In this edition:
1. 27 Words to Live By
2. Michael Jordan Story
3. Letter from a Columbine High School Student
4. Quotes
5. Recommended Reading
27 Words to Live By:
Please Risk Observe Courage Appreciate Choice Care Action Opportunity |
Thank you Believe Desire Patience Trust Change Integrity Understanding Principle |
Love Listen Commitment Relax Passion Respect Compassion Faith Value |
These are words I try to live by. Some may or may not be yours. Take a few minutes, put your own list together. Think about them, what they truly mean to you. Revisit them from time to time.
Words are very powerful – use them wisely.
Michael Jordan Story:
Michael Jordan is arguably the greatest NBA basketball player of all time. There are so many wonderful stories about him that we could fill many articles with them. For now I will share one I heard recently with you.
Michael Jordan was asked what he thought about failure and success, and he said:
“In my career I missed 9,340 shots, 368 times I was on the losing team, 38 times I had the game winning shot in my hands in the final seconds and I missed. I have failed over and over again in my life, and that is why I succeed.”
Sometimes we forget that to get success we have to experience setbacks and failure. There can be no winning in life without losing, no victories without defeats. With the very rare exception, history has shown us that. Think about your own life, your own successes. Have they come easily? Of course not! You have had to take a chance sometimes, have had to get out of your comfort zone, have had to become a risk taker. There is nothing wrong with setbacks as long as we learn from them and move forward, as Michael Jordan has.
Letter from a Columbine High School Student:
You will remember Columbine High School in the United States Of America. It was the tragic scene a few years ago when two students went on a shooting rampage killing innocent people at their school. The following was written by a Columbine High School Student who’s name is unknown to me and was forwarded to me by a friend. It is very powerful and I wanted to share it with you.
We may not agree with all that is written, we all have our own opinions, but it is certainly food for thought.
The paradox of our time in history is that we have
Taller buildings, but shorter tempers;
Wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints;
We spend more, but have less
We buy more, but enjoy it less.
We have bigger houses and smaller families;
More conveniences, but less time;
We have more degrees, but less sense;
More knowledge, but less judgment;
More experts, but more problems;
More medicine, but less wellness.
We have multiplied our possessions,
But reduced our values.
We talk too much, love to seldom, and hate to often.
We’ve learned how to make a living but not a life.
We’ve added years to life, not life to years.
We’ve been to the moon and back, but have trouble
Crossing the street to meet the new neighbor.
We’ve conquered outer space but not inner space.
We’ve cleaned up air but polluted the soul.
We’ve split the atom but not our prejudice.
We have higher incomes, but lower morals;
We’ve become long on quantity but short on quality.
These are times of tall men and short character,
Steep profits and shallow relationships;
These are times of world peace but domestic warfare.
More leisure, but less fun, more kinds of food but less nutrition.
These are the days of two incomes, but more divorce;
Of fancier houses, but broken homes;
It is a time when there is much in the show window and nothing in the stockroom;
A time when technology can bring this letter to you and a time when you can choose either to make a difference……
…Or just hit delete…
QUOTES:
“Some people say I have an attitude- maybe I do, but I think you have to. You have to believe in yourself when no one else does-that makes you a winner right there.”
Venus Williams, U.S. Tennis Player
“Success is not a matter of luck, an accident or a reward for virtue. It’s a matter of decision, commitment, planning, preparation and execution. Success does not come to you, you go to it.”
Nido Qubein, Business Consultant and Author
“Your first victory, has to be over yourself”
Chinese Proverb
RECOMMENDED READING
You Are The Message by Roger Ailes.
This book was mentioned in the Jan/Feb newsletter, but did not include a preview. I felt it warranted a revisit.
This is a great read from one of the best in the business on communication, Roger Ailes. He is a former president of CNBC and advisor to Presidents Reagan and Bush, and he knows his stuff. For anybody serious about improving there communication skills, this is a must read.
Secrets of Power Marketing by Peter Urs Bender and George Torok
Whether you are a new entrepreneur starting up, expanding your current business, or you just want some new skills on how to market yourself better, this book is packed with practical information you can use immediately.
The Procrastinators Handbook, Mastering The Art Of Doing It Now by Rita Emmett
The title says it all, this light-hearted book is the kind you should have handy all the time for those moments when you contemplate procrastination. It is an enticing read with lots of good remedies and tips.
Copyright
Permission is granted to reproduce this newsletter in whole or in part provided the following byline below appears along with the article and that a copy is sent to me after publication. Thank you: To check previous issues for publication, please go to www.cmarcus.com and click on articles/newsletters.
Charles Marcus is an international motivational speaker. To subscribe to his FREE success newsletter, please send an email to subscribe@cmarcus.com. An electronic copy will be sent out to you every month. For more information on how Charles, his book and his programs can benefit your organization or group, please call 905-847-2323. Toll-Free in North America at 1-800-837-0629, or visit his website: www.cmarcus.com