Conversations with the Masters

Jim Rohn

Author of Five Major Pieces to the Life Puzzle,
Twelve Pillars and A Treasury of Quotes

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* Addressed over 6,000 audiences and 4 million people worldwide for over 40 years.

* The author of 17 different books, audio and video programs including the CD series The Art of Exceptional Living, Challenge to Succeed in the 90’s , How to Build an Unshakable Character and 2004 Weekend Seminar.

* Was internationally hailed over the years as one of the most influential thinkers of our time.

* Would you like to be deeply inspired to maximize your potential this year?

* Do you know you’re capable of greater success, but aren’t sure where to start?

* Are you interested in tapping into the wisdom that has affected over 4 million people already?

* Are you ready to create your most exceptional year?

Character isn’t something you were born with
and can’t change, like your fingerprints.
It’s something you weren’t born with
and must take responsibility for forming.
— Jim Rohn

Note from Life Coach Mary:

I was thrilled to kick off the 2007 series of Conversations with the Masters with world-renowned legend Jim Rohn. I first heard Jim Rohn speak live in 1995, and my passion for personal development exploded. His audio series The Art of Exceptional Living, How to Build an Unshakable Character and dozens of principles became ongoing influences shaping me into who I have become over the last 11 years.

I still remember “we become the combined average of the five people we associate with most.” And, Chapter 3 in my book The Power of Inner Choice, entitled The Compounding Effect of Choice was first inspired by the words of Jim Rohn. I wonder who I would be today without having gleened the wisdom by one man who has committed the last 39 years to empowering individuals.

We were fortunate to have this rare opportunity to listen to Jim Rohn on a live conference call. Jim Rohn will leave a lasting impression on you, your dreams and your life.

During this interview we’ll explore:

* How to affect true change in any area of your life.

* The habits of the successful, happy, healthy and wealthy.

* What it means to build an unshakeable character, and why that is essential to your happiness and success.

* How to cultivate the joy of discipline.

* Developing the most important entrepreneurial and leadership skills.

* The mindset and attitude to fuel your dreams into reality.

“I truly believe Jim Rohn is an extraordinary human being whose philosophy can enhance the quality of life for anyone who exposes themselves to it. He certainly had a positive impact on me at a time in my life when I was first forming the philosophies that guide me today.”
– Anthony Robbins –
Author of ‘Unlimited Power’

“Jim Rohn is one of the most articulate, powerful, thought-provoking speakers I’ve ever seen. His unique delivery and style puts him head and shoulders above the rest.”
– Harvey Mackay –
Author of ‘Swim with the Sharks Without Being Eaten Alive’

“I’ve been a student of Jim Rohn since 1972. He was then and still is one of the most profound thinkers and mind expanding individuals I’ve ever had a chance to listen to.”
– Les Brown –
Author of ‘Live your Dreams’

About Jim Rohn

Jim Rohn (1930-2009) was a philosopher, motivational counselor, business executive, and bestselling author. He was recognized as the greatest motivational speaker of all time, and one of the world’s most sought-after success counselors and business philosophers, with some of his most thought-provoking topics being sales and entrepreneurial skills, leadership, sales and marketing, success and personal development.

Jim Rohn conducted seminars for over 40 years and addressed over 6,000 audiences and 4 million people worldwide. He was a recipient of the 1985 National Speakers Association CPAE Award. He authored over 17 different books, audio, and video programs. Rohn was been internationally hailed over the years as one of the most influential thinkers of our time.

Revealing contemporary success secrets in a way that is both accessible and practical, Jim ignited enthusiasm and a can-do attitude in all who heard him speak. He approached the subjects of personal and professional success by asking four questions: Why? Why not? Why not you? Why not now? He answered these questions and revealed practical, perceptive secrets for success and productivity. His special style laced with witticisms and anecdotes captivated listeners. Among his most thought-provoking topics were: sales and entrepreneurial skills, leadership, sales and marketing, success and personal development.

Nine Things More Important Than Capital

by Jim Rohn

When starting any enterprise or business, whether it is full-time or part-time, we all know the value of having plenty of capital (money). But I bet we both know or at least have heard of people who started with no capital who went on to make fortunes. How?, you may ask.

Well, I believe there are actually some things that are more valuable than capital that can lead to your entrepreneurial success. Let me give you the list.

1. Time.

Time is more valuable than capital. The time you set aside not to be wasted, not to be given away. Time you set aside to be invested in an enterprise that brings value to the marketplace with the hope of making a profit. Now we have capital time.

