THE 30-DAY CHALLENGE by James Ray

One gentleman I consider to be a great mentor (although I have never
met him) is Wallace D. Wattles. Wattles wrote a trilogy of books in
the late 1800s entitled The Science of Getting Richs, The Science of
Well-Being, and The Science of Becoming Excellent. They are ALL
outstanding!
If you have read my book The Science of Success, it is probably
evident by the title that Wattles has had a strong influence on my
thinking.

I have a laminated quote from Wattles that has been sitting on my
desk for AT LEAST 2 years. This week I will give you the quote, along
with a 30-day challenge.

If you accept the challenge, it must be done first thing in the
morning before you start your day. Pick a goal and do EXACTLY what
the quote says. Then take action and EXPECT MAGIC to happen in your
life.

Here's the complete challenge:

1. Pick a goal that you want, and truly believe, you can achieve in
the next 30 days. Make it specific and clear. Create a "spiritual
prototype"/picture of this goal in your mind. Remember, you must be
IN the picture -- looking through your own eyes.

2. Commit to visualizing your goal first thing in the morning and
last thing at night every single day for the next 30 days.

3. As a part of your visualization process (either before or after)
read the Wattles quote OUT LOUD every single day for the next thirty
days.

4. It must be read FIRST THING in the morning before you begin your
day (if you want to read it at night as well -- more power to you).

5. This must be read with PASSION. In other words, on a scale of 1-10
you have to be at least at a 20!

6. Follow the instructions of the quote.

Are you ready? Are you committed? Do you have the spiritual prototype
of your 30-day goal? Here's Wattles':

"There is a thinking substance from which all things are made, and
which in its original state, permeates, penetrates, and fills the
interspaces of the universe.
A thought in this substance produces the thing that is imaged by the
thought.

I can form things in my thought, and by impressing my thoughts upon
formless substance, can cause the thing I think about to be created.

In order to do this, I must pass from the competitive to the creative
mind. I must form a clear mental picture of the things I want. And, I
must hold this picture in my thoughts with the fixed purpose to get
what I want, and the unwavering faith that I will get what I want --
closing my mind to all that may tend to shake my purpose, dim my
vision, or quench my faith.

I am ready to receive what I want when it comes, and I AM ACTING NOW
upon the people and things in my present environment."

Have your best week ever! I look forward to your results,
James

THREE KEYS TO GREATNESS by Jim Rohn

Eight years ago I went into the studio and recorded a 56-minute video
for teenagers called "Three Keys To Greatness." Although my focus
was for teenagers, the principles I shared certainly apply to adults
as well.
Recently I was asked to list these three things using one to two
sentences for each. Now for your benefit here they are again.

1) Setting Goals. I call it the view of the future. Most people,
including kids, will pay the price if they can see the promise of the
future. So we need to help our kids see a well-defined future, so
they will be motivated to pay the price today to attain the rewards
of tomorrow. Goals help them do this.

2) Personal Development. Simply making consistent investments in our
self-education and knowledge banks pays major dividends throughout
our lives. I suggest having a minimum amount of time set aside for
reading books, listening to audiocassettes, attending seminars,
keeping a journal and spending time with other successful people.
Charlie Tremendous Jones says you will be in five years the sum total
of the books you read and the people you are around.

3) Financial Planning. I call it the 70/30 plan. After receiving your
paycheck or paying yourself, simply setting aside 10% for saving, 10%
for investing and 10% for giving, and over time this will guarantee
financial independence for a teenager.

If a young person, or for that matter an adult, focused on doing
these three simple things over a long period of time I believe they
will be assured success!

To Your Success,
Jim Rohn

THE GIVING-RECEIVING CYCLE

by Mark Victor Hansen

Curiously enough, the giving spirit creates the receiving spirit. So,
to get more all one needs to do is give more. The more ideas one
creates and gives away the more ideas one has.
Andrew Carnegie, the steel baron and philanthropist who funded
America's 3,000 libraries and the great Carnegie Hall in New York
said: "I'll spend the first half of my life creating great wealth and
the second half giving it away...Attempting to do the most good and
the least harm with my benefactions."

