Chris Widener's Weekly Ezine
April 7, 2005
Issue 05

Welcome!

We've all heard the expression, "All work and no play makes Jack - and you - a dull boy (or girl)." Now, having quoted that expression, let me state emphatically that I believe in becoming successful. In fact, I want to become more and more successful each and every day until the day I die. And of course, part of our success is in our work and finances. Yet, I have found that too many people are so stuck on getting ahead, that they drive themselves into the ground working too much.

Just last weekend a friend and I went to Arizona to see the Seattle Mariners play in their Spring training games and to play a couple rounds of golf. I was only away for two days but it was a great break and rejuvenated me so that I was ready to come back and work even harder on my projects.

We are approaching the time of year when people have more options for taking a break, starting with spring break and moving into summer. My question is this: Will you make sure that you get some good down time? Your body needs it. Your mind needs it. Studies show that those who take regular breaks of refreshment and rest outperform those who work longer hours. It is all about quality time when it comes to work!

So take some time off. Rest, enjoy your family and friends. That is a major part of becoming successful. Remember, all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy - and we don't want you to be dull, now, do we?

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

Also, as I mentioned a few weeks ago, I would like to give you a Free mp3 - The Best Test as a special Thank You for subscribing. Originally done for sales people of one of the largest corporations in the world, I put this dynamic message on mp3 for you! What they paid thousands of dollars for, you can get for free today as a special thank you!

You will find out what it takes to be the best. In this fast-paced, highly motivational message, I will challenge you to become an optimist, pursue excellence relentlessly, dream big dreams and much more! To receive your free mp3, simply click here:  http://www.jimrohn.com/specialCWEzineSignup.asp

PPS - Feel free to forward this free download opportunity to your friends and colleagues.

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. Customer Feedback
5. More Information

1. Charting Your Course to Success Weekly Article

Leadership Prep by Chris Widener

So you want to be a leader? Or you want to be a better leader? It can be done, you know. No matter where you are in your leadership journey, you CAN move forward. You CAN lead better. You CAN lead more people. You CAN lead your organization to higher ground. Yes, you CAN!

But let me tell you this: You won't do it via osmosis! It won't just "happen." Growing in your leadership is not something that comes from the fairy godmother of leadership. You can't touch the hem of Jack Welch's garment and become "Super-Leader!" Oh, that it were that easy!

So what does it take?

Time.
Experience.
Training.
Hard Knocks.
A Mentor.
Discipline.
And a few others.

But let's start at the very beginning. You want to be a leader. That's good. You want to be a better leader. That's good too. But what comes first? Preparation. Leadership Prep. What is it? What needs to happen in order to get yourself ready to become a leader? As you get ready and want to take the next step in your leadership, take some time and go through a little reflection on Leadership Prep.

Before you become the leader you want to be:

Count the cost. Leadership is hard. There will be times that you say, "Leadership isn't worth it. These people are crazy and I don't deserve this." It is true. You don't deserve it. But you choose it. You choose it because you want to lead people. You want to improve their lives. You see the higher ground that they cannot see and you desire to take them there. It will take time. It will take money. It will sap your strength and energy. Count the cost, my friend. Leadership is not for the weak and timid. Yes, the rewards are great, but so are the sacrifices. Prep yourself for the cost of leadership.

Assess your strengths and weaknesses. Too many people dive into trying to lead and end up dying out because they were not honest with themselves about their strengths and weaknesses. They get going and realize that they should have strengthened themselves in certain areas because now it is killing their ability to lead. If you know your strengths, then you can focus yourself on them and allow yourself to be successful through them. If you are aware of your weaknesses you will be able to stay away from them, or hire to cover them, and thus allow yourself to become even more successful as a leader. So prep yourself by becoming exceedingly clear on your strengths and weaknesses.

Settle in for the marathon, not the sprint. Very few - I mean VERY few - people get big leadership assignments at early ages. And when they do, even fewer of the few see things happen fast in their leadership. No, usually things happen slowly. Why do we think they will happen fast then? Because those are the only stories we hear on TV and read about in magazines. "Twenty-five year old starts business that grows to $20 million a year in sales in JUST TWO YEARS," Sells a lot better than "Forty-five year old works hard for twenty years and builds lasting business that makes a difference in her community." Right? Right. So, unless you are one of the chosen few, you will need to prep for a marathon, not a sprint. This is both a mental and emotional adjustment that needs to be made. Prep for the long haul!

Develop a learning attitude. You have perhaps heard it said, "Leaders are readers." It is true. Even more so, leaders are learners. I don't know any leader who has attained any level of leadership who doesn't keep him or herself on the edge of learning. One of my mentors runs a company that you would all know by name - in fact, you probably used one of their products today, no matter where you live in the world - that does billions of dollars a year in revenue (Yes, with a "b") and he still takes time each year to go to a school of leadership! He is already a tremendously successful leader, yet he is still working on it! THAT is a learning attitude! If you want to lead, prep yourself for it by developing a learning attitude.

