The EIG Newsletter

 

Volume 1:  Number 4:  July/August 2001


 

Welcome to the latest edition of the EIG (Empowerment International Group) personal and professional development newsletter.  This newsletter is published every two months and is FREE of charge for recipients.  The goal is to give you thought provoking articles, interesting stories and information.

 

This international edition goes out to subscribers in Canada, United States, Great Britain, India, Thailand, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, Dubai, South Africa, Hong Kong, Ireland, Israel, Holland, Brazil, Iceland, Zimbabwe, France, Jordan and Nigeria.  Please let us know if you are from a country other than the above and we will gladly add it to our list.

 

Thank you for your tremendous support, encouragement and wonderful feedback.  We are truly honored by your comments and really appreciate them.  Thank you also for passing on and recommending the newsletter to family, friends, and colleagues to read.  Our subscriber list, thanks to you, has grown amazingly.


Recent Events and Places to Visit

 

I had the pleasure of speaking for the Ontario Public School Boards' Association as their closing keynote speaker at their annual conference in mid-June.  I had the opportunity to meet a wonderful group of caring individuals who are focused on our childrens' education.  I would like to send a warm thank you to these people who made me feel so welcome.

 

The conference also gave me an opportunity to discover a real gem of a city, Kingston, Ontario, Canada.  This is a truly marvelous small city, about halfway between Toronto and Montreal.  This is a city with character, history, great architecture and a peacefulness related to being right on Lake Ontario, near the Thousand Islands.  Visit it, I am sure you will fall in love with it...I did.

 

Finally, our website

I am also pleased to announce that the first iteration of our web-site is finally up and running.  I would be honored if you would check it out at:  www.cmarcus.com  Any feedback will also be greatly appreciated as we are already working on revisions. We seem to be running into problems when you complete the forms on the site and send back.  This process frequently starts with a very ominous message that makes it sound like your email address is being published to the universe.  This is not the case, but the message, I am sure, would scare a few people off from submitting.  We are currently working on this.


In This Edition

  1. Dedication and Excellence
  2. Dreams and Persistence
  3. Six Steps to Eliminating Clutter in Your Life
  4. Enjoy the Journey
  5. Recommended Reading
  6. Quotes
  7. Privacy Policy

Dedication and Excellence

 

22 year old Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers professional basketball team in the National Basketball Association is widely acknowledged as one of the great young players in the game today, earning millions of dollars,  and with the world at his feet.  And yet, last summer, in the off season, when he could have been off on vacation doing many other things and resting on his laurels, Kobe decided to stay in L.A. and work out every single day in the gym.  But he didn't just work out, he disciplined himself to practice 2,000 jump shots, (yes that is 2000!!!) every single day.

 

He did not have to do subject himself or his body to that, but that was his commitment to excellence, because he wanted to push himself to be the best HE could be.  Anybody who watched Kobe this past season knows that his going the extra mile paid off.  He was instrumental in his team winning their second consecutive NBA championship.

 

You don't have to be a big time star basketball player to be focused on dedication and excellence.  Think of areas in your own life where you could go that extra mile, where you could push yourself to be the best that you can be.

 

The true question is, are you willing to make the sacrifices necessary?  are you willing to pay the price for excellence?  Excellence is achievable for all of us, but we must be willing to commit 100% to it.


Dreams and Persistence

 

26 years ago four young friends from the same Dublin High School in Ireland got together and decided to form a rock band.  Their dream was not just to form another rock band, it was to become the biggest band in the world.  They made a pact with each other, these four young friends, that they would persist until they accomplished their goal.  This was a bold statement for these young lads at the start of their prime.

 

Today, 26 years later, U2 has sold well over 100 million records, can sell out huge stadiums around the world and is widely recognized in their industry, by fans and peers alike, as being the biggest rock band in the world today.

 

I recently heard U2 interviewed in Toronto Canada, where I live, and what impressed me about them is that they remain true to their roots.  They have remained as unaffected as one can be by their incredible success and the lifestyle and trappings that brings.  When I heard Bono, the lead singer and the most outspoken of the band members, talk about their humble beginnings, I could hear choking in his voice, the pride he felt when talking about their struggles and the people who believed in them when they started out.

 

U2 refused to compromise their convictions, and in this day and age of rock star superstars and egos, they have stayed very down to earth, very proud of their Irish heritage, and true to  their roots and their fans.  They did not sell out, move way from their home land.  On the contrary, they continue to live in Ireland and invest in that country's remarkable growth and prosperity and to speak out on what they believe in.

 

What dreams do you have?

What are your hopes and aspirations?

What drives you? Pushes you?

 

Never discount your dreams, but remember, having a dream is not enough.  Dreams are only thoughts, and will stay that way unless...

You have a plan, courage, belief, passion, discipline, commitment and persistence to turn your dream into action, reality and ultimate success.


Six Steps to Eliminating Clutter in Your Life

 

What gets in our way to success? What slows down our progress? I know that for me, it is frequently the clutter that magically accumulates around me.  As such, allow me to give you some tips to eliminating this clutter that have worked for me. 

