During Difficult Times Remember Your Mentors by Madeline Frank, Ph.D.

On your journey through life you will have many mentors, coaches, and teachers to guide you on your journey. You do not do it alone! As Coach John Wooden said, "It takes 10 hands to make a basket."

How do you thank them?

When I was a student at the Juilliard School in NYC, I lived at the Coliseum House on West 71street. I met many students, musicians, and professionals. 

At the Coliseum House, I met another student from the Juilliard School, Liz (Elizabeth), Hubley from Canada, a wonderfully talented violinist and Concertmaster of the 92^nd Y Workshop Orchestra. Liz and I played in a string trio with a cellist friend. She was an inspiring confident mentor leading and modeling the way for the musicians she worked with.

Liz invited me to audition for Maurice Levine, Conductor of the orchestra as there was an opening for Principal viola. I auditioned and won the job. Maurice Levine was an inspiring and motivating conductor with a clear beat and boundless energy to impart the composers’ wishes. He taught us the classic orchestra literature and Broadway theater music. He brought in singers for rehearsals and concerts like Eartha Kitt. He also had his principal players play solos /concertos with the orchestra. I played the Bloch Suite for viola and orchestra one year, and the next year the Walton Viola Concerto for viola and orchestra.

Rehearsals for the 92^nd Y Orchestra:

For regular rehearsals each week, our principal bassoonist, Haskell Edelstein, lawyer, tax expert, Banker at V.P. at Citi Bank, would pick up several musicians by car for the early rehearsal at the 92^nd Y Orchestra. Haskell was a marvelous bassoonist. He played with a lovely sound and beautiful musical phrasing on his bassoon solos inspiring those around him with a smile and leading the way for us to do our best work. When I played the Walton Viola Concerto with the 92^nd Y Orchestra, I remember Haskell’s beautiful bassoon solos. It was like we were playing a lovely duet in the middle of the Walton Viola Concerto. Haskell encouraged, inspired, and motivated the musician around him to do our best. He and his wife became close friends with me and later my husband Allan. We often went out to dinner. When I played my debut in London he and his wife attended the concert in London. We were life long friends and Haskell Edelstein left a legacy of encouraging, motivating, and inspiring others to do their best and pass it on to the next generation!

Playing Solo with the 92^nd Y Orchestra:

Conductor Maurice Levine would arrive by taxi, to pick me up for rehearsal when I was playing a solo with his 92^nd Y Orchestra and on the way to orchestra rehearsal he had me sing my viola solo as he conducted from the orchestral score.  By the time we reached the 92^nd Y between 91^st-92^nd street on Lexington Avenue, we had rehearsed all three movements of the Walton Concerto. Conductor Levine had marked all the tempos to be ready for rehearsal with his orchestra. When we arrived at the orchestra rehearsal, Conductor Levine began working patiently teaching the concerto to the orchestra as I played the solo part with them.

Mr. William Lincer, my viola teacher at the Juilliard School, was the principal violist of the New York Philharmonic and the former principal violist of the Cleveland Symphony Orchestra. One summer, he sent me to Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana, on scholarship to study with Mr. Leonard Davis.

Mr. Davis was Mr. Lincer’s stand partner and assistant principal of the NY Philharmonic at the time.  (Mr. Davis would later be Principal of the New York Philharmonic. Both Mr. Lincer and Mr. Davis were graduates of the Juilliard School.) That summer we worked on solo viola literature and chamber music. Mr. Davis was an inspiring, encouraging, and motivating teacher and coach who had you playing at your highest level of accomplishment. He also coached my chamber music group on Schubert’s Trout Quintet. After that summer I continued to work with Mr. Davis for several summers on orchestral excerpts. Our Indiana University Orchestra was led by conductor Robert Shaw (Robert Shaw Chorale ,Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Chorus & Cleveland Orchestra and Chorus) and conductor Jose Serebrier. It was a magnificent experience. 

