She is in my top 5 women who made a major contribution to my life.

Jennifer Jones is the incoming International President for Rotary in 2022-23. She will be the first Woman President in Rotary’s history. At a Zoom session with her today she challenged me to identify 5 women who had made a significant contribution to my life and to let them know. Jinny is one of my important five.

I worked with her in the late 1980s, early nineties and one of the key messages she challenged me with, was "it is ok to let go". Knowing when I had given enough energy to an individual and stepping away. Best Year Yet is still my go to text both for myself and for those I work with.

Love you Jinny. You gave me so much love and support.

She can’t die! I’m waiting for her new book!!!
- A tribute to Jinny S. Ditzler: PART ONE

It was Tuesday morning in my home office in Kuala Lumpur. May 19th, 2020. I read a message from friend and colleague, Kathirasan K that Jinny Ditzler had passed away.

Naaah... it can’t be true. I need to really know. Let me call Laurie Oswald in the US. She can tell me for certain.

I immediately called Laurie in Nashville. No answer. What time is it there? I wasn’t sure. I started to have a sinking feeling. I called Cathey Stamps, also in Nashville.

“Cathey, Laurie didn’t pick up my call!”

“Hasan, it’s almost midnight here, she’s probably asleep, and I’m on an online session now. What is it, Hasan?”

“Is... is it true? About Jinny...???”

“I’m sorry, Hasan. She passed away on Friday.”

“Oh, no! But when I met her in 2016 she was well recovering from months of the dreadful Niles Disease. She’s strong. She’s a survivor. This can’t be!”

Cathey went on to tell of Jinny’s neural disorder. Jinny’s family members, Laurie, and Cathey herself were with Jinny in her remaining days.

Cathey went on to try to contain my tears. Cathey apparently abandoned her online session for my 20-minute overseas phone call. My home office is constructed of timber. My pain felt like the wooden flooring had collapsed around my body, the exposed rafters thudded my head, and the splinters from the walls pierced my chest.

“But Cathey...., I’m waiting for her new book...!!!”

I let my crying subside a bit, wiped my eyes, went downstairs and informed Marsila, my wife. Marsila had been with me that time I visited Jinny and Tim, her husband, at their lovely residence in Denver.

Jinny Ditzler had been my inspiration. In 2016 the website that described her work (by now 40 years) said that over a million people had used her system. I say that I am the 1,000,001st and Marsila the 1,000,002nd persons who achieve success because of her!

That night I wrote to Tim Ditzler in LinkedIn in-mail and told him that I have become a very much better person because of Jinny and him. I have also touched many lives in my coaching over the years extending Jinny's work to others who have become much better. Jinny lives on in me.

The next day after the news, I was still heart broken. I was doing my tasks like I was a zombie.

The big test came on day two. I was to appear as guest on an hour-long live-streaming talk show hosted by my friends, Jaklin Juanis and Shaikh Omar Anuar. They loved my suggested topic, "Seven Steps To Highly Effective Learning." I had mastered it and was already coaching a client on the practice of self-learning. Jaklin and Omar were hungry to learn how to better self-learn and wanted it shared with their audience.

But that morning, my heart was not in it. I can't do this! I'm still sad. I'm not in the right state of mind for this show!

Wait, wait, maybe I can get out of this rut. Shift! Perform!

Hey, I remember some ten years ago one glorious morning when I was 30 minutes away to do a presentation. Professor Mahendhiran Nair of Monash University Malaysia had invited me to speak on innovation. But half an hour before time I remembered our work colleague, Nurika Abdullah was in hospital to have delivered a baby the evening before. Let me call her to celebrate the arrival of the bundle of joy. That should pep me up for my presentation!

"Rika, Rika! Ay..., how's the baby?"

It was Hazli, her husband on the line.

"Hasan, we're putting the baby into the grave now. The baby was stillborn."

Wham!!!

I broke down. Another work colleague, Sing was aghast!

"Stay calm, Hasan, stay calm." Sing hugged me tight.

"I can't do this, Sing!"

"Yes, you can, Hasan. YES, YOU CAN! You're the best guy to present this.

I held myself up. I did it.

But now!!! There was no Sing to hug me! It's lockdown. I can't go to him! And the talk show is two hours away....! What will I do, what will I do....?

Call Sing? What quickly ran through my mind was, who goes by the name "Sing," really? Does Sing sing? Ha ha... most certainly NOT! Well, he told me that no one in Manchester, the UK, the place he studied in, could pronounce the other words in his full name, Ng Sing Kwei. "Ng" the Britons said "Ngerh" or "Nerg" or some other silly sound! "Kwei" sounded (River) Kwai, or Queer! Of course, now in Malaysia he goes by the professional name, Dr. Ng. I still call him Sing. Ha ha ha... let me call Sing who doesn't sing.

Sing didn't answer my call. Urgh...!

What will I do, what will I do??? How am I gonna do this talk show. Shall I cancel it?

