Cheers to Life Founder Orrin Woodward!!

A “Thank You” to the “Founder of Founders”          Great post Tim about a great man. Tara and I 100pct agree

                                   BY TIM MARKS

I was deeply humbled by the recent blog that Orrin posted regarding Amy and myself; humbled, because I owe so much of my success to the sacrifice and commitment of Orrin and Laurie Woodward. As all world-class leaders do, Orrin constantly shines light upon others and celebrates their success, lifting them up and cheering for their victories. Since Orrin has written this blog post celebrating me and Amy, we feel that it is only appropriate to return the favor.

Orrin Woodward grew up in Columbiaville, Michigan, a town where the word “vision” wasn’t something you’d hear pop up at the average dinner table. His brilliant mind and work ethic were quickly noticed by his superiors at work, and his amazing engineering genius resulted in four engineering patents to his name by the age of 25. He was on the fast track to corporate “success”. But he was eventually exposed to some new business information, and he decided to go against the grain. He ignored the 95% advice of his friends, family and co-workers, and he plunged head-first into his first entrepreneurial venture.

Success didn’t come easily to Orrin. We might watch him speak on stage today in front of thousands of people and forget that he failed a public speaking class in college. We might read the chapter on conflict resolution in his incredible book RESOLVED and puzzle that this great man describes his younger self as a “no-people skills engineer.” We might see the tens of thousands of people at a Major function and forget that he struggled for several years to build a business community past 200 people. And we might look at his lifestyle, his homes in Florida and Michigan, and his yacht, and not realize the massive battles that Orrin and Laurie have waged behind the scenes on our behalf.

Simply put, if it weren’t for Orrin and Laurie Woodward, there wouldn’t be any TEAM or the LIFE business, period. When we faced a battle against our former supplier, Orrin and Laurie bore the brunt of the attacks. I know that he has dipped into his own pocket for multiple seven-figures to cover legal expenses, possible only because he lives a debt-free lifestyle. I know that he has been the target of terrible lies and attacks on his character from nameless critics too cowardly to reveal their identity. I know that he and Laurie have put many of their personal dreams on hold, including denying themselves the building of their dream home in Florida for the last four years, in order that you and I may have a business to bring our own dreams to life.

Building this business, both TEAM and now LIFE, is not about the money for Orrin and Laurie. If it were, they would never have gone through all they’ve endured. They would have sat back and collected a check from our former supplier. But they would not. Orrin could have sailed off into the sunset as a motivational speaker and author, leaving us on our own. But he would not. Orrin and Laurie could have begun this great fight, buckled under the pressure and quit. But they would not. For Orrin and Laurie, building this business is about creating a community of a million people, of saving marriages, freeing people from financial bondage, and affecting our culture in a positive way.

I don’t personally know any other man who could have endured what Orrin has gone through and had the grit to stay the course. I’ve seen Orrin with tears in his eyes as we watched our friends suffer personally and financially. I’ve watched his heart break as people whom he had poured his love and energy into would fail to keep their commitments to him, only to see him think upon them with a forgiving heart, knowing that they are just fallen men, as he is. I’ve watched him suffer the sting of terrible lies, and because he holds his character so high he refuses to gossip about the liars. I know people who quite simply are telling lies about Orrin. If Orrin ever decides to go public with all that he knows (and can document) about these slanderous attacks, they will be embarrassingly exposed.

Like any man, Orrin has experienced moments where he has been down in the dumps. But he is an uncommon man, and because he has RESOLVED to have a high Adversity Quotient, he always gets back up and leads.

Orrin has been there for me countless times when I felt broken, praying with me in times of deep personal crisis. Laurie has done the same for Amy; as I was frantically criss-crossing the country during the height of our battle with our former supplier, Laurie was the bedrock friend and mentor that Amy needed in some of our darkest hours. Thank you, Laurie Woodward.

Most people have to go to the movies or read great books to be exposed to heroes. Amy and I are blessed to know some real-life heroes and count them among our best of friends for life. Orrin and Laurie Woodward, thank you for your leadership, your commitment, your pledge to serve and reach a million people. None of us would have anything if it weren’t for the sacrifice you’ve made for us.

Tim and Amy

Integrity and Friendship

JUDGE KEITH ANDERSON    ”A man of integrity”

Just a year out of Law School, Mr. Anderson was court-appointed to represent an accused armed robber. He refused to honor the demand of his client to subpoena police records Mr. Anderson knew would support perjured testimony of his client, even though the evidence would probably have won the case. The Kansas Supreme Court later saluted Mr. Anderson as modeling proper ethical behavior for an attorney. That case is still used in Law School ethics classes today.

During his 24 years as a State District Court Judge, Judge Anderson gained a reputation of fairness, unquestionable character, and high ethical conduct. He was considered one of the best trial judges in the State of Kansas and was also the head of the IBO Legal Defense Fund.

I have known Keith for about 23 of my 32 years of life.  I know Keith  and his amazing wife Carmen very well and just wanted to honor him today as “the best of the best.”  He has led his family, friends and business partners in a way that I will remember forever and hope to pass down to my 4 boys. His ability to convey a point in a kind, loving way has always been a gift of his. He has taught me very much about honor, character, love, and fishing. For the last 23 years my father and I have looked to him for guidance in many matters of relevance.  I remember fishing with him as he shared with me the keys to LIFE.  Keith has always stood for what is right no matter what the cost to himself.  As a favor too my family and the team,  he took the time to help us in a major time of need and I will never forget his commitment to what is morally  right.  Keith has lived his life in such a way that all around him are stronger morally because of his unwavered character.

Keith although being a staple in the legal community, he is more than that, he is a friend.  Actually the best of friends to my family and so I ask a special request.  Will you pray for him and Carmen?  He is a fighter and I believe he will make it through his toughest battle.  The doctors say he has aggressive stage 4 cancer and they do not know the end result but if anyone can make it,  it is Keith.  The fight is ON and lets be warriors in prayer.    I do know the end result  will be Gods Will!

Keith we love and believe in you

god bless

cody

Your second, second and the second mile

Many audios about leadership have affected my journey to date but very few have impacted me as much as Chris Brady’s “second, second.”  In the cd Chris Brady goes over having your first waking second feeling great and your second, second having the burdens of life coming into your mind.  He says Freedom in life  is when your 2nd second is as good as your first.  There is many ways to help with that second, second and today I just want to go over one way, and that is the understanding in Life you will have  to go that extra mile that you didn’t expect.  SOO Expect IT. so that we do not have to fret about it in your second, second

It wasn’t uncommon for the Roman soldiers during Jesus’s time to oppress the Jews and  have the Jews carry heavy loads for miles.  Jesus came and said “if a man compel you to go a mile, go two miles”   There is in the statement a thought pattern to master the situation by being prepared to do more than expected and to not get weary in good work.  It creates an abundant  willingness to go further, work harder than expected. Aubrey Andelin says “going the second mile is a way a man lightens his burdens and learns to enjoy his responsibility. A half-hearted effort nets nothing in satisfaction. As one devotes himself to his God, his family, his work , going beyond the call of duty to be completely responsible as possible, he experiences satisfying fulfillment”.          IN his Second Second.

If you are successful in your endeavors the first mile,  thank God, but for the rest of us “MERE MORTALS” lets expect to go  TWO.   God Bless         

cody