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Personal Development: Wise Words From Jim Rohn

Personal Development: Wise words from Jim Rohn

Personal Development: Wise words from Jim Rohn

Jim Rohn is one of the best American leadership, personal development training gurus.

He has a conversational style. The following is not a direct quote, but is written to reflect Jim's content and style, enjoy:

Reasons why I have not done very well

"When I was 25 years of age, my mentor said to me, "As a matter of interest Jim, why is it you have not done very well, up to now?"

Excellent question!

I laid on him, my list. You know the one; The list called, "Reasons why I have not done very well".

It went like this:

I blame the government; they don't know what it's like to live in the real world.

I blamed the company; if this is all they pay; how do they expect me to do well by my family.

I blamed prices; things cost too much.

I blamed taxes: taxes are way too high.

I blamed my negative relatives: they are only out for themselves, they never loan you money.

I blamed the weather, I blamed the traffic,

I blamed my lousy luck; things just don't work out well for me. I'm not one of the lucky ones.

I blamed circumstances.

I blamed foreigners; taking our jobs.

I gave him the whole list.

It was a pretty good list.

This gets me off the hook, right?

This explains and excuses why I'd not been doing very well.

My mentor took one look at my list. He studied it for a while and said,

"There's one thing wrong with your list, Jim. YOU ain't on it!"

So, my mentor made me throw away my old list. (One of you may have found it though, and are still using it).

He made me write out a new list. It contained only one item.

ME!

It was ME.

I was the reason why I was not doing well.

I was reminded of an old prayer that says,

"Not my father, nor my mother,
Not my brother, nor my sister,
Not a stranger, nor my neighbour,
But it's me, O Lord,
That's Standing in the need of prayer."

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Personal Development Training

In order to improve your performance, you may need to develop your personal and professional skills: meaning: skills of communication, planning, prioritisation, motivation and personal confidence. If you want to learn more, then click here for personal development training.

About the Author: Chris Farmer

Chris

Chris Farmer is the founder of the Corporate Coach Group and has many years’ experience in training leaders and managers, in both the public and private sectors, to achieve their organisational goals, especially during tough economic times. He is also well aware of the disciplines and problems associated with running a business.

Over the years, Chris has designed and delivered thousands of training programmes and has coached and motivated many management teams, groups and individuals. His training programmes are both structured and clear, designed to help delegates organise their thinking and, wherever necessary, to improve their techniques and skills.

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Further Reading in Personal Development

  • What are the Qualities of a Professional Sales Person?
    To be a successful sales person, you need to have certain qualities. Some people seem to be natural sales people, but it is a fact that many of these qualities can be taught. Which of these qualities do you consider to be the most important?
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  • How to Make Progress
    When things go wrong, don't despair. Instead take advantage of the situation to think about what else can be achieved. Utilise the situation to make progress in an unexpected way.
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  • How to Develop Dr Carol Dweck's Growth Mindset
    Are you seeking to develop more of a growth mindset? Enhance your personal and professional development with our guide discussing Dweck’s growth mindset.
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  • Return to work job interview skills
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  • Overcoming Imposter Syndrome
    Imposter syndrome involves feeling that one's true abilities are inferior to their outward image, causing fears of being exposed as a fraud. This leads to self-doubt and anxiety, but it is possible to overcome these limiting beliefs.
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