Another neighbor and friend I met at the Coliseum House, was David Roseman from California. He was an amazing mathematician, teacher, and talented violinist. David was an inspiring and motivating mentor to other musicians. He believed in others abilities before they believed in themselves and encouraged them to take that next step! He said, “you should call Irving Spice, a marvelous concert violinist, and audition for his Irving Spice Orchestra. After auditioning for Irving Spice, I worked for him for over 5 years. Irving was an inspiring, motivating, and encouraging leader who always inspired us to play our best as a chamber group. It was all about teamwork working together. It was a magnificent experience playing with Irving and his amazing musicians. We played the background for commercial films like IBM, Zina jeans, and played the background music for pop music recordings.  I will always be grateful for Irving for hiring me and giving me the opportunity to play with his amazing musicians.

Irving Spice introduced me to Paul Winter, a concert violinist, and teacher, Juilliard graduate who had studied with Dounis.   He was the youngest member of the NBC Symphony Orchestra under Toscanini, and later was concertmaster of NBC Orchestra. When I met Paul Winter he was a concert master playing freelance work in New York City and teaching. I studied with Paul learning the Dounis method of playing on my viola. Also, I had the marvelous experience of playing a few musical jobs with Paul as the leader and concertmaster. He was an inspiring, motivating, and encouraging teacher and modeled as a leader helping you reach your full potential. 

Loren Glickman “is one of America's foremost bassoon soloists, one of the founding artists of the prestigious Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center”, composer/arranger, author, and teacher. He is the “director of the Glickman-Popkin Bassoon Camp” and has taught at “The Juilliard School, Queens College, Montclair State University and the Canadian National Youth Orchestra.” He also put together chamber music groups and orchestras with talented musicians at Lincoln Center as a contractor for many years encouraging and inspiring musicians  to play at their top level.  I will always be grateful for Mr. Glickman hiring me and giving me the opportunity to play my viola and work with many fine orchestras, musicians, conductors, and dancers at the Metropolitan Opera’s summer ballet concerts. A few of these groups were the Martha Graham Ballet, La Scala, Bolshoi Ballet, Kirov Ballet, London Royal Ballet, Netherlands Dance Theater, and many others for over 12 years. The conductors, musicians, and dancers were the finest in the world and I am grateful to have had the privilege to work with them. Thank you, Loren Glickman!

On your journey through life, your mentors, teachers, and coaches will  help you reach your goals to become the best leader you were meant to be for the next generation! 

Pass on the gifts these mentors, teachers, and coaches have taught you.  Remember how gracious they were in giving their time, effort, encouragement, believing in you before you believed in yourself! The only way to repay such a gift is to pass on the gifts of encouragement, motivation, and belief, to the generations to come! Passing on their legacy, their torch, to the next generation by remembering and honoring them!

What 3 things can you do to thank your teachers, coaches,  and mentors for helping you to reach  your goals on your journey through life?

1) Send a note, call them, email them, or text them thanking them for helping you. (Start a journal or note book, begin today, and write in it the names of your teachers, mentors, and coaches who have helped you reach your goals and dreams!

2) How can you show your appreciation?  You can show your gratitude and appreciation by writing blogs, articles, videos, or Radio Shows paying tribute to your mentors and teachers for the legacy they have given you.  Pass on the torch to the next generation.

3) Every week help someone else by acts of kindness through email, text, letter, or phone.

How does it feel when you help someone else achieve their goal? Do you feel happier and smile?

Remember that if we help others we will be helping ourselves at the same time to grow and improve.

How will you show your gratitude and appreciation for the gifts' others have given you?

Madeline Frank, Ph.D., DTM is an Amazon.com Best Selling Author, speaker, business owner, teacher, conductor, and concert artist. She helps businesses and organizations "Tune Up their Business". Her observations show you the blue prints necessary to improve and keep your business successful. Her latest book "Leadership On A Shoestring Budget" is available everywhere books are sold. If you need a virtual speaker contact Madeline at: mfrankviola@gmail.com

“Do You Count Your Blessings?” By Madeline Frank, Ph.D.

