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By Jim Rohn
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.
Here are what I consider to be
the principles that we must commit to if we are 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.
Benefit from the legacy that
legendary personal achievement expert Jim Rohn left us and have him as your
mentor in his One-Year Success Plan,
available at JimRohn.com. It’s never too late to incorporate a system that
helps you stay focused and on course for reaching personal and professional
goals.
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