You can remain in your present idea about yourself, or you can choose again. I like the idea of choosing again.Glorify who you are today, do not condemn who you were yesterday, and dream of who you can be tomorrow.
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Keeping Your Mind Tuned for Success
Chris Widener
Absolutely no one can overestimate the power of the mind and its role in our success! It is imperative to keep our minds right and on the right track if we are to achieve balanced success in our career, finances, health, emotions, relationships and spiritual lives.
The analogy I would like to use here is one of a radio station. For example, there may be a “Success” station. But the only way you can hear a radio station is to be tuned into it. Even a little off and you can’t get the full effect.
The same is true with our mind and success. If our minds and our thoughts get sidetracked, our success will get sidetracked. As our minds stay tuned to “success” our bodies will then carry out our success and we will begin to experience abundance!
So here are some ways to keep tuned into success!
Use your innate ability to decide and choose.
One of the things that separates us from the animals is that we live not by instinct, but by choice. Constantly flexing that muscle of choice builds it up and keeps us on track for success. It is like working out. They more we do, the stronger we get. The more “fit” we get. Want to keep your mind tuned for success? Keep it healthy by making good choices and decisions on a regular basis. For example, do you have a bad habit? Then flex your mind muscle and choose to change - today. If you choose to stay the same way (and those are the only two alternatives) you will have just chosen to tune your mind to a different station than “success.”
Put good stuff into your brain.
There are lots of things that want to work their way into our minds (and eventually work themselves out again in our actions). There will be lots that we just get from walking around all day. But what about what we put in on purpose? We can choose to put good stuff in on a regular basis. Do you take time each day to put good things into your mind, to tune into success? Here are two things to consider when you are choosing what to put into your mind: First, is it positive? Will it build you up or tear you down? Will it make you a better person, or lesser? Will you grow from it or not? Will it tune you to success or not? Secondly, Will it move you toward your goals in the areas of your life that you want to see success and abundance in?
Keep the junk out.
Like I mentioned above, there will always be junk floating around, like a fellow employee who gripes all the time. But what surprises me is how many people who want success, actually willfully choose to put junk into their minds and then expect to be tuned into success. Here are some thoughts on this: First, evaluate everything that you put into your mind. Evaluate what you read, listen to and watch. We live in a fast-paced world and we have little time. Why then would we spend our precious time putting junk into our minds? Does what you read, listen to and watch move you toward your goals or away from them? It is a simple question, really. At least most of the time. And here is my soapbox. Eleven years ago, my wife suggested we give away our television. I was shocked to say the least, but decided to give it a try. Now I am the anti-tv fanatic in our house! I have more time than anyone I know and I don’t have to spend a lot of energy filtering my mind to tune it to success. Just a thought. Just a thought.
Eat right and exercise.
That’s right. The way we eat and the amount of exercise we get goes a long way toward our mind’s ability to tune into success. Put the right foods into your body and the brain responds. Exercise on a regular basis and the body releases chemicals that literally ignite your brain for success!
Hope these thoughts help you to get going and keep your mind tuned into success. Put them into practice and soon you’ll be dialed into success and abundance.
Chris Widener
Absolutely no one can overestimate the power of the mind and its role in our success! It is imperative to keep our minds right and on the right track if we are to achieve balanced success in our career, finances, health, emotions, relationships and spiritual lives.
The analogy I would like to use here is one of a radio station. For example, there may be a “Success” station. But the only way you can hear a radio station is to be tuned into it. Even a little off and you can’t get the full effect.
The same is true with our mind and success. If our minds and our thoughts get sidetracked, our success will get sidetracked. As our minds stay tuned to “success” our bodies will then carry out our success and we will begin to experience abundance!
So here are some ways to keep tuned into success!
Use your innate ability to decide and choose.