Mother's Day is fast approaching and I am thankful for a wonderful caring mother, grandmother, mother-in-law and Aunt -in-law. Do you give thanks for your blessings? Every year we have special days to remind us to give thanks. We should give thanks every day for our blessings.

My Momma, Romayne Leader Frank arranged her law classes so she would be home when my older brother and I got home from elementary school. She'd have milk and cookies on the dining room table for my brother and I and she would join us with her coffee. We would all study together every day after school. Momma had her law books to study and my brother and I had our homework from elementary school to study. If you had a question Momma would say very softly, "How about opening your book and looking for the answer?"

As a child of 8, I remember thinking that it didn't feel quite so lonely and awful anymore to sit and do our homework because Momma was right there with us doing her homework too. We worked together for three years until Momma finished law school at the top of her class. Momma, Romayne Leader Frank taught us to look for the answers to our problems. She taught us to think for ourselves.

Mary Chernick Leader,my Grandmother, my Momma's mother, worked as a secretary at the Boroughs Corporation, had a women's stock club where she taught other women how to study companies and invest in the stock market with little money to develop a nest egg. She also helped the Braille Society and sang and played the mandolin in a Mandolin Orchestra. She raised a wonderful daughter my Momma, Romayne Leader Frank, who learned from her patience, kindness, dedication to her family and caring about others.My Grandma Leader enjoyed reading and doing cross word puzzles and had a remarkable vocabulary which she shared with her daughter, my Momma.

When I was a child of 7, I remember Grandma Leader sitting patiently with me encouraging me to read. She had a Hershey's Chocolate bar and a bottle of soda pop on the table nearby and every page of the book I read to her I would receive the prize of a bite of chocolate and a sip of soda pop. This was a big treat as both Momma and Grandma did not ordinarily let any of us eat candy or soda pop.

My Mother-in-Law, Pearl Neustein Berger was the 6th child out of 8 children born to Regina and Herman Neustein. Pearl Berger raised her two children, ages 5 and 13, when her husband Samuel Berger died of Cancer. She worked hard to provide for her children giving them good moral values, taught them to study and work hard, and to care about helping others. She had them go to religious services every week. She worked hard to make sure both her children went to college and graduate school.

For many years she worked at B. Altman's in New York City, a wonderful department store. I remember, shortly after my husband Allan and I were married, my husband had to register for his next semester of graduate school and he could not get off work to go to Barnard Baruch to register. I was working that day too. His Mom, Pearl Berger, had that day off from work and she said she would get him registered at the school. She was always willing to help her children and others. She was one of the most caring and honorable people I have had the pleasure to know. She was five feet one inches tall and to me she was one of the tallest and strongest women I have known because of her caring and commitment to her family, friends and helping others.

Pearl Berger's sister, my Aunt-in-Law, Helen Neustein was the 7th child of the family. Helen also worked at B. Altman's Department store in the shoe department. She was a wonderful person with a very big heart raised with the values of honor and respect just like her sister Pearl. My husband, Allan, remembers her playing baseball with him as a child. She was always patient and kind. Helen was also about 5 foot one inch tall but she seemed 6 feet tall because of her caring and commitment to her family, friends, and clients.

What are 3 things you can do to remember the blessings you have been given?

1) Start your day by remembering and writing down your blessings. Think of one person who has made a positive impact on your life and do something nice for them.

2) Honor a special person in your life on a weekly basis by acts of kindness to others.

3) Think of the people who have made a difference in your life and honor them in some way by sharing those blessings with others by acts of kindness.

Remember to start your day by counting your blessings!

What have I learned from my Momma, Romayne Leader Frank, my Grandma Mary Chernick Leader, my Mother-in-Law, Pearl Neustein Berger, and my Aunt-in-Law, Helen Neustein?

