Boy, have you been to the mall lately? You'd think it was Christmas or something. :-) 'Tis the season for finding a parking space that isn't more than a mile away from the mall and getting it swiped by the person in the car who swooped in after you were in line for it; grumpy salespeople and grumpy last-minute shoppers.

But let me be the gentle voice of reason here... When people cut you off, grab the last sweater you were reaching for, or cut in the mile-long check-out line you've been patiently waiting in for 30 minutes... take a breath, smile and remember why you're out there in the hustle and bustle -- your kids or your mom, your grandfather or best friend. Give the gift of grace in those moments you want to holler, tackle the person who grabbed the sweater and dash to the cash register with your purchase before they can catch you. ;_) Giving gifts and blessings to those you love is a gift in and of itself, so don't forget the reason for the season -- and remember to cherish those smiles, ooohs and aaahs and hugs on Christmas morning (and then resolve to shop early next year). ;_)

P.S. Today's issue is going out to 97,971 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. Chris Widener's Christmas Reading Special!
5. More Information

1. Charting Your Course to Success Article

Your Dream Can Be Your Future by Chris Widener

Here is a basic truth you must accept and believe if you are to achieve your dream...

Your dream can be a reality! That's right; your future can actually see you living your dream. It doesn't just have to be a big wish!

When we are young we are dreamers. Nothing seems too big for us to accomplish. Nothing seems too outrageous. The world is ours on a string as the old song goes. Until...

"Reality" hits. Reality is what others want to box you in with:
"You can't do that."
"Nobody has ever done that before."
"It will never work."
"You've gone off the deep end now!"

All dreamers (who eventually become accomplishers) have heard these things.

Yet they overcome them. They refuse to accept someone else's "reality" for their own life. They let the average people live their average lives, bound by fear, while they pursue their chosen future – their dream! So don't believe the people who tell you that you can't or won't. Believe your dream. Believe that it can be your future!

Once you have determined that you can actually live your dream, I want you to memorize this acronym. I've shared it before, but I found that it is tremendously helpful for reminding and motivating us toward our dreams.

D is for Dare (dare to dream while others don't)
R is for Relentless (relentlessly pursue your dream no matter what)
E is for Excellence (strive for excellence in all you do)
A is for Abandon (abandon any other alternative plans)
M is for Measure (constantly measure where you are in your dream journey)

Okay, that's great and motivating, but what about the practical stuff? Well, there is certainly practical stuff. No matter how lofty your dream, no matter how spectacular, you will live most of your life in the mundane. Richard Nixon said of the presidency that you "campaign with poetry, but govern with prose." The vision is beautiful, the actual is mundane (not bad but "everyday" so to speak).

If you are to achieve your dream, you need to plan and work and work and plan. Here are my thoughts on how to go about reaching your dream and securing it as your future: Decide that you will do it. This may seem elementary but many people never decide and commit fully to their dream. They simply keep "thinking" about it. Tell others that you are going to do it. This puts you on the record as to what you are dreaming about. It makes you accountable. It will help you do it if for no other reason than to avoid embarrassment!

Develop a step-by-step plan. This is absolutely essential. You must sit down and write out a few things:

1. A timeline. How long will it take to the end?

2. Action steps. Point-by-point, what you will do and when you will do them.

3. Resources you will need to draw from. What will it take? Who will need to be involved for help or advice?

4. An evaluation tool. You need to evaluate from time to time whether you are progressing or not.

5. A celebration. Yep, when you are done you should already have planned what you will do to celebrate. Make it big!

I have found that there is no better time than now to start making your dream a reality. So, set aside some time today to get started on your dream. Follow the action plan and set your sights for the top of the mountain! You will be glad you did!

-- Chris Widener
 

Picture it... a roaring fire, a moment of peace and you comfortable on the couch reading a great book! But I can hear you now, saying, "Hmmm, what should I read." How about my book, Live the Life You've Always Dreamed Of! Well, whenever I speak at events, one of the top sellers is always my book package, so I thought, "Hey, why not offer it to my internet readers as well?"

