Chris Widener's Ezine
May 4, 2006
Issue 37

Welcome!

I know this seems a little early, but since this is technically our Mother's Day issue, I wanted to take just a moment to say a HUGE "Thanks!!" to ALL the Moms out there. I know my Mom holds a very dear place in my heart and I consider her a powerful influence that has helped shape my life. Thanks once again, Mom, for all that you do, I love you! So in honor of Moms, I wanted to share Success Lessons I Learned from My Mom as the featured article this week.

You Are Made for Success!
Chris Widener

P.S. Today's issue is going out to 60,627 subscribers. If you've gained value from what you read in my ezine, then I would like to thank you in advance for forwarding this issue to friends, family and associates!


In This Issue.......

1. Charting Your Course to Success Article
2. Made for Success Quote and Commentary
3. The Last Word...
4. 10 Great Graduation and/or Mother's/Father's Day Gift-Giving Ideas (and for yourself)!
5. More Information

1. Charting Your Course to Success Article

Success Lessons I Learned From My Single Mom by Chris Widener

I was at a dinner party some time ago when someone posed this question: Who has influenced your life the most? I thought for a moment and said what no one else said, "My mother."

You see, when I was four, my dad died. At the time, it seemed like we were on top of the world. My dad was making over $80,000 a year (in 1969), we were living in the largest house in one of the most prestigious country clubs in Seattle. Then my dad came down with cancer and was gone in 6 months.

Then we found out that my dad had only $30,000 in life insurance (I don't sell life insurance, but I can tell you this - you need more!). My mom and I went from the upper bracket to the lower middle financial bracket almost overnight. A year after my dad's death, we were comfortably lower middle class.

As I reflect back on my life, most of what I am today I learned from a tough as nails woman who went to work and busted her tail to get me ready for life. I realize now how many success principles she displayed while living out her life. The following success principles, though they can be and should be applied by all of us, are dedicated to all of those single moms out there. You are doing a tough job. Keep plugging away, be tenacious, and love your kids. They'll see your life and turn out all right.

Don't whine during tough times. You know, my mom got a bad deal, but as I look back on it, I cannot ever remember her complaining about her lot in life. That spoke volumes to me and has been a lesson ever since. Two people working, one whines, the other makes the most of the situation and works harder - who do you root for? Successful people don't whine, they work harder and beat the odds.

Be creative. My mom immediately went to selling real estate. She did all right, but she also bought old houses and fixed them up and sold them. We would move in and she would hire the workers from the real estate office to fix up the house on the weekends. A couple of years later we would sell the house and pocket some much needed extra cash. I moved a lot, but you do what you have to when your back is against the wall. Successful people get creative when it comes to solving problems.

Sacrifice for others. I know we didn't have much growing up but my mom always found ways to give me the extras. We would cut back here and there so that we could take the mandatory trip to Disneyland or get new athletic shoes. Finding purpose by sacrificing for others is one of the highest calling in success. Successful people live not only for themselves but for those around them as well.

Be independent. My mom didn't cut corners or get a leg up in anything. She worked hard for what she got. And she taught me to do the same. I can remember being taught to do things on my own that other parents were doing for their kids. Many of those kids still need their parents to get the job done. Successful people don't rely on others to do for them what they can do themselves.

Believe in yourself. When I would say I wanted to do something but didn't think I could, my mom would ask me, "Has anybody else ever done it?" I would say "Of course, lots of people." Her reply? "Then you can too. You are smarter than them!" Well, I probably wasn't smarter than them, but point well taken. If someone else has proven it can be done, then you have a chance! Successful people believe that they can do it!

Have a dream and pursue it - even if it takes years. My mom kept a dream alive and pursued it on the side as I grew up. The year I graduated from high school, my mom graduated from college. She was 54 years old. She kept her dream alive and worked at it bit by bit and finally it happened! Successful people dream big dreams and then complete them no matter how long it takes.

Stretch yourself. I can remember my mom taking me to business and real estate seminars when I was a twelve-year-old kid. Not because she couldn't find babysitting, but because she wanted me to learn something! Most parents wouldn't even think that their twelve- year-old could learn something there. Mine did. And I did learn a thing or two. Successful people stretch themselves.