1) Be patient and persistent no matter how difficult the problem and keep working to find your solution.

2) Never be overwhelmed by adversity and stick to your course of action to solve the problem.

3) Remember that if we help others we will be helping ourselves at the same time.

Madeline Frank, Ph. D. is an Amazon.com Best Selling Author, sought after speaker, business owner, and concert artist. She helps businesses and organizations "Tune Up their Businesses". Her innovative observations show you the blue prints necessary to improve and keep your businesses successful.

For more information about booking Dr. Madeline Frank for your next virtual event email her at mfrankviola@gmail.com 

“Make Gratitude Your Attitude” by Madeline Frank, Ph.D

Zig Ziglar said, "The more you express gratitude for what you have, the more things you'll have to express gratitude for." He also said, "Among the things you can give and still keep are your word, a smile, and a grateful heart."

As a new high school violin student in the 11th grade, arriving in the second semester at the North Carolina School of the Arts, NCSA, in Winston-Salem, I attended my first music theory class on my first day of school. The teacher said to me, "There is no way you will pass my class!" After classes that day, I was quite depressed and went back to the dorm. That was the day I met my neighbor, Lois Artis, a wonderful trombonist, marvelous academic student, with a positive motivating attitude, always willing to help others. We talked for a few minutes and I told her what the teacher had said to me. Lois replied, "I will help you and you will do well in her music theory class."

Lois patiently helped me understand the material, while doing laundry, so that I did well in the class! She knew, even at that young age, how to "lift" others up to realize their potential. She was a leader even in high school and understood how to develop a team. I will forever be grateful for her help.

In Mr. S's English class in high school at NCSA, I met Bruce Lemerise, a terrific artist, and illustrator, with a brilliant mind. We enjoyed discussing the assigned books and plays by Shakespeare that we read for class and our collaboration produced the top grades in this class.

We would discuss the psychological dimensions of the characters and write thoughtful papers on our discussions. Bruce went on to study art in New York City and I went on to the Juilliard School and we continued our friendship and our discussions on books, art, music, and the theater.

When I played my graduate recitals at Juilliard, Bruce said, "How you walk on and off stage is really important." So he made sure I practiced walking on and off the stage with my shoulders back and my head held high and balanced on my spine walking with my viola and my music. He also had a friend who did stage makeup show me how I should properly make up for the stage. Bruce knew how important first impressions were and wanted me to make a great one.

Bruce later worked as an illustrator/artist for Pepperidge Farm, Nestlé's, Ogilvy & Mather, Avon, Durkee Spices, MGM/UA, Western Publishing, Woman's Day, Ogilvy & Mather, Country Time Lemonade, and other companies. He did Broadway posters, and greeting cards.

Bruce Lemerise also wrote and illustrated a children's book called "Sheldon's Lunch" dedicated to his mother, Marie Lemerise. He illustrated A Golden Book, "Can I Get There From My Room?" and "The Big Little Golden Book of Funny Poems". Bruce sent copies of these books for my children to enjoy.

In 1988, Bruce Lemerise died. He was a wonderful person who cared about his family, his friends and loved to draw and do illustrations. I think of him often and am so grateful that he was my friend.

As a student at the Juilliard School in New York City, I met Karen Iannotti, a remarkably gifted pianist. She was a beautiful young women, inside and out, with a warm personality always willing to help others. We lived at the Coliseum House in New York City on 228 West 71th street. We were neighbors and became good friends and enjoyed playing concerts together.

A writer friend of ours had written a one act play which he premiered at Sardis in New York City for backers and Karen and I played the background music for the play. One of the pieces was "Saber Dance" by Khachaturian which Karen and I wrote a marvelous arrangement for viola and piano. We had a wonderful time making music together and helping out our writer friend with his successful "One Act" play.