Carnegie was a generous genius with ideas. He gave away visionary
ideas with his charitable contributions. As a tribute and monument to
his gifts, his foundation is alive, well and still processing an ever-
growing largess. The Wee Scotsman was the first to give and inspired
other rich people to do the same. Now that is a legacy worth leaving!
It gives each of us a new benchmark to "goal" towards.

In giving and sharing you always have more. It seems arithmetically
as though one would have less but, in fact, giving expands whatever
one has. Music is the best example of this theory, proving that
giving and sharing always creates more for everyone.

When a musician gives their all, they feel exalted and thankful that
the music flowed through them. The audience is enthralled, entranced,
moved to happy tears, and feels compelled to participate
instantaneously in a standing ovation. The star musician bares his
soul and the audience is wowed and ecstatic to tell everyone to see
this performer.

Likewise, the simple act of giving simultaneously creates more good
and blessings seemingly out of nowhere. Why? Because God is always
watching and cheerfully gives instantaneously to the giver. That's
why givers' give more. They have experienced this amazing formula,
even if they cannot articulate it. They know that it works to their
and everyone's benefit.

I'd Pick More Daisies

" Of course, you can't unfry an egg, but there's no law against
thinking about it.

If I had my life to live over, I would try to make more mistakes. I
would relax.I would be sillier than I have been this trip. I would be less
hygienic. I would go more places. I would climb more mountains and
swim more rivers. I would eat more ice-cream and less spinach. I
wouldhave more actual troubles and fewer imaginary troubles.

You see, I have been one of those fellows who live prudently, hour
after hour, day after day. Oh, I have had my moments. But if I had it
to do over again, I would have more of them - a lot more. I never go
anywhere without a thermometer, a map, a raincoat and a parachute. If
I had it to do over, I would travel lighter.

If I had my life to live over, I would start going barefoot a little
earlier in the spring and stay that way a little later in the fall. I
would have more dogs. I would keep later hours. I would have more
sweethearts. I would fish more. I would ride more merry-go-rounds. I
would go to more circuses.

In a world in which practically everybody else seems to be
consecrated to the gravity of the situation, I would rise to glorify the levity
of the situation. For I agree with Will
Durant, who said, "Gaiety is wiser than wisdom." If I had my life to
live over, I'd pick more daisies."
--Don Herold

LIFESTYLE

LIFESTYLE

It,s really not hard to learn the art of living well. Even people
with modest means can experience the sophisticated lifestyle. They
simply save up some of thier soda money for a bottle of fine wine.
They skip going to the movies and attend the theater. By saving up
thier money all year, they have enough for a trip to Europe or a fine
work of art.
Don't spend all of your money a quarter at a time. Save up and buy
something special, something fine, something of lasting value, or
something that will give you rich memories for a lifetime. Remember,
all that candy money can add up to a small fortune. And for a
sophisticated person, quality is far more important than quantity.
Better a few treasures than a house full of junk.
--Jim Rohn

Three rules for success.

Number 1. Do what's right. Be on time, be polite , and be honest;
remain free from drugs; and if you have any questions, get out your
Bible.

Number 2. Do your best. Mediocrity is unacceptable when you are
capable of doing better.

Number 3. Treat others as you want to be treated. Practice love and
understanding.
-- Lou Holtz

The Seasons of Life by Jim Rohn, Part 1 of 5

Life is about constant, predictable patterns of change. For
the six thousand years of recorded history, as humans have
entered this world, received parental instruction, classroom
instruction, and gathered the experience of life; many have
set for themselves ambitious goals, and dreamed lofty dreams.
As the wheel of life continues its constant turning, all human
emotions appear, disappear, and appear once again.

A major challenge faced by us all is that we must learn to
experience the changing of life's cycles without being changed
by them; to make a constant and conscious effort to improve
ourselves in the face of changing circumstances.

That is why I believe in the power and value of attitude. As I
read, ponder and speculate about people, their deeds and their
destiny, I become more deeply convinced that it is our natural
destiny to grow, to succeed, to prosper, and to find happiness
while we are here.

By our attitude, we decide to read, or not to read. By our
attitude, we decide to try or give up. By our attitude, we
blame ourselves for our failure, or we blame others. Our
attitude determines whether we tell the truth or lie, act or
procrastinate, advance or recede, and by our own attitude we
and we alone actually decide whether to succeed or fail.

