Motivation May 16-31

May 31, 2007
Accept No Limits by Vic Johnson

"A person is limited only by the thoughts that he chooses." - James Allen, As A Man Thinketh

You are not limited to the life you now live. It has been accepted by you as the best you can do at this moment. Any time you're ready to go beyond the limitations currently in your life, you're capable of doing that by choosing different thoughts.

We each earn the income we do today because that is the amount we have limited ourselves to earn. We could easily earn 5, 10, 20 times more if we did not limit ourselves through the thoughts we maintain.

Don't believe that's true? Surely you know people who earn much more than you who don't have your education, your skills, or your intelligence. So why do they earn more than you?

I love the story of George Dantzig that Cynthia Kersey wrote about in Unstoppable. As a college student, George studied very hard and always late into the night. So late that he overslept one morning, arriving 20 minutes late for class. He quickly copied the two math problems on the board, assuming they were the homework assignment. It took him several days to work through the two problems, but finally he had a breakthrough and dropped the homework on the professor's desk the next day.

Later, on a Sunday morning, George was awakened at 6 a.m. by his excited professor. Since George was late for class, he hadn't heard the professor announce that the two unsolvable equations on the board were mathematical mind teasers that even Einstein hadn't been able to answer. But George Dantzig, working without any thoughts of limitation, had solved not one, but two problems that had stumped mathematicians for thousands of years.

Simply put, George solved the problems because he didn't know he couldn't.

Bob Proctor tells us to "keep reminding yourself that you have tremendous reservoirs of potential within you, and therefore you are quite capable of doing anything you set your mind to. All you must do is figure out how you can do it, not whether or not you can. And once you have made your mind up to do it, it's amazing how your mind begins to figure out how."

And that's worth thinking about.
Vic Johnson

Reprinted with permission of Jim Rohn Ezine

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May 30, 2007
Achieving Success By Expecting Success by Zig Ziglar

When you plan and prepare carefully, you can legitimately expect to have success in your efforts. When you recognize and develop the winning qualities that you were born with, the winner you were born to be emerges. When you plan and prepare to make a sale, for example, you can legitimately expect to make a sale. Although not all your expectations are going to come to pass, you give yourself an infinitely better chance of succeeding by taking the proper steps. Regardless of your goal--losing weight, making more sales, furthering your education, earning a promotion, saving money for a new home or an exotic vacation--you can expect to achieve your goal if you plan and prepare for it.

Also understand that the path from where you are to where you want to be is not always smooth and straight. The reason for the twists and bumps is simple, and it has nothing to do with you. It has more to do with the fact that not everyone is as interested in your success as you are. Some people may accidentally hinder your efforts; others who are in competition with you and have little or no integrity may try to sabotage your efforts.

Keep in mind, though, that when you hit those roadblocks your character, commitment, and attitude are the determining factors in your success... Carefully review your plan of action, seek wise counsel, and be particularly careful to feed your mind good information. An optimistic, positive mind is far more likely to come up with creative solutions than a mind that dwells on setbacks and difficulties.

Bottom line: expect success and you can achieve it!

Reprinted with permission of Jim Rohn Ezine

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May 29, 2007
Doing the Remarkable by Jim Rohn

When it comes to meeting and conquering the negativity in your life, here is a key question: what can you do, starting today, that will make a difference? What can you do during economic chaos? What can you do when everything has gone wrong? What can you do when you've run out of money, when you don't feel well and it's all gone sour? What can you do?

Let me give you the broad answer first. You can do the most remarkable things, no matter what happens. People can do incredible things, unbelievable things, despite the most impossible or disastrous circumstances.

Here is why humans can do remarkable things: because they are remarkable. Humans are different than any other creation. When a dog starts with weeds, he winds up with weeds. And the reason is because he's a dog. But that's not true with human beings. Humans can turn weeds into gardens.

Humans can turn nothing into something, pennies into fortune, and disaster into success. And the reason they can do such remarkable things is because they are remarkable. Try reaching down inside of yourself; you'll come up with some more of those remarkable human gifts. They're there, waiting to be discovered and employed.

With those gifts, you can change anything for yourself that you wish to change. And I challenge you to do that because you can change. If you don't like how something is going for you, change it. If something isn't enough, change it. If something doesn't suit you; change it. If something doesn't please you, change it. You don't ever have to be the same after today. If you don't like your present address change it — you're not a tree!