Karen Iannotti performed at Carnegie Hall in 1979 in a piano concert sponsored by Carnegie Hall, Inc. to commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the birth of composer/pianist Louis Gottschalk. She also performed as a guest artist/pianist for the opening of the workshop and executive offices for Jim Henson Associates, "Moppet Show". She was also the Musical Director and pianist for the "Bel Canto Opera Company" of New York City's production" of "Prince Igor" by Borodin. During this time she taught many students and they learned the joy of playing the piano.

Karen was also a well-known accompanist for singers in Sara Lee's Studio in New York City. When I wanted to study singing she suggested, "Study with Ms. Lee she's the best voice teacher in New York City. She taught Todd Duncan who sang Gershwin's "Porgy and Bess"." Karen played for my lessons with Ms. Lee. We had a terrific time. In 1983, Karen Iannotti passed away. She brought such joy to her family, friends, relatives, and students, by her warm caring personality and her beautiful piano playing. She was one of the finest people I have ever known and I like to think she's up there playing piano for the angels.

So, what are the 3 things you can do to say thank you to the friends, teachers, coach's, mentors, parents, or relatives who have helped you?

1) Start your day by remembering and writing down the people who have made a difference in your life. Write them a note or call and thank them. Think of one person who has made a positive impact on your life and do something nice for them.

2) Honor a special person in your life on a weekly basis by acts of kindness to others.

3) Think of the people who have made a difference in your life and honor them in some way by sharing your appreciation by random acts of kindness to others.

"Of all the "attitudes" we can acquire, surely the attitude of gratitude is the most important and by far the most life changing." -Zig Ziglar

So, start a notebook today and enter the names of your teachers, mentors, coaches, and friends who have made a difference in your life and do something nice for them. Don't wait. Do it now, before it's too late!

Remember what Zig Ziglar said, "The more you express gratitude for what you have, the more things you'll have to express gratitude for."

To contact Madeline for your next speaking engagement: mfrankviola@gmail.com

 

Building the Best Leaders by Madeline Frank, Ph.D.

Whatever your occupation or interest you stand on the shoulders of your mentors. Your mentors have “taken you under their wing” to help you grow.

When you begin something new, it is your mentor’s belief in you that keeps you going until your own belief in “you” kicks in.

I began as a protégé at the age of 8, studying with William Whitson, who was a Concert Violinist and military officer. He smiled and showed me how to hold the violin and bow, where to place my fingers on the string, and how to make a sound on the instrument by pulling the bow across the strings. He did this by modeling how to play for me and then having me try it.

He also taught me how to read the notes on the musical page which is parallel to reading a book and taught me at my first violin lesson to play the theme of Beethoven’s 9th Symphony, Ode to Joy.

Mr. Whitson’s encouragement was the fuel that kept me going during my moments of frustration.

Many years later at 17, I had the honor of playing at the world-famous Carnegie Hall. That journey would never have been possible without the investment my mentor made in me.

My first leadership role was that of a teaching assistant at Virginia Commonwealth University at 17 years of age. Even though many of the students were older than I was, I taught the same way Mr. Whitson taught me, wearing a smile, demonstrating how to hold the violin and bow, and having them try it. I walked around the room to help improve each person’s hold on the violin and bow and gave them encouragement. Just as Mr. Whitson believed in me, I believed in them.

One student was 6 foot 2 with huge hands he was trying to wrap around his violin. After showing him how to pull his left arm down and hold his hand by bending his thumb slightly, he was able to play a few notes. This was his lightbulb moment!

While I was teaching, I was continuing in my protégé role studying violin with my Professor.

That school was a stepping stone for studying at the Juilliard School. While studying at the Juilliard School, I played Principal viola in the 92nd Y Orchestra. My leadership role was playing solos with the orchestra and leading my section. This job gave me a stipend to pay my rent.

Herman Silver, 75, was a member of our viola section. He was an amazing amateur violist who played beautifully. During the weekends, he was passionate about playing chamber music in his home with New York City’s best musicians. You could feel the excitement dripping from his pores.

