Through assiduous marketing, every February all that advertisement on television, on billboards or in magazines triggers off the "Uh oh! It's Romance month. Better not forget it." Well, thoughts of romance don't need to remain in February. It can help you experience more business success right now regardless of the date.



But the concept of romance transcends season, so, before you get carried away with the commercialism of romance, let's look at the practical side right now, regardless of the time of year. Romance is fun. It makes you feel good. It makes those whom you care about feel good. Romance permits your creative sign it's expression and it allows you to act more thoughtfully. Yes, romance takes thought and in many cases preparation but the rewards are well worth your effort. Everyone wins.

Why would I have a 'success thought' geared to corporate and business professionals focused on romance? Because whether you have time for it or not, think it's silly or not, romance is a large part of your world. Ignoring it solves nothing. The happier you are in your personal life, the more successful you'll be professionally. This is a fact.

One book recently caught my eye in this area. A Practical Handbook for the Boyfriend was co-written by actress Felicity Huffman who has been married to William H. Macy for nine years. While I've never watched Desperate Housewives, this book seems to focus on the more no-nonsense side of Huffman. Keeping a marriage successful when both spouses are celebrities takes quite a bit of conscious attention to small details. As pointed out in the current People Magazine, this book discusses details that many men (and women) overlook as time marches on in the relationship such as:

Stay a boyfriend—keep things intriguing, put thought into what you do together just like when you were dating, still be excited about what she wears and says.

Little things count—think, just think. Before eating the entire box of Junior Mints, offer some to her. Before you drop your dishes in the sink. ask to take hers.

Girls love PDA's—in fact they are often hungry for public displays of affection. Some men think that they lose their image of masculinity with PDA's. Not so.

Your call is important—you move up in her esteem if you call simply to communicate you think about her throughout the day.

Romance can happen for just one. You don't need a man and a woman. You just need you. You might kickstart that romantic feeling when you plan a dinner for friends, when you do some office decorating, when you write an email to a friend or when you pick up a new plant for your office.

My hope for you is that, right now, you will set aside the commercial concepts of romance and those red hearts to open your own heart and allow the warmth of romance to flow into your thoughts and actions often. Keep is simple, honest and easy. If you allow Romance it's sway, you'll be delighted by the results you create for both you and others near you. Have a great week and enjoy your discoveries!