  1. Take 30 minutes every night, by yourself, in peace and quiet to plan your tomorrow.  No interruptions or excuses.  Write down what you want to do.  Spend a few minutes cleaning up your work environment.  Don't leave things lying around.  Find a place for everything.  If you can't find a place, maybe it is something that doesn't need a place or its place is the trash.
  2. Don't put off anything you can possibly do today until tomorrow, no matter what. Promise yourself that.
  3. If working from an office or desk, keep it clean, neat and tidy.  Anything you don't truly need, discipline yourself to let it go, throw it away. I know this can be hard sometimes. But let go of it. Life will go on. Trust me.  File the rest neatly and quickly.
  4. Reduce large projects into smaller manageable tasks.  Don't take on more than you can handle in the time allotted, but what you do commit to, finish.  You will feel an incredible sense of accomplishment from this.
  5. Always assign deadlines to what ever you commit to.  I believe that this is the single most important factor to eliminating clutter from your life.
  6. Finally, if all else fails, don't beat yourself up about it.  Some solutions may be to invest in one of the many good software products on the market, or hire an expert to come in and coach you, or pull this list out and start again.  It will be a worthwhile investment.

Good Luck


Enjoy the Journey

 

How many times have you gotten to where you wanted to be, but didn't take time to enjoy the journey, the ride.  We are often so preoccupied on the destination, or so busy worrying about all the things that will probably never happen to us, that we forget the fun we could have getting there sometimes.  This includes an actual trip, accomplishing our tasks, achieving our goals.

 

We so often think in terms of what we are going to get out of reaching our destination, achieving the goal, or accomplishing the task, when the true learning, meaning, and the satisfaction is in the process of getting there.

 

The journey of life for most of us is not always easy.  We have to make choices and sacrifices.  We experience failure and defeat on the way to success.

 

I believe that if we think of our journey as an experience, we can learn so much.  Too many people are simply trying to "get through the day".  Why not try getting the most from the day, enjoying every moment.  Remember, time is our most precious commodity.  As Abby Hoffman said, "Tomorrow is not promised."

 

Enjoy your journey.


Recommended Reading

 

Six Pillars of Self Esteem by Nathaniel Branden

In this powerful and provocative book, Dr. Branden introduces the six pillars of self-esteem, including six action packed practices for daily living.  You will find out a lot about yourself as well as brilliant insights into human nature.  A fascinating read.

 

Living the Simple Life by Elaine St. James

Elaine St. James gives her readers 100 ways to live a simpler life.  I found this a delightful book, very light reading, but packed with great thoughts, ideas and wisdom for surviving and thriving in our modern, fast-paced world.

 

How to Master the Art of Selling by Tom Hopkins

Tom Hopkins is widely recognized as America's #1 Sales Trainer.  His down to earth style and approach is refreshing to all who have seen or heard Tom live.  His writing style is just the same.  You do not have to be a "sales professional" to benefit from this book; we all have to sell ourselves or our ideas at some time. Everybody can benefit from Tom's experience, wisdom, and success.


Quotes

 

"The golden opportunity you are seeking is in yourself.  It is not in luck, or chance, or through the help of others.  It is in yourself alone."            Orson Swett Marsden

 

"You can learn little from victory,

You can learn everything from defeat."        Christy Mathewson

 

"Don't wish it was easier, wish you were better.  Don't wish for less problems, wish for more skills.  Don't wish for less challenges, wish for more wisdom."              Jim Rohn


Upcoming Events

 

"Taking Control of Your Speech and Your Life"

Toronto, Canada    September 28-29, 2001

 

By popular demand, Charles will be conducting a two-day interactive motivational workshop in Toronto Canada.  This workshop is for people who stutter and will be his only public event of this type in 2001.  The workshop provides tools and techniques for controlling speech, from someone who has been there.

 

Charles had a severe stutter for 30 years of his life, living for long periods in a world of silence.  Today, he is a professional speaker and successful entrepreneur. 

 

For further information about this very special event that can truly change your life, please contact Charles by email at: charles@cmarcus.com or by calling 416-490-6744 or faxing 416-490-6344.  Space is limited, so book early.


With kind regards to your success

 

Charles Marcus

 

Charles M. Marcus is a professional keynote speaker and trainer.  His work takes him across Canada, the United States and Great Britain.  For more information on Charles's motivational and inspirational presentations and programs or how he can add value to your corporation, organization, association or not for profit group next event please contact Charles as indicated below:

 

Program titles include:

"Dare to be Great"

"Seize the Moment:  Winning in a Changing World"

"The Power of One:  Re-engineer your Self Esteem"

"11 Ways to Live Your Life with Passion and Purpose"

 

All programs are customized to suit your organizational needs and objectives.  These programs will touch your heart and challenge your mind.  Just the right amount of content, motivation and humor is used to inspire your team or group.  Charles knows how important it is for you to find the right speaker with the right message for your next organizational event.  Charles will work with you to ensure that worry is taken away.

 

Contact:

The Empowerment International Group

72 Willesden Road, Toronto, Ontario CANADA  M2H 1V7

Tel: 416-490-6744        Fax:  416-490-6344

Email: charles@cmarcus.com

Website: www.cmarcus.com

 

Copyright 2001 Charles M. Marcus:  All rights worldwide reserved


Permission is granted to reproduce this newsletter in whole or in part provided the following appears along with the article:

 

Charles Marcus is a professional speaker, trainer and writer.  To subscribe to his FREE personal and professional development newsletter, please send an email to charles@cmarcus.com with the word SUBSCRIBE.  An electronic copy will be sent out to you every two months.  For more information on how Charles and his programs can benefit your team, please call 416-490-6744, email charles@cmarcus.com or visit his website: www.cmarcus.com


Privacy Policy

Please rest assured that your name and email will NEVER be sold or shared with another.  It will remain private.  If you would like to share this newsletter with a friend or colleague, please do so by sending an email message to charles@cmarcus.com with their email address and the word SUBSCRIBE.  We will add them to the list for future editions.

 

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We appreciate and welcome your feedback and suggestions.  Please send a message with your comments to charles@cmarcus.com