One of the things that separates us from the animals is that we live not by instinct, but by choice. Constantly flexing that muscle of choice builds it up and keeps us on track for success. It is like working out. They more we do, the stronger we get. The more “fit” we get. Want to keep your mind tuned for success? Keep it healthy by making good choices and decisions on a regular basis. For example, do you have a bad habit? Then flex your mind muscle and choose to change - today. If you choose to stay the same way (and those are the only two alternatives) you will have just chosen to tune your mind to a different station than “success.”
Put good stuff into your brain.
There are lots of things that want to work their way into our minds (and eventually work themselves out again in our actions). There will be lots that we just get from walking around all day. But what about what we put in on purpose? We can choose to put good stuff in on a regular basis. Do you take time each day to put good things into your mind, to tune into success? Here are two things to consider when you are choosing what to put into your mind: First, is it positive? Will it build you up or tear you down? Will it make you a better person, or lesser? Will you grow from it or not? Will it tune you to success or not? Secondly, Will it move you toward your goals in the areas of your life that you want to see success and abundance in?
Keep the junk out.
Like I mentioned above, there will always be junk floating around, like a fellow employee who gripes all the time. But what surprises me is how many people who want success, actually willfully choose to put junk into their minds and then expect to be tuned into success. Here are some thoughts on this: First, evaluate everything that you put into your mind. Evaluate what you read, listen to and watch. We live in a fast-paced world and we have little time. Why then would we spend our precious time putting junk into our minds? Does what you read, listen to and watch move you toward your goals or away from them? It is a simple question, really. At least most of the time. And here is my soapbox. Eleven years ago, my wife suggested we give away our television. I was shocked to say the least, but decided to give it a try. Now I am the anti-tv fanatic in our house! I have more time than anyone I know and I don’t have to spend a lot of energy filtering my mind to tune it to success. Just a thought. Just a thought.
Eat right and exercise.
That’s right. The way we eat and the amount of exercise we get goes a long way toward our mind’s ability to tune into success. Put the right foods into your body and the brain responds. Exercise on a regular basis and the body releases chemicals that literally ignite your brain for success!
Hope these thoughts help you to get going and keep your mind tuned into success. Put them into practice and soon you’ll be dialed into success and abundance.
10 Ways to Optimize List Performance
By Joe Keenan
A recent report from the U.S. Postal Service offers direct mailers 10 tips on how to optimize the use of their lists, whether they be their own housefiles or rented lists.
By Joe Keenan
A recent report from the U.S. Postal Service offers direct mailers 10 tips on how to optimize the use of their lists, whether they be their own housefiles or rented lists.
- Match products or services to customers’ wants and needs. Segment your list based on customer buying patterns to allow for customized offers with any direct mail campaign.
- Select new lists or media that fit the profiles of existing customers. Search for new prospects based on the profiles of your current best customers, the report advises. Scour the Web for new and emerging lists.
- Maximize personalization of your communication and offers. Address your customers by name whenever possible in your communications.
- Provide ongoing interaction with your customers. Out of sight is out of mind, the report warns. Keep in frequent contact with your customers without bombarding them through direct mail, e-mail or any other channels. This helps create an awareness that triggers consideration and builds loyalty, the report says.
- Pinpoint timing and frequency of promotions. Analyze your lists to see who responds and at what time of the year. Based on your findings, look for incremental income opportunities by renting your own customer names, the report says. This method can also be used to initiate a response to a competitor’s offer.
- Measure response and be responsible for results. One of the greatest features of direct marketing is its measurability. It can be evaluated for its impact on a specific goal, the report notes. Use this to your advantage by analyzing past direct mail campaigns to see what went wrong and what can be done to correct your mistakes in future campaigns.
- Create offers based on customer feedback. Enter customer requests and feedback into your database. Compare the responses to different promotions and offers to see which has produced the best response. And always listen to customer suggestions for future offers.
- Demonstrate that your customers are valuable assets. To maximize brand loyalty, use your database to establish private sales or a customer rewards/sales incentive program, the report says.
- Show customers you care about their opinions. Use surveys in all your channels (direct mail/catalog, retail, e-mail) to gauge customer satisfaction. If you get responses from inactive customers, tailor an event or promotion to them to make them active customers again.