If there is one thing to get excited about, it's your ability to make yourself do the necessary things, to get a desired result, to turn the negative into success. That's true excitement.

To Your Success,
Jim Rohn

Reprinted with permission of Jim Rohn Ezine

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May 28, 2007
Be Real, and Not Too Smart by Tony Jeary - Mr. Presentation

When giving a presentation it is important to remember:

The world hates a "know-it-all", and can spot an overly orchestrated pitch a mile away. Your job, at the front of the room, is to be credible and effective. This means that you really don't have to have every answer, and shouldn't be too slick or offer solutions that are too "pat". You need to be good, not perfect.

Why:

Participants must trust you. You need credibility that assures that you aren't perceived as trying to "smoke something past them" or con them. It is important to be authentic or truthful, and to be real - to be approachable. Being too slick breaks the emotional connection between you and your audience.

How:

Know the difference between Being Effective vs. Being Right. The difference between being effective and being right is an important distinction -- being in the right doesn't mean that you're reaching your goal. Effective presenters and facilitators do what it takes to get the job done. They treat people fairly and equally, and will patiently lead the group to a solution. In contrast, the self-righteous facilitator gets involved in being right and dictates a position even when it is not appropriate to the process. If things don't go well, the self-righteous facilitator does not have results, but merely excuses -- "I've done what I can. It's not my fault if they didn't get it."

"Ninety-three percent of the believability of your message is not the content or words you use. It's not what you say but how you say it." - Judy Chaffee

Make Sure Your Language (verbal and nonverbal) Reinforces What You Say. You will be judged on your language patterns and how you present yourself.

There's a lot written on this, but here are key tips:

Adapt your language and attitude to the group you are addressing, but avoid the temptation to seek the lowest common denominator.

As far as body language goes, stand up straight, use appropriate gestures, be confident and smile.

Maintaining eye contact is a great way to build a good rapport. If you can't look individuals in the eye, they will feel you're hiding something, no matter what you say.

Be aware of how you signal boredom and impatience, and studiously avoid these postures.

Be Able To Laugh At Yourself. Don't be afraid to laugh at yourself when you make mistakes; it's very humanizing and helps establish you as a real person. It is rare presenter who doesn't make some type of mistake some time during the presentation. But handle with care -- Self-deprecation can be an effective technique when carried off in a humorous vein, but flat statements like "I'm really not too good at this" can be credibility killers. Repeated mistakes may characterize you as very real, but a very real dummy.

Benefits:

You'll earn the trust and respect of your participants.

The group will be able to relate to you as a human being that respects their views

The audience is more likely to "buy into" the message.

Action Plan:

Look at the material for your next presentation carefully, and have someone who is familiar with the subject matter and audience/group review it. Are there words that may signal overconfidence or over-promise? Are you taking enough time to "walk people through" your key points or does your pace suggest that you are dictating the answer?

Rehearse. Round up an audience that will give you candid feedback. Is your body language right? Practice using ad-hoc humor on mistakes you make.

Use Verbal Surveying and Targeted Polling, (found in Tony's book, Inspire Any Audience) to continuously validate your "connection" in your next session. Pay attention to the responses and make mental notes on what you may have done to generate any responses that are not completely positive.

Reprinted with permission of Jim Rohn Ezine

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May 27, 2007
Hope Is The Great Activator by Zig Ziglar

"Without hope what good is tomorrow?"

We are surrounded by people who need hope in their lives. We don't often see their need because a lack of hope is not easily communicated. People aren't prone to say, "I need hope." Nonetheless, when we listen closely, we can hear the cries of the hope-needers. Or oftentimes we can see it in their actions.

For example: The student with no hope of passing won't study. Why bother? The sales person with no hope of making the sale won't make the call. What's the purpose? The couple whose marriage is in trouble won't seek counseling because (they think) it's all over anyway. The relative who hasn't spoken to you for three years won't try. What's the hope? The senior citizen who doesn't think anyone would be interested in helping him won't ask. The nurse who doesn't think anyone appreciates her wisdom won't offer it. The manager who doesn't see a chance of being promoted often gives up. Why try?

But give any of these individuals hope and some exciting things can happen!...

You were born to win! But in order to be the winner you were born to be, you've got to plan to win. You've got to prepare to win. And then, and only then, can you legitimately expect to win.

