Leading Businesses to
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Christine's most popular articles include:

ORGANIZE OR AGONIZE

REPLACE FEAR WITH INTENSE COURAGE

WHO STOLE YOUR ENTHUSIASM AGAIN?

CLEAN OUT THE CLOSETS OF YOUR LIFE

DON'T MAJOR IN THE MINORS

You asked for it. You've got it. Those are just some of the topics you will receive if you sign up to receive Monday Morning Motivation.

Many of you have requested an expanded version of the Motivational Clip that appears in the third section of my monthly publication, Corelli's Clips. I am honored. How gratifying to know one's work is appreciated.

Here is the result: Monday Morning Motivation. Its intent is to give you the little boost you may need to help you maintain a positive attitude, keep things in proper perspective, and find more meaning and purpose in your life. It will also include few tips on critical skills for today's new world. You will receive it every Monday, other than the week we put out "Corelli's Clips."

I am especially honored that so many of you forwarded the first few issues it to others and send positive remarks on its content back to me. New visitors, here's a sampling of what you will receive.

Organize or Agonize

We all have too much to do, too little time. That's our constant challenge. The solution? Get organized. The alternative? To agonize over the fact that we can never get all of our work done and never seem to have time for ourselves. There's a real fear the harried will soon be buried. Sound familiar? What to do?

Organize, your mind, your work and your life.

Organize your mind:
Write things down the moment you think of them. When you feel overwhelmed, imagine a big project finished. When things get tough, do what top performers and even the most sophisticated executives do-use positive self-talk- "I can handle this." Make these habits. They work.

Organize your work:
Prioritize. Don't do a few things when you get to work, just to feel you got something done. Do the most important thing first. Also, make an appointment with yourself to work on important projects. Write deadlines down in red ink on your calendar or Outlook. And don't let a day go by without finding twenty minutes to coach individuals and teams.

Organize your life:
Strive to achieve balance in your business and personal life. Block out time for family, fun, spirituality and taking care of yourself. Balance working with playing. Balance giving with receiving. Balance taking care of others with taking care of yourself. This is no easy task, and can be like a tightrope act. Never assume that you can achieve perfect balance, or you will be frustrated constantly. Most days you may only find twenty minutes for these activities. Spend twenty minutes sitting on the floor with your kids and night and playing and talking to them. Spend twenty minutes reading or taking a hot bath. Spend twenty minutes fast-walking. Spend twenty minutes tapping into the spiritual side of your life. For some, that means praying. For others, it means meditating, or appreciating nature.

Make it a habit to do your best to keep your life in balance, so that you can feel more well rounded and find more enjoyment in life. Make a commitment to yourself to develop good habits so you can find more balance in your life. (Readers received Time Management Tips.)

Replace Fear With Intense Courage

Each and every day, I talk with executives, managers and business professionals who tell me how bad business is, and/or how tough their job is. While there are some who tell me business is picking up or that business is great, the majority of us are experiencing some tough realities these days. And the future remains uncertain.

This holds especially true for those who are worried about losing their job or those who have lost theirs months ago and are still without employment.

Today, we are all faced with challenges and each of us responds differently. Some people buckle under the pressure while others strive on. Some get stronger, while others give up. Some people learn while others point their finger elsewhere as the cause of their misfortune. Some people take responsibility for their future while others see themselves as victims. Some people whine while others get on with it. Some people keep making cold calls and work harder at developing strong business relationships while others say, "What's the sense of calling? No one's ordering?"

We all have it tough these days, but you cannot lose your enthusiasm for your job and your life. Nor can you lose courage.

Mentally take your fear and place it outside your window. Stare at it with great intensity. Then, be more fierce than fear itself. You can then replace fear with intense courage and become charged with power and enthusiasm.

How's your level of enthusiasm these days? Do you even remember what it is? Merriam-Webster defines it as follows: a strong excitement of feeling : a enthusiasm. b : something inspiring zeal or fervor. I wrote an article on it a while ago. To my delight, I received a multitude of requests to publish. (It's gratifying to know one's work is appreciated.) I'm sending it to you today just in case you haven't read it, or you need little refresher.

Who Stole Your Enthusiasm?

No. That is not a rhetorical question, not really. But you may be one of many people who are having difficulty in experiencing any enthusiasm lately. This is quite understandable, and is directly related to the trials of living and working in today's high-pressure working environment and challenging economic situation.

Chrysler said it right.
With far too many people worried about their future and seeing the glass as half-empty, not half-full, it's no wonder so few are enthusiastic about anything. What to do? You cannot always control what happens around you, but you can learn from the wise. I believe Walter Chrysler said it best: "The real secret of success is enthusiasm. Enthusiasts are fighters. They have fortitude. They have staying qualities. Enthusiasm is the bottom of all progress.... article then continues.

Clean Out the Closets of Your Life

Dwelling on what was, what should have been, bad experiences, sadness, dysfunctional childhoods, or any such disappointments of the past drain your energy. They also keep you from functioning effectively today, and enjoying your work and your life.

Look deep inside yourself. Where or whom do you need to "let go?" Take a mental broom, clean out the closets of your life, and move on!

Forgive someone. Forgive several people. Life isn't perfect. People aren't perfect. When you do, you'll feel an enormous sense of relief.

Forget mistakes and failures, but learn from them. Celebrate every little success and accomplishment. Celebrate YOU and who you are. Celebrate friendships. Celebrate whatever good you have in your life now.

Weed your garden.
Once you've gone through that process, weed your garden. Eliminate spending time or associating with people who have their closets stuffed with old baggage and can't let go. You know who they are- the moaners, groaners, gripers, snipers, negaholics, gossips, nit-pickers, backstabbers and any other such types who drain your energy. If you work with any one like this, tune them out. Be far too strong to let them get to you. If you have one one your team and you are their boss, confront them and let them know how they are affecting you and their team. )And if you have anyone like that on your team, I doubt if they provide great service.) If you are married to one, see a counselor.

Stay focused on the present.
The week stands before you, like a chapter in a book, waiting to be written. Make a decision to make a clean sweep in the closets of your life and about your week with peace of mind, and a lighter feeling.

As you go about your week, go with great strength, harmony with others, and always...integrity.

Christine