- Keep your database clean. Take steps to ensure the quality of your data by including merge/purge and deduplication of your lists and updating addresses through the National Change of Address registry, the report says.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
What Happens When You Think and Act Big
Chris Widener
There are a lot of people out there who wish big things would happen to them. They want the big career, they want the big sales, they want the big deals. For most of them however, these things will never be more than a wish. You know, you have heard them, “I wish that I would…” And that is exactly what it is - a wish.
Then there are those who do big things. What is the difference? What makes them doers rather than wishers?
Is it thinking big? I have heard that before. That is part of it. But there is more.
Is it acting big - that is, taking big bold actions? That too is a component.
In fact, the key is to combine thinking big and acting big. And when you do, you will see all sorts of big things happen. Here are just a few of the big things that take place when you think and act big.
Big Possibilities Arrive. When you think big, big possibilities arrive on your doorstep. You begin to see all of the potential and possibilities that you can live out. First, they do come to people who think big and take big actions. Secondly, you are able to see the possibilities better when you think big because now you are looking for them. When you were a small thinker you didn’t even see the big possibilities that walked up and hit you on the head. Are you a big thinker and doer? If you are, you will get more possibilities!
Big People Help. I have found firsthand that when you step up to the plate, big people help. You see, heavy hitters don’t waste their time with people who are trying small things. They work with people who want to play in the big leagues. I have seen so many big name people step up to help me, just as big name people helped them when they were just starting out - and have opened doors for me I never imagined. Are you thinking big and willing to act on it? If you are, you will see big people step up to help. For another article on how others can boost your career, read my article “Bring On the Boosters” at:
Big Things Happen. Big things don’t happen to small thinkers. When we become people who think big and take big actions we see big things take place in our lives. I have found that the bigger I think and the bigger bites I take, the more big things come along. For example, 10 months ago, I didn’t even know the NY Times Best-selling author who is now writing the foreword to my new book. I thought big, and acted big and when one of the biggest publishers in the world called me to write a book, I stepped through that door. Then weeks later, I got a call saying that one of the foremost experts in the world in leadership and motivation would write the foreword to my book - all unsolicited. I didn’t ask the publisher and I didn’t ask the author. Believe me, big things just happen when you are thinking big!
Big Dollars Come. In the end, the dollars come to those who do big things. I am having meetings now talking about dollar figures that I only used to dream about. What would have happened had I thought small? Nothing! Absolutely nothing! Instead, by thinking big, and taking big actions, I have seen big dollars start rolling my way, with more to come. Do you want big dollars? Then think big - and act big - then they will come your way.
Big Contributions Are Made. Ultimately, my biggest goal is to make a contribution to others. The fact is that I can’t take any money with me when I die, but I can leave a legacy behind. Big thinkers and doers are the ones who make big contributions to those around them and leave lasting legacies. Martin Luther King Jr. had a dream all right, and he made a significant lasting contribution for millions of people. What would have happened had he not thought big? All of the major contributions that are made in our world are made by big thinkers. No one ever accidentally made a huge contribution to society. They thought big, acted big, and delivered!
I want to challenge you to think big - but first I want to challenge you to start by thinking “bigger.” Just start at a bigger place than you are right now. You don’t have to change the world right now - you can get to that later. But make it your commitment to think bigger starting right now. What is a dream of yours? Now think bigger.
And I want to challenge you to act bigger. What are you doing right now? Now act bigger. No matter what you are doing now, do more!
Think bigger, and act bigger - and you will unlock the door to big things in your life!
Chris Widener is a popular speaker and author who has shared the podium with US Presidents, helping individuals and organizations turn their potential into performance, succeed in every area of their lives and achieve their dreams.
Chris Widener
There are a lot of people out there who wish big things would happen to them. They want the big career, they want the big sales, they want the big deals. For most of them however, these things will never be more than a wish. You know, you have heard them, “I wish that I would…” And that is exactly what it is - a wish.