Winning is not an accident. It's a result of a deliberate plan. A plan filled with hope and encouragement. Would you like to be a powerful person? Or a more powerful person? Then you need hope. People who build hope into their own lives and who share hope with others become powerful people. Doors open for these people!

Now here's the good news: Hope is a choice! Yes, that's right. You can make a decision to be a hope-filled person. You can make a decision to share hope with others. Even if your own need for hope is running a little dry, you can still give others hope. In the process of doing so, watch what happens. Your personal hope quotient is bound to rise.
Author John Maxwell says if there's hope in the future there's power in the present.

Hope is the great activator!

If you want to make things happen in your life, and you want to encourage others to make things happen in their lives, rely on hope! Discipline yourself to see the "hopeful" side of any incident. Include expressions of hope in your self-talk. Share words of hope with the people who surround you.

Are we offering you a "head in the sand" approach to life? Are we saying that you should walk around with a smile on your face and a song in your heart, oblivious to daily reality? Of course not. However, we do believe that we have a choice. Hope is a choice. We can look at any unfortunate or bothersome situation and say it's hopeless, or we can look for the hope in that situation. The choice is always ours!

Take a moment today and think about the last 24 hours. Did you spread hope, either by words or action? Or did you choose the opposite approach? Are you a hope-giver? Do you want to be? Look forward now to the next 24 hours. Think of three ways that you can be a hope giver. Now go do it... and watch what happens!

Let us know how things turn out.

Reprinted with permission of Jim Rohn Ezine

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May 26, 2007
Stickability Is Tremendous by Charlie "Tremendous" Jones

Stick by it, die by it, never give up. We need to burn the word "stickability" into our hearts. There is a plague sweeping the world, it is now reaching epidemic proportions. It's better known as the Quitters Disease. Everywhere I go I hear the phrase, in many different tones I QUIT - I QUIT - I QUIT. I expect to be greeted by some overwhelming, happy associate each time I return to the office with a great big -I QUIT.

The problem with most people is that they don't realize what the problem is. I remember how I always wanted to quit. In fact, that's why I worked so hard to become successful so that I wouldn't have to go through that agonizing wanting to quit all the time. Then, finally, I became a success, and to my surprise, I wanted to quit anyway. I then learned that the human being hits psychological lows two or three times a year, and wants to quit for no reason at all.

Of course, the real problem was in wanting to quit, because the more I would want to quit, the more I would want to quit, and the more I would want to quit, the more I was afraid I was going to quit, and I didn't want to quit, I just wanted to want to quit. Finally, one day I discovered the difference between quitting and wanting to quit. I then decided I would never quit, and now I enjoy quitting all the time, because I know I’m not going to QUIT.

Sometimes someone will ask, "You mean you can't ever quit?" That's right, you can die, retire or get fired, but that's it. Of course, there are exceptions and you are going to think you're it every time you want to quit and if you sell out that easily, you'll never get to pay the first price of leadership. I think you'll agree that more is to be gained by stickability, than chasing better deals, and most of the time our attitudes at the time of our quitting is setting the stage for almost certain failure in whatever we run to.

Tremendously,
Charles "T" Jones

Reproduced with permission from the Ron White Ezine

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May 25, 2007
Gradual Adaptation by Ron White

The older I get the more I notice that my metabolism seems to be moving slower than most glaciers. I was watching a turtle the other day make its way across the grass and I could have sworn that I heard my metabolism say,' Hey turtle, slow down…what is your hurry?'

It has become a monumental struggle to maintain the weight that I prefer to be at. Other than eating the right foods, I have become a runner. That is right – a runner. It is the last thing I thought you would ever hear me say. A few years ago, it would have been more likely that I join a Polish circus as a fire juggler. Yet, here I am a runner.

A concept that running has taught me is the one of 'gradual adaptation'. When I started running 1 and a half miles seemed unfathomable. As I lumbered around the track that first jog it felt as if my eyes were rolling back in my head. I could feel my lunch making its way to resurface and my lungs gasped to grab all the oxygen in my time zone.

Now, today as I glide past the 1.5 mile mark I haven't even gotten warmed up. What made the change? Gradual adaptation.

A fellow runner suggested that I run for twenty minutes at a slow pace. He convinced me that it was the duration and not the intensity that was important. I soon reported back to him that I was able to run twenty minutes with great ease at 6.3 mph. 'Super!' he replied. 'Next time you run – run for 25 minutes' was his continued suggestion.

