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Volume 1, Number 10 October 30, 2001
Publisher: GoalMinds, Inc.
E-mail::condrill@goalminds.com http://www.goalminds.com
Copyright 2001 Jo Condrill All rights reserved
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"I am of the opinion that my life belongs to the whole community, and as long as I live, it is my privilege to do for it whatever I can. I want to be thoroughly used up when I die, for the harder I work the more I live."
--George Bernard Shaw

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IN THIS ISSUE
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1. A Stroke of Luck--Kirk Douglas in Person
2. Toot Your Own Horn
3. 10 Ways to Say "Thank You"
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ANNOUNCING:
Amazon.com has selected our book, 101 Ways to Improve Your Communication Skills Instantly, for their new "Look Inside the Book" feature. They now allow readers to look at selected books' front and back covers, index, table of contents, and a few sample pages. Thank you, Amazon.com. Of course, you can still view pages and order the book from our web site, http://www.goalminds.com/products.htm

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1. A Stroke of Luck
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How long has it been since you've seen Kirk Douglas, the movie star, in person? When I saw him a few weeks ago, he was standing at the microphone in the Grill Room at Universal Studios accepting the Screen Actor's Guild/Harold Russell Award. Although his speech was slurred, he held the audience in the palm of his hand. "What good is an actor who cannot speak?" he asked and paused. "All he can do is wait for the return of silent movies," he answered. Mr. Douglas spoke of his despair after a stroke, his struggle to speak again, and then acceptance of his limited ability to speak. He shared with us his triumph over despair. His advice: Think of others. When you are steeped in despair, or feeling sorry for yourself, you can't think of anything but your own situation. Mr. Douglas is writing a book which he calls "A Stroke of Luck."

The occasion of Kirk Douglas' appearance was the Media Access Awards. (See photo by Fran Evinger at http://www.authorsden.com/jocondrill "Articles") The purpose of the awards is to recognize producers, directors, studios, and networks for the best realistic portrayal and employment of disabled persons. Ricardo Montalban presented the Ricardo Montalban Scholarship Award by videotape. It was the most emotional presentation of the evening because he related the presentation to his appreciation for the help he was given early in his career. I had participated in judging entries in several categories: commercials, live theater, documentaries, and full-length movies. It was a totally inspirational evening.

Back to Kirk Douglas' advice. If you're feeling a bit down after listening to newscasts, why not think of the firefighters and other rescue and recovery personnel working at the World Trade Center. Why not do as one e-mail note suggested, and send a greeting card to uplift their spirits?

Mail it to:
NYC Fire Department
1 Chase Manhattan Plaza
New York, NY 10005

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2. Toot Your Own Horn
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In her talk on branding yourself at the Network for Empowering Women Entrepreneurs (NEW Entrepreneurs) dinner, Jody Seidler, founder of The Single Parent Network, told the audience about one of her "aha" experiences. "Unless YOU recognize who you are and what you have, the world won't." When that thought sunk in, Jody's mission in life was clarified. She became more passionate about what she was proposing, and as a result tremendously more effective.

Are you branded "author"? Many people want to write a book. That desire is almost as universal as the American dream of owning your own home! Imagine the thrill of seeing a book on the public library shelf with your name on the spine of it. When I first saw mine it was almost as thrilling as the birth of my first child! Today it's easier than ever for the average person to write a book and get it printed. Many of us are unprepared for the next step, however, when we must market the book. Although publishers market books, authors play a vital role by speaking to the reading public. How important that they know their worth and the worth of their ideas!

The same is true no matter what your field of endeavor. How can you convey your ideas to another person and hope to win them to your way of thinking if you have not recognized and accepted the value of who you are and what you have to offer? Does Jody's "aha" have meaning for you?
If you need one of our "Do Not Disturb ~~~~Thinking" door knob hangers to buy yourself some extra thinking time, just ask! They're FREE. Email: Condrill@goalminds.com
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"The block of granite which was an obstacle in the pathway of the weak becomes a stepping stone in the pathway of the strong."
--Thomas Carlyle

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3. 10 Ways to Say Thank You
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Many expressions of thanks have been broadcast since September 11, 2001. We have discovered new heroes in our public servants: fire fighters, police, and postal personnel. Have you thanked the local heroes in your life lately? Here are some suggestions you may find helpful as you think of people at home, at work, and in the community:

1. Simply say "thank you" and tell the person specifically what it is you appreciate and why you appreciate it.

2. Send an e-mail note or an online greeting card for instance, http://www.bluemountain.com

3. Send a hand-written thank you note.

4. Place an unexpected phone call just to say "thank you."

5. Present a small certificate.

6. Give a single flower from your garden or flowerpot.

7. Put a candy bar or piece of fruit on their desk, with or without a note. (Be sure the person is not on vacation!)

8. Bake them some cookies. Especially effective when men do this!

9. Say something nice about someone when he or she can overhear you.

10. For special occasions, present a US flag that has flown over the Capitol. It is a unique, reasonably priced item which few people own. A certificate of authenticity is provided in honor of any special occasion you designate. Call your congressman's office and ask for it. Flags are available in cotton or nylon. If you don't have a local contact, call 202 224-3121 and ask for your congressman or congresswoman by name. When you reach this person's office, ask to purchase a flag. They'll know what to do!

From: A Millennium Primer: Take Charge of Your Life
http://www.goalminds.com/Primer.cfm

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