Contents

Developing World Change, by Courtney A. Huntington

ZigOn Changing to the Positive, by Zig Ziglar

Lessons from Old Masters—This Month: George Washington

Thoughts for the Month, from the Napoleon Hill Foundation

PASSAGE for Success: Prayer, by Bobby Lawrence, Jr.

Change Your World™ Monthly Challenge™: Be your best

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Are you interested in having a better life? Are you interested in propelling yourself toward massive, positive changes in your life? Are you interested in having more money? Are you interested in being more effective in business? Are you interested in being more kind and loving to your family? Are you interested in helping prevent crime in your area? Are you interested in living in a better house, a better neighborhood, or a better city? Are you interested in having better relationships, both business and personal? If any of these things appeal to you, you won’t want to miss what you’ll read below.

How will you create massive change in your life? The only way to change your world is by starting in your own backyard. I spent three years as a high-school teacher, teaching subjects ranging from ancient and medieval history to general science. I wanted to teach my students how to live with integrity, and I knew that I couldn’t teach it unless I lived it. How did I teach integrity? I resolved not to require anything of my students that I wasn’t doing myself. I didn’t feel I had to actually do every assignment with them, but the first time I was late for class, I admitted my mistake, asked for their forgiveness, and immediately loosened my standards on lateness for my students. Because I had failed, I couldn’t be as hard on them. But what about my personal standards? Did I loosen my personal standards for tardiness? No sir! But I had to rebuild my reputation in that area, re-earn their trust, and reestablish the standard. The only way to do that was to show consistency.

In his book Awaken the Giant Within, Anthony Robbins says there are three steps to creating lasting change: (1) Raise Your Standards—make a list of all the things you refuse to allow anymore and all the things you aspire to becoming; (2) Change Your Limiting Beliefs—without the belief that you can meet or exceed your newly raised standards, you set yourself up to fail; (3) Change Your Strategy—action is the key to creating change, but having a good strategy ensures that your actions are most effective.

There is an important principle that underlies these three, however. In order to create a good environment for positive change, in order to raise your standards, you must first take responsibility. If you don’t take responsibility for your actions and choices—past, present, and future—you will continue to struggle in finding success. One of the foundation principles of Change Your World is this: “Change yourself first.” It’s so easy to try to correct the flaws in others, even when we make the same mistakes that we’re trying to correct in them. When you see someone else’s mistake, look at yourself first and ask, “Do I do that?” Whatever standard we hold others to we must hold for ourselves, as well. In fact, we ought to measure ourselves by a higher standard than we measure others by. Begin by changing yourself; then you might be able to help others change, too. Can you change yourself first? Will you change yourself first? Are you changing yourself first?

Change is a difficult process, and it requires tenacity—an unswerving commitment to positive change. Are you willing? Are you ready? Are you committed to positive change—in your life? Please don't hesitate. Take responsibility for you future self now!

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In the worlds of education, athletics, business, government, etc., it's recognized that a person's attitude is often the determining factor in how well they do. In the business world the dominant factor of successful employees identified by employers was attitude. Unfortunately, there are more people with a negative rather than a positive attitude.

Fortunately, people can change. Psychologist Shad Helmstetter says, "You can't change from a negative mindset to a positive mindset without changing from negative talking to positive talking. To do that, you must change the input from negative to positive."

Here's how: Make a conscious decision. "Yes, I not only can change, I am changing and will continue to change." Claim that as a positive affirmation and repeat it to yourself several times each day.

Second, seek friends and family who are optimistic and upbeat and spend more time with them.

Third, pick up an optimistic, upbeat, self-help book that gives specific instructions on how to move from the negative to the positive.

Next, acquire the tapes of a speaker, preacher, teacher you enjoy and admire whose messages are upbeat and uplifting. Listen to each tape until you can complete many of the sentences, examples, illustrations and stories. At that point the message becomes positive self-talk and over a period of time you will change from the negative to the positive.

With a new positive mindset you will have the confidence to acquire the new skills that will make a major difference in your life.

This article is adapted from Zig's book Staying Up, Up, Up In A Down, Down World. In its current form, it appeared originally in the Zig Ziglar Newsletter. It is published here with permission of Ziglar Training Systems. Subscribe to the free Zig Ziglar Newsletter at www.ZiglarTraining.com.

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This month we have the privilege of presenting some guidelines for courteous behavior. Courtesy, properly understood on the modern world, is nothing more than being considerate of others. In the Bible, in the book of Luke chapter 6 verse 31, Jesus Christ says, "Just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them." This is what we all know as the "golden rule." As you read Washington's "Rules of Civility" below, think of them in that way and notice how many of them refer specifically to putting others first or taking care not to insult or offend.

