2.  The Champion Within Article

Be Committed to Keeping Your Personal and Professional Life in Balance by Denis Waitley

It is so important to be living in prime time, rather than watching TV in prime time. On your way to success make certain you grow friendships, not just bank and mutual fund accounts. Life is a collection of memories, not of material things. The Egyptian pharaohs were buried with all their treasures, and were mummified in hopes that they could enjoy their bounty in the next life. But we are only caretakers of possessions. There is a big difference between standard of living and quality of life. Standard of living is based on income earned. Quality of life is the enjoyment of the millions of minutes in between accomplishments.

Having money is only one aspect of wealth. To the sick person, wealth is health. To the lonely person, wealth is someone to talk to and share with. To the estranged person, wealth is hearing words of love and forgiveness.

Borrowing the free verse style from Brother Jeremiah's classic poem, I'd Pick More Daisies, here are a few things I'd do, the second time around.

I'd laugh at my misfortunes more. Spend more time counting my blessings than my blemishes. Spend more time playing with my children and grandchildren and less time watching performers in the arena. More time enjoying what I have, less time thinking about the things I don't have. If I could live my life again, I'd walk in the rain more without an umbrella and listen less to weather reports. I'd spend more time looking at trees and climbing them, less time flipping through magazines made from dead trees. I'd spend more time fully involved in the present moment, less time remembering and anticipating. I'd smile more, frown less.

And most of all I'd be more spontaneous and active, less hesitant and subdued. When some spur of the moment idea came up to go hiking, playing Frisbee, coloring Easter eggs, singing in a chorus, going kayaking, or watching an eclipse, I'd be less likely to sit in my chair objecting, "It's not in our plan."

I'd be inclined to jump up and run out the door next time and say, "Yes, we can!" Although I can't live my life again, I'm still going to live the new way every day any way. I'll never have all the moments I've missed, but I do have all the time remaining.

Action Idea – Choose one activity this month that you really want to engage in, but that you have been putting off because it isn't a priority. Schedule that activity in your planner, as if it were a "must do" business or financial commitment. When you have done it, while you are still feeling good, schedule one for next month, and do it as long as you live.
 

Denis Waitley has studied, counseled and trained leaders in virtually every field including Apollo astronauts, Olympic gold medalists, Super Bowl champions, returning POW's, heads of state and Fortune 500 top executives.

Denis is recognized as a world class speaker and author and has traveled the globe sharing success ideas and strategies to thousands of companies the past 25 years. To book Dr. Waitley to speak for your company or to be part of your upcoming Regional or National Convention send an email to speaker@deniswaitley.com or call 877-929-0439 and ask for Hilary.

5. Featured Product of the Week

As we are well into the month of January, and since January is typically the month people set and work on New Year's Resolutions, my goal is to assist you in reaching the goals you've set for 2006. Because your mindset is so key when it comes to achieving the goals you've set, for your reaching and growing forward, I am offering my 6-CD program, The Seeds of Greatness, as this week's Special Product! Because I know that within each one of us is planted the Seeds of Greatness, and it's my job and yours to water and cultivate those seeds so they truly empower you to impact your life in an amazing way! -- DW

The Seeds of Greatness by Denis Waitley
6 CD Program

Nurture the Greatness Within You!

In Seeds of Greatness, Denis Waitley shows you how to nurture the greatness within you and gives you a system that allows you to do in months what many psychologists take years to accomplish. In a way that is neither condescending or patronizing, Denis outlines what he believes to be 10 attributes, or seeds, that can lead to a fulfilling life. He draws on his own life experiences and truly empowers you to change your life for the better. He allows for introspection at the end of each session that lets you do some true soul searching and gives you an action plan to apply each of the 10 seeds to your own life. This is a true five-star performance that will appeal to new self-help enthusiasts or seasoned vets.

These secrets will show you how to:

* Combine positive attitudes with your natural abilities.
* Choose your goals and follow steps to attain them.
* Build on your self-reliance and so enhance your self-esteem.
* Make the right decisions.
* Understand others and be understood by others.
* Overcome feelings of unworthiness.
* Set higher goals.