The Invisible Mentor

Posts Tagged ‘Jim Rohn’

What do you think of  the Aesop‘s Fable below? These fables often have a moral to the story and they are so easy to read. I was reminded of the seasons of life and the natural order to things. There is a time for planting, nurturing, reaping and resting and you need all four. See review of The Seasons of Life by Jim Rohn.

In a field one summer’s day a Grasshopper was hopping about, chirping and singing to its heart’s content. An Ant passed by, bearing along with great toil an ear of corn he was taking to the nest.

“Why not come and chat with me,” said the Grasshopper, “instead of toiling and moiling in that way?”

“I am helping to lay up food for the winter,” said the Ant, “and recommend you to do the same.”

“Why bother about winter?” said the Grasshopper; we have got plenty of food at present.” But the Ant went on its way and continued its toil. When the winter came the Grasshopper had no food and found itself dying of hunger, while it saw the ants distributing every day corn and grain from the stores they had collected in the summer. Then the Grasshopper knew:

It is best to prepare for the days of necessity.

What other lessons can you learn from The Ant and the Grasshopper?

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On Saturday, December 5, 2009, I received the Jim Rohn International newsletter announcing the death of Jim that same day. I was saddened by the loss because he is one of my invisible mentors. I got the opportunity to interview Jim a few years ago for my book Tales of People Who Get It. I will be eternally grateful and cherish that memory.

Despite being a multimillionaire, he was very down-to-earth.  Over the years I have purchased many of his books and participated in his One-Year Success Program.  I have benefited from his knowledge and wisdom. And,  I have reviewed two of his books on this blog. I wrote an article and included a copy of the interview I conducted with him. If you’d like a copy of the interview, which is also in my book, please let me know.

Here are five ideas that I distilled from the interview with Jim Rohn:

1. Things will always go wrong so ride through your difficulties and learn from them
2. Invest in your professional development to become more valuable
3. Provide products and services that add value by filling a market need
4. Have a success team because no one succeeds alone
5. Go with your gut instincts even if it is contrary to what the “experts” suggest

To benefit from Jim’s wisdom please read or re-read the reviews I did of two of his books. Let’s keep the conversation flowing, please comment. If you got to this post via search engine, please consider subscribing.

A Book Review of The Seasons of Life by Jim Rohn

A Book Review of The Five Pieces to the Life Puzzle: A Guide to Personal Success by Jim Rohn

Who Are Your 5 Invisible Mentors and Why?

Photo Credits: Yahoo via Apture

There are many lessons around us, if we but take the time to BE instead of DO. Many of these lessons we can learn from successful people, many who are further along the path that we are traveling, or have already completed the journey.

Have you ever wondered what makes a highly accomplished individual tick? I have! I have also wondered what motivates them and how they stay motivated. Over the past five years, I have interviewed over a hundred successful people, and one of the many questions that I ask them is “What is your favorite quotation and why?”

These individuals love a good quote, and they have that special one which resonates with them down to their core. They often use that quote for inspiration, and have it in plain sight where they can readily see it. One individual indicated that he has been using the same quote for inspiration for over 20 years. Quotes are very important to these people and serve many functions in their lives.

Over the years I have learned from these very successful interviewees, and I would like to share some of what I have learned with you. I have culled 10 powerful quotes, and have also included the reasons why they resonate with the interviewees.

After you have read the quotes, you will better understand these people, and I am sure you will agree that the quotes will also add a touch of brilliance to your communications.

Stephanie MacKendrick’s Favorite Quote and Why

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” Margaret Meade

The quote says that change can happen from every one of us, from small groups. It doesn’t have to be a big project, a big organization with a big mission or mandate. We can all contribute to changing.

Maria Nemeth’s Favorite Quote and Why

“Miracles rest not so much upon healing power coming suddenly near us from afar, but upon our perceptions being made finer, so that for the moment our eyes can see and our ears can hear what has been there around us always.” Willa Cather

It’s a wonderful quote about miracles. People think that miracles are things that happen to us suddenly from on high. I like this quote because it’s hopeful, it says that I do not have to do anything extraordinary. All I need to do is wake up and see what’s been here waiting for me all the time.

