November 21, 2009
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417 Magazine

Reinvent Your Life, Starting Now

Marlene Chism’s book, Success is a Given, shows readers how to take the next step to get where they want in life. Read an excerpt here, then sign up to join Chism this month for a free webinar.

By Katie Pollock
Reinvent Your Life, Starting Now
Photo Cassie Darst
Join Marlene Chism for a webinar, only at 417mag.com, on April 14.

When people are going through a big life change—whether it’s in their careers or their personal lives—books are a common place to seek impartial advice from people who have been there and done that. Springfieldian Marlene Chism, who bills herself as a “communication and relationship specialist who works with companies that want to stop the drama so teamwork and productivity can thrive,” has written a book aimed at tackling those big life changes and coming out better in the end. She knows about those intimidating times from experience; she left a 21-year career to become an independent speaker and make a living doing what she loves. Success is a Given: Reading the Signs While Reinventing Your Life is peppered with Chism’s personal experiences, and it encourages readers to listen to their guts and take the steps that make emotional sense, rather than feel stuck in their careers because of the security they provide. The following is an excerpt from Success is a Given:
 

At 417mag.com (that's here)

Marlene Chism, author of Success is a Given, is hosting a free webinar with 417 Magazine. Visit 417mag.com to sign up for the webinar, which is April 14. Chism will be giving tips for succeeding through major life changes, followed by a question-and-answer session.

“As you reinvent your life, you look back on your former successes and you see places where you missed the boat. You have been playing not to lose rather than playing to win. You want the second half of life to be different. You see the big picture, take more risks, and ask for what you want.

Staying for over 20 years in a job that you don’t like is playing not to lose rather than playing to win. Ignoring your relationship problems is playing not to lose rather than playing to win. Conserving money rather than investing in your education is playing not to lose rather than playing to win.

When you reinvent your life, your ideas about winning change. You realize you aren’t competing against anyone but yourself. Stephen Covey, in his book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People says, “Private victories precede public victories.” For example, it used to feel like winning if I could prove my point in an argument. Now it’s more of a win if I can be patient, listen, ask questions and have a new understanding.

Winning little is about competition. Winning big is about collaborating. In order to win big, you must conquer many personal challenges to develop character qualities such as patience, self-discipline and self-reflection.”

Where can I get it?
Success is a Given: Reading the Signs While Reinventing Your Life is available at amazon.com, or via author Marlene Chism’s website, stopyourdrama.com.



 

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