Chris Widener's Weekly Ezine
June 3, 2005
Issue 13

Welcome!

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You Are Made for Success!
Chris Widener


In This Issue.....

1. Charting Your Course to Success Weekly Article
2. Made for Success Quote and Commentary
3. Frequently Asked Questions
4. The Last Word...
5. 12 Pillars of Success - One New You!
6. More Information

1. Charting Your Course to Success Weekly 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 are common characteristics of a good adventure 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 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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

This week make a commitment to live life as an adventure. Grab life by the horns and let it take you on a ride that will leave you breathless with joy and enthusiasm from the wild and exciting twists and turns that await you!

Chris Widener


Chris Widener is an internationally 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 877-929-0439 and ask for Hilary.



2. Made for Success Quote and Commentary

"The difference between a stumbling block and a stepping stone is how you use them." -- Unknown

Chris' Commentary:
Lots of events and situations find their way into our lives each and every day, and one thing I have come to a conclusion about is that each one of those can be either bad or good for us, and those around us. In the coming days, months, and years, you will have the opportunity presented regularly to interpret and react to many different people and situations. What then, will guarantee that those opportunities are stepping stones rather than stumbling blocks? I believe that it comes down to a few choices we make with each. Will I be an optimist or pessimist in regard to this person or situation? Will I work to make this productive or destructive? Will I do what is right or will I do what is wrong? These are all choices we make, often spur of the moment, that will directly affect whether we move forward or move backward.

Action Point: Do you have a person or situation right now that could go either way? Make these choices today: Choose to be an optimist. Choose to make it productive. Choose to do what is right. As you do, you will find a stepping-stone to greatness rather than a stumbling block on your road to success.



3. Frequently Asked Questions

Every so often we'll take a question about or addressed to Chris Widener and provide the answer! This week, a reader asks for help in overcoming procrastination.

Q: I am a second year university student and very willing to finish my course next year, but I experience a problem of sleeplessness. I do not enjoy some of my four courses, and whenever we are given a task to do I always push it to the last minutes. How can you help? -- Lungelo

A: Hi Lungelo, thank you for your question. This is the age old discussion of procrastination. Putting off what we should do today until tomorrow (or later). Here is the key: Take a look at what you need to get done in a week. Then you can approach one of two ways. One is to sit down and do all of it the first day. When I was in college, I used to get all of my assignments for the ten-week courses and I would lock myself in the library and do all ten weeks in the first two weeks. Then I coasted for eight weeks, turning in assignments as they came due and taking tests. I never once pulled an all-nighter in college (except when I had a job as a night security guard - but not to stay up doing homework).

The second way to approach it is to figure out how much time it will take. If it is a two hour project, spent fifteen minutes a day for eight days. Or half hour a day for four days etc...

Ultimately, this relies on your self-discipline. And only you can control that. But, as outlined above, there are some techniques you can use to make sure you get stuff done!

Hope this helps!
Chris Widener



4. The Last Word...

I turned 39 a few weeks ago, and if statistics are right and I die on or around my 78th birthday, I am halfway done (I sure hope I don't die exactly ON my birthday though. That would make for a bummer of a party!).

So, for me, it's half time. And that got me to thinking about my old sports days of playing football and basketball, particularly about the half time events in the locker room.

You see, whether you were winning or losing at half time, the whole team gathered in the locker room and the coach would lead a meeting. Most of you probably have some experience with that.

There are two primary things that happen at half time. One is to reflect on what went right and wrong in the first half, and the other is to decide how you will proceed in the second half so you come out victorious.

With that in mind, here are some of my reflections on how I am going to play the second half of my life.

Continue to stay disciplined. Once I finally figured things out about the direction I wanted my life to take, I have been pretty disciplined about accomplishing my goals. That is a good thing. Often coaches ask their players to be and stay disciplined in carrying out the game plan they have developed. So far, the game plan has worked well. Now I need to keep on the game plan and finish well.

Take more risks. Life rewards those who take risks. Don't get me wrong: I don't mean being risky. Being risky in a game leads to getting your head handed to you by the opposing team, while taking well calculated risks, combined with well skilled execution, leads to big gains.

Enjoy the game. There were times that a coach would say to us, "just go out there and have fun." Those words ring true today as well. We should have fun in the game of life. Yes we want to win and stay disciplined and the like, but what good is it if it isn't fun? Not much good at all. So I am going to make sure that I am having fun along the way.

Build a legacy. As I reflect that life is short, I remind myself that I want to leave a legacy for others. I want to make sure that my life counts towards helping others excel, succeed and enjoy their lives. I want my wife and children to remember a man who was passionate about life and people, and who was willing to give everything he had for a worthy cause or goal.

Those are the things I think about as I sit in my half time locker room of life. Maybe you are there as well. Maybe you are just hitting the first quarter break. Or, maybe you are in the final two minutes, and as the NFL teams know, it's time to get into your 2-minute offense! No matter where you are, remember this week that life is short and we must remain diligent in designing and living our lives!

CW

If you are interested in pursuing or have been looking to establish a coaching relationship, I have a proven track record in working with a wide variety of individuals, including top producers and CEO's, and I'm available! Let me coach you for the next 3 months (including one-on-one and group Mastermind calls)-- starting June 6th -- and together let's accelerate your pace towards achieving your dreams and goals. If you are interested or would like more details go to http://cw.jimrohn.com Let's go do it together!
 

5. 12 Pillars of Success - One New You!

6. More Information