How incredibly unique that a God who would create the complex
and immense universe would create the human race and give to
those humans the free choice that would permit them to select
their own achievement or their own destruction.

This strange, but all-knowing God gave to us a delicately
balanced sphere called earth. On it, he placed the
intelligent human who would either develop it or destroy it.
How terribly fascinating that a God would leave both
projects - earth as well as humans - unfinished! Across the
rivers and streams he built no bridges; he left the pictures
unpainted, the songs unsung, the books unwritten, and space
unexplored. For the accomplishment of those things, God
created the unfinished human who, within his heart and mind,
had the capacity to do all these things and more, depending
upon his own choice.

Attitude determines choice, and choice determines results. All
that we are, and all that we can become has indeed been left
unto us. For as long as you continue to draw breath, you have
the chance to complete the work in and for the earth and for
yourself that God has begun for you. In the cycles and
seasons of life, attitude is everything!

(Next week we will look at both winter and spring as we
continue our review of the Seasons of Life)

To Your Success,
Jim Rohn

THE SEVEN C's OF SUCCESS by Brian Tracy

After having studied top achievers and peak performers
over the past 25 years, I've concluded that these unique
men and women, have in most cases, mastered what I call
the Seven C's of Success.

1. Clarity - Eighty percent of success comes from being
clear on who you are, what you believe in and what you
want.

2. Competence - You can't climb to the next rung on the
ladder until you are excellent at what you do now.

3. Constraints - Eighty percent of all obstacles to
success come from within. Find out what is constraining
you or your company and deal with it.

4. Concentration - The ability to focus on one thing
single-mindedly and see it through until it's done
takes character and determination.

5. Creativity - Flood your life with ideas from many
sources. Creativity needs to be exercised like a muscle,
if you don't use it you'll lose it.

6. Courage - Most in demand and least in supply, courage
is the willingness to do the things you know are right.

7. Continuous learning - Read, at the very least, one
book a week on business to keep you miles ahead of the
competition. And just as you eat and bathe, organize your
time so you spend 30 minutes a day exploring e-mail,
sending messages, going through websites, because like
exercise, it's the only way you can keep on top of
technology. If you get away from it, you'll lose your edge.

Until next time - Be the Best!

Brian Tracy

THE FORMULA FOR FAILURE AND SUCCESS by Jim Rohn

(Excepted from the book The Five Major Pieces to the Life
Puzzle by Jim Rohn)

Failure is not a single, cataclysmic event. We do not fail
overnight. Failure is the inevitable result of an
accumulation of poor thinking and poor choices. To put it
more simply, failure is nothing more than a few errors in
judgment repeated every day.

Now why would someone make an error in judgment and then be
so foolish as to repeat it every day? The answer is because
he or she does not think that it matters.

On their own, our daily acts do not seem that important. A
minor oversight, a poor decision, or a wasted hour generally
doesn't result in an instant and measurable impact. More
often than not, we escape from any immediate consequences of
our deeds.

If we have not bothered to read a single book in the past
ninety days, this lack of discipline does not seem to have
any immediate impact on our lives. And since nothing drastic
happened to us after the first ninety days, we repeat this
error in judgment for another ninety days, and on and on it
goes. Why? Because it doesn't seem to matter. And herein
lies the great danger. Far worse than not reading the books
is not even realizing that it matters!

Those who eat too many of the wrong foods are contributing to
a future health problem, but the joy of the moment
overshadows the consequence of the future. It does not seem
to matter. Those who smoke too much or drink too much go on
making these poor choices year after year after year...
because it doesn't seem to matter. But the pain and regret of
these errors in judgment have only been delayed for a future
time. Consequences are seldom instant; instead, they
accumulate until the inevitable day of reckoning finally
arrives and the price must be paid for our poor choices -
choices that didn't seem to matter.

Failure's most dangerous attribute is its subtlety. In the
short term those little errors don't seem to make any
difference. We do not seem to be failing. In fact, sometimes
these accumulated errors in judgment occur throughout a
period of great joy and prosperity in our lives. Since
nothing terrible happens to us, since there are no instant
consequences to capture our attention, we simply drift from
one day to the next, repeating the errors, thinking the wrong
thoughts, listening to the wrong voices and making the wrong
choices. The sky did not fall in on us yesterday; therefore
the act was probably harmless. Since it seemed to have no
measurable consequence, it is probably safe to repeat.