Experience is the greatest teacher. My mom used to pull me out of school all the time and take me on these wild trips and journeys. I would say, "Uh, mom, shouldn't I be in school." She would always answer the same way, "Chris, we can't let school get in the way of your education!" Successful people understand that going to school can get you some knowledge and a degree, but nothing beats actually doing it.

Some things are worth more than money. One of the greatest sacrifices my mother made for me was when I began high school. I did well in sports and played in the evenings, so my mom quit selling real estate, which takes up a lot of evenings, and took a lower paying job as a secretary at the University. She rarely missed a game all through high school. Successful people realize there are some things money can't buy.



2. Made for Success Quote and Commentary

"In order to be irreplaceable one must always be different." -- Coco Chanel

Chris' Commentary:
In order to get to the top, you have to bring something unique to the table. If you aren't unique in some way, or if you can't bring something unique to the table, then you are average! I believe everybody is unique in some way - they just have to find that way, and then utilize that as they work with others. When you bring something unique to others, they need you and they must have what you offer. You become irreplaceable. This will keep you rising to the top!

Action Point: Do you know what your uniqueness is? Spend some time thinking about it today. Ask a friend what they think you offer that is unique. When you get this down, utilize it. Others will appreciate it, need it and want it! Then you will keep rising to the top!



3. The Last Word...

I'd like to share with you a letter that my good friend Kyle Wilson wrote to his mother on her 80th birthday. It speaks both of the legacy she has been able to create and provide for her family and community as well as the impact her legacy has had on my life and my family. Happy Mother's Day! -- CW

A Letter to My Mom on Her 80th Birthday

Obviously I could talk today about many different areas my mom has excelled in over the years and made a positive difference in other people's lives. Whether it's been her ministry, her catering business, her creative touch or her friendships, all of which she has exemplified the principle of being faithful over what you have and letting God then promote you. It seems that consistently her gift has always made room for itself and propelled her into a big place.

But more important to me than any of that is the legacy she has been able to leave me and my family. Almost on a daily basis I'm reminded of how blessed I am and have been. I have a wonderful wife and two wonderful kids. We are all healthy and blessed. I have really never known tragedy in my life. I live in America and am blessed by all the freedom and richness that it represents. I drive on roads I didn't build, have daily conveniences I never invented and enjoy freedoms I was never asked to fight for. And as incredible as that is to me, equally as important, I was given an upbringing by my parents that has made me very blessed indeed.

First and foremost I was given the gift of faith. I was raised in a house and environment where my parents in both word and deed made sure God was first in our home. I always had an example of my mom giving her time to the church and love towards its people - from the perceived least to the greatest, she always was an example of giving to her faith.

I was given the gift of respecting other people. I don't recall my parents ever exemplifying or showing prejudice towards others. I know they grew up in a different generation where prejudice was more common, but that was not anything I ever saw.

I was given the gift of a strong work ethic. Laziness was never part of the scenery in my childhood. My mom worked two jobs - her day job at the bank and her night and weekend job - raising 4 kids. Only a parent with kids can fully appreciate the sacrifice and persistence that required.

I was given the gift of persistence and ingenuity. My mom has always found a way to just get it done, and usually in her way and with her style. She's never been a clone. Her persistence, creativeness and ingenuity have always been a great example to me of life's infinite possibilities.

And I was given the gift of love. I've met people who have not felt loved by God or loveable by man. I can honestly say that I have always known I'm loved by God and have never once doubted my parents' love for me. Our home was a safe environment to be who you are and to be accepted as you are.

Mother, beyond just my love and appreciation for you, I want to thank you again today, on your 80th birthday for your gifts and legacy to me.

Your son,
Kyle
7/12/03


This letter was excerpted from the Jim Rohn One Year Success Plan, Month Twelve -- Leaving a Legacy. To hear (or see) what Chris Widener has to say about the Jim Rohn One-Year Success Plan or to join Chris and Jim Rohn as part of the Jim Rohn One-Year Success Plan go to http://jr1.jimrohn.com or call 800-929-0434.




4. 10 Great Graduation and/or Mother's/Father's Day Gift-Giving Ideas (and for yourself)!

5. More Information