In my mind, he might as well told me to sprout wings and fly. Yet, I nodded my head and told him I would give it a try. To my amazement the extra five minutes came easy. Within a few weeks, I was running 30 minutes, then 35, then 40, then 45 and then 60 consecutive minutes!

If I had started at 60 minutes, I would have most likely been wheeled to the hospital afterwards and never ran again. Instead, I chose the option of gradual adaptation.

Whether your goal is running, building a business or learning a new skill the concept of gradual adaptation is one that you must implement to be successful.

Don't attempt to change the world in a day. Brian Buffini says that most people over estimate what they can accomplish in a year (this is because they don't practice gradual adaptation) and underestimate what they can accomplish in a decade.

How to implement gradual adaptation:

- Decide what your ultimate goal is
- Understand this will also be a lesson in patience and do not rush the end result
- Establish stages or levels of the larger goal
- Focus on the next stage, not the end result.
- Remind yourself of the end result to maintain excitement and passion while still focusing on the next stage
- Measure your progress with a chart

Realize that your results in any endeavor will be slow at first but as you gain momentum the results expand geometrically. This is why most overestimate their accomplishments for a year and under-estimate the possible accomplishments of a decade.

This six step process will work if you are building a business, a workout routine or learning a new skill. Remember that no one ever ran a marathon the first time out of the blocks and neither will you.

Practice gradual adaptation.

-- Ron White

Reproduced with permission from the Ron White Ezine

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May 24, 2007
Look up to Those Beneath You by Dr. Denis Waitley

The most successful business leaders today are like great coaches who manage by inspiration, instead of intimidation. The command and control, management style is obsolete. In this fast forward global marketplace, there is no such distinction as superior and subordinate. The key to getting and staying on top is to provide a resilient, positive working environment. This requires that you "check your ego at the door" and that you seek alliances with others who may have different talents or strengths than you do. This is what synergy is all about.

David Ogilvy, founder of giant advertising agency, Ogilvy and Mather, used to give each new manager a Russian doll, which contained five progressively smaller dolls inside. A message inside the smallest one read: "If each of us hires people we consider smaller than ourselves, we shall become a company of dwarves. But if each of us hires people who are bigger than we are, we will become a company of giants."

To become a giant in the eyes of others, and to succeed in the 21st century, look up to those beneath you! Consider these action ideas as you lead your team:

1. Listen often and openly to what others say, and try to do so without prejudgment.

2. Don't put anyone off or be too busy to listen to and answer questions.

3. Use praise frequently and sincerely.

4. If you feel that criticism is warranted, do it in private, and make sure you say something encouraging after the reprimand.

5. Be firm and be fair. Don't meet with people in person or on the phone when you are angry. Exercise or take a walk first, then communicate when you are relaxed.

6. Don't be afraid or hesitant to share your concerns with others. Far better to discuss a molehill, then to wait until it festers into Mt. Everest.

7. Don't make rash promises and be consistent.

8. Whenever you are in a leadership role, focus your supervision on teaching effective habits and skills, not in pointing out mistakes.

Encourage everyone in both your personal and professional life to speak up and express their own ideas, even if you disagree with them.

-- Denis Waitley

Reproduced with permission from the Denis Waitley Ezine

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May 23, 2007
THE BEST INSURANCE POLICY? A "THANK YOU IN ADVANCE" by Bob Burg

My friend, author and speaker Alan Proctor, says, "Many people insist on waiting for someone to do for them before they take a similar action for the benefit of the other person." Alan then teaches, "But wouldn't doing something for them first increase the chances of that goodwill being returned?"

Absolutely. In fact that's one of those immutable laws of life that successful people understand and embrace. And one of the most effective ways of working with this law is what I call the "Thank You In Advance." It may be the best insurance policy you can buy, and it doesn't cost even one cent to purchase.

Thank people "before" they do something for you.

"I really appreciate your taking the time to..." This is great insurance that they'll make the time to do whatever you want done. I learned years ago while listening to a tape by Jim Rohn that a tip to a waitperson used to be paid "before" the meal was even served. The word "tip", t - i - p, actually meant, "to insure promptness."

Insurance, right? Or extortion, depending upon how you look at it. :-). I prefer insurance.

