I just watched a fantastic video sharing 20 of Jim Rohn’s best life lessons, and I feel like I've gained a new perspective on how to live an extraordinary life. The core of his message really hits home: it's not what happens to me that determines my future, but what I do about it. It all starts with my personal philosophy—I need to consciously decide on my belief system and attitude towards life. I learned that my attitude is the master key that unlocks or locks every door to success or failure.
A big takeaway for me is the need to work harder on myself than I do on my job. That's where the real profit comes in. If I want things to change, I have to change. If I want things to get better, I have to get better. This links directly to the idea of becoming more valuable in the marketplace. My reward will always be in exact proportion to the service I render, so the goal is to pour value into others. It’s about being a person of worth.
Rohn’s advice on goal-setting is profound. He says the main purpose of setting a goal isn't just to achieve it, but to determine what kind of person I need to become to achieve that goal. I need to design a good future on paper—a clear vision is crucial. But while I look forward, I also need to be a student of life, constantly learning from everything that happens, both the successes and the failures. And speaking of learning, I was shocked to hear the statistic that the average person only reads one non-fiction book after high school. I realize I need to drastically increase my reading habits.
I also need to be extremely mindful of my associations. Rohn suggests that I will inevitably become the average of the five people I spend the most time with. That’s a powerful motivator to surround myself with people who inspire me to be better. Financial independence is another huge point; I need to start a consistent savings plan—even if it's just a small percentage—and learn how to manage my money.
Finally, the concept of the four seasons of life resonated deeply with me. Spring is my opportunity to sow the seeds of effort. Summer is the time to protect and cultivate what I’ve planted. Fall is the time to harvest, and I must be sure to grab everything I can. But most importantly, I must always be preparing for the Winter, the inevitable times of difficulty. I can’t wish for fewer problems; I have to wish for more wisdom and skills. The best part of this philosophy is that if I follow these principles, I can transform my dreams into my reality. This video has given me a personal checklist for achieving an extraordinary life.