Herman loaned me the music for each concert two weeks in advance. He loved sharing his passion for chamber music with the next generation and having world class musicians lead the way. Herman was an encouraging, inspiring, and motivating mentor.

At Herman’s concerts we performed with concert violinist, Toscha Samaroff who had been a student of Leopold Auer. Toscha, 75, played the difficult first violin parts to both Mendelssohn’s Octet and Spohr’s Octet. Toscha was an extraordinary leader playing with a beautiful tone and lovely phrasing. I played both first viola parts in these works with Herman playing the second parts in a beautiful steady manner. Playing with Toscha Samaroff and Herman Silver was a marvelous experience I will long remember. They encouraged and inspired others to play at their top level of performance.

My leadership style today is as a leader who is both a teacher and mentor to my team members helping them improve and grow. 

This is the way to build the best leaders! 

Great leaders are people developers, building strong relationships with others. They encourage, inspire, and motivate their protégés and team members. They do this by modeling the work and believing in the people they lead. This is my leadership style.

What are the three ways the greatest leaders, teachers, and mentors build the best leaders?

1) They develop people. They building strong relationships in an atmosphere of growth and learning.

2) They care about others and want to help them reach their goals by encouraging, inspiring, and motivating others.

3) They help their protégés or mentees build healthy self-images by believing in them before they do.

The best leaders stand on the shoulders of their mentors. How can you keep their legacy and yours continuing for the next generation?

By stepping up and being a leader, teacher and mentor who models, motivates, encourages, and inspires others to reach their top level of excellence!

Madeline Frank, Ph.D., is an Amazon.com Best Selling Author, speaker, business owner, teacher, John Maxwell Team Member, concert artist, and parent. She helps businesses and organizations “Tune Up their Business”. Her observations show you the blue prints necessary to improve and keep your business successful. Her latest book “Leadership On A Shoestring Budget” is available everywhere books are sold. If you need a speaker contact Madeline at: mfrankviola@gmail.com

Make Your First Impression Fabulous by Madeline Frank, Ph.D.

When is the last time you consciously set out to make a fabulous first impression? We often think of first impressions as something we deploy for job interviews and first dates, however, your road to excellence and success (no matter how you define success) is paved with the conscious efforts of making a series of fabulous impressions.

Recently, I was invited to speak to one of the largest and top performing real estate companies in Virginia. The audience was a mixture of seasoned pros and eager new representatives.

One exercise I frequently do with most audiences is I ask them to imagine they are about to perform at Carnegie Hall in New York City. They are some of the top musicians in the world, and are about to perform a symphony to a sold-out audience.

What do you think would happen if they took the stage wearing workout clothes instead of formal wear? Would that affect the audience’s perception of them?

For tonight’s performance, we are summoning the legendary Frank Sinatra. I have had the honor of personally playing with Frank Sinatra, and one element that the entire orchestra agreed upon was that he intentionally set out to make a staggeringly awesome first impression.

Frank Sinatra walked out on stage with a big smile on his face, standing tall and fit, wearing a black tuxedo that fit him to perfection. He made eye contact with his audience, making them feel as if he were singing to them in his living room and they were honored guests. The audience were mesmerized by Sinatra.

One success example that everyone could use in their world today is to simply smile and dress in clothes that fit you. Also, stand or sit tall, don’t slouch.

Tap into your Internal “Wow”

I asked my audience to imagine that they had just sold a half million-dollar property. (and earned a nice commission since they are Realtors).

Every one of them stood with their shoulders back, they made direct eye contact, and they spoke with clear enthusiasm.

The way you carry yourself creates a picture in people’s mind. Your prospects don’t know if you have sold everything you’ve touched in the past 72 hours or if you feel like you couldn’t close a ziplock bag at this moment… other than the way you present yourself.

Takeaway from this example: Practice carrying yourself in a confident manner.

Becoming a conscious complimentor. 

