Chris Widener's Weekly Ezine
June 10, 2005
Issue 14

Welcome!

I read an interesting quote today and thought I would share my thoughts on it. It said, "The measure of life is not its duration, but its donation." - Peter Marshall

I have written a few times recently about the brevity of life so I won’t go there today, but I do want to ask you about the donation that you give to life. Mainly, what is it?

Most people talk about what they want to get out of life, but what about what we are supposed to give into it?

What kind of donation are you making?

How are people different because you are in their life?

How are non-profit organizations better off because of you?

What kind of charitable donations are you making?

When was the last time you helped someone with no expectation of something in return?

Have you given of your time lately?

Do you mentor anyone?

These are all questions to ask yourself. Think hard. And if you lack in some of these areas, make some changes.

I am a person who believes that we should get as much out of life as possible. We should take what we can get. But I also am a firm believer that we should make a major donation while we are here as well!

This week, make a donation to life!

You Are Made for Success!
Chris Widener
 

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In This Issue.....

1. Charting Your Course to Success Weekly Article
2. Made for Success Quote and Commentary
3. The Last Word...
4. The $49 Sale!
5. More Information

1. Charting Your Course to Success Weekly Article

The Challenge to Lead by Chris Widener

The topic of leadership has been and continues to be one of the most vital topics in human history. From ancient civilizations to modern day multi-national corporations, men and women of passion, fervor and zeal have sought to discover the secrets of moving others beyond the gray of their mundane reality to the rich array of colors that embody the palate of the extraordinary life.

Every organization or collection of people, from large to small, requires ardent and skilled leaders. It has been said that everything rises and falls on leadership, and it is true. Every group - families, cities, churches, associations and yes, even nations - fulfills its purposes and potential based on the leadership it is shown.

As leaders we are given the charge, responsibility, and the privilege to see grand visions, to dream lofty dreams, to forge new ground, and to challenge and encourage those who would follow our leadership to ascend the heights with us. We beckon them to come. We implore them. All for their own good. This is to lead them toward their possibilities.

Be assured that there will be a leader of every group. There will be those who influence others, even if you don’t. There may even be unscrupulous people who use their abilities to lead others astray. The quote, "All it takes for evil to prevail is for the good man to do nothing," remains true today, as it has through the annals of time. This is the compelling motive for you to rise up and lead the way for others.

Our families depend on it.

Our community groups depend on it.

Our nations depend on it.

People will follow you for two reasons: They follow you because of your character, for who you are. They also follow you for your skills, for what you can do. Make it your every effort to impart skillful and honorable leadership for them that would look to you for your wisdom, your guidance and your belief in the promise of the human spirit.

Someone will lead. Will it be you? If not you, then who will lead? If you will not lead now, then when?

Today, more than ever, you are needed. Your strong character is needed. Your finely honed skills are needed. I know you will rise to the challenge.

Lead boldly. Lead with faith. Lead others to the pinnacle of the human existence. This is the highest calling and the reward is of the utmost kind.

Chris Widener


Right Now Leadership! is Chris' featured CD (in addition to contributions from Zig Ziglar, Brian Tracy, Tom Hopkins, etc.) on LEADERSHIP - Motivation and Leadership From Today's Top Success Coaches. Chris is also featured in LIVE YOUR BEST - Inspiration for Today's Woman from Today's Top Motivators and SALES SUCCESS - Everything you need to know to Increase your Earning Power, all included in this week's special offer - The $49 Sale! To view all the products scroll down to #4 below or go to http://sp1.jimrohn.com or call 800-929-0434.



2. Made for Success Quote and Commentary

"A man who wants to lead the orchestra must turn his back on the crowd." -- James Crook

Chris' Commentary:
I love quotes that are counter-intuitive because many times "counter-intuitive" is what works best in this world. This is especially true in leadership. If you think about it, there are only two options in life: Go with the crowd or against it. Those who will lead in this life must often start against the crowd and lead forcefully until the crowd sees the results and changes their direction. If you just go with the crowd, you are just part of the crowd. Even if you are going with the crowd but out in front of the crowd, that doesn't mean you are leading. It just means you are faster than the rest of the crowd! That means you're just better at being average - and that isn't what you want your life to be!

Action Point: Think about your life. Are you going with the crowd or against it? Are you willing to lead by turning your back on the crowd? Take a step today to differentiate yourself from the crowd - and begin your journey toward success and leadership!



3. The Last Word...

Because this week's ezine "theme" is Leadership, I'd like to share The Ten Commandments of Leadership that hangs in Mother Theresa's orphanage in India. For all who are called to lead it is a great reminder of what we should do:

1. People are illogical, unreasonable and self-centered (including me). Love them anyway.
2. If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives. Do good anyway.
3. If you are successful, you win false friends and true enemies. Succeed anyway.
4. The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway.
5. Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable. Be honest and frank anyway.
6. The biggest people with the biggest ideas can be shot down by the littlest people with the littlest ideas. Think big anyway.
7. People favor underdogs, but follow only top dogs. Fight for a few underdogs anyway.
8. What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight. Build anyway.
9. People really need help, but may attack you if you do help them. Help them anyway.
10. Give the world the best you have and you will get kicked in the teeth. Give the best you have anyway.


Lead with your heart and give your best!

CW
 

4. The $49 Sale!

5. More Information