Faz Kamar flashed into mind, I had no idea why. My coach/trainer friend! YEAH, I CALL FAZ!

Faz, too, didn't answer my call. URGH...!

No, I can't cancel the show. I won't let Jaklin and Omar down! Let me pluck up whatever strength I have and do it.

Suddenly Faz called me back! I told her the bad news.

"Faz, Faz, what will I do? I am so sad. Jinny has had too great an impact on my life, my wife, too, the clients I have been coaching, and many other lives I have been touching. Our successes are really because of her!" I was crying some more.

"Now I feel so lost, Faz. So empty. I can't do this show!"

Faz listened, took in my feelings, let me be totally in it, encouraged me, helped me with more questions, and asked me one final question.

"Hasan, Hasan, Hasan, what would Jinny want you to do now?"

"Huh? Hmmm..."

"I know, Faz! Jinny would want me to do the show. I have arrived so far in my life because I have “lived out Jinny.” I carry her spirit. I bring along her legacy. It doesn't die. Jinny is alive. In me! I will go on, do the show!"

"Go do it, man!"

I felt Faz's virtual hug like Sing's tight embrace ten years ago. I held myself up again. I logged into the virtual talk show and did it. I rocked - go ask Jaklin and Omar!

Ha ha ha... the virtual platform is not that HD (high definition). Otherwise if you zoomed in enough, you could see what Smokey Robinson & The Miracles sing (hey, I like the Linda Ronstadt version, too!), "So take a good look at my face .. You'll see my smile is out of place .. If you look closer it's easy to trace .. the tracks of my tears .. whoh whoah..." LOL!

I did it, Faz. I did it, Jaklin and Omar!

After the live-streaming show ended and we were not in broadcast mode anymore, Jaklin, Omar and I did a de-brief. I let on that I was amazed at myself for doing it that well DESPITE my grieving. Jaklin and Omar had no idea. I told my story to them and cried one last cry. That's it. Jinny lives on. No more tears, yay!

Hasannudin Saidin
hasan@rubah.my

Jinny has been so many things to me. From the day I met her, I was welcomed with motherly love. She had a way of making each family member feel special in a way only she could, always remembering the little things. My daughters are beyond blessed for her having shared her loving wisdom with them. 

She was a friend and confidant; I will miss our monthly lunches reviewing our plans, splitting a burger and a couple glasses of wine. Her smile lit up the room and she could always push me in such a loving way. 

Her presence will be missed and leave an emptiness in us all; her legacy will carry on in her children, grandchildren and the many others she's impacted globally. 

It's an honor to have loved you and had faith along side you, Jinny. May you rest in peace. 

Radiant. That’s how I remember Jinny. She was still radiant the last time I saw her, in late January of this year. And that’s how she was when we first met in England in the mid-1980s. I had become great friends with Tim in his Printronic days when together we developed innovative personalized mail campaigns for the company I worked for at the time. Naturally, Tim introduced me to Jinny and I became one of her earliest Results Unlimited clients. Her insightful guidance and great enthusiasm were instrumental in my progress in life as well as in business, especially after I created my own direct marketing agency. In December of 1994 she gave me a copy of Your Best Year Yet from its first UK print run and she wrote a lovely message inside the front cover. It’s a treasured memento of happy times together. Thank you, Jinny, and God bless.

I first met Jinny and Tim in 2009 when they lived in Aspen, Colorado. Jinny signed me up as a Best Year Yet Coach here in the UK and became my coach for the first 2 years. She was instrumental in helping me establish a coaching practice that has gone on to make a difference in hundreds of peoples lives here in the UK. As a coach she was tough on me (tough love) which I needed, but she also had a wonderful sense of humor and passion for helping me and many others live our lives to the full.
I am forever grateful for meeting her and the influence she had on me and the lasting legacy she has left the World.
Much love from the UK.

In 2009, I had the distinct privilege of being trained to deliver Best Year Yet team programs by Jinny herself! Shortly after I rec'd my certification, Tim called and said that he and Jinny wanted me to deliver team programs for two teams at the City of Aspen. Wow! To have the trust of the two of them meant so much. They invited me to stay with them at their home each month for that first year. We shared long, lingering dinners and meaningful conversation. After, we'd watch a movie and Jinny and I would have one more glass of Italian red wine before bed. Those are such warm memories and I am grateful for the times we've shared since. I miss your wisdom Jinny, and am grateful for having you as a teacher in my life's journey.

I first met Jinny when she came to London to manage the EST office in Bolton Street. I was so young and unsure of myself but Jinny made sure I wasn’t going to play small and gave me the confidence to do things I never thought possible. I loved her positivity and the way she always wanted to make a difference in my life and those she around her.

I remember being present when I believe Tim and Jinny really started to hit it off as a couple. A lot of EST graduates were invited to the wedding in a barn in the middle of the English countryside owned by a graduate called David Hunter. On a beautiful sunny day, I saw Tim and Jinny roller skating together and having so much fun it was obvious that they were destined to be a couple.

