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