Chris Widener's Ezine
September 28, 2006
Issue 47

Welcome!

It has been a busy summer for my speaking schedule: Las Vegas, Seattle, Santa Clara, Atlanta, Mississippi, Temecula, Pasadena, Salt Lake City, Dallas, Atlanta, Green Bay, Tulsa, El Paso, Little Rock and Dallas again!

Whew! That's a lot of air miles! But I love it. People ask me if I ever get tired of traveling around and speaking. The answer? Never. It is something I am passionate about. I know that if my words can help people make a positive change in their lives, they will in turn make a difference in some else's life. So, here is my fall request: We are looking to fill in our schedule for the remainder of the year and the beginning of 2007 and we still have a few spots open. I would love to come join your group for one of your events!

Do I speak for corporations? Yep! Do I speak for non-profits? You bet! Do I speak for colleges and universities? Absolutely! DO I speak for network marketing companies? I sure do! Do I speak for churches? Yes I do! Do I speak for lots of other groups I haven't mentioned? Yes, yes and yes! So, if you would like to have your meeting supercharged, let us know and we will do our best to get there! I would love to include your city on my end of the year list! Email my assistant at speaker@chriswidener.com and she'll get you taken care of!


You Are Made for Success!
Chris Widener

P.S. Today's issue is going out to 69,648 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. Is This As Good As It Gets?
5. More Information

1. Charting Your Course to Success Article

Re-Developing Your Vision by Chris Widener

One of the most important things we can do for our businesses, schools, and organizations is to have vision. Vision being a clear picture of a desired end result that you are aiming for.

However, sometimes, no matter how big our vision was originally, we find ourselves focusing in on the daily events that require our attention but have nothing or little to do with our ultimate vision.

Occasionally, we think to ourselves, "Hey, I'm not really getting any closer to my vision. I'm spinning my wheels here." This is when it is time to re-develop your vision! Here are some helpful hints in doing just that.

Re-evaluate your original vision. Maybe what you used to think wasn't realistic according to your strengths, your abilities, or your circumstances. Maybe it is time to change or modify the vision to make it attainable.

Assess your strengths. To achieve your vision, you and your staff will have to operate out of your strengths. If you are having a hard time moving toward your current vision, perhaps it is because the vision requires extended application of strengths that you and/or your organization don't have yet. Either you need to hire into those strengths, develop those strengths or re-develop the vision.

Ask yourself where your passions lie. If we are to attain great things, they must be aligned with those things that burn deep within us. Do you still have a passion for your vision? Does your staff have a passion for your vision? If not, you need to develop the passion, or find the vision that you can pour your passion into. Never underestimate the power of passion and excitement in moving you toward (or keeping you from) your vision.

Ask yourself what it is that you value. What is important to you? How will fulfilling your current vision, fulfill your desire to do something important and worthwhile for you, your family, your employees, and your community?

Break the vision down into easy to achieve steps. This helps us see that the vision is attainable. It lets us know the end result, but focus intently on achieving the next goal. This will, step-by-step, move us toward our vision.

Chris Widener
 

2. Made for Success Quote and Commentary

"A river without banks is just a giant puddle." -- Don Shula

Chris' Commentary:
The water in the river is symbolic in this analogy of our dreams. We say, "I have all sorts of water, but it just isn't going anywhere. It looks like a big puddle!" That is because we have to channel our dreams in the right direction! We need some banks, some constraints that are pointed toward where it is that we want to go. The banks are discipline. Discipline keeps us within the parameters our priorities, doing what it is that we need to do in order to fulfill our life purpose. The banks also keep us from going where we shouldn't. So discipline keeps us away from the bad and channeled to the good. If you are floundering in life, perhaps what you are missing is that discipline.

Action Point: Sit down and ask yourself what banks you need to put up on each side of you. In what areas do you need discipline? When you have verbalized those, make a decision to work within the boundaries of your banks. This will get your life flowing like a raging river instead of sitting stagnant like a big ol' puddle!



3. The Last Word...

Being a speaker, one of the most common questions I hear is: I want to become a public speaker, what steps can I take? Whew, that's a BIG question. And you know, it's funny, so many of our best public speakers have unique stories on how they got to the top of the speaking industry. Speaking is such an interesting business and one that has people who have come from many different backgrounds so there isn't a "one way to do it" approach. Some are former athletes, some are successful business people, some are TV celebrities, some have been consultants, some have been ministers, some have worked for the large seminar businesses.... and on and on. You get the point! The key is to have a few of the basics:

Be successful. Whatever you are doing now, succeed at it.

Be passionate. Set your goal on becoming a speaker and don't give up.

Network. Get to know lots of people who can help you get out speaking.

Speak for free as much as possible.

Write. Get to be known as an expert in an area so people call and ask you to come speak.

Read "Money Talks" by Alan Weiss (This is the best book about getting into the speaking business).
Join the National Speakers Association.

