Seeds of SUCCESS by Jim Rohn

 

 

 

 

 

Values

The major value in life is not what you get. The major value in life is what you become. That is why I wish to pay fair price for every value. If I have to pay for it or earn it, that makes something of me. If I get it for free, that makes nothing of me.

All values must be won by contest, and after they have been won, they must be defended.

Don't sell out your virtue and your value for something you think you want. Judas got the money, but he threw it all away and hung himself because he was so unhappy with himself.

Values were meant to be costly. If it doesn't cost much, we probably wouldn't appreciate the value.

Count the cost first. Don't pay too big a price for pursuing minor values.

SUCCESS in Minutes by Jim Rohn

Become a Good Observer

We must never allow a day to pass without finding the answers to a list of important questions such as: What is going on in our industry? What new challenges are currently facing our government? Our community? Our neighborhood? What are the new breakthroughs, the new opportunities, the new tools and techniques that have recently come to light? Who are the new personalities that are influencing world and local opinion?

We must become good observers and astute evaluators of all that is going on around us. All events affect us, and what affects us leaves an imprint on what we will one day be and how we will one day live.

One of the major reasons why people are not doing well is because they keep trying to get through the day. A more worthy challenge is to try to get from the day. We must become sensitive enough to observe and ponder what is happening around us. Be alert. Be awake. Let life and all of its subtle messages touch us. Often, the most extraordinary opportunities are hidden among the seemingly insignificant events of life. If we do not pay attention to these events, we can easily miss the opportunities.

So be a good observer of both life and the world around you.

The Overachiever vs. The Superachiever (2 of 4) by Darren Hardy

If you want to know what we’re up to, be sure to read Installment #1.

After interviewing hundreds of superachievers, many of whom you have seen grace the cover of SUCCESS magazine, I have found about a half-dozen key distinctions of superachievers.



In this series I will outline one of the BIG strategies and a 5-point plan to dramatically increase your productive output, while significantly lowering your stress and schedule burdens.
Superachiever Distinction No. 1:

It’s NOT what the superachievers DO that separates them from everyone else…
I am constantly asked, “What do Richard Branson, Steve Jobs, Warren Buffet and the like DO that makes them so successful, productive and wealthy?”

What’s supremely interesting is that what they DO has little to do with their extraordinary success. It has more to do with what they DON’T DO.

Steve Jobs: When asked what is the thing he is most proud of what he and Apple has created, this was his answer: “I’m as proud of what we DON’T do as I am of what we do.”

Warren Buffet: When asked for the No. 1 key to his success, this is his consistent answer, “For every 100 great opportunities that are brought to me, I say ‘NO’ 99 times.”

Isn’t that interesting?!
You see, saying “yes” is easy.
Yes I have a minute
Yes I’ll take the call
Yes I’ll take on that project
Yes I’ll come out for happy hour
Yes I’ll have another drink
Yes I’ll have dessert too

Saying “no” is much harder. And I have learned it is the master skill of the superachievers and their ability to succeed—extraordinarily.

Put it this way: For everything you say “yes” to you are saying “no” to something else… and you only have so much time. For most people, the ability to do MORE is impossible, you are already overwhelmed and working yourself to exhaustion 24/7.

In a world where we are constantly being tugged on from a thousand different directions, your ability to be productive and ultimately achieve your big hairy audacious goals has more to do with all the things you DON’T do versus the things you do.

When Mark Parker started as CEO of Nike he was on a call with Steve Jobs and Steve gave the new CEO some advice. Steve said while Nike makes a lot of great and quality products, they also make a lot of crap. Steve suggested Mark have Nike stop making the crap (see the video here).

While you might produce some quality work during your day, I bet you do a lot of crap (time, energy and productivity-sucking activities) too. Take Steve’s advice, “stop doing the crap” so you have the time and creative capacity to produce more quality and on-goal results.

Peter Drucker: “There is nothing so useless as doing efficiently, that which should not be done at all.”

Kenneth Cole: “Success has less to do with what we can get ourselves to do and more to do with keeping ourselves from doing what we shouldn’t.”

