| October 1, 2004 Introductory Issue In this issue... A BE NICE Story Monthly Audio Message People Profile Do Something! Quote of the Month And on BeNiceOrElse.com: Featured Article Spiritual Balance NEW CD! Winn Claybaugh live August 2004 Be Nice (Or Else!) $20  With a Special CD Introduction by TV and Radio Personality Leeza Gibbons Learn More...
(Or Else!) identifies the factors that keep people from being nice - and how to overcome them. Learn More... Testimonials... Buy the Book
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"A famous swami once told me years ago that someone who’s nice always gains... Winn Claybaugh is a remarkable guy and one of the best motivational speakers in the country. In this terrific work, he brings you easy-to-use concepts that could bring interesting rewards." |
 Hi Everyone,Wow—my first BE NICE Newsletter! As a longtime motivational speaker, I’ve had the privilege of developing some wonderful relationships, but I had no idea that writing a book would so drastically augment the opportunity to connect with so many people. I’m thrilled that they’ve found Be Nice (Or Else!) to be a welcome voice in their crazy worlds, and I’m proud to share their stories in this newsletter. Check out A BE NICE Story to see how others are incorporating BE NICE in their lives. I don’t know about you, but I like my newsletters to be interactive. In the Monthly Audio Message, you’ll hear from special guests whose powerful messages relate to Be Nice (Or Else!). This issue features TV and radio personality Leeza Gibbons. I want the book to become personal to you, as it obviously is to me, so I’m delighted to introduce some of my friends from the book. In this month’s People Profile, you’ll meet Sandy and Rosie from Houston, Texas. As I mention in the book, knowledge alone does not equal power—knowledge coupled with action equals power. In Do Something, you’ll find a quick tip for implementing BE NICE into your personal or business life. Thanks for helping me live my fantasy of spreading this BE NICE message and giving nice people a voice. XOXO, Winn A BE NICE Story  Last year, an unhappy, overweight, 11-year-old boy named Dakota sat unnoticed in the audience at one of my seminars. This year, he attended the same event again and came up to meet me afterward. A few weeks later, I received the following letter. Although Dakota talks about how Be Nice (Or Else!) inspired him, his letter inspired me and I think it will inspire you, too.Hey Winn! It’s Dakota Cairns from Iowa. I just wanted you to know my triumph stories. The first one is how your class “Be Nice or Else!” helped me. You told the story of you going to see a psychic and she told you to lighten up. Well, as soon as I got home I started thinking, I’m 12 years old, and I realized that I was acting more like a 50-year-old man. I was always bitter, never wanted to go and do anything. I was taking way too much responsibility for a 12-year-old boy. So I had some friends help me out. I had them tell me what they didn’t like about me and what I needed to change. After that, I didn't talk to them for two weeks because I was in such shock that I was acting so mature. So I tried loosening up a bit and acting like a kid. About a week or so later, I felt less stress, less depressed, and felt like I had much less responsibility. My parents still don’t know how unhappy and how depressed I always was. And now I’m starting to read your book. It will be the first book that I’ve finished on my own will. My second triumph was that the year I met you, in 2003, I weighed 222 pounds at the ripe old age of 11 years old. This year in 2004, I weigh 180. A year later and 42 pounds lighter. Almost a month since we got back from Vegas, I’m down to 175. Thank you so much for encouraging me! I pretty much owe you my life. Thank you, Winn. Your friend, Dakota Cairns Monthly Audio Message  Leeza Gibbons is known as the nicest woman in Hollywood. I’m grateful that she chose to endorse Be Nice (Or Else!), and I love every opportunity I have to “endorse” and support her in what she’s passionate about.One of her passions is Leeza’s Place, an intimate and safe setting where those newly diagnosed with any kind of memory disorder and their caregivers can get education, empowerment, and energy to help them with their difficult journey. When her mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, Leeza promised to use her story to educate and inspire others. I recently had the opportunity to interview Leeza for my MASTERS Audio Club company, which was an amazing, emotional experience. Please listen to what Leeza had to say: CLICK HERE To learn more about the Leeza Gibbons Memory Foundation and its affiliated programs, visit www.leezasplace.org or call 1-888-OK-LEEZA. People Profile I love Sandy and Rosie from Houston, Texas. I’ve known them for over ten years, and I was honored to share their story in Be Nice (Or Else!) about losing their three-and-a-half-month-old son, Steel.  Born nine weeks premature, little Steel was able to grow, develop, and even come home from the hospital for two months, but he eventually took a turn for the worse and passed away, only three and a half months old. I shared this story in the book, and I share it with you here, because it’s a great gift to all of us.Yes, sharing the experience of Steel’s life, death, and funeral was a gift. I grew more through all of that than I could have by attending a thousand seminars. The entire experience, sad as it was, proved to be a major benchmark in my life and instantly put everything into perspective for me. Without sounding too dramatic, I now categorize my life as “Before Steel” and “After Steel.” Take time to recognize the benchmarks and blessings in your life, because they turn you into a different, better, nicer person. Do Something! How to Implement BE NICE In my company, we believe in lifelong learning, and we heavily invest in training our people. Years ago, I’d spend a lot of money purchasing airline tickets, hotel rooms, and seminar tuition to send people to educational events in fun places like Las Vegas. When they’d return, they’d sometimes report, “I didn’t like the food they served at lunch.” I’d think to myself, Who cares what you thought about the food? Who asked you to be a restaurant critic? Most likely, these self-proclaimed critics completely missed out on the amazing education being shared, because they thought it was their job to criticize the food. 
To help our people stay focused on the purpose of the training, we implemented an education contract. My people sign this contract every time they attend an event. (Click Here to Download Contract: Standards of Conduct and Professionalism) Feel free to use this contract for local education events or those for which a staff member travels. Print it, change it, and implement it in your company or business. Quote of the Month  Winn Claybaugh’s Be Nice (Or Else!) The Newsletter! |