Chris Widener's Weekly Ezine
March 24, 2005
Issue 03

Welcome!

Jim Rohn says, "Success is not to be pursued; it is to be attracted by the person you become." So I have an interesting question for you (and for the moment it may seem completely unrelated, but stick with me...): Are you a hunter or a fisherman?

Now let me explain: Last week as I spoke to a group of about 100 business people, we looked at a theme I frequently speak about: Hunting and Fishing. No, not actual hunting and fishing; but instead the analogy that hunting and fishing provides us as it relates to success in general, and leadership and influence specifically. You see, there are two kinds of people: those who hunt (and are constantly tracking down success), and those who fish (or let success and leadership come to them).

So in our analogy, let me tell you why fishing is better. Fishing is about attraction. It is about magnetically having success and influence come to you. When you are hunting, everything just runs away!

How do you fish rather than hunt? Good question. Fishing is all about presenting great bait. So what is the bait? YOU! That is why personal development is so important. The more we improve, the more attractive we become to others and to success! We should make it an everyday goal to develop ourselves and improve so as to become the best people we can be. As we do that, we will begin to see success come our way with less effort than if we just sat in the same old spot personally all the time.

Take some time each day, beginning with this ezine edition, to improve yourself, and become a fisher of success and influence!

You Are Made for Success!
Chris Widener


P.S. If you enjoy this week's edition and find it to be valuable, then if you would do me the favor of forwarding it to your friends, family and associates, it would be very much appreciated. If they would like to subscribe, have them send an email to: subscribe@chriswidener.com

Many Thanks!


In This Issue.....

1. Charting Your Course to Success Weekly Article
2. Made for Success Quote and Commentary
3. The Last Word...
4. More Information

1. Charting Your Course to Success Weekly Article

The Opportunity Clock by Chris Widener

When I was in college, I heard someone say something that has been with me ever since. It was something that demonstrated to me a positive attitude and the choice to take something that most people dread, and change it into a motivating factor.

He called the alarm clock the "opportunity clock."

When does an alarm go off? When something bad is happening! Well, waking up isn't bad. Waking up is good! In fact, waking up is an opportunity. Each new day brings with it the opportunity to enjoy our families and other people. It offers us the opportunity to work hard, and earn a living that will enable us in turn to provide for others and ourselves. Each day brings us the opportunity to help others and serve them in such a way to make our communities better places. We get the opportunity again to dream and achieve those dreams. We have the opportunity to bask in the glory at the top of the mountain or learn valuable lessons as we walk through the valley. What exciting opportunities!

It's all in the perspective and attitude.

So set your "opportunity clock" tonight and savor the anticipation of falling asleep and awakening to the new opportunities that await you in the morning!

Chris Widener


Chris Widener is a nationally recognized speaker, author and radio host. If you are interested in booking him to speak at your next event, go to http://www.chriswidener.com or send an email to speaker@chriswidener.com or call 877-929-0439 and ask for Hilary.



2. Made for Success Quote and Commentary

"The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again, who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, and spends himself in a worthy cause; who at best, knows the triumph of high achievement; and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat." -- Teddy Roosevelt

Chris' Commentary:
This is one of my favorite quotes because it reminds me to forget the naysayers! The credit isn't for those who won't try or for those who sit back and complain. The credit goes to those who will dare to dream of something better - for themselves and for others! The credit goes to those who stretch themselves in endeavors that will change their world. In the end, the naysayers will have accomplished little and contributed nothing while those who valiantly entered the arena, and fought the war, will have moved their world a little closer to the better, the wonderful, and the spectacular!

Action Point: Take stock: Are you in the arena? Or are you in the stands nitpicking the performance of others? Get in the game today. Make a difference. Believe that your contribution will change things!


Chris is the author of five books including his Newest Release, The Angel Inside - Michelangelo, Il Gigante, and Creating a Life of Power and Beauty. To order The Angel Inside go to http://www.jimrohn.com/shopping/shopexd.asp?id=440 or call 800-929-0434.



3. The Last Word...


This week I would like to share with you a financial question I hear quite frequently in my speaking travels, and one depending on how it is handled can be a powerful determining factor in your financial future. My answer comes from Month Four - Getting Out of Debt of the Jim Rohn Financial Mastery Program that I participated in as a featured writer and contributing editor. So let's get to the question and answer!

Q: I am trying to lighten my debt ratio. I have credit accounts at Sears, Discover Card, etc. Which account do I concentrate on to pay off first? The higher interest rate, the higher balance, the lower balance? Or, do I distribute disposable income to all accounts at the same time? KLJ, Belton, MO, USA

A: Pay off high interest cards first. Here is a specific technique to expedite the paying off of your credit cards. Let's assume that you have three cards, each with a balance. Most people will pay the minimum, or slightly more, on all three until they are paid off. Here is a better idea that will save you lots of money.

Take the two cards with the lowest interest rates and pay the minimum on them. The card with the highest rate you should pay as much as possible each month until that card is paid off. Then, take the amount your were paying on that card (the high interest one) and apply it to the second highest card. Now you will be paying the minimum payment PLUS the amount from the card you no longer have a payment on. That will dramatically accelerate the payment on the second card. Continue to make the minimum payment on the lowest interest card. Then, when you have paid off the second card, switch the amount you were paying on that to the sole remaining card. This technique alone can save you quite a bit of money you could have paid in interest alone!


-- CW
 

For more information on Jim Rohn's Financial Mastery One-Year Program, designed to both educate and help you create long-term duplicatable systems for 12 major areas of your financial world go to http://tj.jimrohn.com or call 800-929-0434 and talk with Yveatte or Crystal or send an email to info@jimrohn.com
 

4. More Information