Chris Widener's Ezine
March 12, 2008
Issue 82
Welcome!
I speak to all sorts of groups, including educators, high tech, white collar, blue collar etc., and the ideas of influence are important in every single situation. Every person needs to learn how to master the art of influence if they are going to be successful in this old world of ours.
Have you ever asked yourself what kind of influence you have? Think about it in two ways:
1. How deep is the influence that you have with the people you already know?
2. How wide is your sphere of influence?
These two questions help you decide both how wide and how deep your influence is. To the degree that you grow in your own personal transformation, you will be able to take your influence both deeper and wider – and that will grow your business and career, as well as your personal relationships!
You Are Made for Success!
Chris Widener
P.S. Today's issue is going out to 101,479 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. The feel good movie of the year!
5. More Information
1. Charting Your Course to Success Article
The DNA of Top Achievers by Chris Widener
Of course by now we are all becoming aware of DNA. It is the source code that determines who we are. When we look at DNA we can see what a person will look like, what diseases they may come down with, etc. This has been a tremendous breakthrough for scientists and will continue to be so for some time, I believe.
This got me to thinking about what makes up those who are top achievers. Is there a "DNA" to them? Obviously, all top achievers wouldn't have the same literal DNA but what about a figurative DNA? Is there a common "gene" that they all have? Are there common "genes" perhaps? I think so!
If we could get right down to it, I think these are the genes we would find in the DNA of top achievers:
1) A predisposition to setting high, lofty goals. Top achievers are people who won't and can't settle for the status quo. They see average as a place they want to keep in the rear-view mirror. Instead, they continually look for ways to stretch themselves, to get better, to do better, to be better! They set their sights on goals that others have never even thought of. They want to shoot so high that even if they miss, they go higher than everyone else. This is what makes them top achievers.
2) An ability to focus intently upon reaching their desired destination. Many people can set high goals, but just as many people get sidetracked by one thing or another on their way to those goals. High, lofty goals usually take a while to get there so there will always be plenty of time to be tempted to stray away from the road that is taking you to those goals. Often, those things that sidetrack people are good things, but not the best things. Top achievers do not get sidetracked. They stay focused. They know where they are going. They have an ability to say "no" to the good things in order to get to the best things.
3) The willingness to personally sacrifice in order to get to their goal. When the going gets tough, many people quit. When the going gets tough personally, most people quit. When the going gets tough for top achievers, they remind themselves of the high,
lofty goals they have set for themselves. They remind themselves of what an accomplishment it will be for them and that the reward is worth pushing through the momentary trials. They are willing to sacrifice personally in the short-term in order to get the reward and the prize long-term. Keeping their eyes on the big picture enables them to persevere through any personal pain they may experience.
4) A predisposition to tenacity. Tenacity is the ability to "keep on going." Tough times? Keep on going! Financial troubles? Keep on going! People are suspect? Keep on going! You look like a dreamer? Keep on going! Tired? Keep on going! Want to quit and take it easy? Keep on going! Just remember this: Keep on going! The prize is ahead! Many people quit just before they were to get the reward, so keep on going!
5) The ability to see available resources and to use them accordingly. Those who are top achievers know that they cannot be lone-rangers on the way to the top. No one makes it by himself or herself. Top achievers recognize their weaknesses – the weaknesses that if they don't cover will keep them from becoming a top achiever! They see their resources and they work to get them into a helping position so they can continue the route to becoming a top achiever. And they don't use them, they utilize them. There is a big difference! People, finances, etc., are all brought in to help by the top achiever.
6) A desire to help others achieve more for themselves as well. The top achiever knows that they can make a difference for others by becoming a top achiever. They know that the wealth they make can feed the hungry. They know that the position of influence they achieve can open a door for someone who may not normally get a chance. True top achievers look at how they can bring many with them, not how they can leave many in the dust. People are helped by the top achiever, not trampled upon!
I think if we could get to the DNA of top achievers, the things we talked about above would be at the core and fiber of their beings. What about you? Did you recognize yourself at all? I hope so! The good news about the DNA we are talking about today as opposed to real DNA is that you can go out and work on top achiever DNA whereas you are stuck with real DNA. So if you lack a little in the above-mentioned areas, take heart–you can get better and work on them so that you can become a top achiever!
Change your DNA to become a top achiever!
Chris Widener
You won't find it at your local video store. But I want to make it available to you at a special price – 40% off suggested retail!
