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Chris Widener's Weekly Ezine
March 11, 2005
Issue 01

Welcome to the first issue of The Chris Widener Weekly Ezine!

As a special Thank You we would like to give you a Free mp3 - The Best Test by Chris Widener.

Originally done for sales people of one of the largest corporations in the world, Chris has put this dynamic message on mp3 for you! What they paid thousands of dollars for, you can get for free today as a special thank you!

You will find out what it takes to be the best. In this fast-paced, highly motivational message, Chris will challenge you to become an optimist, pursue excellence relentlessly, dream big dreams and much more! To receive your free mp3, simply click here: http://www.jimrohn.com/specialCWEzineSignup.asp

P.S. - Feel free to forward this free download opportunity to your friends and colleagues.
 

Welcome!

To the Chris Widener Weekly Ezine. I'm embracing some changes -- and that is a great thing. Everyone has to change from time to time, and if we do it right, change will take us even further than what we have currently achieved.

Is there a change due in your life? If so, embrace it! Let it take you to your dreams! Together we can learn to embrace and experience change together.

So, again welcome! Big things are happening and I am glad that we are on the journey together!

Because You Are Made for Success!
Chris Widener


P.S. If you enjoy this week's edition and find it to be valuable, then if you would do me the favor of forwarding it to your friends, family and associates, it would be very much appreciated. If they would like to subscribe, have them send an email to: subscribe@chriswidener.com

Many Thanks!


In This Issue.....

1. Charting Your Course to Success Weekly Article
2. Made for Success Quote and Commentary
3. The Last Word...
4. More Information

1. Charting Your Course to Success Weekly Article

Dare to Dream Again by Chris Widener

"Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure, than to take rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much, because they live in the gray twilight that knows neither victory nor defeat." Teddy Roosevelt

Do you remember when you were a child and no dream seemed too big? Some of us thought we would walk on the moon; some dreamed of riding with Roy Rogers; others imagined stepping to the plate in a big-league game. Every one of us, when we were young, had a common trait - we were dreamers. The world hadn't gotten to us yet to show us that we couldn't possibly achieve what our hearts longed for. And we were yet still years from realizing that in some cases we weren't built for achieving our dream (I realized about my junior year of high school that I was too short and to slow to play professional basketball -- the dreamer is always the last to know).

Eventually we started to let our dreams die. People began to tell us that we couldn't do the things we wanted. It was impossible. Responsible people don't pursue their dreams. Settle down, get a job, be dependable. Take care of business, live the mundane, be content.

Do you know what I say to that? Hooey!

It is time to dream again!

Why? Here are just a few reasons:

* Avoid regret. The facts are in, and someday we will all lie on our deathbed looking back through the history of our lives. We will undoubtedly think about what we wished we had done or accomplished. I for one don't want to regret what could have been, what should have been. So I am deciding today to pursue my dreams.

* The world needs people like you to dream of something great and then to pursue it with all of your heart. Maybe you belong to a business, school or organization that started out with good intentions but has settled into the same ol' same ol'. Shake them up and remind them of how they could really help people if only they would dream!

* Personal and family fulfillment. One of the things that happens when we stop pursuing our dreams is that a little piece of us dies and we become disheartened, if only in that area of our lives. Stepping up and pursuing your dream rekindles that passion and zeal that everyone has the capacity for and lets us experience fulfillment. Having a purpose puts the zip in our step and the zing in our emotions!

* Making the world a better place. All of the great accomplishments that have ever happened began with a person who had a dream. Somebody rebuffed the naysayers and said to himself or herself, "This can be done, and I am the one who will do it." And in many instances they changed the world for the better. It isn't just the Martin Luther King's and the J.F.K's either. Think of all the people we have never heard of who have started things large and small that help people world-wide every day.

* Leaving a legacy. How will your children remember you? As one who sought all that life had to offer, using your gifts and talents to their fullest extent, leading the family with a zest for life, or as an overweight couch potato who could have been? Our children need to see that we dream; that we search for something better. They in turn will do the same!

