That’s right. Almost 6000 4:8 thinkers participated in this very revealing experiment in April. Now it is available and ready when you are. It’s free, it’s fun, and it feels fabulous…really!
Presented in eight consecutive daily emails, you will see just how easy it can be to bring out the best in others, maximize your joy and live life at the highest level more consistently than ever before!
Click here to trigger more joy for the next 8 days and beyond.

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We recently posted some videos where I am discussing both Success Is Not an Accident and The 4:8 Principle. To see the 4:8 video, recorded in Raleigh, North Carolina this spring, click here. 

To view a number of other Success clips, click here to watch the “Americas Success Coach” video introduction on YouTube.

Think 4:8! 

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Etched Memories are one of the most powerful and popular concepts of The 1% Club.  Maybe you’re thinking, “What exactly are Etched Memories?” Well, they are special, unique, wild, or maybe even atypical experiences that get engraved upon your memory banks.  Etched Memories strengthen relationships and contribute to positive and deeply connected family cultures. 
 
I know what I’ll remember about this summer! Late in June, I took my two older boys on a surprise trip to Northern California including sightseeing in San Francisco and white water rafting on the Klamath River just south of Oregon. Neither of my sons knew of the trip until I woke them up, told them their bags were packed and we needed to be at the airport in 45 minutes…I encourage you to deliberately and proactively create Etched Memories, not just with your kids, but in your marriage as well. Etched Memories strengthen relationships and contribute to positive and deeply connected family cultures.  Etched Memories may stretch you, inspire you, get you out of ruts, or simply cause you not to take yourself so seriously.  While some fantastic memories will happen spontaneously, many more will happen when you plan them and the only limitation is your effort and creativity!

Think 4:8!

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In coaching a couple recently at The 1% Club, we began discussing problems and perspectives as it relates to marriage. It is truly amazing how a change in perspective can open up a whole new field of possibilities whether in business, in marriage, or in life. Often times, “ah ha” moments are initiated with the words, “Why don’t you look at it this way…” or “have you ever considered…” or sometimes the “ah ha” seemingly comes out of nowhere. Here’s a breakthrough perspective that this particular couple happily said, “created a fresh start in our relationship.”  It really is so simple it is easy to miss, yet it is so important it can revolutionize a relationship almost overnight.
 
Too many married couples have been conditioned to believe that “we can have a strong relationship once we solve our problems.” Then they go to work trying to deal with their issues. Sounds like a logical approach, doesn’t it? The challenge with this common approach is that while your relationship will, of course, be better without the problems, it will be near impossible to permanently resolve those problems until you are in a stronger place mentally. Underestimating the importance of healthy thinking in productively solving problems leads to all sorts of stubborn relationship relapses and the accompanying frustrations that go along with them.
 
When you’re struggling with a relationship, the first step (after prayer, of course), with Philippians 4:8 as your guide, is to make the effort to get your head right. Step back and acknowledge your blessings both related to the relationship and independent of it. Accept responsibility for what you’re feeling at the moment. Understand that your feelings, whether healthy or unhealthy, are the result of what you’ve been dwelling upon most recently. It’s hard to be a great problem solver when you’re overcome with negative emotion.

 As needed, eliminate distortions, embellishments, exaggerations and self-centeredness as it applies to this relationship. Often a wise friend can help you see the situation with much greater clarity and impartiality. For additional ideas and methods for dealing with Really Awful Thoughts (RATs), check out Chapter 6 in The 4:8 Principle (Head Games).
 
When you are thinking accurately, without the distortions caused by excessive emotional intensity , you naturally demonstrate the necessary tools for a healthy, close, and satisfying relationship. Some of these qualities include a clear intention, deeper understanding, a sense of humor, compassion, and creativity. And each of these tools starts with a 4:8 thought.
 
When you activate 4:8 in relationships, you’ll find that many of the things you previously perceived as problems will no longer seem like problems. And the issues that do remain become much easier to handle. Without the tool of 4:8 thinking, you are left to face the challenges of building and maintaining a strong marriage with an incomplete toolbox. It is possible to still succeed, but with the 4:8, it will be much easier to make things great.
 
On demand! The 8 Day Challenge is now available ON DEMAND. Visit www.the8daychallenge.com
 
Check out new 4:8 video, now playing on Godtube!
 
Think 4:8 in 2008!
 

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Hey 4:8 thinkers,
 
 From my research, it is clear to me that God wants us to experience rich joy throughout our lives, and joy founded in His love and His promises. 

