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Introduction

As I have already mentioned in the book review The compound effect, the author is heavily influenced by Jim Rohn. Here I will briefly review his great video “How to Take Charge of Your Life” and in case you have time, definitely watch the video. If you don’t have that much time read this review. The video is recorded back in 1981 but it’s concepts are fresh even today, and I believe they will be valid in 100 years’ time as well.

About the video

There are some major concepts about which Jim talks. First is about four major lessons in life in which Jim uses analogy with 4 seasons of the year since these always come i.e. we can’t change them:

• Learn how to handle the winters (tough periods in life). You need to become better and stronger to be able to handle tough periods and problems
• Learn how to take advantage of springs (opportunities in life) since springs just like winter always come. Do it quickly because it doesn’t last long
• Learn how to protect your crops all summer, all goods will be attacked, all values must be defended
• Learn how to reap in fall without complaint or apology. Take full responsibility for what happens to you, don’t blame others.

Then Jim speaks about three steps to personal development:

• Find out how things work since you need ideas. When you find ideas write them down in your journal.
• Be curious like a child. Get excited, have faith and trust like a child.
• Become a good reader but don’t be a follower, be u student i.e. listen to successful others but make your own conclusions!

Then Jim speaks about knowledge, you must always learn and you don’t need to love how things are, but you must learn how things are. He also talks about the law of use since whatever you don’t use you loose and it’s the same for muscles and for brain and all other talents: mentality, ambition, feelings. Faith, vitality and energy. Here he talks about the biblical story of three servants who received different talents.

Then comes the law of sowing and reaping: Whatever you sow is what you will reap and you will reap only what you have sown:

• The law is negative: sow bad and you will reap bad
• The law is positive: sow good and you will reap good
• You always reap much more than what you have sown. This works both positive and negative
• You could lose because even if everything is done right, sometimes you just loose
• If you didn’t sow, you will not reap

Then Jim talks about setting goals which is a skill that anyone should master. Before setting goals you must have reasons i.e. why you are doing something, what inspires you.

He sets the four step formula for setting goals:

• Work on your goals. Don’t work hard on your job but instead work hard on your goals and your future.
• Make plans. Who fails to plan is planning to fail.
• Write down your goals, put them in your journal and in your planner.
• Check the size and kind of your goals. Your goals affect your attitude and personality.

Three points about asking:

• Asking is the beginning of receiving. It just works, ask and things start happening!
• Receiving is not the problem, receiving is automatic. Problem is failure to ask.
• Receiving is like the ocean, there is plenty. Success is also like an ocean, it’s not in short supply. Some people go to the ocean with the tea spoon.

Additionally, you should ask with intelligence (clear, specific, define and describe what you want) and you should ask with faith i.e. believe you can get what you want like a child since adults are just too skeptical. However, remember that you will not always get what you want.

The video ends by discussing emotions as powerful drivers and to use them to change for the better. Then he talks about the need to make decisions, pursue desires (to want something from the inside), to have resolve (to say to yourself I will) and to act (to do how what you have planned). He also talks about attitude diseases which are weakness, cautiousness, pessimism and the lethal one is complaining.

In the end Jim talks about being very selective about what we read, hear and watch so you should stop watching useless TV shows or reading news filled with negative information.

Good quotes and excerpts from the book

Income is typically not bigger then the level of personal development. Sometimes however it makes a lucky jump.

Success is something you attract, not pursue!

The major key to better future is you.

Plant in spring or beg in fall.

You can’t get more time, but you can create more value. We are mostly paid for the value that we contribute.

Don’t wish it was easier, wish you were better.

You don’t need to love how things are, but you must learn how things are.

Asking is the beginning of receiving.

The world moves away when you say I will do it or die.

Conclusion

Not much to say then to recommend watching the video because it will a good spent 2 hours. Jim really knows how to present his ideas, one out of two of his sentences can be used as a famous quote and he is witty and funny.