Then there are those who do big things. What is the difference? What makes them doers rather than wishers?
Is it thinking big? I have heard that before. That is part of it. But there is more.
Is it acting big - that is, taking big bold actions? That too is a component.
In fact, the key is to combine thinking big and acting big. And when you do, you will see all sorts of big things happen. Here are just a few of the big things that take place when you think and act big.
Big Possibilities Arrive. When you think big, big possibilities arrive on your doorstep. You begin to see all of the potential and possibilities that you can live out. First, they do come to people who think big and take big actions. Secondly, you are able to see the possibilities better when you think big because now you are looking for them. When you were a small thinker you didn’t even see the big possibilities that walked up and hit you on the head. Are you a big thinker and doer? If you are, you will get more possibilities!
Big People Help. I have found firsthand that when you step up to the plate, big people help. You see, heavy hitters don’t waste their time with people who are trying small things. They work with people who want to play in the big leagues. I have seen so many big name people step up to help me, just as big name people helped them when they were just starting out - and have opened doors for me I never imagined. Are you thinking big and willing to act on it? If you are, you will see big people step up to help. For another article on how others can boost your career, read my article “Bring On the Boosters” at:
Big Things Happen. Big things don’t happen to small thinkers. When we become people who think big and take big actions we see big things take place in our lives. I have found that the bigger I think and the bigger bites I take, the more big things come along. For example, 10 months ago, I didn’t even know the NY Times Best-selling author who is now writing the foreword to my new book. I thought big, and acted big and when one of the biggest publishers in the world called me to write a book, I stepped through that door. Then weeks later, I got a call saying that one of the foremost experts in the world in leadership and motivation would write the foreword to my book - all unsolicited. I didn’t ask the publisher and I didn’t ask the author. Believe me, big things just happen when you are thinking big!
Big Dollars Come. In the end, the dollars come to those who do big things. I am having meetings now talking about dollar figures that I only used to dream about. What would have happened had I thought small? Nothing! Absolutely nothing! Instead, by thinking big, and taking big actions, I have seen big dollars start rolling my way, with more to come. Do you want big dollars? Then think big - and act big - then they will come your way.
Big Contributions Are Made. Ultimately, my biggest goal is to make a contribution to others. The fact is that I can’t take any money with me when I die, but I can leave a legacy behind. Big thinkers and doers are the ones who make big contributions to those around them and leave lasting legacies. Martin Luther King Jr. had a dream all right, and he made a significant lasting contribution for millions of people. What would have happened had he not thought big? All of the major contributions that are made in our world are made by big thinkers. No one ever accidentally made a huge contribution to society. They thought big, acted big, and delivered!
I want to challenge you to think big - but first I want to challenge you to start by thinking “bigger.” Just start at a bigger place than you are right now. You don’t have to change the world right now - you can get to that later. But make it your commitment to think bigger starting right now. What is a dream of yours? Now think bigger.
And I want to challenge you to act bigger. What are you doing right now? Now act bigger. No matter what you are doing now, do more!
Think bigger, and act bigger - and you will unlock the door to big things in your life!
Chris Widener is a popular speaker and author who has shared the podium with US Presidents, helping individuals and organizations turn their potential into performance, succeed in every area of their lives and achieve their dreams.
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
The Master Mind Sessions
Last month my good friend and colleague, Jack Young, shared with me the title of a book that truely impressed me. Jack is the president of Trust Financial Solutions and is a master at meeting people. The name of the book was The Greatest Networker in the World by John Milton Fogg. This eBook can be found at http://www.greatestnetworker.com/library/pdf/tgnitw207.pdf. Fogg also has a website called MasterMind Sessions found at http://themastermindsessions.com/. This site lists 92 FREE sessions of the most knowledgeable and experienced experts, authors, speakers, trainers, coaches and successful business- builders in network marketing.