As part of our free will, we will always have the choice to pick a joy-producing thought or a junk-producing thought. Our emotions, whether resentment or joy, reveal what we have been dwelling upon. I like to think of this as part of God’s built-in quality control device.
 
 
If we are feeling rotten or stressed, we know we have been dwelling on frustrations, disappointments, loss, and the like. If we feel terrific, we know that we have been dwelling on progress, achievements, blessings and so forth. Our emotions serve us by allowing us to feel what we’ve been dwelling on; thereby, equipping us with the feedback we need to make adjustments in where we are steering our thought life.
 
 
Remember, the intent of the 4:8 principle is not perfection, but the continuous improvement of your thinking. And each upgrade sets the stage for added joy.
 
 If you’d like to test your joy, please visit www.the8daychallenge.com ! 
Coach 

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Hey 4:8 thinkers,
Here is a very powerful destressor and attitude enhancer! 
Schedule quick 4:8 injections every two hours. I recommend that they be four minutes or less. Seriously, you can accomplish a lot in a small bit of time if you get ready in advance. So schedule these four minute breaks for tomorrow right now, and put them into your calendar. Think of these as Positive Pit Stops. Review your goals or mission. Practice affirmation or visualization. Pray. Read the Bible. Relive a positive memory. Write a thank-you card or send an e-mail of appreciation to someone important.
And if you would like to join the thousands who’ve already taken the 4:8 plunge, visit www.the8daychallenge.com. 

Coach 
 

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Just for today… 

Reduce all forms of whining and complaining. 

Use spare moments to dwell on the character of God. 

Refuse to nurse old wounds with your attention. 

Support and defend a victim of gossip or hearsay. 

Use your words to encourage your spouse and kids…a lot. 

Maintain your brain with healthy sleep, nutrition, and exercise. 

Then wake up tomorrow morning, rinse and repeat!

Hope you will be tuning in to today’s TeleCoaching Conference Call!
 
 It is 2008, so think 4:8 and… 
Thanks for spreading the Word! 

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What was your experience like with The 8-Day Challenge?
 
As I’ve been reviewing feedback from nearly 6000 individuals that recently participated in The 8 Day Challenge, I have come across some common feedback that I thought would be of interest to you.
 
In one way or another, most participants developed a heightened awareness of the negative influences they encountered in their everyday life. Some commented on how pervasive negative thoughts, feelings, and conversations tended to be, especially in the midst of doing the challenge. Others, unsurprisingly, commented on how negative media coverage seemed to be. Many also noted that nasty gossip or “social cancer” was uncomfortably common and accepted. A significant number noticed, for the first time, how their children’s or spouse’s self-talk was so critical and self-defeating.
 
Lots of people reported the dramatic disconnect between their values on the one hand and the words and images that deluge their environment on the other hand. This was noted in the form of shallow conversations, chronic complainers, unwholesome songs, bill boards, talk radio programs, television shows and movies, and even youth sporting events.
 
Even though these observations seem bad, they are actually good. They represent awareness, and this awareness of 8:4 thinking, speaking and acting is the first step toward minimizing it in your household and in your life overall. If you did quite well over the 8 days, then this is great news. If you didn’t do so well, then there is enormous room for improvement…and this is still great news.
 
The more you focus on Philippians 4:8, the more alert you become to the people and circumstances that will lead you away from the peace and joy that God wants for all of us. Too many people are guided by what “most other people are doing.” Too many people are swept up in fads, trends, and the popular hype of the day. No matter how socially acceptable it is, don’t become one of them. Join the 4:8 crowd instead!
 
Think 4:8 during 2008!
 

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The 8-Day Challenge has begun! Hope you’re one of about 6,000 4:8 thinkers taking part in this interesting experiment. If not, make it a priority to participate the next time we offer this.

The idea behind this challenge is to hyper-emphasize the good stuff in your life, both at home and at work, for eight consecutive days. Remember, every thought you think is shifting your life in a particular direction. Each thought leads either to the destination of faith or the destination of fear. Where are your thoughts leading you today?

 For more information about this challenge read my previous blog entry. (just scroll down)
 
Join the 4:8 movement…here are some ideas for consideration, just for today:
 
·         Today I practice prayer and forgiveness beyond the norm for me.
·         Today I give up all forms of whining.
·         Today I dwell on the nature and character of God.
·         Today I refuse to nurse an old wound.
·         Today I defend a victim of gossip.
·         Today I encourage my spouse and kids…a lot.
 
It’s 2008, think 4:8!

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The 8 Day Challenge, Starting 4/08/2008
I invite you to join me for the first annual “4:8 Challenge” beginning when you wake up next Tuesday April 8th and continuing through bedtime on Tuesday April 15th. The challenge is to live in complete alignment with the 4:8 principle at all times (even on tax day) for eight straight days.

