Chris Widener's Ezine
March 28, 2007
Issue 58

Welcome!

For those of you who've signed up for the Jim Rohn Weekend Event in Dallas, TX this weekend -- I'll see you there! This is the second time I've hosted this phenomenal event -- the first time was back in 2004 in Anaheim, CA and it was a Mega event of 3 full days, multiple speakers and a crowd of around 1,300 people! Now, this Friday and Saturday's event is much more intimate -- Jim Rohn is the only speaker, seating is limited to less than 500 people and once again, I'll be hosting.

I'm looking forward to getting to spend time with and rub shoulders with the attendees. Some will be familiar faces and some will be new faces, but what I really love is that these events are filled with like-minded people all searching, growing and looking to create and live their lives in a purposeful, meaningful way.

If you've never taken the time to attend one of these events -- DEFINITELY put it on your goal list -- it will impact your life in a way you never imagined. There's magic at these events and people walk away inspired, armed with tools to develop skills, set goals and take action. But the other piece of this is being part of a group of people who are success-minded, and that is SO refreshing!

See you soon!

You Are Made for Success!
Chris Widener

P.S. Today's issue is going out to 83,333 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. Now is the time to fix the next 10 years!
5. More Information

1. Charting Your Course to Success Article

Locking in Your Legacy by Chris Widener (Excerpted from Month 12, Week One of the Jim Rohn One-Year Success Plan)

Today I want to talk with you about locking in your legacy. If you are going to leave a legacy that impacts people, there is something that you are going to have to come to grips with:

You are going to die.

What? What kind of motivational tool is that, Chris? Real inspiring!

Actually, it is. Our mortality may perhaps be the ultimate inspiration and motivation! If we lived on this earth eternally, we could be procrastinators extraordinaire! We would never have to get anything done because there would always be tomorrow. But alas, we pass on and all we leave are the memories and the lives of others we affected while we were here. Sounds gloomy? In actuality, it is exciting! You see, this gives us purpose - and a deadline (pun intended).

We can choose how we will live on in the hearts and memories of others. We do this by purposing to live NOW in a way that makes change happen not only within us but also those around us.

What kind of legacy will you leave? How will your family and friends remember you? How will you leave your descendants in the following areas? Give some thought to them and make some changes. In doing so, you will begin to lock in your legacy.

Below are some areas that Jim and I are going to cover in detail in the final three weeks. These topics are extremely important - maybe all-important. My intention in the following is to cause you to think - really think - about how you can leave a legacy, and to whet your appetite for the how-to's coming in the next few weeks.

Emotionally:
Have you ever stepped back and asked yourself how you treat other people and how that affects them emotionally? I have four children. I am acutely aware that they are being shaped emotionally by how I treat them and teach them how to deal with the world. I am especially aware of this from my own background. I can directly trace my emotional shortcomings to the emotional coolness I felt from my own family. Are you raising emotionally healthy kids who are both independent as well as interdependent? Are you helping your spouse to grow emotionally? Give this some serious thought.

Spiritually:
In my mind, the "God" question is the most important. You know, I often hear people say that they are just going to let their kids "figure it out on their own." These same people will show them how to shoot a basketball, trade stocks, and build a tree house, all simply temporal issues, but then leave the answers to the most important question up in the air! Now I am not advocating cramming anything down their throats, just taking the time to help them find their way. Are you helping and encouraging those around you to find their spiritual life? Are you living an authentic spiritual life that will be your legacy? Give some serious thought to this.

Physically:
Now I know what you are thinking: I can't change my genes. We got what we got and we have to live with it. To a certain extent this is true. I am 5'11 for the rest of my life. I will never be 6 foot, and neither will my kids. What I am talking about though, is to be examples of taking our physical health seriously. The statistics prove that whatever bad habits you have, your kids are likely to do them as well. Why? Because you are their example. This is why I work to stay physically fit. I work out. I lift weights. I eat right (most of the time - I am a sucker for Breyer's Vanilla Bean Ice Cream). I don't smoke. I want to leave a legacy of good health for my kids. True, they can still go astray, but I will do my best to give them a good example to follow. Give this some serious thought.

Financially:
There are two primary ways you can leave a financial legacy. First, teach your loved ones about how to handle money (some of you may need to learn yourself first). There are just so many good books on the subject that there is no reason for not knowing how to handle money. "Rich Dad, Poor Dad" is a good book to start with, or perhaps "The Millionaire Next Door." These will teach you the basics. Secondly, you can leave an inheritance. Now let me be clear on this. This does not have to be after you die. In fact, the more you have, the more I believe you ought to give away while you are alive. Let's face it, the older you get, the less need you have for money once the basics are taken care of. It always cracks me up that by the time you can afford a big house, your kids are gone and you don't need one! Turn the money over early so you can watch the joy of your loved ones spending, investing and giving it! This is of course predicated upon the assumption that you have first taught them how to handle it. If you have, then you should give it away while you're alive so you can enjoy seeing your legacy in action! Give your financial inheritance some serious thought.