One of the best illustrations of the power of compliments came from Dr. George W. Crane’s psychology class at Northwestern University. Dr. Crane believed in the application of his teachings, not just in the memorization of his lessons.

He created the Compliment Club. Every day his students were to pay an honest compliment to each of three different persons… for 30 consecutive days. He also had the students journal the experiences.

Dr. Crane required the students write a theme paper about their experiences. He wanted them to note the changes they noted in the people around them, as well as how this experience altered their own outlook.

The students realized that by consciously complimenting others, they were motivated, encouraged, and inspired as well. Dr. Crane believed that appreciative words are the most powerful force for good on earth.

Take away: compliment 3 people every day for the next week and notice how your life improves.

Everyone in life needs positive encouragement to help them grow, inspire and motivate them to succeed.

You will also notice that the more you compliment, the better you will connect with others.

Everyone loves to talk about themselves. Asking the right questions of the people you encounter on a daily basis will deepen your relationship with them and will also help uncover a few “undercover customers”.

No matter what your job, maintain a positive attitude, think taller, dress well, compliment someone every day, and journal what happens each day!

Training yourself to give honest compliments to others is a fabulous door opener for your success. By talking to people, you otherwise would not talk to, you will be expanding your circle and building new and stronger relationships.

Madeline Frank, Ph.D., DTM is an Amazon.com Best Selling Author, speaker, business owner, teacher, John Maxwell Team Member, concert artist, and parent. She helps businesses and organizations “Tune Up their Business”. Her observations show you the blue prints necessary to improve and keep your business successful. Her latest book “Leadership On A Shoestring Budget” is available everywhere books are sold. If you need a speaker contact Madeline at: mfrankviola@gmail.com

10 Minutes of Reflection to Kick Off Your New Year by Madeline Frank, Ph.D.

There is a profound difference between viewing the new year as another flip of the calendar vs. an opportunity for celebrating your past successes and setting yourself up for a strong beginning. 

It's all about the questions you ask. 

What about the last year was exciting?

What did you accomplish in the previous year that surprised you? 

What lessons did you learn from your failures in the past year?

What are you grateful for?

Who are the top 5 people who lifted you up the most or inspired you in the past year? (not just your family)

Who are 5 people who drained your energy over the past year?

Assuming that you'll want to create an amazing 2020, you'll need to weed out some negative people in your life. This can seem tough at times, but if their energy and attitude is draining you, it will be impossible to realize the year you desire. 

Have you learned from your failures over the past year? 

If not, I would encourage you to seek out the advice of a mentor or coach and listen to their perspective. 

Finally, make a commitment to surround yourself with positive relationships, growth opportunities, and good choices for your future.

 In your schedule for this New Year add in the positive relationships and experiences that helped you grow and make positive choices on your future.

If you are already in the New Year it is not too late to do a review of 2019. Ask yourself the following 3 questions:

1)   What were your positive growth experiences for last year and who were they with? (Positive relationships that stretch your abilities and help you grow. Surround yourself with these positive relationships in the New Year.)

2)   On the left side of your paper list, “what were the wrong choices you made last year?” (This list you will avoid for the New Year.)

3)   On the right side of your paper list, “what were the right choices you made last year?”

Your 10 minutes of reflection will kick off your New Year and make it stronger.

Madeline Frank, Ph.D. is an Amazon.com Best Selling Author, speaker, business owner, teacher, concert artist, and parent.  She helps businesses and organizations "Tune Up their Business". Her observations show you the blue prints necessary to improve and keep your business successful. Her latest book "Leadership On A Shoestring Budget" is available everywhere books are sold. If you need a speaker contact Madeline at: mfrankviola@gmail.com 

5 Simple Strategies for Raising Awesome Kids by Madeline Frank, Ph.D.

Do you remember the friends you had in high school who were given a car with no expectations of responsibility vs those friends who had to work for their car?

I'm sure you noticed the same difference that I did, regarding the level of care and appreciation they had for their vehicles.