But we must become better educated than that!

If at the end of the day when we made our first error in
judgment the sky had fallen in on us, we undoubtedly would
have taken immediate steps to ensure that the act would never
be repeated again. Like the child who places his hand on a
hot burner despite his parents' warnings, we would have had
an instantaneous experience accompanying our error in
judgment.

Unfortunately, failure does not shout out its warnings as our
parents once did. This is why it is imperative to refine our
philosophy in order to be able to make better choices. With a
powerful, personal philosophy guiding our every step, we
become more aware of our errors in judgment and more aware
that each error really does matter.

Now here is the great news. Just like the formula for
failure, the formula for success is easy to follow: It's a
few simple disciplines practiced every day.

Now here is an interesting question worth pondering: How can
we change the errors in the formula for failure into the
disciplines required in the formula for success? The answer
is by making the future an important part of our current
philosophy.

Both success and failure involve future consequences, namely
the inevitable rewards or unavoidable regrets resulting from
past activities. If this is true, why don't more people take
time to ponder the future? The answer is simple: They are so
caught up in the current moment that it doesn't seem to
matter. The problems and the rewards of today are so
absorbing to some human beings that they never pause long
enough to think about tomorrow.

But what if we did develop a new discipline to take just a
few minutes every day to look a little further down the road?
We would then be able to foresee the impending consequences
of our current conduct. Armed with that valuable information,
we would be able to take the necessary action to change our
errors into new success- oriented disciplines. In other
words, by disciplining ourselves to see the future in
advance, we would be able to change our thinking, amend our
errors and develop new habits to replace the old.

One of the exciting things about the formula for success- A
few simple disciplines practiced every day - is that the
results are almost immediate. As we voluntarily change daily
errors into daily disciplines, we experience positive results
in a very short period of time. When we change our diet, our
health improves noticeably in just a few weeks. When we
start exercising, we feel a new vitality almost immediately.
When we begin reading, we experience a growing awareness and
a new level of self-confidence. Whatever new discipline we
begin to practice daily will produce exciting results that
will drive us to become even better at developing new
disciplines.

The real magic of new disciplines is that they will cause us
to amend our thinking. If we were to start today to read the
books, keep a journal, attend the classes, listen more and
observe more, then today would be the first day of a new life
leading to a better future. If we were to start today to try
harder, and in every way make a conscious and consistent
effort to change subtle and deadly errors into constructive
and rewarding disciplines, we would never again settle for a
life of existence – not once we have tasted the fruits of a
life of substance!


To Your Success,
Jim Rohn

PRACTICE BEING LIKE A CHILD by Jim Rohn

Remember the master teacher once said 2000 years ago, "Unless
you can become like little children, your chances are zero,
you haven't got a prayer." A major consideration for adults.

Be like children and remember there are four ways to be more
like a child no matter how old you get -

1) Curiosity - Be curious. Childish curiosity. Learn to be
curious like a child. What will kids do if they want to know
something bad enough? You're right. They will bug you. Kids
can ask a million questions. You think they're through.
They've got another million. They will keep plaguing you. They
can drive you right to the brink.

Also kids use their curiosity to learn. Have you ever
noticed that while adults are stepping on ants, children are
studying them? A child's curiosity is what helps them to
reach, learn and grow.

2) Excitement - Learn to get excited like a child. There is
nothing that has more magic than childish excitement. So
excited you hate to go to bed at night. Can't wait to get up
in the morning. So excited that you're about to explode. How
can anyone resist that kind of childish magic? Now, once in
awhile I meet someone who says, "Well, I'm a little too mature
for all that childish excitement." Isn't that pitiful? You've
got to weep for these kinds of people. All I've got to say is,
"If you're too old to get excited, you're old." Don't get that
old.

3) Faith - Faith like a child. Faith is childish. How else
would you describe it? Some people say, "Let's be adult about
it." Oh no. No. Adults too often have a tendency to be overly
skeptical. Some adults even have a tendency to be cynical.
Adults say, "Yeah. I've heard that old positive line before.
It will be a long day in June before I fall for that positive
line. You've got to prove to me it's any good." See, that's
adult, but kids aren't that way. Kids think you can get
anything. They are really funny. You tell kids, "We're going
to have three swimming pools." And they say, "Yeah. Three.
One each. Stay out of my swimming pool." See, they start
dividing them up right away, but adults are not like that.
Adults say, "Three swimming pools? You're out of your mind.
Most people don't even have one swimming pool. You'll be lucky
to get a tub in the back yard." You notice the difference? No
wonder the master teacher said, "Unless you can become like
little children, your chances, they're skinny."

