Choose the path, and take the action.

Another insightful week as we discussed the second and third habits of highly successful people. Thank you to all of you who participated this week (Christmas week) in the discussion. I know for myself that the recurring themes of being principle-centered and on-purpose in my activities is one that I deserve to revisit often. Now we're working on developing personal mission statements to fulfill the intention revealed in this book. I'll look forward to hearing from you all next week. Happy New Year!
John Lavenia

New Archived Calls!

We have begun recording all Extreme Book Club calls and posting them for everyone! The calls are absolutely fantastic...it's great to experience the books with everyone and learn from the different perspectives. It's also wonderful to hear everyone's progress as they apply the information we are learning to their professions, businesses and personal lives.

Be sure to share this blog with everyone so that they can benefit from the incredible environment as well.

Join us on Thursday as we continue with Stephen Covey's 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.

Effectiveness...Amen!

This book, The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, was such a turning point for me the first time I read it. And now to be reviewing it again, in this group setting, it feels like I've just thrown galoline on the fire of my burning desires that I am now achieving. Just getting through the first couple of chapters and the first habit "Be Proactive" reminded me so much of how easy it is to waste energy on defending points of view, being right, and being concerned with what other people do or don't do. How liberating to remember, Hey- I have a choice. A great reminder. Thank you all for your input on the call this week and we'll see you next week with Habits 2 and 3.
Happy Holidays,
John Lavenia

It's Exciting!

When we decided to do Steven Covey's The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People I was thrilled. I have been listening to the unabridged version of the course and have found it to be incredibly impactful. The key for me has been stopping to take the time to do the exercises. In working through the course, I spent time to develop my corporate mission statement; something that I never took the time to do. John and I developed our mission statement:

To create an environment where people can prosper - financially, personally and spiritually; making it possible for each individual to recognize and realize their true potential.

To promulgate prosperity consciousness by example; developing Leadership in ourselves and others through the principles of integrity, self-reliance and entrepreneurialism.

Having a mission statement, as Covey conveys, provides us with direction. I am able to ask myself, "Is this in alignment with our mission" when I am about to take on a task or have a decision to be made. It's incredibly empowering.

To assist me with reading the book again, I have purchased the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People Personal Workbook (see below for details). It's a great tool for facilitating the growth and completion of the application of the Habits.

I can't wait for our first call to discuss what we are all learning and the results we are experiencing as we apply the Habits to our personal lives and businesses. See you on Thursday! Remember...we have a new number. See the post below for details.

Make it a great day!
Shannon

Another Classic Book

It was a pleasure hearing the personal life interpretations from all the participants as we concluded The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success this week. I will certainly continue to re-read this book from time to time. Now the excitement has turned to The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, by Stephen Covey. This will be our next book starting this week. And on a side note, thanks to Paul from NC, our next book which is already in line will be The Travelers Gift-Seven Decisions for Success, by Andy Andrews. So we'll have three "7s" in a row. How fun.
The new dial in number starting this week, which should be the one we use for a while is 1-563-843-7585, passcode 742364. This new line will be able to hold more than double the amount of callers as the old line. See you there.
John Lavenia

Incredible Perspectives

Wow! What a great call we had last night. It is always amazing to hear everybody's perspectives on what they have read and to see what has really had a profound effect on each person. The open conversation amongst the members was thrilling! It is wonderful to be part of a group of individuals who openly explore their lives, importing and applying the lessons we are discovering in the books that we read. Being able to explore different view points and interpretations of the literature is incredibly rewarding!

I loved hearing from people about how the laws of Pure Potentiality, Giving and Karma are working right now in their lives. It was also great to hear how people realized the laws are working in ways they weren't even aware of so now they can be more intentional in their lives. I reflected on my own life and how I am consciously and unconsciously experiencing the laws in the results I am having in all areas.

Thank you to everyone who was present and everyone who shared.

Remember How Powerful We Are

The book we are reading this week, Deepak Chopra's Seven Spiritual Laws of Success, has served as a reminder of just how powerful we are. Everyone has an extraordinary potential. Even the opening statement, by Brihadaranyaka Upanishad IV.4.5 (glad I don't have to pronounce it), "You are what your deep, driving desire is. As your desire is, so is your will. As your will is, so is your deed. As your deed is, so is your destiny", served to remind me of what drives me to success - desire!.

Reading through the first three Laws: The Law of Pure Potentiality, The Law of Giving, and the Law of "Karma", I was excited to recongize once again what I am capable of in this life. I have achieved an extraordinary amount of success in my life and was reminded of why that is...because I have chosed to live my life by the laws. I am not infallable but I remind myself often of the laws that direct the path of fulfillment and success - the laws that enable each of us to manifest success in all areas of our life, physical and spiritual.

Slowing down to enjoy life, to focus on the joy and happiness that surrounds us, living is peace is what Chopra directs is the key to realizing our potential - the key to tapping into our inner self and potential that lies hidden but accessible. In this busy, hectic world...even more hectic and busy with the holidays, it is great to stop and take the time to breathe, to cherish a sunset, to relax with my dogs, to enjoy (not just gobble down but really savor) a well cooked meal, to live in peace and respect for everyone. I notice, personally for myself, that the busier I get, the more hectic I allow my life to get, the less at peace I am with people and the more in judgement I tend to be, supressing my own potential and being of negative cause in the world rather than positive. As discussed in the law of Karma...what am I creating for myself???

When I choose to slow down and be conscious of the laws, living in balance and piece is when I realize explosive levels of personal, professional and physical success. It's awesome!

There's so much to talk about with just these first few pages...I can't wait for our discussion tonight. What a great book to follow Power vs. Force!

-Shannon

The book club has launched BIG

To have fun and broaden our understanding of great books: this is the purpose of our recently started Extreme Book Club call. And what a call it has been. In the first few weeks we have had capacity attendance and much enthusiasm from the participants. I figured that since people often ask me what books I am reading at any given time that this would be a good way to not only let them know, but also to share the impressions and interpretations that have come as a result of having read and consciously applied to my life the ideas and principles of the great teachers of modern times.

As I write this, the group is completing our second book - Power vs. Force by Dr. David Hawkins, and we had "kicked off" this weekly call with the classic - The Science of Getting Rich by Wallace D. Wattles. One participant, Darrell from California, said that the book club has given him a bit more structure, as he is also an avid personal development reader and finds himself sometimes in 20 or so half-read books! My intention will continue to be to alternate between the more simple reads and the more esoteric or intellectual. Our next book, as of this writing, will be The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success by Deepak Chopra.

I know for myself that having created a weekly agenda where I comment on a book has increased my personal understanding and having an opportunity to hear other impressions and interpretations has expanded my understanding of the variety of perceptions of any given writing. The discussion group meets every week, excluding holidays, at 11pm Eastern time (GMT-5) on Thursdays. Our intention is to post recordings of the sessions on this site for those who may miss a call or who could not access the call live if we've exceeded the conference bridge capacity. Anyone who has an interest in personal growth is welcome, and it is my continued pleasure to be able to serve and facilitate this forum.

In Success,
John Lavenia
Tucson, AZ USA