Bridges Edition of 6/16/2004

Welcome to Bridges, a monthly newsletter published by Robin Fogel, Career & Business Coach. My goal is that this newsletter be filled with practical information that you can use in your work and in your life. If you would like to know more about coaching, please email me at robin@coachrobinfogel.com and/or visit my website www.coachrobinfogel.com.

In a few short days it will be summer...my favorite season. It must have something to do with growing up at the shore, being born in August and loving Jersey tomatoes. For many though, the month of June can be as busy as December, with end of school activities, graduations, weddings, and even the end of the fiscal year for some. So, while there is a lot to be said for the slower pace of summer, a total loss of momentum during those summer months can make for a long fall. As you look ahead to summer, deliberate on how you want to use the coming months, and by all means schedule time for fun.

SUMMERTIME MARKETING

For years, many businesses and self-employed professionals have questioned the wisdom of marketing during the summer months. It's a waste of time, everyone takes vacation, is a typical response. Yet realistically, most people don't vacation for the whole summer. They may take a 2-week vacation, enjoy longer weekends, or even work fewer hours. But, that still leaves a lot of summer and this may be the perfect time to capture someone's attention.

What is the one thing you can do to advance your business, practice or career this summer? Here are a few suggestions:

- Let your clients know how thankful you are for their business
- Write a targeted letter introducing yourself to new clients
- Start or update your website
- Network- find time for that cup of coffee or lunch

The same logic applies to those in career transition - summer months may offer a more receptive audience than busier times of the year.

Finally, use that slower pace to reflect on where you want your business or career to be in six months and actually enjoy the summer!

HAPPINESS

I've been following the writings of Dr. Martin Seligman for a number of years. A professor of psychology at the University of Pennsylvania and former president of the American Psychological Association, he is the author of the national bestseller, Learned Optimism. Now he has written a new book, Authentic Happiness. Drawing on groundbreaking research, Seligman writes about the new field of positive psychology and how happiness can be cultivated by identifying and using many of the traits and strengths we already possess, including kindness, originality, humor, optimism and generosity. He cites one fascinating study done with a group of nuns on positive emotions and longevity. It was discovered that 90 percent of the most cheerful nuns were alive at age eighty-five compared to 34 percent of the least cheerful. By age 94, 54 percent of the most cheerful group were still alive versus 11 percent of the least cheerful. Unlike earlier pop-psychology or self-improvement books, Seligman's work is particularly interesting because it is scientifically based. Many will find the lessons in Authentic Happiness life changing.

TIME TAMERS

If you wonder where your time goes and are overwhelmed by all you have to do, if you are free at 12 noon on Wednesday, June 23rd, consider joining a telephone based program I'll be leading for Impacting Women. The program is Time Tamers and if you are looking for ways to make the best use of your precious 24 hours, log on to Impacting Women and sign up for Time Tamers.

www.myaffiliateprogram.com/u/impact/b.asp?id=1017

HAVE A HAPPY SUMMER!

COPYRIGHT: 2004, Robin Fogel & Assoc., LLC. All Rights Reserved. May be distributed and reprinted in its entirety with copyright, subscription instructions, and contact information intact. However, you may not copy it to a website.