Book Summary Preview : WISE MOVES

The Big Idea
This book on enhancing your dealings, both in life and in business, offers 20 valuable tips on improving your position in life, 20 tips on improving your position in business, and 20 timeless quotes on the art of making an extraordinary life.

I. LIFE MOVES: 20 Quick Tips to Improve Your Position in Life

1. One Is a Powerful Number
It is enough for one person to make a miracle. Consider Elzea Bufier who lived with his family in a small farm in France. When his wife and son died of sudden illness, he looked for another place he could call home. He came upon a spot that was desolate. Deciding that he wanted to make a difference in the world in his own quiet way, he began to plant trees. Each night after supper, Elzea selected the very best 100 acorns he had collected by day and put them in a pail of water. Every day he planted 100 trees. Some failed to sprout, while some eventually died. But even with only a small percentage of his efforts paying off, 10,000 new trees appeared where there had been none before. Elzea continued to plant until the day he passed away. Eventually, the French Forestry Bureau set aside most of the land as a protected national forest.

2. Any Day Can Be Halloween
Imagine the power of imagination each child has during Halloween. One year he is Hercules, the next the President of the United States. Children and adults alike enjoy Halloween because it allows them to step out of themselves and become somebody new. In his Peak Performance Training Workshop, George Ludwig shares a section on the power of our beliefs. The most important core belief that controls us is the belief we have about our identity. Whoever you are, please know that you have the power to reinvent yourself. Today can be your Halloween – the day you put on a new costume or simply let your “real self” shine.

3. Discipline: The Critical Denominator
This year can be our most successful ever if we are willing to practice more discipline than we have ever done in our lives. Richard Shelly Taylor, in his book “The Disciplined Life,” defines self-discipline as “the ability to regulate conduct by principle, value, and judgment rather than by impulse, desire, high pressure or social custom.” Discipline is about doing what is necessary, when it is necessary, whether we feel like it or not.

4. Fly Straight to Your Destination
One of aviation’s most critical navigation lessons is this: you must constantly monitor your heading to stay on course. When we strive to reach personal goals, we similarly need to stay on course. Just as with flying, small problems with our habitual behavior prevent us from reaching our destination. The first key is to identify which habits are necessary. Discipline and commitment are necessary to prevent distractions from pulling us off course. . . . . . . . . . . .