The rebellion had been thoroughly crushed. On December 8, 1776, General George Washington took what was left of his battered troops and made his escape across the Delaware River into Pennsylvania. As the last American troops began crossing the river, the first Redcoat pursuers arrived at the riverbank. However, they were unable to follow the worn out Americans because Washington had had the foresight to take with him every boat within fifty miles.

Freedoms dream appeared to be dead. The American forces had dwindled to only 5,000 soldiers. With enlistments about to retire at the first of the year, Washington could be left with only 1,200 regulars. The one bright spot was that the over confident British decided to hold up for the winter and take care of what was left of the rebels come spring. British General William Howe took his troops to New York City to enjoy the winter months in relative ease and comfort. Howe did however leave a garrison of German mercenaries called Hessians in Trenton, NJ.

The Hessians expected Washington to attack. In fact, they were exhausted by being on alert for more than a week because of this expectation. This worked to Washington's favor and he did not disappoint the Hessians. At mid-afternoon Christmas day, Washington and 2,400 of his troops marched nine miles up river to McKonkey's Ferry. At 6:00 PM, General Washington wrote in his diary, "It is fearfully cold and raw and a snow storm setting in. The wind is northeast and beats in the faces of the men. It will be a terrible night for the soldiers who have no shoes. Some of them have old rags tied around their feet, but I have not heard a man complain."

During the darkness of night in a storm mixed with snow, rain, and hail, Washington and his troops began crossing the Delaware River. It took almost nine hours for the Continental Army to reach the other side. By 4:00 AM, the Continental Army had crossed the river. The Patriots were cold, wet, and exhausted. Washington urged his men forward. Some of the soldiers left a trail of blood from their bare exposed feet.

When the attack began, the Americans gained the upper hand partly due to the Hessians' exhaustion. When the Hessians finally tried to assemble their troops, American artillery captain Alexander Hamilton was given the order to fire the cannons at point blank range. The battle was over within two hours. Freedoms dream was alive! That day, Washington and his men killed or captured 1000 Hessians and confiscated many supplies. Washington then took his troops, prisoners, and captured supplies back across the Delaware River victoriously.

What is it that made a Washington a Washington? What is it that kept the American soldiers pushing forward to victory? What is it that makes an ordinary person accomplish extraordinary things? What is it that makes a Champion a Champion?

It was Thomas Paine who wrote in his The American Crisis on December 19, 1776 that, "These are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of his country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman... we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph."

My friend, today like our founding fathers, we have a crisis. No, our crisis is not about current wars; our crisis is not about taxes; our crisis is not about corporate scandal. Now, those are very important issues and our culture will continue to deal with those issues, but they are just an effect to the cause of our crisis. Today, we need to talk about the crisis at the heart of the Champion.

A number of years ago, as I was struggling both in my personal life as well as my professional life, I had a friend who cared enough about me that he handed me a video tape. On that tape was a speaker. The speaker wasn't talking just to me, but on that day it was as if he were talking only to me. Though the words he used were few, they ultimately changed my life. In a booming voice that knocked off the cobwebs of mediocrity, the speaker said, "YOU HAVE GREATNESS WITHIN YOU!" I believed him and partly because of that is why you are able to read this book today.

My friend, I know something about you too. Even though I may never have the privilege of meeting you face to face, I still know something about you. What I know is that you too "HAVE GREATNESS WITHIN YOU!" You see, you and I were born with the seeds of a champion and we were created by God to live the best. And that is what this book is all about... Living the Best! In this book, we are going to Unleash The Champion Within You. We are going to discover the qualities of the Champion and how to live them in our lives. And my friend, I encourage you not just to read this book, I encourage you to live this book. Take action on what we will learn together. Because when we act upon what we learn, that is when success truly begins and we begin to live the best as Champions.

Excerpted from an upcoming book by Mark Bowser titled Unleashing the Champion Within. For more information about Mark, his books, seminars, and how to bring him as a speaker for your next event or corporate meeting, then visit our website at www.MarkBowser.com or call (513)252-GOAL.

Mark Bowser is one of the nations leading corporate trainers and speakers. Organizations such as Southwest Airlines, Ford Motor Company, FedEx Logistics, the United States Air Force, Princeton University, and many others have been impacted positively through his training. For information on how you can bring Mark Bowser to your organization then send an email to info@MarkBowser.com. For more information on how to bring a Mark Bowser seminar to your organization or to join his free newsletter The Empower Newsletter then go to www.MarkBowser.com



WOULD YOU LIKE MARK BOWSER TO SPEAK AT YOUR NEXT CONFERENCE OR EVENT?
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Children astound me with their inquisitive minds. The world is wide and mysterious to them, and as they piece together the puzzle of life, they ask "Why?" ceaselessly. Why can't they have another cookie? Why can't they stay up after 9:00 pm? Why do they have to share their toys? Why does grandpa have white hair?

As we age, it seems our childlike curiosity diminishes. Yet, after all I have learned, I realize there's even more I've not yet discovered. Through my leadership journey I've tried to keep my mind open to growth by continuing to probe for new ideas. In this edition of Leadership Wired, I'd like to share with you the questions I regularly ask myself as a leader.

Questions I Ask Myself

1. Am I investing in myself?

This is a personal growth question.

