EILEEN MCDARGH'S
Resiliency Report
Published monthly and when the mood strikes.
Update from Eileen
A pox on productivity. Down with sleep deprivation. Celebrate silence. Court simplicity.
It’s not wishful thinking but rather a call for all of us to stop, look and listen. I’m watching colleagues and clients frantically trying to close out the year with one more sale, one more product, and one more trip on airlines that are now overcrowded and under-serviced.
Couple that with a flood of horrid news that ranges from a first-ever Category 5 storm in Mexico to the violence raging in the Middle East, to the dysfunction permeating our government and it’s enough to think we’re living in “the twilight zone”.
Stop. Look. Listen. Where exactly is our point of control? Our sphere of influence? If it is correct that we must be the change we wish to see, then where can we practice kindness, compassion, and understanding? When might my speech be words of love and not anger?
Stop. Look. Listen. Socrates said, “Beware the barrenness of a busy life.” What price do we pay for non-stop productivity? For not taking time to breathe, to walk in nature, to play with children? (You’ll see two “must-read” books that can help with this year-end craziness.)
Stop. Just be still. What matters most at this moment? In this NOW?
Look. See the sunset? Are the trees changing color? The birds at the feeder? Your best beloved?
Listen. Can you hear your breath? The gurgle of the water fountain? The calls of children at play? The murmurs of loved ones.
That’s what matters. NOW.
And To Amaze All Your Holiday Guests… Ask How Many Knew?
The driest place on earth? The valleys of the Antarctic near Ross Island. There’s been no rainfall there for two million years!
Spain literally means “the land of rabbits”.
The deepest hole ever drilled by man is the Kola Superdeep Borehole in Russia. It reached a depth of 7.62 miles and was done for scientific research. It was abandoned in 1992, and reportedly stopped when temperatures at the bottom of the hole reached 356 degrees F. (Also, at the time of the Collapse of the Soviet Union.)
The highest waterfall in the world? Angel Falls in Venezuela! It’s 15 times higher than Niagara Falls.
Mental Health and Well-being: The Dynamic Duo for November
November 2023
Lessons from a Wildlife Refuge
At first, it looked like we were in for a long, boring drive. Interstate 80 north from Reno stretched into one long asphalt road with nothing but grassland and cows. Cows and more cows. Flat upon flat. The last town was Winnemucca, Nevada, recognized for the tribe of western Shoshone and Northern Paiute Indians.
How wrong I was. We discovered a protected oasis in Oregon’s high desert, the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. The Refuge is famous for its tremendous diversity and spectacular concentrations of wildlife. With more than 340 bird species and 67 mammal species, Malheur is a mecca for birdwatchers and wildlife enthusiasts.
Laugh out loud (otherwise you will snort)!
“I don’t mind going back to daylight saving time. With inflation, the hour will be the only thing I have saved all year,” Victor Borge
I went to school to become a wit, but only got halfway through.
The only time the world beats a path to your door is if you're in the bathroom.
“Bigamy is having one wife too many. Monogamy is the same.” Oscar Wilde
“Why is it that when we talk to God we're said to be praying, but when God talks to us we're schizophrenic.” Lily Tomlin
"The doctors X-rayed my head and found nothing." Dizzy Dean explains how he felt after being hit on the head by a ball in the 1934 World Series.
Must Read Book
Love this book, a gift from my long-time friend and ever-prolific author, Dr. Beverly Kaye. When Bev and I take our beach walks, we’re always discussing our work challenges. This book helped us toss much away. After five years of searching for the secret to productivity, Madeleine Dore discovered there isn’t one. Instead, we’re being set up to fail. I Didn’t Do the Thing Today is the inspiring call to take productivity off its pedestal—by dismantling our comparison to others, aspirational routines, and unrealistic notions of what can be done in a day, we can finally embrace the joyful messiness and unpredictability of life.
Another Must Read Book
Recovery: The Lost Art of Convalescence by Dr. Gavin Francis, MD
Dr. Gavin Francis, MD does the unthinkable: he prescribes various ways our bodies must REST by giving people permission to take time away from other obligations to recover to the best of their abilities. I was fascinated by his chapter on travel that proposed going away–having a change—can be as good as rest. However, there is no one-size-fits-all in medicine so give time, space, and respect to what your body needs. We want to get better FAST and get “back to work”. Dr. Francis contends that healing is more than a prescription. He chooses pets over Prozac☺. A fascinating read.
It’s That Time Again!!!
Global Gurus will be tabulating the 2024 rankings for the top 30 Global Gurus Communication in December 2023.
I would so appreciate (and be honored) if you would please vote for me and—if you can—spread the word. You can only vote once and so every vote helps. I have been in the top five for a number of years… and your vote, I am sure, put me there.
Voting will end on 20th December 2023, and I’ll be informed as to the new ranking by 15th January 2024.
MANY, MANY THANKS!!!!!!
About Eileen
If you are looking for a unique keynote speaker in resiliency, a facilitator for executive retreats, a speech coach or an emcee/moderator, then you want to work with Eileen McDargh, CSP, CPAE. Eileen has spoken for audiences as large as 15,000 and facilitated groups as small as 18! She is the author of seven books and other products that you can find in her online store. The British Research firm of Global Gurus ranked her #4 among the top 30 communication gurus worldwide. Why not hire Eileen for your next event?
Ranked 3rd!
This is the 6th year in a row that I have been ranked in the top 5 in communication. Global Gurus surveys some 26,000 business professionals to determine rankings plus professionals also vote.
Yahoo!
Thank You!
