Chris Widener's Ezine
December 17, 2008
Issue 102

Welcome!

At this hectic time of the year, and especially in today's fragile economy, we have a tendency to develop an attitude. Having an attitude isn't necessarily a bad thing, as long as it's productive. Do everything you can to control your thoughts today. Focus on a positive attitude. Think good thoughts. Dream big dreams. Be optimistic. Create your actions from what you think about. In doing so, you set off a chain reaction that will shape your life for years to come!

Happy Holidays!
You Are Made for Success!
Chris Widener

P.S. Today's issue is going out to 109,808 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. Great Gift-Giving Ideas and FREE Shipping!
5. More Information

1. Charting Your Course to Success Article

Keeping Your Attitude Up When Circumstances Are Down by Chris Widener

Instead of spending your time thinking about how bad things are, think about how good they will be!

Everyone knows that a positive attitude is key to the successful life. But what happens when things go wrong? What happens when circumstances deal us a blow?  We have a tendency to let our attitudes take the dive along with our state of affairs. Life deals us setbacks, both minor and major, on a regular basis, but if we are going to be successful, we need to know how to deal with them and keep our attitudes intact! We need practical tools to help us understand how we can go about keeping our attitude up, when the circumstances are down. Here are some thoughts to help us do so:

Take some time-out.  I'm sure you are aware of what happens. You are going about your day and everything seems to be going well, when out of nowhere disaster strikes. All of your best-laid plans begin to tumble. Sometimes circumstances surprise us and we react. Unfortunately, this often compounds the problem because by reacting we tend to operate out of our weaknesses instead of our strengths. We make decisions that are not well thought out. We function with a bad attitude that says, "I can't believe this is happening!"

The next time circumstances turn against you, take some time to just step back from the problem and think. This will enable you to deal with the issue at hand rationally, instead of emotionally. It will allow you to put your state of mind back into its proper place. It gives you the opportunity to choose your attitude as you face the circumstances at hand. Remember that we don't have to do something right now. Go grab a cup of coffee and relax little bit. By doing this you function with you being in control and not the circumstances.

Keep your eye on the goal. A second step in keeping our attitude in the proper place is to make sure we keep the important things important. One of the biggest problems with trouble is that it gets your focus off of where it should be. When I experience difficult circumstances and people ask me how it is going, I tell them, "I am just keeping my eye on the goal." It has always been fascinating to me that when racecar drivers get into trouble, they keep their eyes straight ahead and do not move them away. There is just too much chance of wrecking that way. Instead, their eyes are on the goal, and this keeps them out of trouble. If you find yourself getting down about circumstances, sit down and write out what the goal is. Give some thought to how you can achieve that goal or others you may have.

A man was asked how he was doing and he responded, "Pretty well, under the circumstances." The other man asked, "What are you doing under the circumstances?" Good question. We shouldn't be under the circumstances. We should be focused on the goal and moving forward.

Focus on solutions, not problems. The squeaky wheel gets the grease, the old saying goes. Negative circumstances don't sit idly by. They scream for our attention. When we face difficult circumstances, we tend to dwell on them. We talk about them, fret about them, and give them way too much attention. Instead of talking about problems, talk about solutions. Instead of spending your time thinking about how bad things are, think about how good they will be! Don't have family or staff meetings about the problems and how big they are. Have meetings on the solutions and how you will implement them. Don't let yourself or other team members complain. Encourage them to solve, with an emphasis on the positive results that will come from doing so. Then take some time to put these solutions down on paper, so you can monitor your progress.

Get some positive input. The mind tends to build on itself, so when we begin to go in one direction, i.e. worry, it can be a slippery slope. One thing we must do is get our thoughts back on track with positive ideas. When circumstances have got you against the emotional wall, get with a good friend who can encourage you. Listen to a tape by Jim Rohn, Zig Ziglar or another motivational speaker. Pick up a good book and give it a read. Whatever external influence you can get to put your attitude back on the positive side of the tracks - do it! It must be one of our first goals to start plugging good things into our minds to fuel our attitudes.

