Trailblazer
Tells Reader to Design Own Life
By Azriela
Jaffe
Jo
Condrill exudes the confidence necessary to write a
new book titled, "A
Millennium Primer: Take Charge of Your Life."
Some of the most pivotal moments in this
personal motivator's illustrious career happened
right in this area.
Condrill progressed from
a part-time job in Texas as an editorial assistant
for Airman magazine to supervising military officers
in the Pentagon in less than 10 years.
As the
Cold War was ending, the Army began a new role as
world peace keeper. At the Pentagon, Condrill was
involved with building the first information age
Army. She was eventually selected to become deputy
to the division chief for logistics, plans and
operations.
When Condrill retired, the Army
presented her with its highest civilian award, the
Decoration for Exceptional Civilian Service.
Accomplishments also include leading a group of
3,000 members of Toastmasters International in
Washington to top ranking in the world.
Condrill
is not singularly focused on her work, either.
She's eminently proud of the four young adults that
call her "Mom."
This alumnus of the Army War
College has some fond memories of the short time she
lived in Carlisle.
"I
applied to attend the war college in 1991 when my
job in logistics, plans and operations at the
Pentagon involved the 'war fighters.' I was a
civilian and had not served in uniform. To be more
effective, I wanted a deeper understanding of the
military mind; to know more about the operational
army."
The war college prepares Army
personnel for senior level positions. Entrance to
it's 10 month course is highly competitive. Students
number more than 300, including some foreign
officers, a few civilians and a few women.
Condrill
retired from the Pentagon in 1997 and formed a small
business, Goalminds, providing communications and
leadership seminars to national associations,
government agencies, city and county departments,
schools and colleges.
In January 1998, her
first book was published: "101 Ways to Improve
Communication Skills Instantly." It is in its third
printing and has been translated into Chinese and
Spanish. "A Millennium Primer" was recently released
by GoalMinds.
Her second book coaxes readers
to dream big dreams and design the lives they wish
to live. A woman who carved out a career as a
leader in the Pentagon knows something about
creating a designer life. Condrill advises: "There
are no straight lines from where you are to where
you want to be. Life is not a linear process with
steps following each other. Rather, it is an
intricate weaving back and forth, in and out, of
dreaming, planning, rewarding, enrolling, analyzing,
evaluating. "
The most effective route I have
found is reading, learning from others, and setting
my sights high. Once set upon something,
commitment, determination, and persistence can take
over. The difference between success and a near
miss is often knowing when to be flexible and when
to stand firm."
The military environment
abhors indecisiveness. Condrill coaches her readers
to use the power of decision-making to shape and
control their lives. She reminds readers: "We do not
realize how powerful we are. We blame our choices
on outside influences. How many times have you
heard someone say 'I had no choice' or 'I couldn't
help it?' Was it true? Or did the person just not
understand the power of his or her choices?"
Condrill
has left her powerful mark on the world and on the
military.
For information about Condrill's
books and seminars, call (800) 697-5680, send e-mail
to
Info@jocondrill.com,
or visit the web site www.goalminds.com.
Azriela Jaffe specializes in business and workplace
issues. Responses and questions may be mailed to her
at 793 Sumter Drive, Yardley, PA 19067, or e-mailed
to az@azriela.com.
Copyright © Sunday Patriot News,
July 2, 2000, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania (with
permission). |
