Chris Widener's Ezine
January 14, 2009
Issue 104

Welcome!

I sincerely hope that this first issue of the New Year finds you happy, healthy and well on your way to an incredible 2009!

Last month, I shared with you the news that I'd been invited to speak at the next SUCCESS Symposium. The one-day gathering of achievers from around the world will take place in Dallas, Texas, on Saturday, March 28, 2009. Tickets for this extraordinary event are on sale now and I'm told they're going fast!  

There are a number of reasons why I'm excited to be a part of this life-changing event, not the least of which is to share the stage with such renowned achievers as John Maxwell, Stedman Graham, Connie Podesta, Keith Harrell and many others. But, one thing I'm really looking forward to is the special video tribute to my friend and mentor, Jim Rohn.

Jim Rohn has changed the lives of so many people from all walks of life. The video tribute from Jim's peers will capture the impact he has had on them and their careers and lives. Due to his health, Jim is not able to travel and will not be in attendance at the SUCCESS Symposium. However, I have it on good authority that he intends to call in to share with the audience some words of wisdom.

I strongly urge you to consider joining me and 3,000+ other achievers for this wonderful event. For complete details or to secure your seats (and to take advantage of early bird discounts, section upgrades and bonuses!), go to www.SUCCESS.com/symposium

You Are Made for Success!
Chris Widener

P.S. Today's issue is going out to 110,502 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. SUCCESS magazine presents the SUCCESS Symposium for 2009 - Tickets are now on sale
5. More Information

1. Charting Your Course to Success Article

Thoughts on Financial Freedom by Chris Widener (excerpted from Week 16 of the Jim Rohn One-Year Success Plan)

Here are a few thoughts on financial freedom and how to find it for yourself.

Financial freedom is a buzzword for our generation. It is the pursuit of literally millions of people. So what is it? Is it that elusive? Can anyone achieve it?

Let me start by saying that this is not about how to earn money, or even more money. Rather, it is about how to find financial freedom, which surprisingly, may or may not involve making more money.

The first step in finding financial freedom is to realize that financial freedom has absolutely nothing to do with how much money you have or make.

What? Exactly. Financial freedom is something that goes on inside of you.

This is why someone who makes very little can be happy and someone who makes a ton can be extremely stressed out over his or her financial situation. So the first step is to realize that financial freedom is more about our attitudes toward money than about the amount of money.

"Okay Chris, I'm with you. So what are the attitudes that provide financial freedom?" Here are a few that keep me in financial freedom.

I do not have to worry about money. I used to catch myself saying, "If I had more money, then I wouldn't have to worry about..." But do you know what? I don't have to worry anyway. I can control my income. I can control my outgo. I can make choices that can alleviate any of my worries. I also realized that things always work out. So why worry? I choose not to worry. I work hard, invest, plan for the future and I do not worry about it.

I can be happy regardless of my financial state. I know people who are worth hundreds of millions of dollars and I know people who don't have two nickels to rub together. Some are happy and some aren't. And none of the people who have a lot of money say to me, "Chris, I've become so happy since I got money." They were happy before they had money and they are happy now that they have money. Their happiness has nothing to do with the money. Billionaire David Geffen once said, "Anyone who says that money will buy them happiness has never had any money."

Money is a means to an end, not the end itself. Another way to look at it is that money is a tool to build the house, not the house itself. I would set some financial goals if I were you, but go beyond that to know what greater purpose there will be when you reach them. What will the house be used for that you build with this tool?

I am free. I am free to earn - some people think it is bad to earn more money. It isn't.

I am free to save - some people believe it is bad to save. It isn't.

I am free to give money away - some people feel they will be better off hoarding it. They won't.

I am free to spend - some people believe that they can't spend anything on themselves. They can.

We are free to make choices. That is financial freedom.

Embrace delayed gratification. Here is the principle: Buy it now and struggle later. Another principle: Delay buying it now, invest the money, and have all you want later on! And you won't even have to touch the principal! We tend to think that having it now will bring enjoyment, but unless you can do it and not cause yourself financial stress, you will actually get more from waiting!

Have more by managing better. The fact is that most of us earn enough. What would be beneficial is to set our priorities and live by a budget. As we get control, our budget will loosen up a bit and we will find ourselves enjoying it more. Money that is already there can be your answer if you put it to work for you.

You can experience financial freedom no matter how much money you have. Granted, it is great to build wealth and that should be our goal, but no matter what level you are currently at, or what level of wealth you ultimately attain, if you keep money in the proper perspective, you can be happy and free.