Last month my good friend and colleague, Jack Young, shared with me the title of a book that truely impressed me. Jack is the president of Trust Financial Solutions and is a master at meeting people. The name of the book was The Greatest Networker in the World by John Milton Fogg. This eBook can be found at http://www.greatestnetworker.com/library/pdf/tgnitw207.pdf. Fogg also has a website called MasterMind Sessions found at http://themastermindsessions.com/. This site lists 92 FREE sessions of the most knowledgeable and experienced experts, authors, speakers, trainers, coaches and successful business- builders in network marketing.
Seven “Have-to’s” to Achieve Personal Growth
Chris Widener
Quite frankly, I wish personal growth would just happen! I wish I would just get better and money would fall out of the sky. I wish my waist would get smaller even as I sit on the couch in front of a warm fire eating Breyer’s Vanilla Bean ice cream. Oh, how I wish it was easy!
Okay, enough whining, enough dreaming, enough lack of reality. I have it out of my system! The reality is that it is work to grow personally. The sooner we realize that, even lovingly embrace that, the sooner we jump on the highway of success! The fact is that we “have to” do some things!
As my uncle the truck driver use to say to me when I was a kid, “Wish in one hand and spit in the other – then see which one fills first.” (Remember, he was a trucker, and somebody else may have been a bit more elegant, but I still remember it today, 25 years later. I recommend however that you take it at face value. It isn’t a fun experiment to actually carry out.
Without any further ado, here are the seven “have-to’s” to achieve personal growth for yourself. Don’t wish anymore! Get on the ball and start reaping the rewards!
Chris Widener
Quite frankly, I wish personal growth would just happen! I wish I would just get better and money would fall out of the sky. I wish my waist would get smaller even as I sit on the couch in front of a warm fire eating Breyer’s Vanilla Bean ice cream. Oh, how I wish it was easy!
Okay, enough whining, enough dreaming, enough lack of reality. I have it out of my system! The reality is that it is work to grow personally. The sooner we realize that, even lovingly embrace that, the sooner we jump on the highway of success! The fact is that we “have to” do some things!
As my uncle the truck driver use to say to me when I was a kid, “Wish in one hand and spit in the other – then see which one fills first.” (Remember, he was a trucker, and somebody else may have been a bit more elegant, but I still remember it today, 25 years later. I recommend however that you take it at face value. It isn’t a fun experiment to actually carry out.
Without any further ado, here are the seven “have-to’s” to achieve personal growth for yourself. Don’t wish anymore! Get on the ball and start reaping the rewards!
- You have to know what it is that you want. Wanting personal growth isn’t enough. Do you want more money? How much? Do you want to lose weight? How much? Do you want a spouse? Who? Do you want to travel? Where? Do you want more freedom in your professional life? What would that look like? Clearly define in your mind what it is that you want! Once you do…
- You have to decide that you really want it. Do you really want it? That is the place to start, really, because I have realized working with people that many of them really don’t want what they think they want once I talk them through all of the issues. Is this what you really want or is it a dream you have to escape something else? For example, do you really want to quit your job and start your own company? Do you want the risk of reputation? The risk of capital loss? Do you want to work from six in the morning until nine at night, seven days a week for the next two to three years? Do you really want it? Yes? Proceed…
- You have to be willing to sacrifice to get it. What will you give up to get personal growth? I know what I have to give up to be able to fit into size 32 pants – mud pie! Now, you may not think that is so bad, but you don’t know how bad I love mud pie! I know that it is a sacrifice for me to get to the gym every day of the week (okay, I usually take two Sunday afternoon’s a month off). I know how much I write the check out for each month to belong to the gym – it would feed a small army. This is sacrifice, all of it. What are you willing to sacrifice to get personal growth in your life? Are you willing? Then proceed…
- You have to be willing to be criticized. Surprisingly, the average person doesn’t like the average achiever. Why? Because they make the average person feel, well, average. They resent that the achiever makes choices they don’t make, even though they could too. And they secretly resent that the achiever benefits from rewards that they don’t. It seems odd, but working with thousands of people over the years I have seen enough jealousy and envy to fill every seat in the Rose Bowl. Can you handle that to various degrees? Then see number five…
