Chris Widener's Newsletter
December 16, 2009
Issue 128

Jim Rohn was laid to rest Saturday, Dec. 12, at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, Calif. I was privileged to be a friend and colleague of Jim. As I mentioned in my note to you last week, my life will be forever impacted by his teachings.

In celebration of Jim’s extraordinary life, this issue’s “Made for Success Quote” and “The Last Word…” contain words of wisdom taken from some of the many articles that Jim wrote and left us as part of his great legacy.

Nearly 5,000 people whose lives were impacted by Jim and his personal achievement philosophies have posted their memories and thoughts on the Memorial Wall at the Jim Rohn Tribute Site. If you haven’t had the chance, you can share yours here.

Warm regards,
Chris Widener

P.S. If you've gained value from what you read in my newsletter, 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
2. Made for Success Quote and Commentary
3. The Last Word...
4. The Jim Rohn One-Year Success Plan
5. More Information

1. Charting Your Course to Success

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!

 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 go 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!

 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 time soon to pursue something grand. That will put some adventure in your life!

A Desire to Learn
Lots of people take adventures to learn about something. This makes Washington, D.C., a popular adventure spot because 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!

A Willingness to Be Diverted
Part of a vacation adventure is that you can be diverted—and it is OK! 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 opportunity for a fun diversion, take it. Life is short, and you can take some diversions. That will put some adventure in your life!

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 broke down, and then he slammed his finger in the door and started hopping around so much that he fell into 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!

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!

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!

2. Made for Success Quote and Commentary

“Let others lead small lives, but not you. Let others argue over small things, but not you. Let others leave their future in someone else's hands, but not you.” —Jim Rohn

Chris’s Commentary:
The life of the person who succeeds is lived, what I call, “counter-normal.” The person who achieves greatness, whether in business, in spirituality or in their family life, is the person who lives his or her life unlike others do. Most people live small lives, with small dreams. Most people will be derailed by small arguments. Not the person who will rise above the rest and succeed! Most people leave their future and their paycheck to the whims of someone else. Not the person who will succeed! No, let others be blown about by the winds of the day. Let others drift along with the masses, but not you. Remember: You were made for success!

Action Point:
What area have you allowed to be dictated by someone else or some set of circumstances? Where has your life become too small? What small arguments have you stooped to have? Take control today by taking specific actions to raise your life to a new level—a level far above the masses!

3. The Last Word...

The Two Choices We Face by Jim Rohn

Each of us has two distinct choices to make about what we will do with our lives. The first choice we can make is to be less than we have the capacity to be. To earn less. To have less. To read less and think less. To try less and discipline ourselves less. These are the choices that lead to an empty life. These are the choices that, once made, lead to a life of constant apprehension, instead of a life of wondrous anticipation.

And the second choice? To do it all! To become all that we can possibly be. To read every book that we possibly can. To earn as much as we possibly can. To give and share as much as we possibly can. To strive and produce and accomplish as much as we possibly can. All of us have the choice.

To do or not to do. To be or not to be. To be all or to be less or to be nothing at all.

Like the tree, it would be a worthy challenge for us all to stretch upward and outward to the full measure of our capabilities. Why not do all that we can, every moment that we can, the best that we can, for as long as we can?

Our ultimate life objective should be to create as much as our talent and ability and desire will permit. To settle for doing less than we could do is to fail in this worthiest of undertakings.

Results are the best measurement of human progress. Not conversation. Not explanation. Not justification. Results! And if our results are less than our potential suggests they should be, then we must strive to become more today than we were the day before. The greatest rewards are always reserved for those who bring great value to themselves and the world around them as a result of who and what they have become.

4. The Jim Rohn One-Year Success Plan

How have you done in achieving the goals you set for yourself at the beginning of 2009? Did you make any progress? Was it more like one step forward and two steps back? As you look toward 2010, what’s your plan to keep yourself growing, learning and achieving throughout the year? Now is the perfect time to incorporate a system that helps you stay focused and on course for reaching your goals. The Jim Rohn One-Year Success Plan is one of the most comprehensive resources and success plans ever created.

Throughout the 12-month program, you will be empowered to grow and continually transform yourself (daily/weekly/monthly) while focusing on a new pillar of success each month. This consistent game plan will keep you on track, help you take action and give you the motivation to achieve the life of your dreams!

Click here now to view a short video from SUCCESS magazine publisher Darren Hardy talking about why he strongly endorses The Jim Rohn One-Year Success Plan. And take advantage of an amazing introductory offer—ONLY $9.97* to start—with a special bonus!

5. More Information

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