Questions for Reflection:

Q. Do you have an investment plan? Do you follow it? How well?

Q. Do you have a plan to invest in hard assets? Income producing assets?

Q. What ideas do you have that you can invest in?

Q. Are you investing in your company? If so, how? If you don't have one, have you considered starting one? What would it take for you to step out and do so?

This week, take some time and put some thought into your Financial Freedom plan, then take the action necessary to accomplish your Freedom!

Chris Widener  

Two weeks into the New Year . . . have you set goals and made your plans to achieve more in 2009? It's not too late! For an initial investment of less than $10, you can 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.

Get complete details or sign up today:  http://oneyear.jimrohn.com or call 800-929-0434.

2. Made for Success Quote and Commentary

"Our greatest lack is not money for any undertaking, but rather ideas. If the ideas are good, cash will somehow flow to where it is needed." Robert Schuller

Chris' Commentary:
Many people tend to think of the lack of money as a "money problem" when in fact it is instead an "idea problem." Wherever there are good ideas there will be a flow of money. If you are experiencing a lack of money, don't focus on the money; focus on the idea, specifically coming up with a better idea or ideas. If your sales have slowed, think of new ways to pitch the concept or a new product to sell. The answer lies in the generating of new ideas, which will in turn generate new and better cash flow.

Action Point: Take some time today, either by yourself or with your team or family, to sit together and generate new ideas. Don't focus on the problems. Just brainstorm new and exciting ideas. Don't even try to decide at first if they are good ideas. Just get them down. Then go back through and pick the best three. You know what to do next - try them!

3. The Last Word...

Since it's January and everyone is still working hard to keep their New Year's resolutions -- especially in the area of being healthy -- I thought this would be a good Last Word offering. Here's the question:

Q. I know I need to exercise to be healthy and successful.  But how does one make time in a day that already seems too short? JC New York, NY, USA

A. Well, there are a couple of issues here. First one has to be very honest and see if they really aren't just making excuses. For example, does your “busy’ day consist of an hour of television? If it does, cut that down, or any other superfluous activity, and get to exercising! Second, if you truly are too busy, then I would suggest one of two things: One would be to build exercise into your routine. For example, if you work on the 10th floor, quit taking the elevator and hit the stairs. Another would be to park at the outer edge of the parking lot instead of circling for 20 minutes looking for that one right next to the door. A second thing you can do is to exercise while working. If you have to read for work, then you can walk on a treadmill and do your reading.

One last option would be to combine a couple of activities. For example, if you have family time on a regular basis, make your family time into family exercise time. Instead of sitting there playing games all of the time, make some of your activities into things like walking, bicycling or some other activity. This way you spend time with those you love and you get your exercise – not to mention, they do too! Above all, talk to your doctor before you start any exercise routine. They will be able to give you great ideas! -- CW

4. SUCCESS magazine presents the SUCCESS Symposium for 2009 - Tickets are now on sale

Log on to www.SUCCESS.com/symposium to take advantage of very limited free Section upgrades, special early bird pricing and additional bonuses. But hurry . . . seats are selling fast and section one is almost sold out!

Join 3,000+ Successful and Motivated Achievers at the SUCCESS Symposium!

Last year's SUCCESS Symposium events positively affected thousands of lives and received universal praise from attendees. And this year's event promises to be the most powerful, life-changing Symposium yet!

SUCCESS magazine Publisher Darren Hardy will welcome to the stage:
- Leadership and personal achievement expert John Maxwell
- Best-selling author, educator and business leader Stedman Graham
- Humorist, best-selling author and human behavior expert Connie Podesta
- Popular author and dynamic life coach Keith Harrell
- Best-selling author and expert on leadership and influence Chris Widener
- And many others—plus, see a special video tribute to Jim Rohn!*

*Jim Rohn has changed the lives of so many people from all walks of life. Attendees at the next SUCCESS Symposium will be treated to a video tribute from Jim's peers, recapping the impact he has had on them and their careers and lives. Due to Jim's health he is not able to travel so he will not be in attendance, but will be calling in to share with the audience his words of wisdom.

Last year, both SUCCESS Symposium events SOLD OUT in just a few weeks... so don't delay in securing your spot—plus receive free seating upgrade, early bird pricing and two bonuses!

Tickets for this extraordinary event are on sale now and they're going fast! Go now to www.SUCCESS.com/symposium (or call 877-243-8383) and reserve your seat!

5. More Information

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