I have modified the text somewhat to match current usage, grammar, and spelling. I have left most of his phrases in their original form, however, even when we might say the same thing in a different way. You will still be able to feel the age within Washington's rules. They are far older than Washington, so the feeling of age is natural to them. Some of his rules, especially those regarding how to treat nobility and those of higher classes seem especially outdated to us today. I encourage you to read those carefully, though, because contained within them are principles that we can still use today when addressing parents, teachers, supervisors, legislators, governors, and any others who hold positions of responsibility and power for us. Though some of the particulars do not apply, the principles do.

Washington wrote these rules as an exercise in school, apparently for penmanship. There are a total of 110, only 50 of which we produce here for you today. In a future issue, we will present an article with commentary and anecdotes connected to Washington's Rules of Civility. If you would like to see the Rules in their original form, click here: www.howtochangeyourworld.com/washington.htm.

1st Every action done in company ought to be with some sign of respect to those that are present.

2nd When in company, put not your hands to any part of the body, not usualy discovered.

3rd Show nothing to your friend that may affright him.

4th In the presence of others sing not to yourself with a humming noise, nor drum with your fingers or feet.

5th If You cough, sneeze, sigh, or yawn, do it not loud but privately; and speak not in your yawning, but put your handkercheif or hand before your face and turn aside.

6th Sleep not when others speak, sit not when others stand, speak not when you should hold your peace, walk not on when others stop.

7th Put not off your cloths in the presence of others, nor go out your chamber half drest.

8th At play and at fire, it's good manners to give place to the last commer, and affect not to speak louder than ordinary.

9th Spit not in the fire, nor stoop low before it; neither put your hands into the flames to warm them, nor set your feet upon the fire, especially if there be meat before it.

10th When you sit down, keep your feet firm and even, without putting one on the other or crossing them.

11th Shift not yourself in the sight of others nor gnaw your nails.

12th Shake not the head, feet, or legs; roll not the eyes; lift not one eyebrow higher than the other; wry not the mouth; and bedew no mans face with your spittle, by approaching too near him when you speak.

13th Kill no vermin as fleas, lice, tick, etc., in the sight of others; if you see any filth or thick spittle, put your foot dexteriously upon it; if it be upon the cloths of your companions, put it off privately, and if it be upon your own cloths, return thanks to him who puts it off.

14th Turn not your back to others, especially in speaking; jog not the table or desk on which another reads or writes; lean not upon any one.

15th Keep your nails clean and short; also, your hands and teeth clean, yet without showing any great concern for them.

16th Do not puff up the cheeks; loll not out the tongue; rub not the hands or beard; thrust not out the lips or bite them or keep the lips too open or too close.

17th Be no flatterer; neither play with any that delights not to be played withal.

18th Read no letters, books, or papers in company, but when there is a necessity for the doing of it, you must ask leave; come not near the books or writings of another, so as to read them, unless desired, or give your opinion of them unasked; also look not nigh when another is writing a Letter.

19th Let your countenance be pleasant but in serious matters somewhat grave.

20th The gestures of the body must be suited to the discourse you are upon.

21st Reproach none for the infirmaties of nature, nor delight to put them that have [infirmities] in mind thereof.

22nd Show not yourself glad at the misfortune of another, though he were your enemy.

23rd When you see a crime punished, you may be inwardly pleased; but always show pity to the suffering offender.

24th Do not laugh too loud or too much at any public spectacle.

25th Superfluous complements and all affectation of ceremony are to be avoided, yet where due they are not to be Neglected.

26th In pulling off your hat to persons of distinction, as noblemen, justices, churchmen, etc., make a reverence, bowing more or less according to the custom of the better bred, and quality of the person. Among your equals, expect not always that they should begin with you first, but to pull off the hat when there is no need is affectation; in the manner of saluting and resaluting, in words keep to the most usual Custom.

27th Tis ill manners to bid one more eminent than yourself be covered, as well as not to do it to whom it's due; likewise, he that makes too much haste to put on his hat does not well—yet he ought to put it on at the first, or at most the second time of being asked; now what is herein spoken, of qualification in behavior in saluting, ought also to be observed in taking of place; and sitting down for ceremonies without bounds is troublesome.

28th If any one come to speak to you while you are are sitting, stand up, though he be your inferior, and when you present seats, let it be to every one according to his degree.

29th When you meet with one of greater quality than yourself, stop, and retire, especially if it be at a door or any straight place, to give way for him to pass.

30th In walking, the highest place in most countries seems to be on the right hand; therefore, place yourself on the left of him whom you desire to honor; if three walk together, the middle place is the most honourable; the wall is usually given to the most worthy, if two walk together.