Relationally:
What kind of legacy will you leave in regard to how you interact relationally with people you know? When people look at how you interact with others, will they be better off if they develop the same relational habits? Will your legacy be one of love, patience, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness, and forgiveness? Give the idea of influencing others relationally some serious thought.

Intellectually:
I don't know about you, but I want to challenge people to deeper intellectual thought. In a day and age of "People Magazine" mentalities, we need people who will challenge us to think deeper. Are you doing anything that will challenge your sphere of influence to intellectual gains? Will those left after you are gone say that you made them think in ways they hadn't before? That you challenged them to be smarter? Give this issue some serious thought.

Functionally:
Functionally? Yep. It's a catchall word. It is how you function. How will those you influence actually function? This is to a great degree how you function. Are you well rounded? Are you balanced? Do you keep the main things the main things? Is your life functioning well? Make it your goal to live a balanced, functional life so you can leave a legacy of such. Give your life function some serious thought.

I ended each paragraph with a challenge to think seriously about each. These aren't issues we will solve immediately. They take a lifetime to build and they will ebb and flow. But as you diligently pursue staying on top of them, you will be locking in that legacy you desire to leave behind!

Have a great week!

Chris Widener


Chris Widener is a weekly contributor to the Jim Rohn One-Year Success Plan. As Jim Rohn says, "Now is the time to fix the next 10 years!", and Chris asks, "Do you have a plan in place to keep you focused and on course for reaching your goals in 2007? Are you on the right track mentally, physically, spiritually, financially, relationally, etc.?" As we approach the end of the first quarter of 2007, now is a great time, if you have not already done so, to sign-up for the Jim Rohn One-Year Success Plan. To learn more go to http://oneyear.jimrohn.com or call 800-929-0434 to sign-up today!



2. Made for Success Quote and Commentary

"If the dream is big enough, the facts don't matter." -- Dexter Yager

Chris' Commentary:
It seems counter-intuitive doesn't it? It should be "if the dream is small enough..." At least then there might be a chance you can achieve it! But no, a small dream isn't inspiring enough to overcome any facts that may stand in its way. Only big dreams make facts irrelevant! Big dreams inspire people to disregard the facts because they know they need a miracle anyway to make this dream a reality! So do you want success? Then dream big and ignore the facts!

Action Point: What is your dream? Is it big enough to motivate you? Think of your dream today and then make it bigger! Maybe you need to double the size or shorten the time to get there! Whatever you do, make sure your dream falls under the "big" category!



3. The Last Word...

Don't you just hate it when people make excuses for their failures? So do I. But do you know what I hate even more? Finding myself making excuses for my failures! I have a policy that I try to live by: No excuses.

Here are some of my thoughts on a "No Excuses" policy.

People will respect you. When you say that there are no excuses, that you blew it, and that you take full responsibility to make the situation right, people will be astounded (since very few people make no excuses) and they will come to a greater respect of you.

You will find yourself taking greater responsibility. When you know that your policy is to have no excuses, there will be less room for error because you will be doing everything that you can to make sure the job gets done!

You will become the "go to" person. When someone wants something done, they will turn to you because they know that they can count on you to perform. And they know they won't get any excuses! This will improve your level of success, and that is exactly what you are aiming for, right?

Practice up: "You're right. There is no excuse for that. I will fix it immediately."

Refreshing! -- CW




4. "Now is the time to fix the next 10 years!"

We are approaching the end of the first quarter of 2007 and now is a great time, if you have not already done so, to sign-up for the Jim Rohn One-Year Success Plan.

Do you Plan, Do and Review for the first part of 2007, are you focused and on course for reaching your goals? Are you on the right track mentally, physically, spiritually, financially, relationally, etc.?

You can start April 1st and take advantage of our amazing offer (only $9.97 a month for the first 3 months, plus receive 4 Goal Setting Bonuses) to begin the Jim Rohn One-Year Success Plan!

The Jim Rohn One-Year Success Plan - One of the Most Comprehensive Resource and Success Plans Ever Created For You To Reach All Of Your Goals in the Next 12 Months - all for only an initial payment of $9.97! It is a consistent game plan designed to keep you on track, taking action and motivated to design and achieve the life of your dreams!

"If you were to take the lessons and experiences you've acquired in the past 1 year, 5 years or 10 years and skillfully invest that into your future, how powerful would that be? Where would you find yourself at the end of the next year, what new skills would you have learned, what would your life look like then?" -- Jim Rohn

As Jim Rohn would say... "Now is the time to fix the next 10 years"

To learn more or to sign-up go to http://oneyear.jimrohn.com or call 800-929-0434 to sign-up today!

 

5.  More Information

Ezine Archives - To review previous issues of Chris Widener's Ezine, please go to: Ezine Archives