Tell yourself the good. One of the greatest internal powers we have is the power to control our thoughts. Spend time dwelling on the good things about your life or job instead of the problems. Think about positive things, things you enjoy and give you a sense of happiness and peace. There is an old childhood song that says, "Count your blessings, name them one by one." That is great advice! Let your positive attitude develop from within as well as from without. This makes all the difference!

Remember that circumstances are not forever. Sometimes it seems like we are going to be up to our eyeballs in the situation forever, when in reality, this too shall pass. There will be a time in the future when circumstances will change and you will be on the mountain instead of in the valley. This will give you a sense of hope as you live and work that will change your attitude, make you feel better and put you on the fast track for growth!

Chris Widener  

Find positive, attitude-changing ideas in some of Chris Widener's most popular books, CD and DVD programs. Give them as gifts that positively affect the future of your gift recipient! For details, go to http://www.yoursuccessstore.com/cw-gifts or call 877-929-0439.

2. Made for Success Quote and Commentary

"It takes just as little time to see the positive side of life as it does the negative side." Jimmy Buffet

Chris' Commentary:
One of the beautiful things about life is that we get to choose how we will react to each and every situation as it happens to us. We also get to choose what our whole outlook on life is going to be. We can choose to be positive and believe that good things are going to happen and that, generally speaking, people mean well. Or we can choose to believe the opposite. No matter what we choose to believe, it affects us and how we live life, how we interact with others, and what kind of moods we have. So I say, "Choose to have a positive attitude about each situation and about life in general!" What is the upside? A better life, filled with joy. What is the downside? Occasional disappointment when people fail you. But people are going to fail you regardless, so we may as well enjoy the rest of the time from the positive attitude we have!

Action Point: What or who do you have a bad attitude about? Take some time today - as much time as it takes - to think through the positive side of that situation or person. Then choose to believe it and act as though it is true. It will truly change your life!

3. The Last Word...

Attitude is Everything by Jim Rohn

The process of human change begins within us. We all have tremendous potential. We all desire good results from our efforts. Most of us are willing to work hard and to pay the price that success and happiness demand.

Each of us has the ability to put our unique human potential into action and to acquire a desired result. But the one thing that determines the level of our potential, that produces the intensity of our activity, and predicts the quality of the result we receive is our attitude.

Attitude determines how much of the future we are allowed to see. It decides the size of our dreams and influences our determination when we are faced with new challenges. No other person on earth has dominion over our attitude. People can affect our attitude by teaching us poor thinking habits or unintentionally misinforming us or providing us with negative sources of influence, but no one can control our attitude unless we voluntarily surrender that control.

No one else "makes us angry." We make ourselves angry when we surrender control of our attitude. What someone else may have done is irrelevant. We choose, not they. They merely put our attitude to a test. If we select a volatile attitude by becoming hostile, angry, jealous or suspicious, then we have failed the test. If we condemn ourselves by believing that we are unworthy, then again, we have failed the test.

If we care at all about ourselves, then we must accept full responsibility for our own feelings. We must learn to guard against those feelings that have the capacity to lead our attitude down the wrong path and to strengthen those feelings that can lead us confidently into a better future.

If we want to receive the rewards the future holds in trust for us, then we must exercise the most important choice given to us as members of the human race by maintaining total dominion over our attitude. Our attitude is an asset, a treasure of great value, which must be protected accordingly. Beware of the vandals and thieves among us who would injure our positive attitude or seek to steal it away.

Having the right attitude is one of the basics that success requires. The combination of a sound personal philosophy and a positive attitude about ourselves and the world around us gives us an inner strength and a firm resolve that influences all the other areas of our existence.

4. Great Gift-Giving Ideas and FREE Shipping!

To help you fill your gift wish lists, Chris has put together some ideas for awesome and easy gifts to give. From books, CDs and DVDs, you're sure to find gifts that'll be appreciated and remembered for years to come.

Plus, as a special bonus, you'll receive FREE shipping for all qualifying orders over $75!*

Give gifts that keep on giving and positively affect the future of your gift recipient!

For details, go to http://www.yoursuccessstore.com/cw-gifts or call 877-929-0439.

*Please note that the holiday shipping offer expires December 22. Take advantage and order today!

5. More Information

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