31st If any one far surpassess others, either in age, estate, or merit, yet would give place to a meaner than himself in his own lodging or elsewhere, the one ought not to except it; so he on the other part should not use much earnestness nor offer it above once or twice.

32nd To one that is your equal, or not much inferior, you are to give the chief place in your lodging, and he to who it is offered ought at the first to refuse it but at the second to accept, though not without acknowledging his own unworthiness.

33rd They that are in dignity or in office have in all places preceedency, but whilst they are young, they ought to respect those that are their equals in birth or other qualitys, though they have no public charge.

34th It is good manners to prefer them to whom we speak before ourselves, especially if they be above us, with whom in no sort we ought to begin.

35th Let your discourse with men of business be short and comprehensive.

36th Artificers and persons of low degree ought not to use many ceremonies to lords, or others of high degree, but respect and highly honor them; and those of high degree ought to treat them with affibility and courtesy, without arrogance.

37th In speaking to men of quality, do not lean nor look them full in the face, nor approach too near them; at least keep a full pace from them.

38th In visiting the sick, do not presently play the physician, if you be not knowing therein.

39th In writing or speaking, give to every person his due title, according to his degree and the custom of the place.

40th Strive not with your superiors in argument, but always submit your judgment to others with modesty.

41st Undertake not to teach your equal in the art he himself professes; it savours of arrogance.

42nd Let thy ceremonies in courtesy be proper to the dignity of his place with whom thou conversest, for it is absurd to act the same with a clown and a prince.

43rd Do not express joy before one sick or in pain, for that contrary passion will aggravate his misery.

44th When a man does all he can, though it succeeds not well, blame not him that did it.

45th Being to advise or reprehend any one, consider whether it ought to be in public or in private; presently, or at some other time; in what terms to do it; and in reproving, show no sign of cholar, but do it with all sweetness and mildness.

46th Take all admonitions thankfully in what time or place soever given, but afterwards, not being culpable, take a time and place convenient to let him that gave them know it.

47th Mock not nor jest at any thing of importance; break no jests that are sharp biting; and if you deliver any thing witty and pleasent, abstain from laughing thereat yourself.

48th Wherein you reprove another, be unblameable yourself; for example is more prevalent than precepts.

49th Use no reproachful language against any one; neither curse nor revile.

50th Be not hasty to believe flying reports to the disparagement of any.

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One of the primary differences between those who achieve greetings in their lives and those who manage only to "get by" is that successful people learned early in life that they were responsible for their own actions. No other person can make you successful or keep you from achieving your goals. Taking the initiative means assuming a leadership role, a position that singles you out for praise-and for criticism. The good leader is the one who shares the credit for success with others and assumes full responsibility for failures or temporary setbacks. When you accept responsibility for your actions, you gain the respect of others and are well on the way to creating your own future.

PROCRASTINATION IS THE BAD HABIT OF PUTTING
OFF UNTIL THE DAY AFTER TOMORROW WHAT SHOULD
HAVE BEEN DONE THE DAY BEFORE YESTERDAY.

For an achiever, perhaps the most dangerous, most destructive habit of all is procrastination, for it robs you of your initiative. When you put things off once, it's easier to put them off again, until the habit is so firmly ingrained that it cannot be easily broken. Sadly, the effects of the habit of procrastination are also cumulative. Its cure is obvious—action. You'll be surprised how quickly you begin to feel better about yourself and your situation when you get going on something—anything. As British prime minister and author Benjamin Disraeli said, "Action may not always bring happiness; but there is no happiness without action."

These positive messages come courtesy of the Napoleon Hill Foundation and are used by permission. Visit the Napoleon Hill Foundation at www.naphill.org.

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1. K.I.S.S: Keep it simple, sweetheart.
2. Ask—and believe that God will hear your prayer.
3. Listen for guidance from God.

Let Bobby Lawrence, Jr. bring his message of encouragement and success to you! Ask about speaking engagements, seminars, books and tapes, and other products. Learn more by emailing PASSAGE for Success at info@passageforsuccess.com.

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If we’re not doing our best, we’re not doing enough, no matter how well we do. Take responsibility for yourself. Avoid blaming anyone else for your mistakes, give credit to those who deserve it, and thank those who criticize you or advise you. If you’ve been the best you can be, be satisfied. Ask yourself, “Can I be my best? Will I be my best? Am I being my best?” 

Our challenge to you this month is to spend the next 30 days improving yourself in this area. Use this Change Your World™ Idea™ for the next 30 days and see what remarkable changes you will see. At the end of 30 days, contact us to let us know how you did. If you do, you'll receive a FREE gift as a reward for completing the challenge. This offer is available only until the 31st of March, 2004: So start now!

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