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Issue 168 - January 21, 2003 - Jim Rohn's Weekly E-zine
Welcome to Jim Rohn's Weekly E-zine Jim Rohn International - The Official Site of America's Foremost Business Philosopher Today's issue is going out to 99,413 weekly subscribers. Thank you in advance for forwarding this issue to friends, family and associates! Have a great week! JR/JRI ======================================================== Today's issue includes: 1. Article - Facing the Enemies Within by Jim Rohn 1. Facing the Enemies Within by Jim Rohn We are not born with courage, but neither are we born with fear. Maybe some of our fears are brought on by our own experiences, by what someone has told us, by what we've read in the papers. Some fears are valid, like walking alone in a bad part of town at two o'clock in the morning. But once we learn to avoid that situation, we won't need to live in fear of it. Fears, even the most basic ones, can totally destroy our ambitions. Fear can destroy fortunes. Fear can destroy relationships. Fear, if left unchecked, can destroy our lives. Fear is one of the many enemies lurking inside us. Let me tell you about five of the other enemies we face from within. The first enemy that we've got to destroy before it destroys us is indifference. What a tragic disease this is. The man says, "Ho-hum, let it slide. I'll just drift along." But here's one problem with drifting: we can't drift our way to the top of the mountain. The second enemy we face is indecision. Indecision is the thief of opportunity and enterprise. It will steal our chances for a better future. Take a sword to this enemy. The third enemy inside is doubt. Sure, there's room for healthy skepticism. We can't believe everything. But we also can't let doubt take over. Many people doubt the past, doubt the future, doubt each other, doubt the government, doubt the possibilities and doubt the opportunities. Worse of all, they doubt themselves. I'm telling you, doubt will destroy your life and your chances of success. It will empty both your bank account and your heart. Doubt is an enemy. Go after it. Get rid of it. The fourth enemy within is worry. We've all got to worry some. Just don't let it conquer you. Instead, let it alarm you. Worry can be useful. If you step off the curb in New York City and a taxi is coming, you've got to worry. But you can't let worry loose like a mad dog that drives you into a small corner. Here's what you've got to do with your worries: drive them into a small corner. Whatever is out to get you, you've got to get it. Whatever is pushing on you, you've got to push back. The fifth interior enemy is over-caution. It is the timid approach to life. Timidity is not a virtue (unlike humility - they are different); in fact, it can be an illness. If you let it go, it'll conquer you. Timid people don't get promoted. They don't advance and grow and become powerful in the marketplace. You've got to avoid over-caution. Do battle with the enemy. Do battle with your fears. Build your courage to fight what's holding you back, what's keeping you from your goals and dreams. Be courageous in your life and in your pursuit of the things you want and the person you want to become. To Your Success, 2. Vitamins for the Mind by Jim Rohn Sowing and Reaping You must get good at one of two things: sowing in the spring or begging in the fall. God has the tough end of the deal. What if instead of planting the seed you had to make the tree? That would keep you up late at night, trying to figure that one out. Plant, don't chant. One of my good friends always says, "Things don't just happen; things happen just."