- You have to decide you want it more than other pleasures. What is more pleasurable: Ice cream every night or a proper weight? What is more pleasurable: Sitting on the couch or pounding away on a treadmill? What is more pleasurable: Spending your money on the things you want right now or saving for later? What is more pleasurable: Getting off at five every night or working endlessly on the weekends? What is more pleasurable: Reading a favorite novel or a technical book? What is more pleasurable: Four weeks of vacation or one? You get the point. In order to grow personally or professionally, there will have to be a desire to work hard in spite of the pleasures that call your name. And if you work it right, in the end there will be plenty of time to reward yourself with the pleasures of accomplishment. Do you want it more that other pleasures? Really? Then let’s move on…
- You have to take a long-term approach. Why do most people fail to accomplish their personal growth goals? Because they take a short-term approach. They know what to do. They do it for a week or a month, then they quit. Every January the gym gets so busy. Then February rolls around and I have no problem getting on the machines! In order to accomplish your personal growth goals, you absolutely, positively must view it as a long-term goal. For example, when most people want to lose weight, what do they do? They change their diet until they lose it. Then what? They change it back and gain the weight back. Instead, they ought to say, I am changing the way I eat for the rest of my life and slowly but surely my weight will take care of itself. And it does! Are you capable of seeing your personal goals in the log-term? Well then you are ready for number seven…
- You have to diligently, methodically, and relentlessly work at it. Every day, every week, every year. The more you put into it, the more you get out of it. I was on a conference call with Zig Ziglar last night and he made an incredible revelation. For 25 years he has read for three hours a day! No wonder he oozes information! That is diligence. That is methodical. That is relentless! Can you do the same for yourself in the area you want to grow in? Certainly! But will you, that is the question. If you do, you will achieve any dream you set forth for yourself! You can achieve personal growth! It is entirely possible for you to live your dreams! Put the above to work and you will see them unfold before your very eyes! Just remember, it won’t just happen to you, you “have-to” do some things!
Chris Widener is a popular speaker and author who has shared the podium with US Presidents, helping individuals and organizations turn their potential into performance, succeed in every area of their lives and achieve their dreams.
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Grow Bottom Line Profits by 12% Within 12 Months
Imagine being able to put an extra 12% to your bottom line in the next 12 months. For a company that averages a 5% bottom line EBITDA, that’s what an optimized print strategy could yield.
The Research
A report published on June 1, 2007, by InfoTrends revealed that the total cost of office printing and related activities consumes 2% of a company’s annual revenue.1 The report also revealed that a company that optimizes its printing environment could expect hard cost savings averaging
30%.Consider the following example:
Annual Revenue $20,000,000
EBITDA (5%) $1,000,000
Print Costs $400,000
30% Cost Savings $120,000
New EBITDA $1,120,000
Based on the above example, it is easy to see the profound impact that an optimized printing strategy could have on your bottom line.
For more information contact me today!
1. Moving Toward More Effective Print Management, InfoTrends, June 1, 2007.
Imagine being able to put an extra 12% to your bottom line in the next 12 months. For a company that averages a 5% bottom line EBITDA, that’s what an optimized print strategy could yield.
The Research
A report published on June 1, 2007, by InfoTrends revealed that the total cost of office printing and related activities consumes 2% of a company’s annual revenue.1 The report also revealed that a company that optimizes its printing environment could expect hard cost savings averaging
30%.Consider the following example:
Annual Revenue $20,000,000
EBITDA (5%) $1,000,000
Print Costs $400,000
30% Cost Savings $120,000
New EBITDA $1,120,000
Based on the above example, it is easy to see the profound impact that an optimized printing strategy could have on your bottom line.
For more information contact me today!
1. Moving Toward More Effective Print Management, InfoTrends, June 1, 2007.
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