This is [one of] my favorite quotes from Og Mandino. I tend it to read it every day lately.
To do anything truly worth doing, I must not stand back shivering and thinking of the cold and danger, but jump in with gusto and scramble through as well as I can.
He's no longer with us, but his wisdom has carried on, thanks to a generous amount of writings and recordings.
There are some strange things going on in the State of Ohio right now. I'm not at liberty to share much opinion about them. My professional position has too few layers between to protect me. But there is something that Jim Rohn said a few years back that I think merits another look. It puts a lot of perspective on how someone might look at their current circumstances.
Also, in conversation with a friend, it has been mentioned that "now you see why people don't want to go above and beyond". My personal opinion is that you always go above and beyond, regardless of your current circumstance or how you think things should be. Those circumstances often change. If you have shown yourself to be a winner -- and not mediocre -- then you will succeed more readily in the next endeavor. When you are known to simply do what it takes -- or little to nothing extra -- you will always be known for that. Your circumstances are yours to choose. If times are tough, do more. If you don't like your circumstances, be the best that you can be so that you are refined and skilled in the next set of circumstances.
Here's Jim Rohn's article:
(Editor’s note: Today in the United States, we celebrate President’s Day, in recognition of the February birthdates of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. The article which follows is excerpted from an essay Jim Rohn wrote after a U.S. Presidential election.)
Every four years we Americans participate in this grand experiment called America and we elect a president to lead us. That of course spurs lots of different opinions and positions and people can become emotionally involved with the outcome.
One thing that I always find fascinating in all elections, but especially the presidential elections, are the many promises that candidates make to the electorate. They promise to make the economy better and to make health care more affordable for the masses. They promise to make the taxes better and to create jobs.
As I think about this, I want to challenge you to consider that while presidents may have a general effect on your circumstances, they do not have a specific effect on your circumstances. Let me explain: While they may play a role in what direction the stock market goes, they do not have an effect on how an individual stock goes, or on whether or not you can make money in the stock market. So, while we certainly should vote and participate in the process, we must understand that no single person—other than you—will have an effect on what your individual life outcome is.
Let me give you some more examples:
A president may promise a better economy, but you determine your economy. They may affect whether the dollar gains strength or loses it, but you determine what your financial position is going to be. The fact is that even in the worst economies, including recessions and depressions, there are those who will continue to thrive and even become extremely wealthy. In the Great Depression, there were countless people who, because of their individual efforts, became millionaires. So, no matter what the economy is nationally, you can become wealthy in the next four years. You don’t have to wait for anyone.
A president may promise to create jobs, but the only person who is going to create YOUR job is you! You determine whether or not you have a job. The president doesn’t, the economy doesn’t, and the industry doesn’t. No matter how bad things get, there are always those who have good-paying jobs. You choose what kind of person you will be, and how valuable you will make yourself to the marketplace, and thus, what kind of job you will have. So, no matter what the job situation is nationally, you can have any job you want in the next four years. You don’t have to wait for anyone.
A president may promise to do something about taxes, but no matter what the tax rate is, you can still build your personal wealth. Much of my wealth came to me when we still had extremely exorbitant tax rates. I have often said that if you want to be a millionaire and the tax rate is 50%, then just make two million. You determine how much you will have left after taxes, not the government. If you don’t like what you have left, make more. Now, am I saying we shouldn’t work to lower tax rates? No, but I am saying that we can be in control of our own lives regardless of the tax rate. So, no matter what the tax rate is, you can earn more money in the next four years. You don’t have to wait for anyone.
A president may promise to make your health care available to you, but you can make health care available to yourself! It isn’t that people can’t afford it. It is that you can’t afford it. What is the answer to that? The empowering answer is to do what it takes to put yourself in a financial and career situation wherein it doesn’t matter what the cost is, because you can afford it. Again, I am not saying that we shouldn’t work to make health care affordable for people, but when you leave it in the hands of someone else, then you make yourself dependent upon them, rather than becoming independent.
The fact is that you control your life. You control your destiny. You chart your course. Those we elect are not the givers of our financial lives. I sometimes think that many people think that if we can just get the “right” person elected, then their lives will suddenly take a turn for the better. Not true. You determine the outcome of your life.
Fortunes will be made in the next four years, no matter what. Some people will join the ranks of millionaires. That is amazing. The only question you have to ask is whether or not you will be one of them. People with high skills will always be in demand for high-paying jobs. People who have a superb product or service to offer will always be in demand.
Did you vote? That’s great—we should as our civic duty. But the most important thing is not whether your candidate won or lost, but what kind of decision you will make about your own life, your own career, and your own financial situation, no matter who is in office.
Do that, and the world is yours for the taking.
The Passing of a Legend
With great sadness we share that Jim Rohn, our mentor and friend, left us December 5, 2009 for a better place.