Doing more is not the answer. Doing less is. Say “no” to more things so you can say “yes” to the right things with greater focus and depth. This is the key to more efficiently and expeditiously achieving your goals.

Assess yourself:
 
Look at your calendar last week. Ask yourself, What should I have said “no” to? What took your time, attention, focus and energy, but wasn’t on target with your top few major goals?

Now, look at your calendar for next week. Ask yourself, What should I say “no” to? If it won’t move the needle on any of your top few goals “D” it—Delegate, Delete or Decline. Here is your new slogan: Just DON’T Do It!

And look at all your lists—your to-do list, project list, task list, new idea list, new features list, etc. Ask yourself, Which should I say “no” to?

What is the hardest thing you have trouble saying “no” to? What are your productivity-crushing addictions? The first step toward change is acknowledgement. You are among friends. Confess in the comments below.

Seeds of SUCCESS by Jim Rohn

 

 

 

 

 

Reputation

Each of us must be committed to maintaining the reputation of all of us. And all of us must be committed to maintaining the reputation of each of us.

Accuracy builds credibility.

The Bible gives us a list of human stories on both sides of the ledger. One list of human stories is used as examples—do what these people did. Another list of human stories is used as warnings—don't do what these people did. So if your story ever gets in one of these books, make sure they use it as an example, not a warning.

It only takes one lie to taint your entire testimony in a court of law. Honesty is a vital part of having a good reputation.

Lost for Two Decades, I Found THE SECRET!

It seems that a secret international society slipped into the United States of America sometime about the mid 1990s.

They stole our secret.

This is the secret we had previously stolen from Europe. This secret is what powered our rise to become a superpower during the twentieth century.

But we have been without the formula this secret reveals for almost two decades now. We have seen, felt and experience the results of being without it.

We have also seen the results of those who stole it from us. Members of this secret society belong to China, India, Mexico, Japan and others.

They tried to bury it and hide it from us.

But I found it.

Many millenniums ago it was etched on a stone tablet. Since it has been passed down by an esoteric group of people. Less than 3% of those who have ever lived have learned of this secret. Even fewer have used its magic powers.

I have the tablet. I have the photo to prove it.

Do you want to see it?

Do you want the secret?

Are you sure?

If you learn of it and don’t use its formula, it could lead to a life of regret and despair.

In this case ignorance is bliss.

You could always excuse yourself by saying, “I just didn’t know the secret.”

But, if you want to know the secret… the secret to all success, in any aspect of life, the formula is etched on this stone table—click this link to discover The Secret (if you dare!)

Help reveal The Secret to everyone you know. Share on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, email, text, etc. America needs The Secret back. HURRY, we are running out of time!

SUCCESS in Minutes by Jim Rohn

The Subtlety of Language by Jim Rohn

I have found that sometimes the subtle difference in our attitude, which of course can make a major difference in our future, can be as simple as the language we use. The difference in even how you talk to yourself or others. Consciously making a decision to quit saying what you don't want and to start saying what you do want. I call that faith. Believing the best, hoping for the best and moving toward the best.

A few examples could be, instead of saying "What if somebody doesn't respond?" you start saying, "What if they do respond?" Instead of saying "What if someone says no?" you say "What if they say yes?" Instead of "What if they start and quit?" you say "What if they start and stay?" Or instead of "What if it doesn't work out?" you say "What if it does work out?" And the list goes on and on.
I found that when you start thinking and saying what you really want then your mind automatically shifts and pulls you in that direction. And sometimes it can be that simple, just a little twist in vocabulary that illustrates your attitude and philosophy.

Our language can also affect how others perform and behave around us. A teenager says to a parent, "I need $10." If the parent learns to say, "That kind of language doesn't work here. We've got plenty of money, but that's not how you get $10," then you teach your teenager how to ask, "How can I earn $10?"