Jim Rohn‘s Favorite Quote and Why

“Nothing can resist a human will that will stake even its existence on the extent of its purpose.” Benjamin Disraeli

This quote challenges the human spirit to ultimate possibility – give it all you’ve got. Become all you were designed to become. It simply means do or die.

Suzanne Gibson’s Favorite Quote and Why

“What stirs the mind or touches the heart, will undoubtedly move the feet.” Donald Murphy

I feel an affinity to the quote because I am overwhelmed by all that’s going on in the world, and I often wonder what I can do as one person. This quote tells me that if we can inspire others and feed their hearts and stimulate their minds we can motivate action for positive change.

Gail Blanke’s Favorite Quote and Why

“There is no way it is, there is only the way you say it is. The universe hasn’t made up its mind about you. It only knows what you show it today. You are the Inventor; your life is the invention. You get to make it up, so make it up good.” Gail Blanke, Between Trapezes

This is my favorite quote because I’m passionate about persuading people that they get to decide how good their life will be!

Gabriel Draven’s Favorite Quote and Why

“To succeed in life, you need two things: ignorance and confidence.” Mark Twain

“There are two things you need for success: courage and ignorance.” Gabriel Draven (Inspired by Mark Twain)

This modified quote has kept on coming back to me over the past couple of years, and it’s pretty dead on.

Claire Hoy’s Favorite Quotes and Why

“Worrying about something is like paying interest on a debt that you don’t even know if you owe.” Mark Twain

“It ain’t over till it’s over.” Yogi Berra

I view both quotes as great life lessons. In Mark Twain’s case he is saying that if you are going around and worrying and fretting how badly something is going to turn out, almost all the time it never turns out as badly as you perceived. In Berra’s case, if you don’t throw up your hands when things go wrong, but think it ain’t over and that you still have a chance, anything is possible.

Amelia Kassel’s Favorite Quote and Why

“There is nothing to fear but fear itself.” Franklin D. Roosevelt

It is so easy to feel fear when you are starting a business or taking risks. In life, you face many situations where it’s easy to feel fearful. This quote reminds me that I can do things that I wouldn’t otherwise try.

These quotes are not only instructive, but inspiring as well. What lessons might you learn from the quotes and the interviewees? And, in what ways might you use them?

Let’s keep the conversation flowing, please comment!

Are you aware of what is going on around you? Are you known for your observation skills? How much more effective could you be if you improved your level of observation by one percent?

In Five Pieces of the Life Puzzle, Jim Rohn suggests that to be a good observer and excel, you have to ask yourself:

1. What is going on in my industry?
2. What challenges are currently facing your community?
3. What are the new breakthroughs, the new opportunities, the new tools and techniques that have recently come to light?
4. What are the new personalities that are influencing the world and local opinions?

Do you agree, or disagree with Mr. Rohn? How might answering these questions position you better in your organization and industry?

Related Post

Review of Five Pieces of the Life Puzzle

Before you answer this question, you have to understand how I define Invisible Mentors. Here is my definition of Invisible Mentors from my concept paper.

“An Invisible Mentor is a training tool as well as a different way of thinking, to move professionals from one stage of their life to a higher one through the systematic use of books, interviews, conversations and articles.  An Invisible Mentor awakens the “sleeping” genius within. To achieve this goal requires reading the right books, listening to the right interviews and conversing with the right people.”

So, who are your Invisible Mentors? My Invisible Mentors are:

Julia Conn Watt (She taught me to be a better listener, which is a critical skill for success)

Jim Rohn ( I have learned a lot from his books and training programs)

Earl Nightingale (His training programs – Lead the Field and The Strangest Secret have inspired me)

Key to Yourself (This book by Venice Bloodworth profoundly impacted me)

The Magic of Thinking Big (This Book by Dr. David Schwartz is another that profoundly impacted me)

As I grow and evolve as a person, and unleash more of the genius within me, I suspect that my Invisible Mentors will change. At this point in time, who are your five Invisible Mentors and why? Let us learn from each other!

Photo Credits: Avil Beckford