Hardcover: 144 pages
Publisher: Hay House (February 1, 2010)
ISBN-10: 1401925731
ISBN-13: 978-1401925734
Click on the Cover to Purchase!
Meet Olivia, the newest hire at Mighty Power’s customer service call center. Excited to have a stable job and a good salary, Olivia starts out with a sunny disposition and a can-do attitude. However, the constant barrage of angry calls soon wears her down. Instead of handling these frustrated customers in a calm, professional manner, as she was trained to do, she loses her temper and strikes back. Terrified that she will be fired for her behavior, she asks Isabel, an experienced rep and the call center’s wise woman, for help. The extraordinary advice she receives changes her life, and may change yours, too.
Only 45 percent of Americans are satisfied with their jobs, according to a new survey by the Conference Board research group – the lowest level ever recorded in over 22 years! THE NAPKIN, THE MELON & THE MONKEY: How to Be Happy and Successful at Work and in Life by Simply Changing Your Mind (Hay House, February 1, 2010, $19.95) is a modern-day fable by internationally acclaimed workplace training expert Barbara Burke that will help transform the way you handle the frantic chaos of the workday. You may even crack a smile on your morning commute!
The secret to sanity when the pressure builds is being able to stop long enough to have a SODA – Stop, Observe, Decide and Act – Burke’s simple four-step method for tackling stressful, emotionally-charged situations. “When we are forced to deal with a difficult, irate person at work, someone whom we feel is attacking us, our natural response is to become defensive,” says Burke. “You need to realize that the person is angry about the situation. It isn’t personal.” Burke provides the framework for an improved attitude with 22 thought-provoking Aha!s, such as:
• Problems can be gifts in disguise.
• Just sit there. Do nothing.
• The nicer I am to myself, the nicer I am to others.
• People harmonize when they are tuned to the same frequency.
• Real freedom comes from letting go of the outcome.
THE NAPKIN, THE MELON & THE MONKEY serves as both a powerful resource for business professionals looking for easy-to-use tools to sharpen their “inner game” and as an inspirational tale for those who want better relationships and a happier life.
If you are like me, there are times where I know what I want to get across to someone, however, finding the correct words, or communicating my thought(s) in such a way, the other person “gets” what I mean. Learning how to effectively communicate builds avenues to success in every aspect of your life and this book is a huge step in getting there!
This book is packed with practical tips for dealing with difficult people, as well as, everyday stress. This insightful book will also help eliminate the frustration, which in turn leads to a better workplace and a happier life for yourself.
You will reach for this valuable resource time and again. You will also get a chuckle out of some of the Authors quotes, such as one of my favorites..
“When all else fails, Have a soda”
About the Author..
Click on Barbara’s Photo to learn more…
Barbara Burke is an internationally known consultant, speaker, and author specializing in the people side of customer service management. She is passionate about helping customer-facing employees thrive in their challenging jobs.
Her articles appear in both print and online publications. Thousands of customer service professionals subscribe to her weekly “Monday Aha!” feature.
A Special Thanks goes out to Tricia over at Meryl L. Moss Media Relations, Inc. for the opportunity to learn from this Insightful Book!

Tricia has also generously offered one Lucky Frugal Plus Reader the Chance to Win a Copy of this Practical book!
To Enter:
Valid for Residents of the U.S. and Canada, age 18 and older. Please no PO Boxes.
Mandatory Entry:
** You must be a Subscriber of Frugal Plus. You are welcome to sign up on the right-hand sidebar of my blog. Your subscription must be active, so be sure to check your email and activate it.
Extra Entries:
** Follow Coupons4Me on Twitter and Tweet this Giveaway. You may tweet once a day until the end of the giveaway for an extra entry (leave the link to your Tweet in your comment(s)
** Become a Member of Frugal Plus via Google Friend Connect
** Fan Frugal Plus on my NEW Facebook Page (leave your ID in your comment)
** Follow FrugalPlus on Twitter and Tweet this Giveaway (one entry) leave the link to your Tweet in your comment
** Put Frugal Plus’ Button on your Blog (leave the link in your comment)
This Giveaway will end Thursday, February 25, 2010.
The Winner(s) will be chosen by Random.org. I will post the Winner(s) here on Frugal Plus, as well as, email directly. You will then have 48 hours to claim your Prize.










































#1 by Christine Beasley on February 10, 2010 - 10:50 AM
i’m an active subscriber of frugal plus
#2 by Chrissy on February 10, 2010 - 1:57 PM
I’m happy to be an e-mail subscriber of Frugal Plus!
#3 by Chrissy on February 10, 2010 - 1:57 PM
I’m a member of Frugal Plus and my screen name is cksknitter.
#4 by Cheryl Bradley on February 10, 2010 - 2:00 PM
I have been wanting to read this.
I’m an email subscriber of frugal plus.
#5 by Cheryl Bradley on February 10, 2010 - 2:07 PM
follow coupons4me on twitter @cln1812 & tweeted:
http://twitter.com/cln1812/status/8921215814
#6 by Cheryl Bradley on February 10, 2010 - 2:09 PM
I follow frugal plus publicly on google friend connect.
#7 by Cheryl Bradley on February 10, 2010 - 2:12 PM
facebook fan of frugal plus:
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#8 by Cheryl Bradley on February 10, 2010 - 2:15 PM
follow frugalplus on twitter @cln1812 & tweeted:
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#9 by Cheryl Bradley on February 10, 2010 - 2:17 PM
Your button is on my sidebar:
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#10 by dianad on February 10, 2010 - 3:14 PM
I am a Frugal Plus subscriber. Thanks for the wonderful giveaway.