That is the magic of words. There is plenty of money here. There is money for everybody, but you just have to learn the magic words to get them—for everything you could possibly want, if you just learn the philosophy. How could I earn $10? Because you can't go to the soil and say, "Give me a harvest." You know the soil smiles and says, "Who is this clown that brings me his need and brings me no seed." And if you said to the soil, "I've got this seed and if I planted it, would you work while I sleep?" the soil says, "No problem. Give me the seed. Go to sleep and I'll be working while you're sleeping."

If you just understand these simple principles, teaching them to a teenager (or adult) is sometimes just a matter of language. It's like an investment account instead of a savings account. Simple language, but so important. It is easy to stumble through almost a lifetime and not learn some of these simplicities. Then you have to put up with all the lack and all the challenges that don't work out simply from not reading the book, not listening to the tape, not sitting in the class, not studying your language and not being willing to search so you can then find.

But here is the great news: You can start this process anytime. For me it was at age 25. At 25 I'm broke. Six years later I'm a millionaire. Somebody says, "What kind of revolution, what kind of change, what kind of thinking, what kind of magic had to happen? Was it you?" And I say, "No. Any person, any six years, 36 to 42, 50 to 56. Whatever six years; whatever few years you go on an intensive, accelerated personal-development curve, learning curve, application curve, and learning the disciplines. Now, it might not take the same amount of time, but I'm telling you the same changes and the same rewards in some different fashion are available for those who pay that six-year price. And you might find that whether it's in the beginning to help get you started, or in the middle to keep you on track, that your language can have a great impact on your attitude, actions and results.

The Overachiever vs. The Superachiever (1 of 4) by Darren Hardy

If busyness, long hours and hard work equaled success—I’d be wealthier and more successful than Richard Branson, Tony Hawk and Donald Trump.
I KNOW I put in more hours, take fewer vacations, play less golf, get in less beach time and spend far less time with kids, family and friends than they do.

And yet, in a world where all four of us have exactly the same 24/7/365, I produce nowhere near the results they do. What’s worse, I am not even allowing myself to enjoy as many non-work-related joys of life as they are.

I have to confess, this really ticks me off!

And the only person I have to be mad at… is me. All four of us started out this journey relatively the same—a couple of them in much more difficult circumstances than me—and yet, I’m getting my butt kicked.
I think I’ve finally figured it out a critical distinction of how they are accomplishing so much more than me… and probably you too.

Overachiever

You see, I have always been an overachiever. If you read The Compound Effect you know I was raised by a university football coach, single dad. And the way you got love and an ‘atta-boy’ in our house was to achieve. Do well in school; you get to go to the ice-cream parlor to celebrate. Don’t do well and you’re left home. Hit a home run at Little League and we stopped at the pizza parlor on the way home. Collect a day of strike-outs and it was a cold, quiet car ride—straight home.

Looking back, this is why I think I am such an achievement addict—or as it is commonly known as in polite society, an overachiever. In fact I have worn this title as a badge of honor. I was proud that I could outwork most anyone.

But I now understand the massive difference between an overachiever and a superachiever. They kind of sound the same, don’t they? Yeah, that’s what I thought. But they are worlds apart—or you can say islands apart, as Branson has his own island… and I do not.

As I start seeing the differences between what overachievers do and what superachievers do, I realize how many of us are also probably confused between the two.

We all lead incredibly busy lives, trying to keep up and get it all accomplished. We feel this pressure to be superman or superwoman and do it all, BE it all! So we overstretch and overreach and in doing so become the exact opposite of productive.

How many of you already feel overworked, overstressed and at times overwhelmed, but you still aren’t getting the results you want? The strategies I will outline in this series are for you if you want to go from being an overworked, overstressed and overscheduled overachiever to becoming a superachiever who produces stunning results with less effort, less stress in less time—leaving lots of time to experience your hobbies and be with your family. How does that sound?

Great! Join me back here next Tuesday and tell all your overachiever friends, family and colleagues to also subscribe to this blog. Let’s all journey together on the road to overachiever recovery and onward to superachiever productivity.

Do you feel you work harder, longer and more tirelessly than others who produce more and are wealthier than you? Why do you think that is? Share your thoughts in the comments below.