Denis Waitley Kids & Family Coach

by Deborah Kotz, Special to AOL Coaches

In 'The New Dynamics of Winning,' Denis Waitley wants to take you to that special place that only winners inhabit, no past and no future, only the exhilaration of the moment. Getting into this zone "is all a matter of mental training, which you’re about to acquire," he promises. Recounting tales of Olympic athletes, self-made billionaires and a speed-skating nun, Waitley clues us in on what it takes to be a success both in the workplace and in life. Hint: it’s not just hard work and luck. Your attitude counts just as much.

In a section called the "Seven Rules of Winning and How to Apply Them," Waitley concisely summarizes the habits winners follow. Being physically fit is on the list (regardless of whether you’re striving for the Olympics). So, too, is getting what you pay for, meaning that most of us only realize a fraction of our potential because we never expend the effort to hone our skills. He goes on to talk about the importance of self esteem, a topic well covered in his previous books. Retraining the voices in your head to speak positively rather than negatively can be a challenge. But it’s one you’ll need to meet head-on if you’re going to be a winner.

And forget about waiting for lady luck to make you (choose one): rich, successful, happy. You need to create your own success. Waitley says two favorite success quotes are: "Losers let it happen, winners make it happen," and "It’s not who you are that holds you back, it’s what you think you’re not." Wise words for the losers among us.

To top off his ideas, Waitley includes a 21-Day Plan for preparing for your own personal Olympiad. This could range from training for a 10-K race to landing that plum assignment. On each day, Waitley gives you assignments like listing goals and breaking them up into sub-goals. Visualization of success and small rewards along the way for goals you’ve met will help keep you on track.

1. Buy 'The New Dynamics of Winning'