Whirlwind is the key word this month! I love taking on new clients, speaking for repeat clients and traveling the globe to do what I love! Early last week I was in Dallas filming my TV show, then in Baltimore last weekend speaking at an Arbonne event. This weekend I'll be in New York state for an corporate event, then head on to Phoenix after that, I'll have a few conference calls scattered throughout the schedule and then will be in Egypt later on this month as well. Did I say, "Whirlwind"? But its my dream, I love my life!

Folks, I have to say that living your dreams is such a possibility! Many of you who have heard me speak, know that my start was, well definitely less than stellar. In fact, I had a very rough start -- drugs, alcohol, skipping school -- nothing any parent wants their kid taking part in. But something happened when I was 17; I experienced a transformational moment and from that pivotal moment I made the decision to choose a different path, to make different decisions and my life changed! Now, it took work, it took commitment, it took resolve.

Let's not kid ourselves, change is rarely easy, but IT IS WORTH IT! Let me encourage you with all of my heart, if you're sitting on the proverbial fence, hoping life will somehow change for you, STOP! Don't waste any more time, hop off that fence and get moving! Make that decision and move on it! YOUR life will be the better for it. Get going, get goaling and move toward the life you want to create. Don't procrastinate on pursuing changes that will make ALL the difference in your life!


You Are Made for Success!
Chris Widener

P.S. Today's issue is going out to 71,716 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. 52 Weeks of "Life-Changing" Lessons = One New You!
5. More Information

1. Charting Your Course to Success Article

Thoughts on Financial Freedom by Chris Widener (excerpted from Week 16 of the Jim Rohn One-Year Success Plan)

Hi there, Chris Widener here. Below are some questions to think about, but first a few thoughts on financial freedom and how to find it for yourself.

Financial freedom is a buzzword for our generation. It is the pursuit of literally millions of people. So what is it? Is it that elusive? Can anyone achieve it?

Let me start by saying that this is not about how to earn money, or even more money. Rather, it is about how to find financial freedom, which surprisingly, may or may not involve making more money.

The first step in finding financial freedom is to realize that financial freedom has absolutely nothing to do with how much money you have or make.

What? Exactly. Financial freedom is something that goes on inside of you.

This is why someone who makes very little can be happy and someone who makes a ton can be extremely stressed out over his or her financial situation. So the first step is to realize that financial freedom is more about our attitudes toward money than about the amount of money.

"Okay Chris, I'm with you. So what are the attitudes that provide financial freedom?" Here are a few that keep me in financial freedom.

I do not have to worry about money. I used to catch myself saying, "If I had more money, then I wouldn't have to worry about..." But do you know what? I don't have to worry anyway. I can control my income. I can control my outgo. I can make choices that can alleviate any of my worries. I also realized that things always work out. So why worry? I choose not to worry. I work hard, invest, plan for the future and I do not worry about it.

I can be happy regardless of my financial state. I know people who are worth hundreds of millions of dollars and I know people who don't have two nickels to rub together. Some are happy and some aren't. And none of the people who have a lot of money say to me, "Chris, I've become so happy since I got money." They were happy before they had money and they are happy now that they have money. Their happiness has nothing to do with the money. Billionaire David Geffen once said, "Anyone who says that money will buy them happiness has never had any money."

Money is a means to an end, not the end itself. Another way to look at it is that money is a tool to build the house, not the house itself. I would set some financial goals if I were you, but go beyond that to know what greater purpose there will be when you reach them. What will the house be used for that you build with this tool?

I am free. I am free to earn - some people think it is bad to earn more money. It isn't.

I am free to save - some people believe it is bad to save. It isn't.

I am free to give money away - some people feel they will be better off hoarding it. They won't.

I am free to spend - some people believe that they can't spend anything on themselves. They can.

We are free to make choices. That is financial freedom.

Embrace delayed gratification. Here is the principle: Buy it now and struggle later. Another principle: Delay buying it now, invest the money, and have all you want later on! And you won't even have to touch the principal! We tend to think that having it now will bring enjoyment, but unless you can do it and not cause yourself financial stress, you will actually get more from waiting!

Have more by managing better. The fact is that most of us earn enough. What would be beneficial is to set our priorities and live by a budget. As we get control, our budget will loosen up a bit and we will find ourselves enjoying it more. Money that is already there can be your answer if you put it to work for you.

You can experience financial freedom no matter how much money you have. Granted, it is great to build wealth and that should be our goal, but no matter what level you are currently at, or what level of wealth you ultimately attain, if you keep money in the proper perspective, you can be happy and free.


Questions for Reflection:

Q. Do you have an investment plan? Do you follow it? How well?

Q. Do you have a plan to invest in hard assets? Income producing assets?

Q. What ideas do you have that you can invest in?

Q. Are you investing in your company? If so, how? If you don't have one, have you considered starting one? What would it take for you to step out and do so?

This week take some time and put some thought into your Financial Freedom plan, then take the action necessary to accomplish your Freedom!

Chris Widener
 

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.
 

2. Made for Success Quote and Commentary

"I sometimes wonder whether all pleasures are not substitutes for joy." -- C. S. Lewis

Chris' Commentary:
Pleasures aren't bad, don't get me wrong. But sometimes I have found as I work with people that they are using the immediate gratification of pleasure to avoid looking deeply within. They do this because they are afraid of what they may see, and what that might mean. The problem is that the pursuit of pleasure is a never-ending treadmill. Pleasures, while enjoyable, are elusively fleeting. What most people are really looking for is joy. Pleasures are merely temporary substitutes for the long-term feeling we call joy. Joy comes when we are able to look inside, see all of our stuff, both the good and the bad, and be at peace with who we are. Then we can be filled with the joy that comes from a life at peace with ourselves, with others and with God.

Action Point: Take some time today to reflect inwardly. Take some time where you aren't pursuing any pleasure, but are seeking joy. Let yourself be at peace. Experience the joy of life!




3. The Last Word...