The post below is a verbatim summary of a powerpoint presentation I will give on the Champions Cruise this week. The “cure” for all of the “problems” that cause difficulties in transforming is almost always to work the universal law of reciprocation, doing something for another without getting caught! 

1. Act your way to better thinking! In spite of opinion to the contrary, you cannot think your way into the right attitude, but taking the right actions will produce the right attitude.

Do what you don’t feel like doing, and then you’ll feel like doing it!

2.When things look the worst, that’s the best time to begin a transformation! Popular opinion to the contrary, self-hatred may be the best chance you have to make a winner of yourself. It’s the good in you that hates the bad, and you have to talk to the good, feed it and grow it, and kill off all the bad. If you were all bad, you’d hate others rather than yourself!

3. To be successful, act successful! Successful people get up early, show up regularly, ready to play, and in uniform! They also keep their promises to themselves and others, even when it hurts! Your reputation is your only stock in trade, and your inner transformation is only as good as your reputation. You cannot sell it if you do not have it!

4. See that reflection in the mirror? You are looking at the problem!There is a world of difference between a condition and a problem. If it’s something you cannot control, you don’t have a problem, you have a condition. Though you cannot change it, you can change your perspective and view of it. The one problem you can for sure work on is you! Accept what you cannot change and change what you can—know the difference!

5. Just like your body, your spirit needs regular exercise as well! A. Deep knee bends—at prayer time.

B. Stooping, to help another who cannot help himself.C. Reading the scripture or other sacred writings. Memorize a key thought each week.

6. The biggest impediments to a transformation, fear, resentment, envy and self-pity. Fear will paralyze you; force you to withdraw from your activity, and eventually drive you into hiding and depression. Action in the face of fear is the cure.

Resentment will corrode you spiritually and emotionally from the inside out. Nothing worth doing can be accomplished in the face of resentment. Forgiveness is the only option. Envy will keep you from celebrating the achievements of others, and make you bitter, and self-pity will keep you in hiding forever!

7. Transforming is a risky enterprise! No risk, no gain!

There is significant risk in every transformation, risk of injury, embarrassment, failure or problems with relationships.

A transformation challenge without risk is not worth doing. You can do more than you think you can! Your risk will be rewarded if you work as hard as you can!

8. Doing a couple’s challenge? Know your partner! A couple’s challenge will stretch, stress and test your relationship like nothing else. To make it rewarding, remember this:

A. A woman’s deepest needs are unconditional love and security. Without them, she is NOT happy! Unconditional love is to be given, and is not earned! “quit whining” is not love language!

B. A man’s deepest need is respect. Respect is unconditional and is not earned. Letting a man know through word or deed that you believe he is deficient in some material way, in strength, knowledge or passion, will wound him far more than you can imagine. Comparing his results to another man who looks better is also not a good idea.

9. Self-promotion never achieves worthy goals! Self-promotion always leads to frustration and disappointment. No amount of success or adulation is ever enough for the self-promoted person.

Why then do we take those photos and do those essays?

So that others will know, and will have assurance that you did what you said you did and that they too can do it.

10. The greatest thing a champion can do–leave a legacy! A. If all you leave behind when you’re done is a leather jacket and a trophy, you have wasted your time and missed the whole point!

B. To leave a legacy, look within your spheres of influence (family, organizations or work) and find people who will do what you did, and will pass it on to others. Will your family emulate you or mock you in the end? It depends on YOU!