Chris Widener's Ezine
March 1, 2006
Issue 33

Welcome!

Wow, Wow, Wow!! My readers are THE BEST!!

Thanks so much for the great response we got from the last Ezine where we requested testimonials for The Angel Inside! We got dozens and dozens of them, and I must say, it was truly humbling to read through them and see how this little book has changed people's lives. I heard a speaker the other day ask the question, "What's the point?" in regard to life. I immediately thought about what the point of my life is: To help people turn their potential into performance, succeed in every area of their lives, and achieve their dreams. It is really fun to live a life where your work every day is fulfilling the central mission of your life. I realize more and more each day how The Angel Inside is changing people's lives by showing them that there is a point to their lives: A Life of Power and Beauty.

What about you? Have you read this little book? I know I am biased, but I know that if you do, it will propel you forward in ways you can't imagine. Are you stuck in life and wondering where to go next? Do you wish you were farther along in life? Then give The Angel Inside a read! What have you got to lose?

Here is just one testimonial that we received: "Chris, I honestly believe this to be a classic in the making. While the book is short and easy to read, it is inspiring, timeless and meaningful. A must read for anyone that is looking to improve their life, from the inside out. I read the book in about 3 hours and absolutely could not put it down!"

For those of you who gave us a testimonial, thanks again! And for those of you who still haven't gotten your hands on this powerful little book, just come on over to the website http://angelinside.yoursuccessstore.com or call 877-929-0439 and order today!

You Are Made for Success!
Chris Widener

In This Issue.......

1. Charting Your Course to Success Article
2. Made for Success Quote and Commentary
3. The Last Word...
4. Now Available -- Twelve Pillars in Seminar Format!
5. A Little Something Extra for You...
6. More Information

1. Charting Your Course to Success Article

Elements of Change by Chris Widener

The key to achieving more than you currently are, no matter which area of your life or work you are focusing in on now, is change. The old saying rings true: If you always do what you have always done, you will always get what you've already got. If you keep eating and exercising the way you currently are, you will weigh the same a year from now. If you continue to sell to the same people on the same schedule, you will make the same amount of money next year. In order to move forward, we must change.

As I have worked with people, both in a professional setting and on a personal basis, I have found two things to be true about change. One, it is simple. Two, it is not easy. That is, the concept of change is simple to grasp. People or organizations are quick to say, "Oh, I know we need to change." Simple.

But where the problem starts, and why most people and organizations do not change, is because it is not easy to change. But, I believe, if the process is well thought out, and if we have the guts and determination to carry it out, change can happen, and we can move on to more fulfilled lives.

With that said, let me give you what I consider the elements of change.

Discontentment with your current state.
The first step in the process of change is to not want to be where you currently are. You must be discontent with it. If you are overweight, you must say, "I will not accept this anymore." If you are in debt, you must say, "I cannot tolerate this any longer." If you have broken relationships, you must say, "I will not live with this." This is a decision to change and not accept the status-quo. The picture of your preferred outcome. What is it that you want to change to? It absolutely is not enough to say "I need to change." It must be: "I am going to change to..." This becomes the goal. I would encourage you to get a mental picture of it formulated in your mind. Get a real picture of it if it is that tangible. Perhaps write yourself a short essay, extolling the virtues of what life will be like when you get to the changed state.

New associations with the two states.
You must begin to associate your current state you are in with pain, and the state you want to be in with pleasure. Let's take weight for example. We tend to think of ice cream, mounds of it, with pleasure. I know that I do. Especially chocolate chip mint. Last night we went to some friend's house and we had some ice cream. Normal portions. I don't like to eat normal portions. I like huge portions of ice cream. There is an association of pleasure there. But what I did to overcome the urge to eat scoop after scoop was to associate huge portions to being overweight, not the pleasure of the taste. I also associated not eating the ice cream with feeling better about myself. Then when it comes to exercise, I work on associating the exercise and weight-lifting with the pleasure of fitting into my clothes rather than the pain my muscles feel every time I do it. This help me win the battle of the mind.

Develop a plan of short, simple steps.
"I am going to lose fifty pounds in two months." "I will sell 500% more next month." These are examples of change that are good goals to have long term, but too big for the time allotted - and this is havoc on change! If your goals are too big in too short of time, you will fail and become discouraged. Then you will quit and decide change can't be accomplished. Instead, you must have short, workable, attainable goals if you are going to see real change happen and stay. "I am going to lose five pounds a month for ten months." "We are going to sell 6% more each month this year (That would double your business each year)" These are the size steps you need to take. Then you will build victory after victory.

Discipline yourself.
Sorry but this is where it is up to you. At the heart of change is the ability to discipline ourselves. I cannot lose your weight. Your mom cannot go out and make sales calls for you. The only real obstacle standing between your current state and your desired outcome is you! So do everything you can to get yourself motivated to change! Force yourself to get out of bed and get to work on your goals! Discipline yourself. Choose to make the right decision.

Reward yourself when you have made the change. That's right: reward yourself. You have worked hard and exerted a lot of self-discipline to get there! You deserve it!

Chris Widener


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.




2. Made for Success Quote and Commentary

"Men are anxious to improve their circumstances, but are unwilling to improve themselves; they therefore remain bound." -- James Allen

Chris' Commentary:
This reminds me of my Uncle Paul's old saying, "Wish in one hand and spit in the other and see which one fills first." Okay, so my Uncle Paul wasn't a polished guy, but he knew one thing: Wishing for something doesn't get it for you. Being anxious about things won't change your circumstances either. Successful people realize that you can't just want your circumstances to improve; you have to make them improve. And the best way to make your circumstances improve is to improve yourself. When you get better, your situations and circumstances get better.

Action Point: Do something TODAY to get better. Read something, listen to something, or try something. Take action on improving yourself in any way that you can. Put yourself into growth mode and you will begin to change your life!



3. The Last Word...

Most people think that failure is bad and success is good. I want to help you change your thinking about that if you fall into that category. I will give you that failure isn't fun and success is, but I think the following is true: Both failure and success are good... if you know what their specific purpose is.

Of course we know that success is good, but why? Success is good because it confirms things for us.

Success confirms our plans.
Success confirms our decisions.
Success confirms our resources.
Success confirms our strategies.
Success confirms our hunches.
Success confirms our teamwork.
Success confirms our risks.
Success confirms a lot of things!

So when you are successful, ask yourself the following question: What does this success confirm in my mind?

Now, what about failure? What is the role of failure and how in the world can it be GOOD? Failure's role is to teach us. We learn from failure.

Failure teaches us that we need to change our plans.
Failure teaches us that we need to change our decisions.
Failure teaches us that we need to change our resources.
Failure teaches us that we need to change our strategies.
Failure teaches us that we need to change our hunches.
Failure teaches us that we need to change our teamwork.
Failure teaches us that we need to change our risks.
Failure teaches us that we need to change a lot of things!

But at least now we know one more thing that won't work! With every failure, we learn one more way we can abandon and focus in on what may be the correct way in the future! When we look at it that way, we set ourselves up for a powerfully successful future! So when you fail, ask yourself this question: What does this failure teach me? Remember, Success and Failure are both good. They can both be your friend... If you know what role they are to play in your life. Learn From Failure and Confirm with Success. -- CW



4. Now Available -- Twelve Pillars in Seminar Format!