******************************************************** 3. K.O.R.E. Elements of Success by Chris Widener Over the years I have had the privilege of working with many successful people. Some were workers who worked for others but accomplished much, and some were leaders of both small and large businesses. I began to think about the characteristics that they all seemed to share and I found that there were common core elements in each of their situations. I want to focus our thoughts on each of these four elements of success. While these were originally written for a business audience, the principles can be easily translated to cover you or any group or organization you belong to. Knowledge. Before one begins down the road of success, they need knowledge. Today, even jobs that once required little working knowledge or intelligence now see the need for training as those jobs become more dependent on technology. We will cover the importance of knowledge and ways to get more for yourself and the others in your business or organization. Opportunity. One element that you see over and over again in our country is that we are indeed the "land of opportunity." It is great to be able to live in a country where people can pursue their dreams, and where it is possible to reach them. But some people have a hard time seeing opportunity. We will focus on ways to find and take advantage of opportunities. Risk. Once a person sees opportunity, it is up to them to step through the open door and go for it. Yet many stop at the edge, unwilling to take a risk. Many times, often actually, taking advantage of opportunities requires risk. We will cover the importance of taking risks and to understand the difference between taking risks and being "risky." Excellence. Businesses, organizations, and people who succeed are the ones who operate from a base of excellence. Think of Nordstrom's as a perfect example. We'll cover the importance of excellence and ways to raise your excellence quotient. Knowledge The starting point in the elements of success is Knowledge. This is becoming increasingly so as we continue deeper into the information and technology age. There simply is no turning back now. Even jobs that used to take very little knowledge require some because of automation etc. So here are some thoughts on ways to increase your knowledge and become more successful. Become a self-learner. I have met very few successful people who were not also self-learners. They love learning. Are you a reader? Reading is one of the most enjoyable ways to learn more. Or you can join what Zig Ziglar calls "Automobile University." All you do is go to the local library and check out some tapes on a topic of your choice and start going to school on your way to work. As you grow personally you will begin to rise above others who simply are not in the process of learning. Job-specific training. I think everybody, regardless of his or her level in the organization, should be continually trained in their job. Someone once said that it is more expensive to not train employees and let them stay on the job than to train them. How true. What kind of ongoing job training are you taking? If you aren't the boss, then go to your boss and ask him what kind of training he or she would like you to have and then tell them that you would be glad to go get it. If you are the boss, then what kind of training should you give to each of your employees? Maybe it is time to revisit the budget for employee training. Chances are, your competitor is. Advanced education. Many of the local schools, both undergraduate and graduate, are increasingly tailoring programs for those who are working full-time jobs. Maybe it is time to go back to school. They have programs that are one night a week or one week every four to six months. They even have programs where you go to the campus for six weeks a year. Maybe one of these is appropriate for you right now. Is this possible or even reasonable? It sure is. I know many people who are actively involved in all three of the above. Increasing you knowledge will not only help you perform better on the job, it will help you become a better person. Opportunity In the summer of 1996 I was able to tour a country that is not democratic. While I loved the people and the cultures, I was struck again by a deep appreciation for the fact that we are free here in the U.S. We are indeed the "Land of Opportunity." And that is the second element of success. Not so much having opportunity, as that is rather inherent to our American system, but that we see opportunity, and then take advantage of opportunity. The successful people who I have met and worked with are people who have an eye for opportunity. Is that something they are born with? Absolutely not! If anything, being able to see opportunity is an attitude. Yes, wisdom is an important part, but if you believe there is nothing good under the sun, that there is no opportunity, then you won't achieve much. Instead, it is an attitude that does not see any circumstance as a problem, but sees it as, you guessed it, an opportunity. A great achiever said, "There is never a money problem, only an idea problem." He saw opportunity, not a lack of funds, and he simply needed to find the way to take advantage of the opportunity! So where do you begin? Right where you are. Take inventory