An example of a proper time to thank someone is "before" they start on the assignment, task or whatever. "Thank you Mary – I know you're going to do your typically excellent job." Maybe, when talking to your prospect on the telephone, "before" you launch into your reason for calling. "Mr. Smith, thank you for taking a quick moment to speak with me - I realize you're very busy." Or, the hotel manager you need to inform about a particular challenge with the hotel: "Ms. Jackson, I appreciate your helping me with this unfortunate situation."

And, the mechanic who's about to work on your car: "Mr. Davis, thank you in advance for fixing this thing. Wow, do I depend on you to keep this car working right!"

Will thanking a person in advance ever not work? Of course, because people are people and not everyone will be responsive the first time. Then you might have to use some of the other WINNING WITHOUT INTIMIDATION principles and strategies I teach. The fact is, though, it works much more often than not, and over time you'll find this to be both a very pleasant and very effective way of working effectively with others.

One very important point: This must be done with sincerity. Otherwise, it'll come off as manipulative or overbearing. Just reflect for a moment about what you're most grateful for with this person, go with that feeling, and say "thank you" ... in advance.

Bob Burg

Reproduced with permission from the Jim Rohn Ezine

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May 22, 2007
FIVE STEPS TO EFFECTIVE FOLLOW-UP by Omar Periu

For years, the experts have been saying that effective follow-up can increase your sales ratios by as much as 30 percent or more. If this is true, why is it that less than 10 percent of the salespeople follow up? Well, we could blame it on their lack of time or desire, and for some that might be the case—but only for some. The simple fact is, most salespeople have never been taught how to effectively follow up. They’ve weighed the benefits and see no real reward to following up. So, would it be worth it to you if you could make one more sale a week? Would it be worth it to you if you could obtain one qualified referral a week? Would it be worth it if that statement was true and you really could increase your income by 30 percent?

If you’re saying “YES,” “YES,” “YES,” then let me show you five easy steps to effective follow up. There’s no magical follow-up formula, but rather a commitment to proven systems that bring consistently positive results. Let’s take a look at the five steps.

1. Ask investigative questions that give you a reason to follow up. Make a commitment to ask at least three questions that will let you know what will move your potential customer to make a decision.

2. Find something you have in common with the customer, making your follow-up contact memorable. It could be hobbies, likes, philosophies, principles, etc. Just something that will let them know you can relate to them on their level.

3. Make a friend of the customer; nobody minds being contacted by a friend. This doesn’t mean you must invite them to your daughter’s wedding. It might be something as simple as smiling, enjoying their sense of humor, sharing a flaw or weakness, etc.

4. Speak to your customers’ dreams; send them pictures and information that help them to imagine themselves as more successful and happy people for using your product or service. Find out what your customers dream about then become a player in their dreams. For example, a customer’s dreams is to own a speedboat, send them a subscription to a speedboat trade magazine and a reminder of how your product or service could give them more time or money to be doing what they dream of.

5. Practice at least five different methods of follow-up. Call, write, fax, email or drop by. It can be that simple. Just make a commitment to follow up at least five times before you move on.

And finally, just to prove how beneficial effective follow up can be, start tracking the results of your follow up strategies and then simply continue to do what brings you the greatest success. Start today! Focus on the Five Steps to Effective Follow-up and find success.

Reproduced with permission from the Jim Rohn Ezine

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May 21, 2007
SUCCESS IS EVERYTHING by Jim Rohn

Someone once said to me that success isn't everything and I think I know what they really meant. I believe they really meant that money wasn't everything and I certainly agree with that. But I do believe that success IS everything.

First you need to succeed to survive. We must take the seasons and learn how to use them with the seed, the soil and the rain of opportunity to learn how to sustain ourselves and our family. But then second is to then succeed to flourish in every part of your life. Good question to ask mature people "If you could do better should you?" And I thing almost everybody would answer the question in the positive. If you could improve your health shouldn't you do that? If you can learn more shouldn't you do that? If you could earn more and share more, shouldn't you do that? If you can improve your relationships and spirituality shouldn't you do that? And I think that is what success is really all about. It is not just a destination that is set for everybody to try and go for. It is like Zig said, "improving in every area of your life to see if you can't with satisfaction at the end of the day, week, month and year and say 'I have made excellent progress this year, for myself, for my family, for my business, my career and my health.'". I think that kind of success everybody recognizes is legitimate and something we should all strive for.