#11 by Wanda on February 10, 2010 - 3:30 PM
I subscribe via email and would love to be entered in your draw. Thanks.
#12 by Ziner on February 10, 2010 - 3:46 PM
I’m a subscriber of Frugal Plus. Sounds like the woman in the book has an interesting lesson to learn… perhaps one I need to do as well!
#13 by Ziner on February 10, 2010 - 3:47 PM
I’m a fan of Frugal Plus on Facebook (Olga Von Vushigini)
#14 by Linda Kish on February 10, 2010 - 5:31 PM
GFC subscriber. I’d love to read this book.
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
#15 by Leesa on February 10, 2010 - 7:07 PM
I subscribe.
#16 by Beth on February 10, 2010 - 7:40 PM
I’m a subscriber
#17 by DarcyO on February 10, 2010 - 8:31 PM
Subscriber.
#18 by DarcyO on February 10, 2010 - 8:31 PM
Facebook fan (Darcy Odden)
#19 by DarcyO on February 10, 2010 - 8:34 PM
Follow on Twitter and tweeted:
http://twitter.com/darcy1956/status/8946695284
#20 by hollowsins on February 10, 2010 - 8:57 PM
I subscribe via email
hollow_sins(at)yahoo.com
#21 by hollowsins on February 10, 2010 - 8:57 PM
I am a member
hollow_sins(at)yahoo.com
#22 by hollowsins on February 10, 2010 - 8:58 PM
Im a facebook friend
amanda h
#23 by Ruth Ann on February 11, 2010 - 4:33 AM
I subscribe. Thanks for the chance to win!
#24 by Cheryl Bradley on February 11, 2010 - 11:56 AM
2/11 tweet:
http://twitter.com/cln1812/status/8975171389
#25 by Ellen C. on February 11, 2010 - 12:10 PM
I’m a subscriber. Thanks for the chance.
#26 by Traci on February 11, 2010 - 1:10 PM
I am a subscriber….and boy, could I use this book! ;-)
#27 by Traci on February 11, 2010 - 1:51 PM
I am a member via Google Friend Connect!
#28 by Traci on February 11, 2010 - 1:55 PM
I have your button in my right sidebar….thanks for the giveaway opportunities!
#29 by judyyy on February 11, 2010 - 6:20 PM
email subscriber
#30 by Cheryl Bradley on February 12, 2010 - 9:01 PM
2/12 tweet:
http://twitter.com/cln1812/status/9043262864
Trackback: uberVU - social comments
#31 by Cheryl Bradley on February 13, 2010 - 7:28 PM
2/13 tweet:
http://twitter.com/cln1812/status/9082512226
#32 by Jaime P on February 13, 2010 - 10:32 PM
I’m a subscriber
#33 by Jaime P on February 13, 2010 - 10:34 PM
google friend
#34 by Jaime P on February 13, 2010 - 10:37 PM
fan on new facebook page
Jaime Payne
#35 by Jaime P on February 13, 2010 - 10:38 PM
have button
http://copperllamastudio.blogspot.com/
#36 by Christine W on February 14, 2010 - 12:14 AM
I am a subscriber of Frugal Plus.
Thank you,
Christine
womackcm@sbcglobal.net
#37 by Christine W on February 14, 2010 - 12:16 AM
I follow Coupons4Me on Twitter and tweeted about this giveaway http://twitter.com/ossmcalc/status/9090970993
thank you,
Christine
womackcm@sbcglobal.net
#38 by Christine W on February 14, 2010 - 12:17 AM
I am a Member of Frugal Plus via Google Friend Connect.
Thank you,
Christine
womackcm@sbcglobal.net
#39 by Christine W on February 14, 2010 - 12:18 AM
I am a Fan of Frugal Plus on your new Facebook page.
Thank you,
Christine
womackcm@sbcglobal.net
#40 by Christine W on February 14, 2010 - 12:19 AM
I follow FrugalPlus on Twitter and tweeted about this giveaway http://twitter.com/ossmcalc/status/9090970993
Thank you,
Christine
womackcm@sbcglobal.net
#41 by Beth on February 14, 2010 - 3:38 PM
I’m a subscriber.
BethsBookReviewBlog AT gmail DOT com
#42 by Beth on February 14, 2010 - 3:38 PM
I’m a Google Friend Connect follower.
BethsBookReviewBlog AT gmail DOT com
#43 by Beth on February 14, 2010 - 3:38 PM
I’m a Facebook fan (Beth Book Review).
BethsBookReviewBlog AT gmail DOT com
#44 by Aliya D. on February 14, 2010 - 4:33 PM
I’m a current, active subscriber… I would love to win this; desperately need some inspiration in my new job. Thanks!
Aliya D.
aliyadaya(at)shaw(dot)ca
#45 by Aliya D. on February 14, 2010 - 4:35 PM
I’m also a Memeber of Frugal Plus through Google Member Contect.
Aliya D.
aliyadaya(at)shaw(dot)ca
#46 by Kimberly on February 14, 2010 - 6:12 PM
I’m a subscriber of Frugal Plus.
#47 by Kimberly on February 14, 2010 - 6:13 PM
i’m a Member of Frugal Plus via Google Friend Connect
#48 by DarcyO on February 15, 2010 - 5:08 PM
tweet:
http://twitter.com/darcy1956/status/9163125126
#49 by Cheryl Bradley on February 15, 2010 - 5:51 PM
2/15 tweet:
http://twitter.com/cln1812/status/9164958028