by Jim Rohn | Feb 15, 2017
Jim Rohn, the
philosopher who has left an indelible legacy of time-proven principles and
wisdom, shares his secret for making an impact.
“You know me, I am a
philosopher. I love principles. Yes, actions are great and I talk about them
regularly, but the important stuff is what lies underneath—the principles,”
Rohn says.
Here are the
principles he says we must commit to in order to leave the legacy we desire:
1. Life is best lived in service to others.
This doesn’t mean that
we do not strive for the best for ourselves. It does mean that in all things
we serve other people,
including our family, co-workers and friends.
2. Consider others’ interests as important as your own.
Much of the world
suffers simply because people consider only their own interests. People are
looking out for number one, but the way to leave a legacy is to also look out
for others.
3. Love your neighbor even if you don’t like him.
It is interesting that
Jesus told us to love others. But he never tells us to like them. Liking people
has to do with emotions. Loving people has to do with actions. And what you
will find is that when you love them and do good by them, you will more often
than not begin to like them.
4. Maintain integrity at all costs.
There are very few
things you take to the grave with you. The number one thing is your reputation
and good name. When people remember you, you want them to think, “She was the
most honest person I knew. What integrity.” There are always going to be
temptations to cut corners and break your integrity. Do not do it. Do what is
right all of the time, no matter what the cost.
5. You must risk in order to gain.
In just about every
area of life you must risk in order to gain the reward. In love, you must risk
rejection in order to ask that person out for the first time. In investing you
must place your capital at risk in the market in order to receive the prize of
a growing bank account. When we risk, we gain.
And when we gain, we have more to leave for others.
6. You reap what you sow.
In fact, you always
reap more than you sow—you plant a seed and reap a bushel. What you give you
get. What you put into the ground then grows out of the ground. If you give love you
will receive love. If you give time, you will gain time. It is one of the
truest laws of the universe. Decide what you want out of life and then begin to
sow it.
7. Hard work is never a waste.
No one will say, “It
is too bad he was such a good, hard worker.” But if you aren’t they will surely
say, “It’s too bad he was so lazy—he could have been so much more!” Hard work
will leave a grand legacy. Give it your all on your trip around the earth. You
will do a lot of good and leave a terrific legacy.
8. Don’t give up when you fail.
Imagine what legacies
would have never existed if someone had given up. How many thriving businesses
would have been shut down if they quit at their first failure?
Everyone fails. It is a fact of life. But those who succeed are those who do
not give up when they fail. They keep going and build a successful life—and a
legacy.
9. Don’t ever stop in your pursuit of a legacy.
Many people have
accomplished tremendous things later on in life. There is never a time to stop
in your pursuit of a legacy. Sometimes older people will say, “I am 65. I’ll
never change.” That won’t build a great life! No, there is always time to do
more and achieve more, to help more and serve more, to teach more and to learn
more. Keep going and growing that legacy!
These are core
principles to live by if you want to become the kind of person who leaves a
lasting legacy.
This post originally appeared on SUCCESS.com.
No comments:
Post a Comment