Chris Widener's Ezine
November 19, 2008
Issue 100

Welcome!

On March 11, 2005, my Ezine launched to a very modest-sized audience. This week's installment marks the 100th issue and I'm proud to say that it now reaches an audience of 109,298 high achievers!

In the inaugural issue, I declared that I was embracing some changes in my life and that it was a good thing. After all, I said, “Everyone has to change from time to time, and if we do it right, change will take us even further than what we have currently achieved.’

Well, looking back over the past three and one-half years, as you can imagine, I've experienced a multitude of changes. I bet you have too. But one thing that hasn't changed is the way in which we should all deal with change. Embrace it!

With this milestone 100th issue, I want to reissue my challenge to you to embrace change. Let it take you to your dreams! Together we can learn to embrace and experience change together. Big things are happening in our lives and in the lives of those around us. I am glad that we continue on this journey together!

To celebrate this 100th issue, I'd like to offer you a very special deal on two of my most popular programs—only $100 for both! See below for details.

You Are Made for Success!
Chris Widener

P.S. Today's issue is going out to 109,298 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. 100th Issue Special!
5. More Information

1. Charting Your Course to Success Article

Elements of Change by Chris Widener

The key to achieving more than you currently are, no matter which area of your life or work you are focusing in on now, is change. The old saying rings true: If you always do what you have always done, you will always get what you've already got. If you keep eating and exercising the way you currently are, you will weigh the same a year from now. If you continue to sell to the same people on the same schedule, you will make the same amount of money next year. In order to move forward, we must change.

As I have worked with people, both in a professional setting and on a personal basis, I have found two things to be true about change. One, it is simple. Two, it is not easy. That is, the concept of change is simple to grasp. People or organizations are quick to say, "Oh, I know we need to change." Simple.

But where the problem starts, and why most people and organizations do not change, is because it is not easy to change. But, I believe, if the process is well thought out, and if we have the guts and determination to carry it out, change can happen, and we can move on to more fulfilled lives.

With that said, let me give you what I consider the elements of change.

Discontentment with your current state. The first step in the process of change is to not want to be where you currently are. You must be discontent with it. If you are overweight, you must say, "I will not accept this anymore." If you are in debt, you must say, "I cannot tolerate this any longer." If you have broken relationships, you must say, "I will not live with this." This is a decision to change and not accept the status-quo.

The picture of your preferred outcome. What is it that you want to change to? It absolutely is not enough to say "I need to change." It must be: "I am going to change to..." This becomes the goal. I would encourage you to get a mental picture of it formulated in your mind. Get a real picture of it if it is that tangible. Perhaps write yourself a short essay, extolling the virtues of what life will be like when you get to the changed state.

New associations with the two states. You must begin to associate your current state you are in with pain, and the state you want to be in with pleasure. Let's take weight for example. We tend to think of ice cream, mounds of it, with pleasure. I know that I do. Especially chocolate chip mint. At a friend's house recently, we had some ice cream. Normal portions. I don't like to eat normal portions. I like huge portions of ice cream. There is an association of pleasure there. But what I did to overcome the urge to eat scoop after scoop was to associate huge portions to being overweight, not the pleasure of the taste. I also associated not eating the ice cream with feeling better about myself. Then when it comes to exercise, I work on associating the exercise and weight-lifting with the pleasure of fitting into my clothes rather than the pain my muscles feel every time I do it. This help me win the battle of the mind.

Develop a plan of short, simple steps. "I am going to lose fifty pounds in two months." "I will sell 500% more next month." These are examples of change that are good goals to have long term, but too big for the time allotted - and this is havoc on change! If your goals are too big in too short of time, you will fail and become discouraged. Then you will quit and decide change can't be accomplished. Instead, you must have short, workable, attainable goals if you are going to see real change happen and stay. "I am going to lose five pounds a month for ten months." "We are going to sell 6% more each month this year (That would double your business each year)" These are the size steps you need to take. Then you will build victory after victory.

Discipline yourself. Sorry but this is where it is up to you. At the heart of change is the ability to discipline ourselves. I cannot lose your weight. Your mom cannot go out and make sales calls for you. The only real obstacle standing between your current state and your desired outcome is you! So do everything you can to get yourself motivated to change! Force yourself to get out of bed and get to work on your goals! Discipline yourself. Choose to make the right decision.

Reward yourself when you have made the change. That's right: reward yourself. You have worked hard and exerted a lot of self-discipline to get there! You deserve it!

Chris Widener  

To celebrate the milestone 100th issue of my Ezine, I want to extend a very special offer to you. To learn more, go to http://www.YourSuccessStore.com/100th today or call 877-929-0439.

2. Made for Success Quote and Commentary

"People can cry much easier than they can change." James Baldwin

Chris' Commentary:
This is why they do: it is easier to cry, to lament, to wish things were better, than to change. If change were the easiest thing to do, then most people would change. Instead, most people take the easy road and lament along the way, somehow thinking that since they wish things were better, that, in and of itself, must be noble. It isn't! Taking the difficult road of change in the face of easier roads is noble! Average people cry about their situations, while successful people do something about their situations.

Action Point: What is the one thing you have the tendency to cry about or lament? Take a step today to change it! For example, if it is your weight, then go exercise and don't have seconds! Change, day by day, and your life will become what you want it to be!

3. The Last Word...

The First Step for Getting Better Results by Jim Rohn

How dramatically we can change our results is largely a function of imagination. In 1960, it was a technological impossibility for man to travel into outer space. Within ten years, however, the first man stepped out onto the surface of the moon. The miraculous process of converting the dream into reality began when one voice challenged the scientific community to do whatever was necessary to see to it that America "places a man on the moon by the end of this decade." That challenge awakened the spirit of a nation by planting the seed of possible future achievement into the fertile soil of imagination. With that one bold challenge the impossible became a reality.

- THE SAME PRINCIPLE APPLIES TO EVERY OTHER AREA OF OUR LIFE! -

Can a poor person become wealthy? Of course! The unique combination of desire, planning, effort and perseverance will always work its magic. The question is not whether the formula for success will work, but rather whether the person will work the formula. That is the unknown variable. That is the challenge that confronts us all. We can all go from wherever we are to wherever we want to be. No dream is impossible provided we first have the courage to believe in it. -- Jim Rohn

4. 100th Issue Special!

To celebrate the milestone 100th issue of my Ezine, I want to extend a very special offer to you.

For a limited time, you can get 2 of my most popular programs--The Ultimate Success Series and The Extraordinary Leaders Seminar--for only $100 ... that's a savings of more than 75% off retail price!

To learn more, go to http://www.YourSuccessStore.com/100th today or call 877-929-0439.

5. More Information

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

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