Happy Valentines Day! There are always mixed emotions on Valentines Day for both men and women -- some love it and look forward to it. Others dread it and wish no one had ever come up with a day to celebrate "love". Whatever direction you're leaning, don't let this day slip past without acknowledging the special people in your life. Yes, your spouse or significant other if you have one -- that's the obvious one. But what about your parents, those with whom you have a special friendship or relationship, your kids or a lonely neighbor. It could even be stopping by a local nursing home or hospital and taking the time to visit someone who might not have anyone else acknowledge them on this day. Now these don't necessarily fall under the typical "Valentines Day" category, but love comes in many different shapes, forms and sizes so let today be just that, let it take whatever form will bring you and those you care about joy.

You Are Made for Success!
Chris Widener

P.S. Today's issue is going out to 79,934 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. See Chris Widener in Los Angeles and Anaheim, CA this month!
5. Reminder - From our Very Important Annoucement!
6. More Information

1. Charting Your Course to Success Article

How to Put a Little Z.I.P. Into Your Relationships by Chris Widener

Through the years I have spent hundreds of hours working with people in their relationships: Marriages, friendships, working relationships and social relationships. Through it all I have seen some wonderful things and some terrible things. It truly is the good, the bad and the ugly! But I have been able to find three core elements of successful relationships. These are things that, when done over time, begin to create for you the kinds of relationships that you truly desire. They are the kinds of relationships you have always dreamed of. So I wanted to give you a good way to remember some of the essentials with an acronym I have used to keep my mind on three important elements of relationships in my own life. It is the acronym Z.I.P. Z.I.P. stands for three things you can do - and begin to do immediately - to improve any and all of your relationships. Here are some thoughts on how to put a little Z.I.P. into your relationships!

Put some Zest into your relationships.
Cultivate more Intimacy in your relationships.
Develop a Purpose in your relationships.

Now, let's take a closer look at each of these three:

Put some Zest into Your Relationships.
By Zest, I primarily mean fun. Relationships were meant to be fun! We wouldn't have been made with the capacity to have fun if relationships weren't supposed to have a little zest in them! Think about it: Don't you usually start out most healthy relationships with a lot of fun times? Whether it is going out to dinner or a ballgame, or spending time playing a game or even just a lively talk, you usually have fun as a major part of the relationship. Fun is some of the glue that bonds the relationship. However, as life goes on, specifically in a marriage, but potentially in all relationships really, the fun starts to go by the wayside. More and more it is about getting the job done, whatever the job may be. To restore the relationship, to put a little zip into it, we need to reintroduce the idea of "zest."

Cultivate more Intimacy in Your Relationships.
First a couple of clarifications: One, I don't just mean intimacy in the common term of sexual intimacy. I mean for all intents and purposes, taking your relationship to a deeper level. Second, I don't mean that you have to start doing group hugs with your workmates or having revelation sessions where the tissue flows freely. What I do mean is that every relationship that is mutually satisfying has a level of depth to it that provides meaning. This is really what the search is for in our relationships -- meaning.

Remember when you first started your relationship, whether with your spouse or friend. All of that time was spent opening up, telling who you are, where you were from, and about your likes and dislikes. There was a deep sense of satisfaction with the relationship - that is why it continued. You liked who they were and you enjoyed being known by them. But then something happens. We get to a certain level and the pursuit of depth ends. We stop sharing feeling, likes and dislikes. We stop sharing joys and dreams and fears. Instead, we settle into routines. The daily grind takes over and we stop knowing one another and we simply exist together. Now don't get me wrong, every time you get together doesn't have to be deep. Remember, I am the one who advocates in the previous paragraphs just having plain old fun sometimes. But there is a need for regular times of intimate connection where we go deeper with others.

Develop a Purpose in Your Relationships.
The most meaningful relationships we have are those that are held together by a common purpose and vision for what the relationship can accomplish, not only for those involved but also for a greater good. Let's face it, when people have a common purpose they feel like they are part of a team and they feel bound together in that relationship. Even when people may be disappointed in the people they are in relationship with, if they have a purpose, such as raising children, they are much more likely to stick it out. Purpose creates bonds. So what happens if we are proactively involved in seeking out a common purpose with those we want a relationship with or those with whom we already have a relationship, but would like to see it go to a deeper level? Well, it gets better and stronger. Think about your strongest relationships. Aren't they centered around at least one area of purpose or a common goal? What about a relationship that has cooled? Think back and see if perhaps you used to have a common purpose but it has gone by the wayside.

So let's recap: You want your relationships to show a little "zip"? Then put a little Z.I.P. in them:

Put some Zest into your relationships.
Cultivate more Intimacy in your relationships.
Develop a Purpose in your relationships.

Chris Widener  

2. Made for Success Quote and Commentary

"The most effective way to achieve right relations with any living thing is to look for the best in it, and then help that best into the fullest expression." -- Allen J. Boone

Chris' Commentary:
Having great relationships is a way to help you reach your destiny of success in a timelier manner. Relationships help you by giving you insight, encouragement and open doors. So how can you develop relationships that grow into the kind that will be fruitful? The best way is to give into the lives of others. When you give, you receive. Specifically, look for the best in other people and pour all of your energy into helping that best become even better yet. When you do so, people will respond incredibly and your relationships will blossom.

Action Point: Take some time today to help someone else become his or her best. Give them the encouragement they need to reach their fullest potential! Every time you do so, the rewards come back to you beyond your wildest imagination!



3. The Last Word...

Here's a little something from John Gray on relationships... Men and women are so different in many aspects, but if we can just grasp and appreciate those differences, then it helps it all just work so much better. -- CW

"Men seek trust, acceptance and appreciation in order to feel loved. 'A man's sense of self is more identified with his achievements. To love and appreciate his achievements is to love him.' Women, on the other hand, look for care, understanding and respect. The best way to love her? In a word: listen. 'Show your genuine interest, your heartfelt concern, ask questions and then ask more questions.'" - John Gray, Best Selling Author of Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus




4. See Chris Widener in Los Angeles and Anaheim, CA this month!!
 
Chris Widener will be speaking on his most requested "Winning with Influence" topic. Top leaders, elite sales people and exceptional parents all possess an extraordinary ability to influence others. This seminar delves deeply into what works best and why it works. This fascinating presentation will arm you with practical tools and fresh insight that will help you in your business and your personal life. Topics covered include:

- 12 character traits & skills necessary for true leadership and professional selling

- Attract people rather than repel them by understanding the difference between "hunting" and "fishing"

- Discover the two primary factors people use to determine whether they will follow you or invest in your offering

- How to use "soft power" rather than "hard power"

- The key to connecting with people at the heart level instead of just the mind level

- and More!


Monday, February 26, 2007
6:30-9:30 pm
Hacienda Hotel at LAX
525 N. Sepulveda Blvd
El Segundo, CA 90245
310-615-0015


Tuesday, February 27, 2007
6:30-9:30 pm
Anaheim Convention Center
800 West Katella Ave
Anaheim, CA 92802

To learn more or to purchase tickets go to http://seminar.jimrohn.com or call 800-929-0434.
 

5. Reminder - From our Very Important Annoucement!

For over a year, Jim Rohn and I have collaborated on a new project that is designed to help you have more, do more and become more!

It has now been completed!

Did you know that most people are sabotaging their chances for achievement?

The reason is because they don't have a plan. You know the saying, "if you fail to plan, you plan to fail".

Please use this link to learn more: http://twelvepillars.jimrohn.com

Sincerely,
Chris Widener,

Visit: http://twelvepillars.jimrohn.com
 

6. More Information

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