Check it out and see what the books are. Oh, and to sweeten the deal, I've thrown in an extra gift too... Check it out! And while you're there, you can always pick up an extra book or two for those hard-to-buy people on your gift list: http://cwbookpkg.yoursuccessstore.com

2. Made for Success Quote and Commentary

"Articulate your dream to others and the power of it will draw them to help you accomplish it." -- Chris Widener

Chris' Commentary:
There are only a few speeches in our country that we listen to regularly and are almost universally aware of. One of them is Martin Luther King's speech, "I have a dream." Did other people have that dream? Many. But what is so powerful is that we remember that Martin Luther King so eloquently articulated that dream. Because of this, many followed and the course of a nation was altered forever. This is a lesson that we could learn and apply in our daily lives. If you have a dream and only you know about it, it is really just a wish. When you begin to tell others about your dream you will be putting it into action and drawing them to help you achieve it. The fact is that most people don't have a dream and when someone does, they get on board (Yes, some will be naysayers, but many will want you to succeed!).

Action Point: First, get in touch with your life dream if you don't have one. Second, begin to tell others your dream. One good way to do this is to ask others what their dream is. Worst case scenario is they tell you they don't have one but ask what yours is. Best case, you both share your dream and encourage one another to accomplish your dreams! Have at least one conversation today about your dream!

3. The Last Word...

What in the World Are You Doing? (excerpted from Jim Rohn's Twelfth Pillar of Success: Legacy, Part Three of the Jim Rohn One-Year Success Plan)

Hi there, Chris Widener here.

This week I want to talk with you about leaving an impact legacy. "What is an impact legacy?" you may ask. It is how you impact people and the world around you. You see, many people glide through life and do not make much of an impact. That is unfortunate. Others though, those driven by a purpose and passion for living, are continually making the world a better place and making an impact wherever they go. That's what I believe you want to do.

In order to help you reflect on this during this week, I want to ask you a question: What in the world are you doing?

Here is the typical life - typical, though not everybody does it this way. But for the most part, people's lives generally go something like this:

You're born
You eat and sleep
You play with toys
You go to school
You play little league
You go to school
You learn to drive
You go to school
You leave high school
You go to more school, but you pay for it now
You get a job
You get married
You buy a house
You have kids
You watch your kids eat, sleep, play and go to school
You work, work, and work
You retire
You die

That's the basic life, isn't it? I know there is more to it, but that is about it for most people.

Here is that question again: What in the world are you doing? I mean, what are you doing besides the typical "enjoying yourself while you are waiting to die" scenario? What kind of impact are you making?

What I believe sets the successful apart is that they don't just live the average life. They don't just pass time. They make an impact. They have something compelling in their life that drives them - something that gives them an answer when they are asked that question: What in the world are you doing?

I'm helping children.
I'm creating a business that supports many families.
I lead a church.
I am defending our liberties.
I am raising great children.
I'm teaching others to improve their lives.
I help people have fun.
I create memories for people.

In other words, successful people always come down to this: I make an impact and help other people by (fill in your purpose here).

What in the world are you doing?

If you want to be successful, you need to be able to answer that by describing how you help others. Because if you aren't helping others - if you aren't making an impact - you are just taking up space, eating food and waiting to die.

Here's the question for you to answer this week and what to do with your answer:

What in the world are you doing?

If you know, then you are good to go - live it and make an impact!

If you don't know, then maybe you need to reflect on what you are doing, what your life is about, and how you can explode the mundane bubble you may be living in!

The world needs impact makers - so live to be one!

Have a great week!
Chris

2007 is almost gone... And my question to you is: Will You Achieve the Goals You'll Set for 2008? Right now is the perfect time to assess the past year and set new goals for 2008... But how many times have you set goals only to find yourself 1/4, 1/2 or even 3/4 of the way through the year with little or no progress toward those goals? Well, I can help!

I am excited to announce a Very Special Invitation to All of our Chris Widener Ezine Subscribers to be part of 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 a month for the first 3 months!

Did you read that right? Yep, only $9.97.

To join and/or to hear my complete description of the One-Year Success Plan, go to: http://jr1.jimrohn.com and click Play.

4. Chris Widener's Christmas Reading Special!

Picture it... a roaring fire, a moment of peace and you comfortable on the couch reading a great book!

But I can hear you now, saying, "Hmmm, what should I read."

Well, whenever I speak at events, one of the top sellers is always my book package, so I thought, "Hey, why not offer it to my internet readers as well?"

Check it out and see what the books are. Oh, and to sweeten the deal, I've thrown in an extra gift too... Check it out!

And while you're there, you can always pick up an extra book or two for those hard-to-buy people on your gift list.

http://cwbookpkg.yoursuccessstore.com   

5. More Information

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