You'll not soon forget its message – one you'll want to share!
Follow this link now to find out more about this extraordinary movie and take advantage of a very special offer.
http://passiton.yoursuccessstore.com
2. Made for Success Quote and Commentary
"The superior person is firm in the right way, and not merely firm." -- Confucius
Chris' Commentary:
We are taught to be people of resolve, and that is good. We should stand firm in our convictions and dedications. We should be firm in our perseverance. But what if we are wrong? Yes, we must not only be firm, but only be firm in so much as we are firm in the right way. That is what differentiates between the true success and the obstinate! The wise person, the successful person, is firm but is also aware that they very well may need to change in order to be firm in the right way. The person who is firm in what is right is admired. The person who is firm in the wrong way is avoided. Guess which one becomes a success in life? You got it!
Action Point: Ask yourself the honest question of whether or not you are firm in the right ways or just firm in whatever you believe. Ask a friend or family member to give you their opinion. Now, make it a priority to become a person who can learn, and change, so you can always make sure you are being firm in the right way. For that you will make a difference around you and be rewarded appropriately.
3. The Last Word...
This week's offering comes from Denis Waitley... I recently participated with not only Denis, but also a stellar line-up of other successful achievers in a unique film project. It was an honor to be part of it and I always consider it a privilege to learn from living legends like Denis Waitley. Today, Denis shares a little wisdom he learned from his dad. -- CW
Lessons from My Father by Denis Waitley
My dad had a keen imagination, and we would often play a little good-night game that became our special ritual. He would come into my room to talk to me and listen to the triumphs and tragedies of my day. As he was leaving, Dad had a way of leaning back against the switch by my door and rubbing against it to "magically" blow out my light like the birthday candles on a cake.
As he did his little routine, Dad would say: "I'm blowing out your light now, and it will be dark for you. In fact, as far as you're concerned, it will be dark all over the world because the only world you ever know is the one you see through your own eyes. So remember, Son, keep your light bright. The world is yours to see that way. I love you, Son. Good night."
When I was very young, I used to lie there in bed after Dad left and try to understand what he meant. It was confusing to think that the whole world was dark when I was asleep and that the only world I would ever know was the one I would see through my own eyes. What Dad was trying to tell me was that when I went to sleep at night, as far as I was concerned, the world came to a stop. When I woke up in the morning I could choose to see a fresh new world through my own eyes -- if I kept my light bright. In other words, if I woke up happy, the world was happy. If I woke up not feeling well, the world was not as well off.
My father's guidance about self-perception and the power in the eye of the beholder was invaluable. What he was trying to teach me with his little light show was this: "Denis, everything depends on how you want to look at what happens in life. It doesn't make any difference what is going on 'out there' -- What makes a difference is how you take it."
Instead of teaching me "my glass was half-empty," my father taught me "my glass was more than half-full." He taught me to view life as something that was continually opening and expanding with new opportunities and events to enjoy.
Somewhere he picked up a bit of quantum physics theory. Depending on the kind of experiment you conduct, a particle of light can become a light beam or a light wave. It all depends on how you want to examine it. The light can change form, not because of its properties -- it still remains light -- but because of how you choose to behold it. My dad taught me that ugliness or beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Want and abundance are in the eye of the beholder. Being mediocre or being the best depends on the eye of the beholder.
Those good-night rituals with my father taught me that it didn't make any difference what the other kids said, what the other kids wore, or what they did. Their opinion of me wasn't that important. What was important was the way I handled what they might do and say.
And the same is true for both you and me today... People's opinions of me isn't what is important, it's the way I handle their opinions and actions that makes the difference.
Denis Waitley
4. The feel good movie of the year!!
Pop some popcorn, dim the lights and get ready to watch a powerful movie.
PASS IT ON, an award-winning film that clearly explains how everyone, regardless of background, can achieve their fondest dreams of wealth, inspiration, success and happiness.
I was honored and excited to participate in this inspiring movie. And, since the newness of the New Year has probably worn off by now, this DVD movie can help inspire you in developing or achieving your 2008 goals.
You won't find it at your local video store. But I want to make it available to you at a special price – 40% off suggested retail!
You'll not soon forget its message – one you'll want to share!
Follow this link now to find out more about this extraordinary movie and take advantage of a very special offer.
http://passiton.yoursuccessstore.com
5. More Information
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