05 Jun Life Lessons from Jim Rohn
Jim Rohn is a name which often appears next to inspirational quotes or personal development advice. Although he died in 2009, his essentials for living a fulfilling and happy life continue to influence motivational speakers, writers and his many followers.
During his lifetime, Jim Rohn spoke to over 6,000 audiences sharing his philosophy on success and how to lead a vital, bigger and more fulfilling life. He taught the essentials of taking responsibility for your personal and professional development, and to share your lessons to enable others to succeed. Motivational speakers such as Tony Robbins, Brian Tracy and Jack Canfield personally acknowledge his influences.
“If you are not willing to risk the unusual, you will have to settle for the ordinary.”
Jim Rohn came from a very humble background on a farm in Idaho where his father Emmanuel was a minister. The family had a strong work ethic, but due to the lack of opportunities they lacked ambition. It was Jim’s father who taught him the skill of storytelling which would define his later career.
Rohn dropped out of college after a year and found a local job, married and had a family – but he was always frustrated that he never had enough money to move his family or his life onto the next level of success. In 1955, he was invited to a talk given by John Earl Shoaff, the President of Nutri-Bio Corporation who introduced the young man to a different philosophy: “Work harder on yourself than you do on your job” and “For things to change, you must change.” Rohn signed up as a salesman and was mentored by Shoaff.
“You will feel better about yourself and your life when you are producing and being productive.”
Shoaff challenged the young man to completely change his attitude of daily jobs to a five year goal – to become a millionaire within five years! Rohn was an eager student who learned to run a successful business and became a millionaire at 31.
Jim Rohn began speaking to audiences on the essential skills for success and living a fuller life. His storytelling skills, simple philosophy on life and likeability created a whole new lifelong career for him. “Be productive” is his first essential life skill which formed the core of his philosophy – work towards goals and a better life, so that this will lead you to success, enhanced enjoyment and a more fulfilling existence.
“Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishment.”
Jim Rohn was brought up with a strong work ethic, but learned from Shoaff how to focus his energy to succeed rather than just survive. Throughout his writings and talks, Rohn shows the understanding of discipline to create habits so that you can achieve. “Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going.”
“Don’t join an easy crowd; you won’t grow. Go where the expectations and the demands to perform are high.”
An important life lesson from Jim Rohn is to surround yourself with inspiring, hard working positive people as friends and employees and value these relationships. Be inspired by the independent thinkers! He emphasised strongly the importance of peer influence to motivate, ensure you achieve your best and that you inspire and invest in others in return so that everyone can succeed in a positive environment.
“Days are expensive. When you spend a day you have one less day to spend. So make sure you spend each one wisely.”
Be productive with each day and invest in yourself are the two essential life lesson themes which run through Jim Rohn’s books and talks. You can always make more money but you cannot create more time, and the value you gain from your life is a result of what you invest in yourself. He advocated learning, gaining new skills, developing communication and learning a foreign language as means of self investment for success.
So how will you invest in yourself to achieve your goals? What will you do to be more productive today? What is your five-year long-term goal? Be inspired and motivated by this renowned speaker by listening to one of his talks as you pursue your own goals!
Learn more about Jim Rohn’s philosophies and the complete resources available from his website.