So where do we start?

Here are some ideas:

* Reconnect with your dream. Set aside some time to let yourself dream. What have you placed on the backburner in order to live the status quo? Settle on one or two dreams that you can and will pursue. Don't come up with too many. That will only deter you further.

* Decide that you will do it. This may seem elementary but many people never decide and commit fully to their dream. They simply keep "thinking" about it. Tell others that you are going to do it. This puts you on the record as to what you are dreaming about. It makes you accountable. It will help you do it if for no other reason than to avoid embarrassment!

* Develop a step-by-step plan. This is absolutely essential. You must sit down and write out a few things:

* A timeline. How long will it take to the end?

* Action steps. Point-by-point what you will do and when you will do them.

* Resources you will need to draw from. What will it take? Who will need to be involved for help or advice?

* An evaluation tool. You need to evaluate from time to time whether you are progressing or not.

* A celebration. Yep, when you are done you should already have planned what you will do to celebrate. Make it big!

I have found that there is no better time than now. So, set aside some time today to get started on your dream. Follow the action plan and set your sights for the top of the mountain! You will be glad you did!

Here's to putting your dreams into action -- let the excitement propel you forward!
Chris Widener


Chris Widener is a nationally recognized speaker, author and radio host. If you are interested in booking him to speak at your next event, go to http://www.chriswidener.com or send an email to speaker@chriswidener.com or call 800-929-0434.




2. Made for Success Quote and Commentary

"Nothing you do for children is ever wasted. They seem not to notice us, hovering, averting our eyes, and they seldom offer thanks, but what we do for them is never wasted." -- Garrison Keillor

Chris' Commentary:
I get a lot of emails and phone calls about kids. People want to make sure that they are making a difference in the lives of the kids around them, whether it is their kids or perhaps the kids of friends or relatives. The issue is this: They wonder if they are actually making a difference. The problem is that kids aren't very good at giving feedback. Can you imagine your six year old pulling you aside and saying, "You know mom, I have been meaning to tell you something. I just want you to know that all of your hard work, discipline and loving encouragement is changing and shaping my life in ways that will one day serve me well in the real world." Of course not! But the truth is that all of your hard work, discipline and loving encouragement are changing and shaping them in ways that will serve them well one day! The key is to be involved, whether it is with your kids, or if you don't have kids then with the children of your friends or relatives. Or your grandchildren. Don't expect much feedback, just get involved.

Action Point: What can you do to make a difference in a child's life today? Then do it!


Chris is the author of five books including his Newest Release, The Angel Inside - Michelangelo, Il Gigante, and Creating a Life of Power and Beauty. To order The Angel Inside go to http://www.jimrohn.com/shopping/shopexd.asp?id=440



3. The Last Word...

Each week I would like to share with you a current event, Q&A, or even a link to a recent conference call or radio show in which I've participated, all with the goal of bringing you value and ideas that might ignite a spark, give inspiration or make you think about something in a new light. This week is a Q&A related to managing your time. Enjoy!


Q. What's your hottest tip for managing one's time effectively? GM, San Rafael, CA

A. The number one tip I would give is to get yourself to the point where you know what the most important things are to you -- your priorities; those things that when they are done will move you on toward your goal. Know those priorities so well that it becomes second nature to you and then when it comes time to make a decision as to what you will do or how you will spend your time, you will make the right choice.

You see time management really isn't time management, per se. It is ultimately self-management as we relate to our priorities.

So I would encourage you to take time on a regular basis and examine all of the options available to you that you can spend your time on. You can do this as you look at your whole life or as you look at a segment of your life.

Once you see what your options are, then make a priority list. What things are the most important? And let me say "most important," not "most enjoyable." As you do this, you see where you must spend your time.

Since this is the first step, it must be the most important.

-- CW



4. More Information