At the end of your life, the only thing meaningful you will leave behind will be your family and your legacy - so work the hardest at making it a success. I have lots of goals for my life and tons of things I want to accomplish, but I realize that when I lay on my deathbed, not much will matter other than my family. I won't say, "Please, bring me the books and tapes I produced. I want to spend a few last moments with them." I won't say, "I'm glad I played so much golf." I won't ask that a pile of money be brought in so I can roll around in it one last time. No, in the closing moments of your life, you realize how you put too much value on things that were good and in of themselves, but you made into something so much more. Stephen Covey says that one of the habits of highly effective people is to begin with the end in mind. I agree. What do you want your last moments of life to be filled with? Regrets of missed opportunities or misplaced devotions? Or would you rather those moments be filled with the quiet satisfaction and warmth of the presence of those who lived your life with you? You get to choose, you know?

So what am I saying? Do whatever it takes, TODAY, to work at the relationships and the things that matter most. Don't let anything else get in the way. Above all, take action!

P.S. Today's issue is going out to 98,761 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. 2007 is gone...
5. More Information

1. Charting Your Course to Success Article

The Power in Praising Your Family by Chris Widener (Excerpted from Week Nineteen of the One Year Success Plan)

One of the keys to success is to have successful relationships. We are not islands and we don't get to the top by ourselves. And one of the key ways to grow successful in our relationships is to be "life-giving" people to others. With every person we meet, we either give life to or take life from.

You know what I mean. There are people who encourage you and after spending time with them you feel built up. Then there are others who make you feel torn down. Successful people are people who have mastered the art of building up others. This is especially true of our families.

One of the ways we build up our families is to praise them. There is power in praising people! Something begins to happen in them, in you, and in your relationship when you praise someone. Can you remember a time when someone told you something about you in a praising manner? It was great, wasn't it? You probably liked that person more after they praised you, didn't you?

Now I am not talking about praising people for the sake of praising people. I am talking about honestly looking for and praising positive character traits and actions of your spouse and children. Don't lie to them. If they have done something wrong, correct it, but when they do something right, praise it!

With that said, here are benefits of and ways to start praising the people in your family.

Benefits:

Your relationship grows. Life is about relationships--family relationships, friends and co-workers. When we begin to praise people for their positive aspects, our relationships grow. It puts them, and us, on the fast track. Your leadership and influence grows. Who is going to have greater relationships, the one who tears down or the one who builds up?

Stronger relationships and loyalty. When the person is appreciated and praised, they become fiercely loyal, because they know that you care for them, love them and appreciate them. This will take you to success.

Happier, more fulfilled people. I truly believe it is our job to build the members of our family up and that they need it. There will always be others who come along to tear them down; it is our job to instill in them the power of praise!

Some Ways to Praise:

Character traits. Is your wife joyful? Is your husband hard-working? Is your son or daughter honest? Then let them know how much you appreciate that in them. Say something like this, "You know Tom, I think it is great that you are such a hard-worker. You really set a good example and I want you to know how much I appreciate that." Simple!

Action. Same idea as above. "Sue, I don't know if I have ever told you this, but I love how you always take action on the things you believe in. Thanks for that."

Other ways you can show praise and appreciation is with a card or a gift.

Make it your goal to praise every member of your family at least once each day. If you can, praise them a few times a day. It will take work but it is possible. It just takes discipline and a little work.

Any way you cut it, there is power in praising people. If you are serious about healthy family relationships, this is a great place to start!

-- Chris Widener
 

Questions for Reflection

Q. Do you know the best way to express love to your spouse so they interpret it as love and can appreciate it the most? Do you tell your spouse and kids that you love them each and every day?

Q. Would your family characterize you as having a serving attitude and heart toward the rest of the family? Why or why not? In what ways could you become a person who serves better?

Q. Are your family relationships characterized by honest and open communication? If not, what is the hindrance? What could you do to open up the communication?

Q. Are you patient with your spouse and children? Who are you most patient with? What are the things that trigger a lack of patience in you? How can you improve in that area?

Q. When was the last time you had fun - real fun - with each member of your family? What kinds of fun things do you like to do with your spouse? What kinds of fun things do you like to do with your kids? More importantly, what fun things do they like to do with you?

To hear (or see) what Chris Widener has to say about the Jim Rohn One-Year Success Plan or to join Chris and Jim Rohn as part of the Jim Rohn One-Year Success Plan and to participate in a Special Introductory Offer, go to http://oneyear.jimrohn.com or call 800-929-0434 for more information.

