition for anyone who continues their education. Fun is also the byword with company-sponsored sporting events, monthly barbecues, and half-day Fridays all summer long. In a competitive industry where talent is a premium, 144 employees have been with RBF for at least 10 years and 86 have been there for at least 15 years.

Mission Statement

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.

Welcome to the McDargh Clan

Arbonne International

California Assisted Living

P&G—Consumer and Market Knowledge

American Payroll Assoc.