Develop a good one page over view of who you are, what you speak about, and references from your past clients.

Keep working on all of these together, and with hard work and a little luck (luck = when preparation meets opportunity), you will achieve your dream of becoming a full-time speaker.


Oh and here's one last note on my Last Word offerings... Because I get so many questions from people in my travels when I speak, I thought, "Hey, why not invite people to email me questions and I'll answer them in my ezine." It's a great format and in my mind, it accomplishes a couple of things: 1) Human interest, and what I mean is this: I always find myself reading the stuff that relates to "real-life" situations and applications first. I what to know how people have overcome things, found specific things that helped them achieve success and the like... I think this is because, hey we're all human, we want to see how others have done it, we relate to struggles and triumphs of those in similar situations. 2) It just might answer a question you have or have been trying to solve, or at least it might give you new insight or perspective.

So, if you have questions feel free to send them. Now let me qualify what kind of questions: I'm not a counselor nor do I have a desire to become one. So send me success questions, business questions, influence questions, leadership questions and the like. I think this could be fun AND informative! Looking forward to hearing from you! -- CW




4. Is This As Good As It Gets?
 

Is This As Good As It Gets?   Have you ever asked yourself these questions? Is there more out there? Do you feel like something is holding you back? Kate did... Kate Miller was an aggressive young businesswoman, but something had been bothering her. Every day for the past five years she had gotten up and commuted to her office in Seattle to engage in the wheels of commerce. Right out of business school she had secured a job with a prestigious firm that handled high level business transactions and business exchanges. She enjoyed her work, but something held her back. Something kept her from living fully engaged in the process. It was her questions about how her faith fit with being a successful businessperson. She wondered if she could be a truly strong person of faith if she was also trying to be successful in the marketplace. Was it okay to be ambitious? To set goals? To have increasing wealth and affluence?   This book is compelling, to the point and addresses questions so many have struggled to answer in their lives. Chris Widener and his unique ability to weave vital success principles into a story will inspire you to Go For It and to Reach for your God-given potential!   Here is an excerpt from The Image Foreword written by Donna Johnson:   "As a leader in my company and in an industry that relies greatly on personal growth, I am bombarded on a daily basis with books and articles from various success coaches and authors. On one such day last year, Loraine Grover, one of my business partners from Seattle sent me Chris Widener’s book The Angel Inside. To be honest, I set it in my “to read” file, and didn’t look at it again. A few months later, I heard that Chris was graciously opening his home in Seattle for Loraine, a member of his church, to host a celebration party that leaders in our company host when others reach the VP level of our business.   When I drove up to this beautiful home, and met Chris and his lovely wife and children, I knew they were very special. I was amazed as this young man began to speak, and poured out incredible wisdom beyond his years. The next afternoon, as I rode the ferry boat to visit my son on Orcas Island, I devoured The Angel Inside. I literally could not put it down. It touched me just as the early books of Og Mandino did early in my career. Chris has an incredible gift of weaving time tested success principles in a compelling story. Chris’ next book Twelve Pillars, co-written with personal development legend Jim Rohn, made just as big of an impression on me and my team. We quickly saw a classic series developing! Then Chris sent me a preview copy of the manuscript for The Image. I’m not sure if it’s because the main character of this book, Susan, is a woman, but this is the one that hit closest to home. I wondered how these books could keep getting better and better! The principles Chris talks about in The Image are principles I have had to learn to get me where I am today, and are key for anyone who wants to achieve success in business.   It’s never too late to be the person you always wanted to be, and it’s never too late to inspire others to do the same. We all have a gift, and a purpose. I can promise you, that once you begin to read The Image you will not be able to put it down. Like the movie, Pay it Forward, enjoy it, but pass it on to inspire others. You have just lit your own fire. Now pass on your torch, and fuel the flame to ignite others! You can make a difference, and with God’s strength, you are well on your way!"     This is one book you will refer to again and again and give away again and again!     Plus Receive 2 Bonuses with Your Purchase! Bonus 1: Receive FREE your choice of Jim Rohn's Excerpts from the Treasury of Quotes ($2.25 value) or Jim Rohn's Building Your Network Marketing Business 67 minute CD ($4 value) for each book you order! So if you order 25 books at the Special quantity discount pricing, receive an additional 25 copies of either Jim's Excerpts from The Treasury of Quotes or Building Your Network Marketing Business. Bonus 2: When you order in quantities of 25 books or more you will receive a free 15 minute coaching consultation with Chris Widener. In quantities of 100 or more you will receive a free 45 minute coaching consultation with Chris (a $195 value). Special pricing on single and quantity purchases for this New Release is available. Also available in hardback!   Also Special Chris Widener Book Package containing The Image, Twelve Pillars and The Angel Inside is Available! Plus a Special "Buy All" Chris Widener Package is also available! To order today go to http://theimage.yoursuccessstore.com or call 877-929-0439.

5. More Information

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