When my kids were that age and a classmate was given a car, they got in trouble. The kids that had to work for the car appreciated it!

When you don't earn the things you want, you don't appreciate them.

Doing chores as a child teaches children to be accountable, responsible, and disciplined. This also builds a "proper work ethic" for their future?

Zig Ziglar, motivational speaker and author, was the tenth of twelve children. He was born in "LA," (that's lower Alabama), and raised in Yazoo City, Mississippi. His Mom had a fifth-grade education, and his father died when he was 5 years old during the Depression.

Zig said, "mom was a wise woman. We were all hard workers, because we had three milk cows and a large garden, and we survived despite of all the difficulties." As a child Zig Ziglar's chore was to weed their big garden. When he told his Mom, he was done weeding the garden she would check to see how it was done. His Mother said, "For someone else's boy the job was done alright but for my boy you can do a better job!" He went and weeded that garden again and she rechecked it!

Ziglar said, "We all experienced a wonderful childhood."

Ziglar said: "Well, first of all, my mother a very wise woman, despite her limited education. She taught us with (one) sentence sermonettes. She taught us, 'Tell the truth/Tell it ever/Cost us what it will/For he who hides the wrong he did/Does the wrong thing still,' and 'When a task is once begun/You leave it not until it's done/And be a matter great or small/You do it well or not at all.' "Ziglar agreed that this was poetry. "She was a very wise, very disciplined, very loving lady, and those Biblical principles, that is what they are, is what we were raised on."

Dr. John Maxwell, #1 leadership guru, coach, and one of my mentors says, as a child he was given a list of chores to do at the beginning of the week.

If he had not finished his chores, he would not be allowed to go to the restaurant or the movies with his family during the weekends. Instead he would stay at home and finish his chores. He learned after that to do his chores on time.

What is the greatest gift you can give your children?

The greatest gift you can give your children is to teach them a good work ethic by giving them chores to do to earn the things they want and need.

Chores taught us how to work hard, to be accountable, responsible, and respectful giving us a good foundation for our future.

So, what are the 5 simple strategies for raising awesome kids?

1) Give them appropriate chores for their ages. Start to help them learn a good work ethic at a young age so they will become accountable, responsible, and caring adults.

2) Every morning and evening when your child wakes up and goes to sleep tell them with a smile how much you love and care for them, say something loving to them and give them a kiss on their cheek. Ask them during dinner about their day. Remember you are there to help your children solve their problems and make good choices in a kind caring atmosphere.

If your child has a learning disorder find the best teaching method to help them learn and grow. Do not demean or disparage them. Help your child find a place for them to learn with patience and encouragement.

Remember what Benjamin Franklin asked himself each morning, "what good will I do today?" And every evening Franklin asked himself, "What good have I done today?'

3) Take time from your busy schedule to attend your child's sports games, their dance recitals, orchestra or band concerts. Attend with a smile and be proud of these small moments for them. Show you care and love them. Give them your TIME, your patience, your kindness, and your encouragement!

Turn your cellphone off and leave it in the car!

4) Praise all the good things they do so they will keep doing it. Correct the bad, but don't be afraid to let your kids fail! If they do something wrong tell them in private not in front of their friends or in front of other family members

5) Show your children daily that their parents love each other and respect each other. Never disparage a spouse in front of your children. Only say loving words giving, hugs, kisses, and friendship. If there is a problem meet privately to discuss the problem or issue!

By following these 5 simple strategies you will raise awesome kids too!

Madeline Frank, Ph.D., DTM is an Amazon.com Best Selling Author, speaker, business owner, teacher, John Maxwell Team Member, concert artist, and parent. She helps businesses and organizations "Tune Up their Business". Her observations show you the blue prints necessary to improve and keep your business successful. Her latest book "Leadership On A Shoestring Budget" is available everywhere books are sold. If you need a speaker contact Madeline at: mfrankviola@gmail.com