4) Trust - Trust is a childish virtue, but it has great merit.
Have you heard the expression "sleep like a baby"? That's it.
Childish trust. After you've gotten an A+ for the day, leave
it in somebody else's hands.

Curiosity, excitement, faith and trust. Wow, what a powerful
combination to bring (back) into our lives.

To Your Success,
Jim Rohn

PLANNING by Jim Rohn

I find it fascinating that most people plan their vacations
with better care than they plan their lives. Perhaps that is
because escape is easier than change.

If you don't design your own life plan, chances are you'll
fall into someone else's plan. And guess what they may have
planned for you? Not much.

The reason why most people face the future with apprehension
instead of anticipation is because they don't have it well
designed.

The guy says, "When you work where I work, by the time you get
home, it's late. You've got to have a bite to eat, watch a
little TV, relax and get to bed. You can't sit up half the
night planning, planning, planning." And he's the same guy who
is behind on his car payment!

The Desire of a Champion by Paul J. Meyer

We have been told that talent creates its own opportunities.

People who are successful year after year have PROVEN that
intense DESIRE creates not only its own opportunities, but
also its own talents. For these people, INTENSE, BURNING
DESIRE has been developed as a HABIT... a WAY OF LIFE... a
DELIBERATE COURSE OF DISSATISFACTION. This is the desire of a
Champion in any line of work.

INTENSE DESIRE is infinitely more than wanting or wishing...
more than compulsion or stimulation. Desire is an overwhelming
demand for change – a personal war with "things as they are"
and the willingness to make any sacrifice to bring about that
change.

EVERY REVOLUTION IN HISTORY... in thought, government, ethics,
art, religion, and science has been the result of one person's
DESIRE to change the status quo... to win a race with time,
custom, tradition, or himself.

This is the reason that DESIRE burns like a WHITE HOT FLAME in
the heart of every CHAMPION. DESIRE is the vital essence of a
champion's inner self.

WHAT IS DESIRE?

DESIRE IS THE QUALITY THAT MAKES WINNERS in every walk of
life.

• A person with activated DESIRE isn't nearly as afraid of
losing as a loser is secretly afraid of winning!

• A person with DESIRE makes commitments; other people make
promises.

• DESIRE makes a person go through a problem; other people go
around them.

• DESIRE gives a person the knowledge and judgment as to when
to say yes or no; ordinary people say maybe or perhaps at the
wrong times and for the wrong reasons.

• DESIRE gives a person the courage to say, "I'm good, but not
as good as I should be. " Ordinary people say, "I'm not as bad
as a lot of other people."

• DESIRE engenders respect for those in authority; lack of
desire breeds resentment.

• DESIRE makes individuals feel responsible for more than
their jobs; ordinary people say, "I only work here."

THERE IS A CERTAIN RESTLESSNESS, RECKLESSNESS, and
AGGRESSIVENESS about DESIRE...

An army, a nation, an organization, or a member of a sales
force becomes tired and complacent when DESIRE is lost.

And it makes no difference whether DESIRE falls to logic,
self-satisfaction, or disillusion. Without it, the future is
as barren as volcanic ash.

• It offers nothing that would surpass that which is or has
been. The principal effect of BURNING DESIRE is that it
separates those who set goals for success from those who
merely daydream about it. It eliminates the plodders, the
wanters, and the wishful thinkers.

• DESIRE brings forward people with insatiable appetites for
competition, for action, for all the world has to offer.

• There is active self-awareness in desire. It gives its
possessors the feeling that they have a mission to perform, a
destiny to meet and conquer.

• I've never known anyone with intense desire who didn't work
harder than those without it.

People who lack desire are always too busy to do needs to be
done.

Intense desire also gives you the ability to know what to
fight for... and when and where you should compromise.

When desire is lacking, nothing is worth fighting for.