You Can Do It!
Do you think you could do it? Even though it is FREE, it may still sound like a pretty daunting challenge, but you probably already know the effort alone will produce enough rich rewards to make the attempt worthwhile. If you’ve already read The 4:8 Principle, you know this will be both enormously beneficial and also quite challenging. But as you know, it’s what you do after you read the book that counts the most. Are you ready for the challenge?

I’ll Coach You Through Each Day For 8 Days
To get you ready and supply a few final reminders and ground rules, I’ll send you the KICK-OFF email on April 7th. Then beginning on the morning of Tuesday April 8th, you will receive a short email prompt from me each morning, containing inspiration, encouragement and the 4:8 Challenge of the Day. Your objective will be to THINK, SPEAK, AND ACT all day long in a manner consistent with Philippians 4:8. The challenge will be to keep your mind as well as your mouth preoccupied with what is beautiful, excellent, true, just, and worthy of praise. Are you ready for the challenge?
I ACCEPT THE CHALLENGE! click here

What You Can Expect During The Challenge
Throughout the 8-Day Challenge, you can expect to see the people and situations in your life differently because, as Thoreau wrote, “we find only the world we look for.” During this brief eight day period, you will be looking for, and consequently finding, fresh value in your relationships and circumstances and especially, new virtue within yourself. After all, it’s so easy to get consumed with your obstacles that you forget about your goals. It is so easy to entertain hostile thoughts about the future and end up missing the gift of the present. This is not for you! Are you ready for the challenge?

Here Are The 4 Ground Rules
Avoid any and all negative energy for eight days. During this 8-day challenge you’ll be asked to steer clear of specific thoughts, words and deeds that violate the 4:8 principle. You’ll also be encouraged to increase other thoughts, words, and behaviors that are in harmony with Philippians 4:8.
First, let’s identify some of what you should INCREASE during the challenge:
1. Prayer and forgiveness beyond the norm for you
2. Verbally encouraging your spouse, friends and family
3. Thinking and reviewing your goals
4. Smiling and laughing
5. Dwelling on the character of God
6. Reviewing your blessings, especially the little ones
7. Defending a victim of gossip
8. Predicting a positive outcome aloud
Can you think of anything else that should be increased?

Now, let’s pinpoint the most negative behaviors that you MUST temporarily SUSPEND during the challenge:
1. All forms of whining and complaining
2. Talking about fatigue, boredom or aches and pains
3. Gossip-based conversations
4. Condemning language of any kind
5. Exasperating body language or mannerisms
6. Criticism of spouse, kids, coworkers and even politicians
7. Worrisome thoughts or words
8. Nursing old wounds
Can you think of anything else that should be avoided?
I ACCEPT THE CHALLENGE! click here

No worries - you can earn extra credit…and still pass!
Here’s some really good news. Even if you slip up a bit during the eight days, you can still earn extra credit and create a qualifying 4:8 day by completing The 4:8 Challenge of the Day. I always appreciated teachers that included this feature in their classes so I am extending it to you as well. The Challenge of the Day is a brief assignment that will refocus your attention on what is lovely, brilliant, positively exciting, and praiseworthy. The Challenge of the Day will be at the bottom of your daily 4:8 email prompt.
Go the extra mile…encourage four more!

Ever wish more people in your life practiced the 4:8 Principle? How would this improve your life? How would it improve their life? Well, here’s your chance! Ground rule number four requires that you invite four important people in your life to join you for the 8-day challenge. This is your opportunity to positively impact the important people in your life. You’ll find the 8 days is even more productive and fun when you’re experiencing it with your friends and family. You could involve your spouse, kids, parents, business partners, top clients, small group friends, accountability partner or mentor. Who will you invite to experience this challenge with you?

Will You Accept The Challenge And Experience The Thrill?
Since you’re still reading this invitation, I expect that you’re ready to go. Am I right? After all, what do you have to lose? It could even end up being the best eight days of your life. And if you don’t like living 4:8, you can always revert back after the 8-day challenge ends.

Here’s what you need to do to get started:

It is FREE and it only takes 48 seconds so click here to register and you will also instantly receive a FREE digital copy of our brand new, updated SMALL-GROUP LEADER’S GUIDE. That is all you have to do. Can you believe it? We’ll even keep track and let you know how many fellow 4:8 thinkers are participating with you. This is going to be fun and productive! Thanks for accepting the challenge.
Your Joy Blesses Others!
Coach
I ACCEPT THE CHALLENGE! click here

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