of who you are, as an individual, a business, or an organization. Then ask the following questions. When you get the answers, it is simply a matter of follow through. That comes next when we talk about risk. What opportunities do we have to get better? This is the growth question. When you look for how you can grow, and then pursue it, you're on your way! What strengths do you have? What skills, talents, or personalities are your strong points? How can those be seen as an opportunity to grow? When you operate out of your strengths, you have a much better chance of seizing opportunity and being successful. What does your market need? This is a perfect question to ask. If you can answer this, you will have enough opportunity to last for the rest of your life! Can you, with your strengths, meet any of the needs of the population you are trying to reach or serve? Their needs are your opportunities! What is currently working? This is the "ride the wave" point. Take advantage of momentum. Don't settle for the good that you are experiencing. Ask if you can stretch further. Don't look at what ought to be successful, but go further with what is successful! Risk "A naval aviator told me that many pilots have died because they stayed with disabled aircraft. They preferred the familiarity of the cockpit to the unfamiliarity of the parachute, even though the cockpit was a deathtrap. Many people have seen their careers crash because they preferred the familiar but deadly old ways to the risky but rewarding new ways." So says Nido Qubein in Stairway to Success. It is true that many people who have knowledge and the opportunity to see success, never do, simply because they are unwilling to take risks. As young people we are usually long on risk-taking but short on knowledge and opportunity. This is probably why you don't see many successful teens driving their own BMW's. But by the time we are able to do something with our knowledge and opportunity, most of us are in relatively comfortable situations and decide that to pursue our dreams would be to simply risk too much. So we put off what lies in our hearts. Yet most successful people achieve what they do because somewhere along the line they stepped out in faith and took a risk. Yes, many fail at this point, but at least they attempted greatness. And while many fail, many succeed tremendously and receive the reward, often helping many others as well. Here are some thoughts to help you take risks and see great achievement in your life. Count the cost of not risking. Most of us think of what we might lose if we risk, but what will we lose if we don't risk? Realistically understand the worst-case scenario. It usually isn't nearly as bad as we might assume, making it all the more worthwhile to risk. Most risks don't end up at the worst. Calculate your risk. Since the risk isn't as much as we usually think it is, it helps to lie out the strategy beforehand. Then you know what you're up against and have a plan of action. Prepare fully. What most often keeps us from risk is fear. One of the best ways to fight fear is to be fully prepared. This helps our minds to be rooted in fact rather than swayed by emotion. Follow your dreams. They did a study and asked elderly people what their biggest regrets were. One of the top ones? That they didn't take more risks to follow their dreams. Go for it now! Richard Bach says this in A Gift of Wings: "Remember the high board at the swimming pool? After days of looking up at it, you finally climbed the wet steps to the platform. From there it was higher than ever. There were only two ways down: the steps to defeat or the dive to victory. You stood on the edge, shivering in the hot sun, deathly afraid. At last you leaned too far forward, it was too late for retreat, and you dived. The high board was conquered, and you spent the rest of the day diving. Climbing a thousand high boards, we demolish fear, and turn into human beings." Excellence Most people, if they have the drive and know where to look, can get knowledge. Everyone can take advantage of opportunity. A select few, relatively speaking, will take the risk needed to launch out to succeed. But what really sets the successful apart from the unsuccessful, or even just the average, is excellence. I would agree. Many of us settle for average, while a few choose excellence, in all areas, and go on to succeed far more that the rest of the crowd. So what are some ideas to have excellence be you shining mark? Here are a few: First, cultivate an attitude of excellence. Excellence must be your stated goal. Everyone in your business, school, or organization should know that excellence is the benchmark. You should desire it. Second, define excellence. What does excellence look like for you or your group? This then, is the goal. Here are some areas to begin looking at: My personal life. Do I strive for excellence in my personal life? Do I know what areas I can improve upon, and do I try to achieve excellence in those areas? What about these specific areas: Financial, spiritual, physical, emotional, intellectual? Customer service. Excellence is defined here not in how we think we are doing, but in how the customer thinks we are doing. Have you asked lately how you are doing in this area? Ask for suggestions on how to excel. Then you can work on achieving it. Employee