2. Made for Success Quote and Commentary

"Swallow your pride occasionally, it's not fattening." -- Frank Tyger

Chris' Commentary:

There is good pride (taking pride in your work) and there is bad pride (being so proud you think more highly of yourself than you ought). We're talking about swallowing the second kind today. Pride is an interesting thing. It drives us deeper and deeper into trouble. We first recognize it and we don't admit it. This is too bad because we could be let off the hook at this point of recognition. Your money could be saved. A relationship could be restored. But instead, we say, "No way am I going to admit it." And things get worse, and worse, and worse, with each time we refuse to humble ourselves. Believe me, I know from experience! But won't you get walked on? Sometimes I suppose, but that is the price you pay for getting it right the rest of the time.

Action Point: Is there something you have dug into your bunker about? Is there a mistake you have made but won't admit, or a person you have offended but won't reconcile with? Think about it. Then take a step today to get it right. Eat your pride for lunch instead of that turkey sandwich!

3. The Last Word...

This week, I'm sharing a little something I pulled from the Jim Rohn One-Year Success Plan. I helped create this program with Jim Rohn and Kyle Wilson and I'm very proud of it and the success it has achieved. When you can have over 7,000 members and a 97% retention rate, that's amazing. I know you'll enjoy this great letter written by Kyle to his mom on her 80th birthday...

Kyle Wilson - A Letter to My Mom on Her 80th Birthday (excerpted from Jim Rohn's Twelfth Pillar of Success: Legacy, Part One - The Importance of Leaving a Legacy)

Hello and welcome to Week Forty-Eight of The Jim Rohn One-Year Success Plan. We hope your week is going great. This week we begin Month 12 - Leaving a Legacy. What a great subject to close out our One-Year Plan. I'd like to share with you a letter that I wrote and read to my mother at her 80th birthday celebration (several years ago). It speaks both of the legacy she has been able to create and provide her family and community as well as the impact her legacy has had on my life and my family.

A Letter to My Mom on Her 80th Birthday

Obviously I could talk today about many different areas that my mom has excelled in over the years and made a positive difference in other people's lives. Whether it's been her ministry, her catering business, her creative touch or her friendships, all of which she has exemplified the principle of being faithful over what you have and letting God then promote you. It seems that consistently her gift has always made room for itself and propelled her into a big place.
 
But more important to me than any of that is the legacy she has been able to leave me and my family. Almost on a daily basis I'm reminded of how blessed I am and have been. I have a wonderful wife and two wonderful kids. We are all healthy and blessed. I have really never known tragedy in my life. I live in America and am blessed by all the freedom and richness that it represents. I drive on roads I didn't build, have daily conveniences I never invented and enjoy freedoms I was never asked to fight for. And as incredible as that is to me, equally as important, I was given an upbringing by my parents that has blessed me, indeed.

First and foremost I was given the gift of faith. I was raised in a house and environment where my parents in both word and deed made sure God was first in our home. I always had an example of my mom giving her time to the church and love towards its people - from the perceived least to the greatest, she always was an example of giving to her faith.

I was given the gift of respecting other people. I don't recall my parents ever exemplifying or showing prejudice towards others. I know they grew up in a different generation where prejudice was more common, but that was not anything I ever saw.

I was given the gift of a strong work ethic. Laziness was never part of the scenery in my childhood. My mom worked two jobs - her day job at the bank and her night and weekend job - raising 4 kids. Only a parent with kids can fully appreciate the sacrifice and persistence that that required.

I was given the gift of persistence and ingenuity. My mom has always found a way to just get it done, and usually her in way and with her style. She's never been a clone. Her persistence, creativeness and ingenuity have always been a great example to me of life's infinite possibilities.

And I was given the gift of love. I've met people who have not felt loved by God or loveable by man. I can honestly say that I have always known I'm loved by God and have never once doubted my parents' love for me. Our home was a safe environment to be who you are and to be accepted as you are.

Mother, beyond just my love and appreciation for you, I want to thank you again today, on your 80th birthday for your gifts and legacy to me.

Your son,
Kyle
7/12/03

To hear (or see) what Chris Widener has to say about the Jim Rohn One-Year Success Plan or to join Chris and Jim Rohn as part of the Jim Rohn One-Year Success Plan and to participate in a Special Offer, go to http://oneyear.jimrohn.com or call 800-929-0434 for more information.

4. 2007 is 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.

5. More Information

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