Chris Widener's Ezine
July 14, 2005
Issue 18

Welcome!

This week I've been traveling and attending the National Speakers Association Annual Conference in Atlanta, it was a great event and also great to see so many friends. It is still amazing to me how many people I talk to that are familiar with or have been a participant in the Jim Rohn One-Year Success Plan that I'm part of (I have a weekly contribution and also host the monthly interviews). So I wanted to give all of you a taste this week of The Jim Rohn One-Year Success Plan, through my weekly article and the Last Word. This is truly a phenomenal program and includes 52-weekly game plan emails on 12 Pillars of Success, 12 monthly conference calls (including Zig Ziglar, Brian Tracy, Loral Langemeier, Marc Sanborn and more), plus a 600+ page comprehensive downloadable workbook and much more. The most amazing fact about the program is the 99% retention rate it has among the enrollees, as well as the hundreds of unsolicited testimonials we've received - you can go to http://jr1.jimrohn.com to hear my 5-minute description of the program.

This week I hope you gather many valuable ideas that keep you moving in the direction of your dreams!


You Are Made for Success!
Chris Widener
 

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

In This Issue.......

1. Charting Your Course to Success Weekly Article
2. Made for Success Quote and Commentary
3. The Last Word...
4. 12 Pillars of Success, 52 Weeks of "Life-Changing" Lessons, One New You!
5. Customer Feedback
6. More Information

1. Charting Your Course to Success Weekly Article

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

Hi there, Chris Widener here. Below are some questions to think about, but first 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


To hear (or see) what Chris Widener has to say about the Jim Rohn One-Year Success Plan or to join Chris and Jim Rohn as part of the Jim Rohn One-Year Success Plan go to http://jr1.jimrohn.com or call 800-929-0434.



2. Made for Success Quote and Commentary

"It's the repetition of affirmations that leads to belief. And once that belief becomes a deep conviction, things begin to happen." -- Claude M. Bristol

Chris' Commentary:
Here is the map: What we think about and affirm becomes belief. What we believe long and strong enough becomes a conviction. Our convictions lead us to our actions. This may be one of the most important things we ever learn because this can play itself out either way. If we continually affirm bad thoughts in our lives we will lead ourselves down the road to bad actions. Bad thoughts never lead to good actions! The reverse is true too. If we think good thoughts and affirm positive things in our minds and hearts, eventually those affirmations and thoughts will work themselves out to become our actions - good actions! This is why it is so important to take control of our minds and what we are thinking, pondering and affirming all day! Because eventually you will act on those thoughts!

Action Point: Try to remain disciplined in your thinking today. I find many people, myself included, sort of "wander" into their bad thinking. But today, catch yourself! And when you catch yourself making bad affirmations, choose to then think the opposite, good thoughts. If you can, say them out loud. Begin to change those thoughts and affirmations and you will change your actions - and your world!




3. The Last Word...

This week I'd like to offer you a conference call I did with Jim Paluch, author of "Leaving a Legacy" for the Month 12 conference call of the Jim Rohn One-Year Success Plan. In essence, leaving a legacy is all about the accumulation of time. Whether we realize it or not, we all leave a legacy for those who follow after us, and my question to you is: What kind of legacy will you leave? Listen to this conference call and use the information to not only fuel your thinking, but also to build an amazing, lasting legacy for those you leave behind. -- CW

To listen or download go to:

http://www.yoursuccessstore.com/oneyearplan/month12.html


 

4. 12 Pillars of Success, 52 Weeks of "Life-Changing" Lessons, One New You!

5. Customer Feedback

Here are some of the testimonials and comments we received over the past week from our Ezine subscribers. We love receiving comments and feedback from our readers - so keep it coming!


Hey Chris: I just want you to know that every week, no matter what is going on in my life, your newsletter seems to have just what I need to keep on track with my life. Many of the other ezines have been cancelled-no time to read all that stuff! But I kept your because yours is the one that always has knowledge and encouragement I can use. Thanks for being there!
-- Karen Walker

This was a great Ezine, nice way to start the week!
-- AL SEMPLE

Hi Chris, I'm enjoying reading your weekly Ezines. They are very informative! Thank you for sending them to me. Take care!
-- James Bauchum

Chris: I am refreshed every week by your Ezine. Now for that vacation.
-- Kathy Finger

Hi Chris: Hello! I am Dr A K Singh working in a national Oil Company. I went through your "Weekly Ezine Issue#14, dated June 10, 2005". I really enjoyed it and found it eye opener for employed people like me who want give full expression to their potential. I would greatly appreciate if you kindly put me on your free e-mailing list.
-- Dr A K Singh

Good message!
-- Ray Gebauer

THANK YOU SO MUCH Chris! WONDERFUL E-zine!
-- Motebang Seiboko

Wow Chris - you should be proud of this article you put together I found it fab...
-- Joseph Rooney


Thank you Ezine readers, for the sincere and kind words of encouragement and appreciation you've sent us! -- CW
 

6. More Information