Interesting phrase in the bible that says strive for perfection - not that we can ever reach it. But it is in the striving, to be a little bit better today than yesterday, in our speech, our language, our health, everything we can possibility think of.

So yes, in my opinion it is good to succeed!

To Your Success,
Jim Rohn

Reproduced with permission from the Jim Rohn Ezine

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May 20, 2007
PROVERBS FOR ABUNDANT LIVING by Fr. Brian Cavanaugh, TOR

In life we are to encourage and build up each other;
not to discourage and tear down one another.
In life we are to add, not subtract;
to multiply, not divide.

In life we are to leave an enduring impression;
not a careless dent.

In life we are to smooth out the rough roads along the journey;
not create new potholes.

In life we are to sing a joyful song;
not just drone a groan.

In life we are to add our harmonious strains to life's symphony;
not strain the symphony with clatter and clang.

In life we are to soar on eagles' wings.
not to peck and cluck with our beaks in the dirt like chickens.

In life we are to radiate light into unseen places;
not permit unknown fears to dim our radiance.

In life we are to leap in faith;
not to limp with doubt.

In life we are to give freely of our time, our love, our resources;
not to cling on to them greedily.

In life we are to lift up others;
not push them down.

In life we are to open our hands to those in need;
not to clutch our hands in fists of distrust.

In life we are to lend a helping hand to make loads lighter;
not use heavy hands to hold others back.

In life we are to be messengers of peace, signs of joy;
not Chicken Little portents of gloom-n-doom.

In life we are to enjoy, to savor, to remember, to reflect;
not to overlook, to forget, to ignore, to reject.

In life we are to seek conscious awareness;
not doze in the doldrums of half-awake.

In life we are to dare mighty things;
not to fear things gravely.

In life we are to show up, stand up, step forward and speak up;
not to cringe in fear, choosing to sit down,
to step back, allowing the voices of silence to speak so loudly.

In life we are to exercise proper stewardship of earth's resources;
not pillage the heritage of future generations.

In life we are to move forward through forgiveness;
not grind to a halt mired in bitterness and resentment.

In life we are to be wacky, weird, and wonderful
in our own unique God-given way;
not to be staid-n-proper lemmings, stuck on life's treadmill.

In life we are to reach, to stretch, and to soar;
not to slink in fear, held back by mistrust and doubt.

In life we are to realize: "I am a remarkable Somebody!";
not listen to other's jabs: "You're a Nobody, an Everybody, an Anybody."

In life we are to comprehend, "I am worthwhile";
not tremble with feelings of worthlessness.

In life we are to create, to laugh, and to live life nobly;
not to despair, to moan, or to live life less.

Reproduced with permission from the Jim Rohn Ezine

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May 19, 2007
ACHIEVING SUCCESS BY EXPECTING SUCCESS by Zig Ziglar

Keep in mind, though, that when you hit those roadblocks your character, commitment, and attitude are the determining factors in your success. . . Carefully review your plan of action, seek wise counsel, and be particularly careful to feed your mind good information. An optimistic, positive mind is far more likely to come up with creative solutions than a mind that dwells on setbacks and difficulties.

Bottom line: expect success and you can achieve it!

Reproduced with permission from the Jim Rohn Ezine

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May 18, 2007
Are You In It - To Win It? by Chris Widener

Have you ever heard this? "It isn't whether you win or lose. It is how you play the game." I am sure you have. But do you know who said it? Some guy who came in second place! You see, I have a problem with that statement. It presupposes, or at least strongly suggests that winning and playing the game "right" are mutually exclusive propositions. Perhaps we ought to have this as our goal as we pursue success: We want to win, while playing the game right! I totally disagree with the statement that we should win at all costs. Instead, we should do everything good that we can to win at this game we call life. And we ought also do all that we can to help others win.

With all of that... here are some thoughts on being in the game - to win!

Any "game" worth playing is a game worth pursuing a win in. If I get into a game, I play to win. What nobility is there is playing like a slacker? What virtue is purposeful mediocrity? None! I live my life to be a winner - Spiritually, financially, physically, emotionally, relationally - every area of my life! If it is worth doing, it is worth playing for the win!

