It’s Monday, it’s raining outside, and the economic forecast hasn’t really brightened since Friday, but that doesn’t give us a free pass to curl up on the couch and retreat from the world.  On the contrary, now is the time to seek motivation where we can find it — it’s the time to discover our strengths and pursue our passions. How else can we ensure a brighter tomorrow?

Here are three approaches that can inspire a more positive, productive mindset:

LEARN SOMETHING NEW

Stimulating your brain power and looking for ways to improve are surefire keys to start moving in a positive direction.  You will have an opportunity to know something that others may not, enhancing your expertise in a particular area.  Here’s an example: I recently entered an award-winning PR project into a statewide competition. It did not win, and the judges’ report indicated that even though it achieved stellar results for the client, it was rejected for being in pdf format instead of html. Yes I was disappointed, and no, I did not understand why the format disqualified the project, but I can’t let it deter me. Instead, I am going to learn why html is preferred over pdf.  And if it turns out that the change will benefit the client, I will do it immediately…all part of the quest for continuous improvement (thank you, Dr. Deming!).

TAP INTO YOUR SUPPORT SYSTEM

When your self image can use a little boost, doesn’t it make sense to be around the people who make you feel good about yourself?  Family, friends, a favorite client…a few words reminding you of something great you accomplished can erase that negative vibe or uncomfortable situation at work. Last week, I let a colleague who is having personal issues know that I am available to her if she needs a sounding board — she was so grateful for those few kind words. Sometimes we just need to know there’s someone on our side.

SEEK OUT YOUR GURUS

Inspiration comes from many places, and you may be surprised at what voices can trigger a turnaround in your attitude.  Attending a professional conference may provide you with new ideas and a burst of motivation that can get you right back on track.  A vigorous personal training session or an encounter with your yoga instructor can elevate your mood.  

Even an extraordinary book or an invigorating speech may reignite the spark you were afraid went out.  The key is to be open to the possibilities and to listen for the words that might improve your outlook.

So here’s to a brighter tomorrow….contact me if I can help!

Working from our vacation home in the mountains of North Carolina has its pros and cons.  For one thing, by creating an advance to-do list of projects that require some thought and concentration, I usually head up here with specific things to accomplish and end up getting a lot more done than I anticipated.  Still, the spotty internet connection (and sometimes no service at all!) spurs intense anxiety attacks about what I am missing, unanswered emails and yes, even unviewed Facebook updates.

For this trip I decided since my Sprint aircard is mostly unreliable up here that I would try Verizon’s version — to no avail.  Same intermittent connection that throws me off every 15 minutes until it cuts out entirely…perhaps we should have considered a beach house for our getaways?

Today, after my initial hair pulling, hand wringing fit, I decided to take a more positive approach.  Surprisingly, I felt much better and discovered five ways to make the most of the time “unplugged.”

1. TIME TO THINK

Aaaah….with the surrounding quiet except for the patter of raindrops, I actually took some time to think about my next writing project — how would I approach it, how I could make it different, what angle I could take.  My focus definitely improved with this single-minded effort.

2. TIME TO WRITE

Next, I was able to write an advertorial piece straight through — no stopping to check email because there weren’t any coming in! I was able to finish surprisingly quickly with little editing needed, probably because I was not trying to do several things at once.

3. TIME TO FINISH A CONVERSATION

When I completed the advertorial I actually maintained my side of a short conversation with my husband without once sneaking a peek at my inbox — that way I fully comprehended what he was saying and was able to answer intelligently.  (Not be be misunderstood: I do actually uphold my side of personal conversations — just not during business hours!)

4. TIME TO TAKE A WALK

Before moving on to a new project, since the connection was still not working, I took a short walk outside, breathed some fresh mountain air, watched two deer walking the path behind our property and then came in from the rain.  Quite refreshing and good to take a little break!

5. TIME TO FEEL HAPPY ABOUT BEING RECONNECTED

While all that was good for a time, a hint of anxiety started to creep back in when I realized I could not finish my next project without some internet research. Packed up my bags and headed a mile away to my aunt’s house where for some reason I can always get a connection.  Aaaaah….sweet relief, and happiness to be back up and running! Looking forward to doing it all again tomorrow!

To learn more, please visit me and my firm at www.pkecreative.com

Also called Halotherapy (halos means salt in Greek), this natural treatment which is well-known and documented in Europe, takes place in a dry, sterile environment that recreates a natural microclimate identical to ancient salt caves and salt mines.  People who have turned to this natural solution have reported positive results. Very popular in Europe, Andrea says there are only three salt caves in the U.S. at this time.

Located on busy US 41 in North Naples, FL, once inside visitors enter a “cave” — a soothing, quiet environment created by Andrea, her sister and her husband.  Before opening, they imported and installed 20 tons of Himalayan dry rock salt. (Keep in mind this is very different from table salt which is nothing more than sodium chloride with additives.)

With our area’s only salt generator, the aerosolized microparticles are released, penetrating deep into the lungs, fighting pollutants and destroying bacteria.  The results?

People who undergo salt therapy have experienced improvement in ailments such as:

Asthma

Bronchitis

Pneumonia

Sinusitis

Hay Fever

Arthritis

Allergies

Smoker’s Cough

Stress & Exhaustion

Psoriasis and Eczema

The whole ambience and experience can make you feel better and breathe easier as soon as you walk in.  Special salt lamps and gemstone jewelry adorn the comfortable waiting area, and meeting Andrea is a special experience in itself.  She has in-depth knowledge of Halotherapy and is committed to helping others find natural alternatives to return to good health. Her concern is sincere and I am eager to know her better.

I am excited to get started on sharing more and writing about news and results from the Salt Cave, a very unique and fascinating holistic approach.

Check back for updates as we move forward or for more information on PR Solutions, visit me at www.pkecreative.com

Last year I had a call from Marie Mosley, APR who had moved to Fort Myers from Jacksonville a few years ago and was interested in membership in the local chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association.  As vice president of member relations, I provided her with info and then we started talking….she was looking for part time employment in the PR field and wanted more than just freelance work.  The rest is history…Since last February, Marie has worked for PKE Marketing & PR Solutions as an all around PR professional — she is a talented writer, an awesome interviewer and very skilled in media relations.

With a bachelor’s in communications, Marie graduated from the University of North Florida in Jacksonville and has more than 15 years experience, 12 of them in the U.S. Navy’s office of public affairs as a speech writer for the Admiral’s staff.

While it has always been difficult for me to delegate, I am now so grateful for Marie’s expertise and her ability to grab hold of a project and see it through to a successful finish.  She has added a new dimension to PKE and I am so glad she is on board.

Our firm is also involved in several non-profit efforts, and Marie has been just as community minded,  jumping right in to projects for Children’s Home Society and Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

Besides her great work ethic, Marie manages to be an extremely involved Mom — she makes time to chaperone school trips, is involved with homework and uses every possible opportunity as a “teachable moment” for her kids.  As a result, they are a couple of funny, respectful and engaging children who are well behaved yet know how to express themselves.

When she’s not working, taking care of the kids or having date night with her husband Harold, Marie enjoys scrapbooking, traveling and playing bunko with her girlfriends.

As we grow PKE together, I look forward to continuing to develop my skills as an employer who provides my employees with opportunities for creativity and advancement.  The better we are, the better it will be for our clients and our profession.

To learn more about Marie, visit PKECreative.com.