Acquire a love for people. In reality, we do not lead organizations or businesses. No, we lead people. We are successful if we know how to lead people. People are the name of the game. And the best way to become a leader of people is to love people. Others can tell instinctually whether or not we love them and have their best interests at heart. If they do not know that we care for them they will not follow. Leadership is the art of directing people who we care for and desire to help. In other words, we love people. If you have an issue with people, chances are you are not ready to lead them. To prep yourself for leadership, acquire a love for people. If the other things are in place, then they will want to follow you.

You CAN become a leader. I truly believe that. If you are already a leader, I know you can become better. Take a long, hard look at yourself and see if perhaps there are some areas you need to prep yourself in regard to leadership so that when you really get going you don't have to stop and go back!

Leadership Prep - that's the place to start!

Chris Widener


If you would like to order Chris' CD series, The Extraordinary Leaders Seminar, go to http://chriswidener.jimrohn.com and scroll down or call 800-929-0434.




2. Made for Success Quote and Commentary

"What worries you, masters you." -- Haddon W. Robinson

Chris' Commentary:
As advanced as we humans seem to be, and with all of the technological advances we have seen, isn't it amazing at how we still suffer from the same old things? Like worry for example! We find ourselves worrying about all sorts of problems, don't we? And it becomes our master. We tirelessly run through the same things, playing them over and over in our heads no matter how we try not to. Do you see yourself there? There is a way out! The best definition of worry I have ever heard, and my working definition, is that worry is "The negative use of the imagination." Wow! So true. What we worry about hasn't happened yet, has it? No. So to "see" it, we have to imagine it. Here is a question: So why do we imagine the future in negative ways? That becomes worry and it will kill us! Let's change it with the action point.

Action Point: If worry is the negative use of the imagination, then we want to do the exact opposite. Today, when you begin to worry about something, recognize that you are imagining a bad outcome. Now, in your mind, or even out loud if you can, begin to imagine and describe the picture of what it would look like if the situation came out GOOD instead! Then begin to act on those things that you saw in the positive use of your imagination!


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've spent some time reflecting on my life and it prompted me to share something with you, now it's one of those things that might, in the beginning, seem to be "backwards thinking", but indulge me for a minute...

I have been thinking lately about how I have been able to get where I have at this stage in my life, and it has made me realize that many times I have succeeded by being the least. Now let me explain.

As you know, I make my living through writing and speaking. It's not bad work if you can get it!

A number of great opportunities for me have come when I have been considered the "least."

One such time early in my career, I shared the stage with a former candidate for the Presidency of the United States, a NY Times best-selling author, and a nationally known news anchor. I was by far and away the cheapest speaker they hired. Yet, amazingly, after speaking, I booked another $50,000 in business from that company in the next 18 months. I was the only speaker from that day who got hired again by that association.

Another time I was called by a internationally known organization and asked if I would speak at their annual convention in Reno that would have 2000 people in attendance. I said that I would love to. Then the organizer got very serious and said in hushed tones, "Well, I should tell you who will be speaking right before you in case it may intimidate you."

I bit and asked who the speaker was. She named one of the legends in the personal development industry - one of the titans - who also happens to be a better cure for insomnia that Nyquil. As I pumped my fist and thought to myself, "YES!!" I quietly assured her over the phone that I would be happy to follow him. I knew that if I simply kept them awake after that speech I would be carried off on their shoulders, a conquering hero!

Just last year I was asked to emcee a three day event that featured Jim Rohn, Brian Tracy, and Denis Waitley, three of the biggest names in personal development and ALL fantastic speakers. I considered it a privilege to share the stage with them and to be behind the scenes. Emceeing that event and speaking there myself has been a tremendous door opener.

Also, for a couple of years I did some ghost-writing for three NY Times Best-selling authors who between them have nearly 15 million books in print. My words went in and their name went on. Some people would not be able to do that because they wouldn't get credit. Not me. I saw the value in having a relationship with these three men. Sure enough, it has been a big career boost.

All of these situations demonstrate to me the value in working with others, even when you won't be the best or the brightest, or the most famous, or in the limelight. In each of these situations, my life and my career took a major step forward. Being the least actually placed me in the presence of the best, and that put me in pretty good company.

What about you? Are you willing to be the least in a good situation? If not, you may want to reconsider… It has been pretty good for me!

-- CW
 

Chris Widener is an internationally 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.

 

4. Customer Feedback

Here are some of the testimonials and comments we received over the past week from our Ezine subscribers. We love receiving comments and feedback from our readers - so keep it coming!


Dear Chris, I have loved receiving your very inspiring messages, especially through a time that was incredibly painful for me last year. However, this year, life is changing. I was able to read your messages up until 2003 (end) and then I had no computer access, and all of these horrific events occured. I wanted to tell you, though, that I haven't forgotten your inspiring messages, and am thankful that now that I have internet access again 24/7at home, I can get your positive affirmative empowering articles again! Thank you for being there for me when I needed your inspiration.
-- L.C.

Thanks for everything, I have learned a lot... I was a sponge and absorbed very well thanks to you. I did earn a lot more this month it was and is a big success. Thanks again.
-- Aynur, Belgium


Thank you Ezine readers, for the sincere and kind words of encouragement and appreciation you sent us this week! -- CW

5. More Information