NAME: Patricia Russell-McCloud
BACKGROUND: Patricia Russell-McCloud’s “A Is for Attitude: An Alphabet for Living” (HarperCollins, $21.95) is based on motivational lectures she presents to private and public organizations throughout the country. An attorney and former chief of complaints for the Federal Communications Commission, Russell-McCloud has been named “one of the most influential Americans” by Ebony magazine for four years in a row.
Q–Have you always been a positive person?
A–I think so. I’m from a family that had a can-do attitude. It was a real upbeat environment, and that has remained pervasive in my spirit and attitude.
Q–Your parents were positive?
A–Not only positive but hopeful. They had an expectation of excellence.
Q–Do you ever experience low moments now?
A–For me, a low moment is when bad things happen to good people. I’m just so amazed at what is happening to children in this country. Many don’t seem to have childlike lives. They’re missing real direction and guidance and care. I’m bothered by rude people. I’m bothered by the plight of women in the workplace when they don’t maximize their human potential because opportunities aren’t made available. Many things seep into my consciousness. There are many obstacles.
Q–How do you get out of low moods?
A–I try to be solution-oriented rather than just engage forever in the analysis of the problem. I try to specify it and then say these are some one-two-threes that could cure it.
Q–Among people who look to you for motivation, what’s the most common question?
A–They usually have a how-do-I question: How do I go back to school as a non-traditional student? How do I fix what is broken? How do I select where to apply for work? Some questions are so far-reaching into the life of a person you just met three minutes ago, it’s amazing they believe that, one, you can answer the question, and two, that you are withholding information if you don’t answer.
Q–“Why don’t you tell me what to do?”
A–“Tell me what I want to know!” The second most asked question is, “How do I do what you’re doing?” They want to speak, take the podium. Which would suggest that those people are interested in the “R” chapter of my book — risks. They want to break out of the box, shift the paradigm.
Q–Is everybody capable of change?
A–I believe change is inevitable and occurring all around us. But people resist change because it shifts their habit patterns. You have to start in small steps. Learn a different route to work. Broaden your scope of friends. All of us at a mature age have best friends, but it’s really rewarding to find a new friend. Or you might think you don’t like theater, but you go to a play and all of a sudden it’s marvelous. If you’ve never had a facial, a manicure, a pedicure, get one. Little-bitty things lead to more adventuresome things. You begin by beginning.