Although you are gone Jinny you will not be forgotten.

Love David

Discovering BYY was a major defining moment in my life. For a long time, I had looked for a structured way to support small and growing business owners to produce results and be held accountable. And it has been a perfect fit. I never met Jinny but I am forever grateful that I met BYY and the supportive team that ensures this work carries on. Rest in eternal peace, Jinny and thank you for contributing in such a significant way.

Just a little over 20 years ago is when I first met Jinny & Tim and started down the path with them as one of their Best Year Yet coaches. Those days were just the tip of the iceberg as our friendship and business relationship grew over the two decades. I'd prod them with suggestions and they both encouraged me more times than I can count. Jinny had such deep and meaningful conversations with me, only those that a true mentor would have - and I have treasured them beyond what she probably realized. They are etched on my soul and I call upon them when I'm about ready to stretch. My most favorite was not to long ago, sharing a soak in her hot tub with her, and listening to the exciting thoughts from her very wise perspective, about the last phase of living life. At that moment, I could instantly tell that this new book she was writing was going to be another life changing book for thousands. What a blessing to have this woman in my life as a mentor, colleague, business partner and friend. I await the day when you will speak to me again, this time from a new realm.  Bless you dear Jinny and thank you - I'm forever grateful for YOU.

Add on: Tim asked me to add on this part to my tribute, because it speaks volumes as to the impact that Jinny and her BYY process has had on lives. After Jinny's beautiful memorial on June 28th, that evening was time to celebrate my 24th wedding anniversary with my husband - part of that celebration was the 20th time creating our Couples BYY Plan. We are probably one of the few peeps in the world that have learned a manner, and follow it too, making a Couples BYY Plan. We create one every anniversary since figuring out how to make one and this year was no exception. One of the goals that we adopted for 2020-2021 was to begin the marital practice that Tim and Jinny have had for many years - the Friday Night Miracles. And so the legacy lives on as we begin a new ritual in our marriage now. Thank you Tim for sharing that - although you and Jinny had shared that with us during your 25th wedding anniversary time in Napa with us, now just seemed the "ripe" time for us to use it too. ;)

Jinny was a positive force in the world and will be greatly missed by many. I am so grateful to her for the Best Year Yet book she wrote as well as the software that she created with husband, Tim. I use it every month and nearly every week to set, track and achieve my goals. I became a certified Best Year Yet coach through her and Tim's program. Her work has helped me become a better person, both personally and professionally. Thank you, Jinny.

Like so many of my BYY clients, Jinny's work had a huge impact on me. Just yesterday I was talking to an artist who did the program years ago, and she reminded me how BYY changed her life. I'm forever grateful for the ripple effect she had on so many lives, and the goodness that prevails in the world because of it. 

What an appropriate Jinny quote at the top of this page! Her life's purpose was to help as many people as possible live a life that matters and she left a legacy that will continue to do so for decades to come. She certainly cleared a path for me and many, many others to do the same.

When I first met Jinny, I saw her as an incredible tour de force, a successful business woman, courageous leader, and amazing coach. But it wasn't until I had the pleasure of being a guest in Jinny's and Tim's home, away from the "business", that I saw the beautiful, warm, and kind soul she truly was. Her eyes sparkled when she talked to you and her smile made you feel as though you were the most important person in the room.

I only wish everyone connected with Best Year Yet, including all the thousands and thousands of people who have read her book and created a plan, had been able to meet and know her personally. The world is a better place because of Jinny Ditzler.

It's hard to know where to start when talking about Jinny. She was at once a giant and a down-to-earth friend, a dreamer and a doer at the highest levels, an extended family member and an inspiration. I always connected most to her joy - for people, experiences, travel, good meals, good books, and the belief that we all have something in us worth fighting to bring to the surface - despite the challenges that might involve. She was always my champion and I'm honored to continue her life work. The world is a little darker without her in it. I will continue to shine my own light, along with so many others around the world, as a beacon to what can be if we dare to unleash our truest selves .

Getting to know Jinny has been one of the great joys of my life. Her huge heart, her commitment to service, and her passion for transformation have always inspired me.

She is the motivation for so much of my work and learning. Even more so, she touched my life personally as a friend, mentor and coach. Her warmth and light continues to shine on me, my family and our community. I am forever grateful to Jinny for all she has done for me.

Even more so, she is a model of how to create love for our entire world. She always said that she took a stand for "a world that works for everyone." She modeled that in her life, her work, her family and her love for everything on this earth.

Her legacy is far bigger than I can possibly communicate here. It is deeply meaningful to have known her personally and to continue her legacy with the Jinny Ditzler Legacy Fund through my role with the Best Year Yet Foundation.

Thank you for everything Jinny! I know your spirit remains with us always, and I hope that we make you proud in our ongoing effort to live and love as you have.