Over the past 18 months, in his battle with Pulmonary Fibrosis, Jim assured us with a smile that all is good, that he would fight until the last breath, yet he had no fear as to what would be next. Jim’s faith was as much a part of his life as his desire to inspire and challenge us all to be the best we could be and to live our dreams.
Jim’s courage in his final months and days were a testament to his message that we should all fight the good fight. He never gave up and never gave in.
Jim Rohn touched millions of lives over the past 46 years through his seminars, books, articles and CDs. He always stayed long after an event to shake hands, take pictures and sign autographs. He loved making a difference in people’s lives, that was his passion and inspiration. Yet he was also a private man who kept a small, loyal and caring inner circle. He was a tremendous friend to those who knew him.
Harold Dyke, long time close friend of Jim’s for over 55 years said it best, “As Jim is ending one life he is simultaneously being birthed into a new life. One that he has talked about over the years and anticipated with great joy in his last remaining days.”
Kyle Wilson, long time colleague and friend of Jim had this to say about his mentor, “Jim Rohn was a great human being. Jim had the rare ability to take any concept or idea and then frame it in such a way that the rest of us could see it more clearly. His wisdom and insights positively affected everyone he touched on some level and to so many of us it was in an extraordinary way. But even more impressive was Jim Rohn the man. He possessed style and charisma, yet was humble, kind and understated to all who knew him. I find myself every day reflecting, benefiting and passing on the wisdom and ideas that are rooted in Jim’s message and wisdom. Jim is irreplaceable on every level. I will miss him beyond words, but am comforted as I know he was, that his message and legacy will live on and positively change millions of lives over the years to come!”
Someone once said “when you are born you enter the world crying while everyone else is rejoicing and when you die hopefully you have lived such a life that everyone will be crying while you are rejoicing”. Jim Rohn lived such a life.
Jim’s family asked us to thank all of you for your concern, prayers and love toward their father and grandfather, which has been so evident during the past 18 months.
Darren Hardy, dedicated student and Jim Rohn protégé for more than 15 years, said of Jim, “He was the most influential man in my life, second only to my father. Jim cemented my philosophical foundation and nourished my mind with ideas and ambitions never before imagined. He chiseled my character seminar by seminar, tape by tape, book by book, then CD by CD, hour by hour. Jim emboldened my belief, in me and in my most daring dreams. When I fell and was bloodied, he was there with encouraging words to help me get back up. When I didn’t think I could go on, Jim convinced me I was stronger than I imagined. When I wanted a shortcut, he reminded me there aren’t any. Even when I got too caught up in trying to achieve and succeed, Jim compelled me to leave room to live, to laugh and to love.”
Stuart Johnson, business associate and long-time admirer, said, “I was first introduced to the philosophies and teachings of Jim Rohn almost 25 years ago. And he made an immediate impression on me. I was amazed by how this modest and unassuming man could communicate such an extraordinarily powerful message in simple and straightforward terms. In person, one-on-one, he was as humble and down-to-earth as he was in front of an audience of thousands. I will treasure my personal memories of Jim and know that I will forever benefit from the wisdom of this remarkable man.”
Jim Rohn was laid to rest Saturday, December 12 at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California. The private service was attended by family and close friends. Plans are being arranged for a Public Memorial Service to be held in the Los Angeles area in the coming weeks. Details will be announced here upon final completion.
We know Mr. Rohn is looking down on us at this very moment with a smile saying I did it, I gave it my all, I went for it, now it’s your turn. Go for it. Make your life a life worth living well!
View a special tribute to Jim below produced earlier this year and debuted at the March 2009 SUCCESS Symposium. You are also encouraged to post your thoughts and remembrances of Jim on the Memorial Wall below.
Jim fondly closed his programs with the following sentiments: “I go with you in all the experience that we’ve had. But I promise you this as we leave here: I will not leave you behind. I’ll take you with me in my thoughts and in my heart.”
I truly need to catch up on my email. Jim Rohn died December 5.
What a truly inspiring man. I first heard him speak in the mid-90s. He provided me with insight that I needed to hear then and that has inspired me over and again since that time.
Rest well, Jim.
This morning I was doing my routine clean-up of my desk and files at work. I do this to remove the unread material, stale documents, and otherwise useless material that is cluttering my work space. I've found a pile of safety/promotional marketing catalogs (many of them duplicates) that themselves create a tower of inconvenience. Anything I've not read or acted upon over the past six months is discarded.
"How many times do we hear these excuses? There are at least 50 reasons not to change. But there is at least ONE (emphasis mine) good reason to change -- because it is the right thing to do! We (EDS) applaud the efforts to reinvent government. Embracing change is exciting. It can cut costs and improve efficiency. Nothing is more rewarding than empowering people to turn red tape into results."
I'm just a singer, songwriter, safety educator, public information officer, new media enthusiast, dad, husband, and fan of many things online.
