Are you living an adventure or "just getting by"? You can make anything an adventure if you just decide that you are going to see the good in it and have some fun. Learn to enjoy the experiences and the people that you meet. Take time to remind yourself that being alive is fun and exciting!

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In This Issue.......

1. Charting Your Course to Success Article
2. Made for Success Quote and Commentary
3. The Last Word...
4. Mental Toughness Anyone?
5. More Information

1. Charting Your Course to Success Article

Live the Adventure! by Chris Widener

Think of an adventure that you might like to take. Maybe it is a trip to a foreign country or a major destination in your own country. Maybe it is to climb a mountain or float down the Amazon. Whatever works for you, picture what that would take. Got it? Good, now let's see what common characteristics of a good adventure are and apply them to our lives. In doing so, you will shift your perspective and see how your own day-to-day life can be an adventure!

1. A desire to see something new:
When we set out on an adventure, we are usually looking for something new. We are looking to break out of the doldrums and get to somewhere we have never been before. What about in life? Are you constantly looking for something new to experience? Take some time soon to experience something new. That will put some adventure in your life!

2. A desire to see something grand:
People on adventures usually pick something larger than life, something grand. Do you think anybody would go to see the “Tiny Canyon?’ No way. But hundreds of thousands of people adventure their way to the Grand Canyon. What about your life? Is there anything grand that you are pursuing? Is there anything bigger than life that you are striving for? Take some time soon to pursue something grand. That will put some adventure in your life!

3. A desire to learn:
Lots of people take adventures to learn about something. This makes Washington, DC a popular adventure spot will all of its history. You can spend days there! Your eyes and mind are always being opened and it is enjoyable. What about your life? Are you involved in anything that causes you to continually learn and grow intellectually? Take some time to stretch yourself to learn something. That will put some adventure in your life!

4. A willingness to be diverted:
Part of a vacation adventure is that you can be diverted and it is okay! That is part of the fun. Yes, we want a clear destination but sometimes it is the diversions that bring us the spice of life. What about you? Are you diversion averse? Maybe you need to let yourself get out of the box sometime. Try this: The next time you have the possibility for a fun diversion, take it. Life is short and you can take some diversions. That will put some adventure in your life!

5. An expectation that there will be breakdowns:
Have you ever gone on a family vacation that didn't have breakdowns? Not many. But when all is said and done, aren't those the things we laugh at years later and remember clearly? You know, “Remember Dad getting mad that the car had broken down and he slammed his finger in the door and started hopping around so much he fell in a ditch of water? And when he came up for air he had mud on his face? What a riot!’ Even dad laughs at that – later! What about your life? Are you frustrated by the breakdowns? Try looking at them from the perspective you will look at them from 20 years from now. That will put some adventure in your life!

6. A focus on fun:
Whatever the adventure is, we usually expect it to be fun, don't we? Well, life can be fun too. In fact, I require that life be fun! What about your life? Is it “all work and no play makes Jack or Suzie a dull boy or girl? Get out and have some fun my friend! That will put some adventure in your life!

7. A clear destination:
Ultimately, our adventure usually has a clear destination. It may be the top of the mountain. It may be the goal of getting your whole family together at a resort. Whatever it is, it has a clear destination. It is the goal, and it is what gives us purpose. What about your life? Do you have a clear destination you are working toward? Set your sights on a clear destination! That will put some adventure in your life!  

Chris Widener

2. Made for Success Quote and Commentary

"The sweetness of victory is magnified by the effort it took to achieve it." -- Chris Widener

Chris' Commentary:
Sure an easy win is still a win, but there is little satisfaction in it. If the cards fall your way or someone rolls over on you and you cakewalk into the winner's circle, you still get the trophy and the check but you don't get the memory of a job well done. Working hard for a goal is part of the reward itself. And when victory comes, then it is sweeter still. Now you can look back and know that your hard work was worth something and that you earned that moment in the limelight. You know that your character was forged by the hours of hard work. You know that you learned your lessons the hard way and won't make the same mistakes twice. Yes, you earned it, and it feels good!

Action Point: Is there something you are hoping will happen? Don't! Work hard and make it happen. You will feel better in that victory than in the simpler one. Set out a strategy of hard work to reach your goal, and then take one step today!

3. The Last Word...

Some time ago, I was interviewed by Leadership Wired... Here is one of the questions they asked me.

Leadership Wired: Leadership is all about influence. What are some ways that leaders can increase both the strength and sphere of their influence?

Chris Widener: On both those levels, it's the same exact thing. People judge other people on whether they want to follow them or not-either consciously or subconsciously-based on two primary considerations. There are lots of smaller considerations, but the two primary considerations are your character and your skill: who you are and what you can do. Nearly 200 years ago, Thomas Jefferson said, "There's a natural aristocracy among men-the grounds of which is talent and virtue." This is something that has transcended time-this idea that people look at other people and determine whether or not they are worthy of being followed by what kind of virtue they show and what kind of talent or skills they demonstrate.

When I speak to groups, I have them give me a list of what they consider the traits of great leaders. And every single time I've ever done it, we've always been able to categorize each and every one of the answers as a character trait or a skill. What's most interesting is that, every time we do this, nearly 90 percent of all the answers are related to character.

Influencing other people and having them view you as a leader is much more character based than it is skills based.

The essence of developing yourself as a leader is developing the natural skills of leadership-communication, strategy, goal-setting, those types of things-but then, even more so, working on yourself so that you become the type of person that other people are naturally drawn to, the type of person that people respect. When you work on those things, you increase the depth of your leadership with people. The more they believe in you, the more they're going to give you in terms of their following. And the more you develop yourself, the more people are going to be drawn to you. So I think it hits both the depth and the breadth of your leadership when you develop yourself and your character.

4. Mental Toughness Anyone?

If you are a sports enthusiast on any level, you understand the importance of mental toughness!

Whether it is golf, tennis, football, basketball, baseball, hockey, racing, track and field (and any other sports related event) – those players and teams who consistently achieve and win are noted for being mentally tough.

This same mental toughness also stretches into every area of each of our lives, whether it is business, relationships, finances and just plain old decision making.

I had the opportunity to meet David Cook a few years ago (I interviewed him on the subject of Mental Toughness for my Made for Success program). David has 3 championship rings that he won while on staff of the San Antonio Spurs as their sports psychologist. As we talked he shared his passion to reach as many youth as possible, primarily by affecting coaches and parents, and equipping them with ways to help youth excel not only in sports but also in life. Of course, these same principles apply to all of us, but he saw how quickly the ripple effect can be felt when parents, teachers, coaches and leaders apply these success principles in their own lives and in the people they influence.

Here's a glimmer of what you'll discover from David Cook:

The cause of unnecessary stress and anxiety, and how to cure it.

Why you can consider fear of failure a blessing.

The great American trap – the common "gauge of success" that causes most people to undermine their worth and how to break free from it.

The one "coaching" method that anyone can use, in any field or industry, that creates a strong and united team.

Why some people dominate their industries while most others fail even before they get started. Find out what makes the difference and how you can be one of those who succeed!

Find out how you can banish any "interference" that goes on in your head and never be "tongue tied" whenever you're giving a presentation.

To purchase this program on DVD and CD for a special price of only $27 (retail $97) go to http://mfs.yoursuccessstore.com today or call 877-929-0439.

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5. More Information

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