It is good to win. We live in an age now where people have reacted to sore winners by saying that we shouldn't strive for winning. Many of our schools have abandoned the idea of competition, and our educational scores show that. Kudos to all of the teachers out there who still tell their kids that they can be winners! It is good and noble to win! It is something to strive for. It is good to push ourselves, to stretch and reach for victory. It is a grand thing to want to win!

There doesn't have to be a loser in life. Yes, in teamed competition, there are always losers (but more on that in a bit), but in life, you can all win! We can all strive for the best and give it our all to win.

Winners are the ones who move families, businesses, organizations, cities and countries ahead. Winners are the ones who push progress. You don't think that couch potato is the one who will cure cancer or open up the next great technology do you? No - it will be a person who has chosen to be a winner!

Losing can mean winning. Just because your score in a game or contest is the least at the end of the game doesn't mean all is lost. You can still be a winner in that you gave it your all, you competed at your highest level, you learned new skills and strategies, and you became a better player and person. That is winning in my book!

Winners help others win. That is right, good people, people who pursue winning by excellence, are also people who stop to help others so that they, too, can enjoy the spoils of victory. Pursue the win, but help others achieve all that they can as well!

Winners make everyone better. When I get into athletic matches I want to play against the best. Yes, I may come up short in the score, but I will be better because that winner will make me grow in every area of my game! Winners stretch the losers so they can become winners too!

Questions for reflection:
Are you afraid of winning?
Do you think it is wrong to win?
Are you living each area of your life as though you are a winner?
Are you enjoying your wins?
Are you helping others win with you?

Friends, we need to be in the game of life full force! We need to be in it, and we need to be in it to win it!

Chris Widener

Reproduced with permission from the Chris Widener Ezine

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May 17, 2007
How To Stay Motivated by Dr. Denis Waitley

Be willing to say to yourself, "I'm on the right road. I'm doing OK. I'm succeeding." We too frequently become adept at pointing out our flaws and identifying failures. Become equally adept at citing your achievements. Identify things you are doing now that you weren't doing one month ago… six months ago… a year ago. What habits have changed? Chart your progress.

Doing well once or twice is relatively easy. Continuously moving ahead is tough, in part, because we so easily revert to old habits and former lifestyles. Over the long run, you need to give yourself regular feedback to monitor your performance and reinforce yourself positively. Don't wait for an award ceremony, promotion, friend or mentor to show appreciation for your work. Take pride in your own efforts on a daily basis.

Keep the end result in sight. Always see the big picture of the ultimate goal you're working for and the benefits that come with it. During World War II, parachutes were being constructed by the thousands. From the workers point of view, the job was tedious and repetitive. (Like making "cold calls" on the phone or in person.) It involved crouching over a sewing machine eight to ten hours a day, stitching endless lengths of colorless fabric. The result was a seamless heap of cloth. But every morning the workers were reminded that each stitch was part of a life-saving operation.

As they sewed, they were asked to think that this might be the parachute worn by their husband, brother or son. Although the work was hard and the hours long, the women and men on the assembly line understood their contribution to the larger picture. The same should be true with your work. Each thing you do benefits the health and well being of adults and children throughout the world, not just generally, but specifically. These are the visions that drive us through tedious details to the top.

Set up a dynamic daily routine. Getting into a positive routine or groove, instead of a negative rut, will help you become more effective. Why is the subway the most energy efficient means of transportation? Because it runs on a track.

Think of the order in your day, instead of the routine. Order is not sameness, neatness or everything exactly in its place. Order is not taking on more than you can manage, without still being able to do what you really choose. Order is the opposite of complication; it's simplification. Order is not wasting a lot of time trying to find things. Order is avoiding a lot of recriminations because you didn't do something you promised. Order is setting an effective agenda with others, so neither of you is disappointed. Order is doing in a day what you set out to do.

Order frees you up. Get into the swing of a healthy, daily routine and discover how much more control you'll gain in your life.

To Finding Motivation Through your Daily Routines!
Denis Waitley
Reproduced with permission from the Denis Waitley Ezine

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May 16, 2007
THE FOUR EMOTIONS THAT CAN LEAD TO LIFE CHANGE by Jim Rohn

Emotions are the most powerful forces inside us. Under the power of emotions, human beings can perform the most heroic (as well as barbaric) acts. To a great degree, civilization itself can be defined as the intelligent channeling of human emotion. Emotions are fuel and the mind is the pilot, which together propel the ship of civilized progress.