Lifelong learners have a common set of characteristics:
(1) They develop a personal growth plan.
(2) They possess a teachable attitude.
(3) They invest in growth-oriented resources and relationships.
(4) They continually leave their comfort zone.
(5) They capture what they learn by applying their knowledge.
(6) They reflect on what they learn and turn experience into insight.
(7) They pass on what they learn to others.

2. Am I Genuinely Interested In Others?
This is a motive question.
Leaders see before others see, and they see more than others see. Since leaders "figure it out" first, they can be tempted to take advantage of others. Self-centered leaders manipulate when they move people for personal benefit. Mature leaders motivate by moving people for mutual benefit. They place what's best for others above themselves.

3. Am I Doing What I Love and Loving What I Do? This is a passion question.

You will never fulfill your destiny doing work you despise. You are nothing unless it comes from your heart. If you go to work only to cycle through rote processes and functions, then you are effectively retired. It scares me when most people I see, by age 28, are retired. To be a difference-maker, you have to bring passion, commitment, and caring to your career. Passion gives you the energy advantage over others.

4. Am I Investing My Time with the Right People? This is a relationship question. Most people can trace their successes and failures to the relationships in their lives. Be selective about who you join with on the leadership journey. Choose companions with a commitment to personal growth, a healthy attitude, and high potential.

5. Am I Staying in My Strength Zone?

This is an effectiveness question.
Effective leaders stop working on their weaknesses and diligently develop their strengths. You don't have to be a jack of all trades. Delegation frees you to focus on what only you can offer to your organization.

6. Am I Taking Others to a Higher Level?
This is a mission question.

My success is determined by the seeds I sow, not the harvest I reap. My life mission is to add value to leaders who will multiply value to others. Leaders add value to others rather than accumulating value for themselves. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. said it best: "Life's most urgent question is: what are you doing for others?"

7. Am I Taking Care of Today?
This is a success question.
The secret of your success is determined by your daily agenda. Are the habits in your life steering your toward success or simply frittering away your time? Be serious about making each day count.

8. Am I Taking Time To Think?
This is a leadership question.
A minute of thought is greater than an hour of talk. Taking time to think allows you to live life purposefully. Don't let life's circumstances dictate your path or allow the expectations of others to determine your course. Author your own life by clearing your schedule for thinking.

9. Am I Developing Leaders?
This is a legacy question.
"The ultimate test for a leader is not whether he or she makes smart decisions and takes decisive action, but whether he or she teaches others to be leaders and builds an organization that can sustain its success even when he or she is not around. True leaders put ego aside and strive to create successors who go beyond them."
~ Lorin Woolfe

10. Am I Pleasing God?
This is an eternity question.
In the light of history, our years are short and our days are few. Yet, our lives have greater significance than we can imagine. As the Roman general, Maximus, exhorts his men in Gladiator, "What we do in life echoes in eternity." Live your life honorably and with a clean conscience before God and your fellow man. Focus your effort on worthwhile causes that will outlast your time on this planet.

"This article is used by permission from Dr. John C. Maxwell's free monthly e-newsletter 'Leadership Wired' available at www.injoy.com. "

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The dictionary defines integrity in terms of soundness of moral character, adherence to ethical principles and being unimpaired. Its middle English root is related to integrate-to bring together as a whole-and integral -- complete and whole. These references to wholeness rightly suggest that integrity affects all aspects of our lives, which is why it is like a healthy investment portfolio filled with blue chip stocks such as honesty, fairness, and loyalty.

Integrity that strengthens an inner value system is the real human bottom line. It means that you don't base your decisions simply on being politically correct. You do what's right, not what's fashionable. You know that truth is absolute, not a device for manipulating others. And, it's not just in the major decisions that this quality is needed.

Complete integrity in little things is no little thing at all. As has been said many times, "The devil is in the details" and "elephants don't bite, but fleas do." There are no degrees of integrity. You have it or you don't. Being slightly dishonest may be a safe adventure for a time. But one day, inevitably, little details will be noticed and the piper will have to be paid. Your word is more valuable than a surety bond. What you are speaks so loudly, no one can really hear what you say. If what you do matches what you say, your life will speak forcefully indeed. In people, we value honesty more than any other virtue. We expect it from our leaders. We must demand it from ourselves.

This week and from now on, "seek the truth," and "speak the truth."
-- Denis Waitley

Reproduced with permission from the Denis Waitley Ezine. To subscribe to Denis Waitley's Ezine, go to www.deniswaitley.com or send an email with Join in the subject to subscribe@deniswaitley.com Copyright 2007 Denis Waitley International. All rights reserved worldwide.

"Learn how to be happy with what you have while you pursue all that you want."
~ Jim Rohn

"Get around the right people. Associate with positive, goal-oriented people who encourage and inspire you."
~ Brian Tracy

"It is important to take the time to know your people. Situations will come up where their many skills or talents or friends or relatives will prove invaluable. If you think of your pocketbook as your only resource, you constantly will be thumbing through the Yellow Pages instead of relying on someone you know."
~ Laurie Beth Jones

"We are all beautiful in the eyes of God."
~ Mark Bowser

"Winning is never whining... Winning is all in the attitude!"
~ Denis Waitley

"Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see the shadows."
~ Helen Keller

"Time is our most valuable asset, yet we tend to waste it, kill it, and spend it rather than invest it."
~ Jim Rohn

"If we succeed without sacrifice, it's because someone sacrificed for us."
~ Denis Waitley

"Make sure what goes into your mind is positive because what comes out is always what went in."
~ Mark Bowser

"A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control."
~ Proverbs 29:11