By Phil Coleman and Tom Wilbur

In business, in writing, and in motivational speaking, we’ve found that success often comes from looking within to find one’s strengths, building upon them, and then getting out and sharing them with the world. We all hear people speak to the idea that they’d like to write a book someday, and it’s always fun to talk about, but it’s so rarely acted upon. Like most things in life, talking the talk is the easy part. Making a commitment to take action is quite another.

Maybe it’s time you thought about it more seriously. We all have something to share with others. You may have an idea could change the world, one person at a time. It takes preparation, time, and hard work, to reduce ideas to a blank page, and bring it all together—but you can do it. Find a blank piece of paper, make an outline, and get started.

For those of you not interested in becoming an author today, what changes might you make to be more successful in life, and in business? In considering ideas for positive change, here are “The 12 Books That Winners Might Write.” Look them over:

1.      Be A Great Example To Others Through Your Daily Behavior

2.      Help Others In Need Over The Course Of Your Lifetime

3.      Keep Learning— Do Extra Credit Work Without Having It Assigned To You

4.      Make Every Day Count, Because This Day Will Never Come Again

5.      When Things Go Wrong, Don’t Go Wrong With Them

6.      It’s The Little Things In Life That Determine The Big Things

7.      You Are Rich According To What You Are, Not According To What You Have

8.      Build A Strong Positive Foundation, And Live Each Day By Those Principles

9.      The Best Way To Cheer Yourself Up Is To Cheer Somebody Else Up

10.  When Looking For Faults, Use A Mirror—Not A Telescope

11.  Have a Little Faith, It Can Change Your Life

12.  Winners Persevere, When Others Give Up

If you spend time thinking with these titles, you will find powerful statements here. There are concepts here for internalizing and improving your value sets, and further, extending your impact and outreach to others. Some of these may already be engrained in who you are. Others may be ideas you’d like to improve upon.

Here’s a challenge. Pick three of these titles. Instead of writing a book on them, set a course for how you might take personal ownership in them, and live them each day. Don’t hide them away, but take action upon the titles you choose. Write them down, and put them somewhere where you can see them each day.

Few things you have done in the past can determine your path for the tomorrow. With each morning’s dawn, comes the opportunity to change your behavior. And you’ll soon find that by controlling what you can control, and making positive changes in you— meaningful new relationships will develop, and grow.

Put the past behind you, and focus upon making the kind of changes that will lead to a long term win—for you, your family, and your world.

“Have Faith—Look Up—It Works”

Until next time,

Phil and Tom

Winning Strategies is a series created by Phil Coleman and Tom Wilbur to provide inspiration and motivation, based upon their personal experiences and fundamental ideas for success. Phil Coleman is the owner of Champion Seminars, in Salina, Kansas. A popular speaker, Phil is an entrepreneur, and has made presentations on successful life strategies to thousands of people over his career with his firm. Tom Wilbur is a regular editorial contributor to newspapers, magazines, and motivational newsletters, and is President/CEO of BANK VI in Salina. Phil and Tom are both long term residents of Salina, and Kansas, and have a common vested interest in helping others. You can contact them at [email protected]