Which emotions cause people to act? There are four basic ones; each, or a combination of several, can trigger the most incredible activity. The day that you allow these emotions to fuel your desire is the day you'll turn your life around.

1) DISGUST

One does not usually equate the word "disgust" with positive action. And yet properly channeled, disgust can change a person's life. The person who feels disgusted has reached a point of no return. He or she is ready to throw down the gauntlet at life and say, "I've had it!" That's what I said after many humiliating experiences at age 25, I said. "I don't want to live like this anymore. I've had it with being broke. I've had it with being embarrassed, and I've had it with lying."

Yes, productive feelings of disgust come when a person says, "Enough is enough."

The "guy" has finally had it with mediocrity. He's had it with those awful sick feelings of fear, pain and humiliation. He then decides he is not going to live like this anymore." Look out! This could be the day that turns a life around. Call it what you will, the "I've had it" day, the "never again" day, the "enough's enough" day. Whatever you call it, it's powerful! There is nothing so life-changing as gut-wrenching disgust!

2) DECISION

Most of us need to be pushed to the wall to make decisions. And once we reach this point, we have to deal with the conflicting emotions that come with making them. We have reached a fork in the road. Now this fork can be a two-prong, three-prong, or even a four-prong fork. No wonder that decision-making can create knots in stomachs, keep us awake in the middle of the night, or make us break out in a cold sweat.

Making life-changing decisions can be likened to internal civil war. Conflicting armies of emotions, each with its own arsenal of reasons, battle each other for supremacy of our minds. And our resulting decisions, whether bold or timid, well thought out or impulsive, can either set the course of action or blind it. I don't have much advice to give you about decision-making except this:

Whatever you do, don't camp at the fork in the road. Decide. It's far better to make a wrong decision than to not make one at all. Each of us must confront our emotional turmoil and sort out our feelings.

3) DESIRE

How does one gain desire? I don't think I can answer this directly because there are many ways. But I do know two things about desire:

a. It comes from the inside not the outside.
b. It can be triggered by outside forces.
Almost anything can trigger desire. It's a matter of timing as much as preparation. It might be a song that tugs at the heart. It might be a memorable sermon. It might be a movie, a conversation with a friend, a confrontation with the enemy, or a bitter experience. Even a book or an article such as this one can trigger the inner mechanism that will make some people say, "I want it now!"

Therefore, while searching for your "hot button" of pure, raw desire, welcome into your life each positive experience. Don't erect a wall to protect you from experiencing life. The same wall that keeps out your disappointment also keeps out the sunlight of enriching experiences. So let life touch you. The next touch could be the one that turns your life around.

4) RESOLVE

Resolve says, "I will." These two words are among the most potent in the English language. I WILL. Benjamin Disraeli, the great British statesman, once said, "Nothing can resist a human will that will stake even its existence on the extent of its purpose." In other words, when someone resolves to "do or die," nothing can stop him.

The mountain climber says, "I will climb the mountain. They've told me it's too high, it's too far, it's too steep, it's too rocky, it's too difficult. But it's my mountain. I will climb it. You'll soon see me waving from the top or you'll never see me, because unless I reach the peak, I'm not coming back." Who can argue with such resolve?

When confronted with such iron-will determination, I can see Time, Fate and Circumstance calling a hasty conference and deciding, "We might as well let him have his dream. He's said he's going to get there or die trying."

The best definition for "resolve" I've ever heard came from a schoolgirl in Foster City, California. As is my custom, I was lecturing about success to a group of bright kids at a junior high school. I asked, "Who can tell me what "resolve" means?" Several hands went up, and I did get some pretty good definitions. But the last was the best. A shy girl from the back of the room got up and said with quiet intensity, "I think resolve means promising yourself you will never give up." That's it! That's the best definition I've ever heard: PROMISE YOURSELF YOU'LL NEVER GIVE UP.

Think about it! How long should a baby try to learn how to walk? How long would you give the average baby before you say, "That's it, you've had your chance"? You say that's crazy? Of course it is. Any mother would say, "My baby is going to keep trying until he learns how to walk!" No wonder everyone walks.

There is a vital lesson in this. Ask yourself, "How long am I going to work to make my dreams come true?" I suggest you answer, "As long as it takes." That's what these four emotions are all about.

To Your Success,
Jim Rohn

Reproduced with permission from the Jim Rohn Ezine