First edition - Spring 2000

EXECUTIVE UPDATE NEWSLETTER
A Lifetime Valentine

Here's an idea for creative and guilt-free goal setting for any time you reflect on your life. This is rewarding to do for yourself or you can also enjoy this with a spouse, family member, friend or colleague.

1. Get unlined paper and pencils, pens, crayons or paints.
2. Set a timer for 20 minutes. Turn the timer away from you so you can stop checking the clock and get "lost" in time.
3. Challenge yourself to create images on your page that represent your goals/dreams/visions for the coming year.

Some people make one coherent picture, some scatter stick figures and icons across the page surrounding the date in the center of the page, some write music or diagram dances. Let your mind and hands play with the materials and with the ideas. If you want more time, take more time. Your goal is to capture some impressions of your view of the coming year. This is not about ART, but about ideas.

You might want to consider many areas of life: health, career, community, family, finance, spirit, self. You might use a very few words, but avoid just writing goals. You might entertain yourself coming up with icons symbolizing all your goals. (Do palm trees and sunrises appear in your visions? Does work take up more than half the page, or show up at all? Did the shoe you drew for walking and exercise look bigger than the heart representing family?)

Once you feel comfortable with your sketch, here are some things you may want to do:

• Share it with a spouse, friend, family member or colleague.
• Imagine a mental health professional checking out this drawing for signs of definite stress or abundant delusions.
• Consider what actions you may want to take to support these dreams.
• Imagine that a favorite person in your life showed you this page as their year. How would you help, encourage or support them? Is there anyone who would like to do this for you?
• Post this drawing somewhere you will see it occasionally during the coming year. Or put it in an envelope and seal it till next New Years. Open it after you've done the drawing for 200l. How close did you come to your dreams? NOTE: There is no need to do this only at New Years. You could start your year with yourself on your birthday, anniversary, Valentine's Day, back-to- school day or 4th of July.

BOOKS & RESOURCES YOU MIGHT ENJOY:

WHY IS EVERYONE SO CRANKY by Leslie Charles
Visit the site: Whyiseveryonesocranky.com

Boost your emotional immune system and respond positively to the ten trends that are creating an anger epidemic in America. Like Faith Popcorn in defining issues and like Steven Covey in offering practical solutions, this book can rescue your sanity or perhaps even your safety. The "cranky quizzes" are fun to take and provide interesting insights and communication opportunities with others. This book is great for staff development sessions or for enjoying on your own.

ONCE UPON A CARPET by Kathleen Bashian
Visit the site: www.culturalcon.com

This is a mellow, magical art book with sumptuous illustrations and novel aesthetic insights into cherished oriental rugs. Dr. Bashian takes us to many places these rugs appear in art, history and mystery. We go to diplomatic spaces, sacred spaces, domestic spaces, exotic spaces and even unexpected spaces. The committed collector, experienced connoisseur or total neophyte can fall in love with the untold charm, mystery and beauty celebrated here.

SINCE STRANGLING IS NOT AN OPTION by Sandra Crowe
Visit the site: www.pivpoint.com

Explore powerful and positive options for dealing with difficult people delivered by an expert in relationships. She helps you recognize why dealing with difficult people doesn't have to ruin your day. These tips also help you guard against becoming a difficult person yourself!

1001 WAYS TO BE ROMANTIC by Greg Godek
Visit the site: www.1001waystoberomantic.com

This newest update of a popular classic offers creative, loving and lively options to kindle romance and add spark to relationships. Includes wonderful ideas on very personalized gifts and attentions that would be enjoyed by anyone you know, in addition to your special someone. Take a total break from ambition and aggression and bathe yourself in indulgent personal luxury.

THE HUMOR CONFERENCE
April 14-16, 2000 Saratoga Springs, NY
Visit the site - www.HumorProject.com

Check out the previews of the upcoming humor conference, where celebrities, luminaries, authors and academics lead sessions on topics from humor and healing to humor in the board room to the lighter side of stress. I'll be doing a special session at the April event based on my forthcoming book. And Sam Horn is a frequent and popular presenter who will be back again.

EXECUTIVE UPDATE NEWSLETTER offers new observations and ideas regularly. Come visit again!