satisfaction. You will more likely achieve excellence if you have deeply satisfied employees. How can you make it an excellent place to work? Product. Is your product excellent? Is your whole line? Perhaps you may want to sell fewer, but much better, items. It's great to be associated with excellent products. Atmosphere. What does your home, store or office look, sound, and smell like? Is it a help or hindrance? I encourage you to think about these things, and even brainstorm with your family or staff. The results could be excellence! Chris Widener is a popular speaker and writer as well as the President of Made for Success, a company helping individuals and organizations turn their potential into performance, succeed in every area of their lives and achieve their dreams. To order Chris's audio series Extraordinary Leaders Seminar go to www.yoursuccessstore.com and save 40%! Chris is also a weekly contributor to The Jim Rohn One-Year Success Plan. To learn more about The Jim Rohn One-Year Success Plan and/or to start your membership this new year go to jr1.jimrohn.com
**************************************************************** 4. January Monthly Specials and *FREE Shipping - 10 Days Left! If you want to increase your productivity, time and income; improve your leadership and management skills, increase sales or just improve your life overall - take advantage of the special savings of 20 - 76% on some of our best selling books, audios/CD's and videos/DVD's - go to monthly.jimrohn.com or call 800-929-0434 and take advantage of this month's Monthly Specials and receive *Free Shipping on orders of $50 and more. Additional products ordered from the Jim Rohn Site will be included in the Free Shipping offer if Monthly Specials order exceeds $50. Also if you have not signed up for the Jim Rohn One-Year Plan, now is the time to take action and make the desired changes in your life. The possibilities of financial, personal and business growth are unlimited when you have the right plan and teachers. We started The Jim Rohn One Year Success Plan on November 1st and the results are pouring in (over 1,200 enrollees to date). It's not too late to get on board and create the 2003 you desire to create. The Jim Rohn One-Year Success Plan - One of the Most Comprehensive Resource and Success Plans Ever Created For You To Reach All Of Your Goals in the Next 12 Months! Includes a One Year Game Plan Covering 12 Pillars of Success, 52 Weekly Strategic Game Plan Emails, 12 Conference Calls with a specific focus and hosted by a Premier Expert in each of the 12 Pillars of Success including Jim Rohn, Brian Tracy, Zig Ziglar, Patricia Fripp, Bob Burg, Chris Widener and more... and The Jim Rohn Weekend Event - Excelling in the New Millennium on 20 CD's. Also Special Alumni Packages available! For details and/or to take advantage of the Special Offer, 4 Goal Setting Bonuses, Free Shipping and Bonus CD's and books for those who sign-up this month, go to jr1.jimrohn.com or call 1-800-929-0434.
******************************************************** 5. Jim Rohn Testimonials - January 14 - 20, 2003 Here are some of the dozens of testimonials and comments we received over the past week from E-zine subscribers.
I have heard the Jim Rohn sampler and can say this has played an integral part in my successes both as a businessman, as well as a father and family man. Jim has touched my life in ways many could not! Thank You. Jim Rohn has been my mentor for several years. My life is changed because of him I hope to get the opportunity to buy him dinner. Thank you! You changed my life. My financial worth has multiplied 50x since 1992. I need to get back on the right track again. I have personally found the teachings of Jim very helpful to my personal life. Good evening, I very much want to thank you for the very inspiring and developing weekly letters, of the course. I am waiting every week to go on working. My best wishes. I have been blessed reading your articles. Thanks again for all of your help I love this course!! I have "The Art of Exceptional Living". Our lives have been changed unbelievably, by this series. The truth is: I desired to know how Tony Robins started and changed his life, who was his mentor and my search has guided me to Mr. Jim Rohn. Thank you for your Wisdom. I have just been receiving your ezines a short time but have found them to be very exciting and motivating. Thank you for investing in other peoples lives. I just went to a seminar today where you spoke for First Team in Costa Mesa. You were fantastic! I met Jim in 1978 at a conference in Puerto Vallarta and have been following him ever since. Thanks for the great welcome! I am extremely excited about the 1-Year Success Plan. I met Jim Rohn at a TPN event several years ago when I lived in Atlanta. For the past few years, I have not been keeping up with my success habits and I know this will get me back on track. I'm already started listening to an old cassette album of a Weekend Seminar while I wait. I purchased a $349 Jim Rohn package several years ago at a Mannatech event... totally love Jim and so does my husband. I Love Jim. He's the Great Coach & Mentor Of Tony Robbins. Thank you E-zine readers, for the sincere and kind words of encouragement and appreciation you sent us this week! -- JRI
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