BURNING DESIRE gives you a THIRST for COMPETITION.
Personally, I love competition because it forces you to
analyze yourself - to look closer at your own ability. And
every time you look, your DESIRE becomes stronger; you want to
accomplish greater things.

People don't compete enough. They either devise an alibi or
level off too soon. They're dominated by their personal
standards. They're too easily satisfied with average living
and average accomplishments.

HOW DO YOU DEVELOP A BURNING DESIRE?

You create DESIRE automatically whenever you challenge
yourself! And the way we react to a challenge determines the
destiny of our lives. WHEN DO YOU CHALLENGE YOURSELF? Every
morning with each new day!! There are so many challenges
waiting for you to accept:

1. New opportunities...
2. New prospects...
3. Beating yesterday's record...
4. Competing against yourself... and
5. Growing personally, a little more each day!

I sincerely believe that the DESIRE with which you meet a
challenge is the essential part of your soul. Without it you
lack spiritual guidance and creative expression.

Without DESIRE, you lack intuition - the still, small voice
that gives you insight to situations and people.

DESIRE IS INDEED AN UNLIMITED FORCE, but its possession
doesn't mean that you still won't have to work hard, to face
life's trials and make a few mistakes.

There is an old Russian proverb that says:

"THE SAME HAMMER THAT SHATTERS THE GLASS ALSO FORGES THE
STEEL."

The only way to merit membership into the WORLD OF SUCCESS is
to strive continually to activate, stimulate, and maintain the
kind of Desire that will make you a winner... the DESIRE OF A
CHAMPION!

THREE KEYS TO GREATNESS by Jim Rohn

Eight years ago I went into the studio and recorded a 56-minute video
for teenagers called "Three Keys To Greatness." Although my focus
was for teenagers, the principles I shared certainly apply to adults
as well.
Recently I was asked to list these three things using one to two
sentences for each. Now for your benefit here they are again.

1) Setting Goals. I call it the view of the future. Most people,
including kids, will pay the price if they can see the promise of the
future. So we need to help our kids see a well-defined future, so
they will be motivated to pay the price today to attain the rewards
of tomorrow. Goals help them do this.

2) Personal Development. Simply making consistent investments in our
self-education and knowledge banks pays major dividends throughout
our lives. I suggest having a minimum amount of time set aside for
reading books, listening to audiocassettes, attending seminars,
keeping a journal and spending time with other successful people.
Charlie Tremendous Jones says you will be in five years the sum total
of the books you read and the people you are around.

3) Financial Planning. I call it the 70/30 plan. After receiving your
paycheck or paying yourself, simply setting aside 10% for saving, 10%
for investing and 10% for giving, and over time this will guarantee
financial independence for a teenager.

If a young person, or for that matter an adult, focused on doing
these three simple things over a long period of time I believe they
will be assured success!

To Your Success,
Jim Rohn

If I knew it would be the last time

-- If I knew it would be the last time
That I'd see you fall asleep,
I would tuck you in tighter
and pray the Lord, your soul to keep.
If I knew it would be the last time
that I see you walk out the door,
I would give you a hug and kiss
and call you back for one more.
If I knew it would be the last time
I'd hear your voice lifted up in praise,
I would video tape each action and word,
so I could play them back day after day.
If I knew it would be the last time,
I could spare an extra minute or two
to stop and say I love you,
instead of assuming you would KNOW I do.
If I knew it would be the last time
I would be there to share your day,
well I'm sure you'll have so many more
so I can let just this one slip away.
For surely there's always tomorrow
to make up for an oversight,
and we always get a second chance
to make everything right.
There will always be another day
to say our," I love you's,"
And certainly there's another chance
to say our. " Anything I can do's?"
But just in case I might be wrong,
and today is all I get,
I'd like to say how much I love you
and I hope we never forget.
Tomorrow is not promised to anyone,
young or old alike,
And today may be the last chance
you get to hold your loved one tight.
So if you're waiting for tomorrow,
why not do it today?
For if tomorrow never comes,
you'll surely regret the day,
That you didn't take that extra time
for a smile, a hug, or a kiss
and you were too busy to grant someone,
what turned out to be their one last wish.
So always hold them dear.
Take time to say I'm sorry, Please forgive
me, Thank you, or It's okay.
And if tomorrow never comes,
you'll have no regrets about today.