How valuable is time? Time properly invested is worth a fortune. Time wasted can be devastation. Time invested can perform miracles, so you invest your time.

2. Desperation.

I have a friend Lydia, whose first major investment in her new enterprise was desperation. She said, “My kids are hungry, I gotta make this work. If this doesn’t work, what will I do?” So she invested $1 in her enterprise selling a product she believed in. The $1 was to buy a few fliers so she could make a sale at retail, collect the money and then buy the product wholesale to deliver back to the customer.

My friend Bill Bailey went to Chicago as a teenager after he got out of high school. And the first job he got was as a night janitor. Someone said, “Bill, why would you settle for night janitor?” He said, “Malnutrition.” You work at whatever you can possibly get when you get hungry. You go to work somewhere — night janitor, it doesn’t matter where it is. Years later, now Bill is a recipient of the Horatio Alger award, rich and powerful and one of the great examples of lifestyle that I know. But, his first job – night janitor. Desperation can be a powerful incentive. When you say – I must.

3. Determination.

Determination says I will. First Lydia said, “I must find a customer.” Desperation. Second, she said, “I will find someone before this first day is over.” Sure enough, she found someone. She said, “If it works once, it will work again.” But then the next person said, “No.” Now what must you invest?

4. Courage.

Courage is more valuable than capital. If you’ve only got $1 and a lot of courage, I’m telling you, you’ve got a good future ahead of you. Courage in spite of the circumstances. Humans can do the most incredible things no matter what happens. Haven’t we heard the stories? There are some recent ones from Kosovo that are some of the most classic, unbelievable stories of being in the depths of hell and finally making it out. It’s humans. You can’t sell humans short. Courage in spite of, not because of, but in spite of. Now once Lydia has made 3 or 4 sales and gotten going, here’s what now takes over.

5. Ambition.

“Wow! If I can sell 3, I can sell 33. If I can sell 33, I can sell 103.” Wow. Lydia is now dazzled by her own dreams of the future.

6. Faith.

Now she begins to believe she’s got a good product. This is probably a good company. And she then starts to believe in herself. Lydia, single mother, 2 kids, no job. “My gosh, I’m going to pull it off!” Her self-esteem starts to soar. These are investments that are unmatched. Money can’t touch it. What if you had a million dollars and no faith? You’d be poor. You wouldn’t be rich. Now here is the next one, the reason why she’s a millionaire today.

7. Ingenuity.

Putting your brains to work. Probably up until now, you’ve put about 1/10 of your brainpower to work. What if you employed the other 9/10? You can’t believe what can happen. Humans can come up with the most intriguing things to do. Ingenuity. What’s ingenuity worth? A fortune. It is more valuable than money. All you need is a $1 and plenty of ingenuity. Figuring out a way to make it work, make it work, make it work.

8. Heart and Soul.

What is a substitute for heart and soul? It’s not money. Money can’t buy heart and soul. Heart and soul is more valuable than a million dollars. A million dollars without heart and soul, you have no life. You are ineffective. But, heart and soul is like the unseen magic that moves people, moves people to buy, moves people to make decisions, moves people to act, moves people to respond.

9. Personality.

You’ve just got to spruce up and sharpen up your own personality. You’ve got plenty of personality. Just get it developed to where it is effective every day, it’s effective no matter who you talk to – whether it is a child or whether it is a business person – whether it is a rich person or a poor person. A unique personality that is at home anywhere.

My mentor Bill Bailey taught me, “You’ve got to learn to be just as comfortable, Mr. Rohn, whether it is in a little shack in Kentucky having a beer and watching the fights with Winfred, my old friend or in a Georgian mansion in Washington, DC as the Senator’s guest.” Move with ease whether it is with the rich or whether it is with the poor.

And it makes no difference to you who is rich or who is poor. A chance to have a unique relationship with whomever. The kind of personality that’s comfortable. The kind of personality that’s not bent out of shape.

And lastly, let’s not forget charisma and sophistication. Charisma with a touch of humility. This entire list is more valuable than money. With one dollar and the list I just gave you, the world is yours. It belongs to you, whatever piece of it you desire whatever development you wish for your life. I’ve given you the secret. Capital. The kind of capital that is more valuable than money and that can secure your future and fortune. Remember that you lack not the resources.

Credit Statement to be included in Reprints:

This article was submitted by Jim Rohn, America’s Foremost Business Philosopher.