Of all the things Mr. Shoaff taught me (Jim Rohn), the biggest challenge for me was personal development. It was hard to give up my old blame list. I was so comfortable blaming my shortcomings on the government, my negative relatives, the company, unions, the economy, interest rates, prices, and every other imaginable circumstance. It was quite a transition for me to change from blaming everyone and everything else to taking responsibility for my life.
But Mr. Shoaff made me realize the importance of making that transition with a simple statement. He said, “It’s not what happens in the world that determines the major part of your future. What happens, happens to us all. The key is what you do about it.” He encouraged me to start the process of change, to do something different in the following ninety days than I had done in the previous ninety days. And I’m asking you to do the same. Whether it’s picking up a book, starting a new health discipline, improving your relationship with your family–whatever it is, however small the action, you need to start the process.
Mr. Shoaff then gave me another secret to success when he said, “All that you have at the moment, Mr. Rohn, you’ve attracted by the person you are.” Once I began to understand this principle, it explained so much.
Mr. Shoaff continued, “Mr. Rohn, you’ve only got pennies in your pocket. You’ve got nothing in the bank. The creditors are calling, and you’re behind on your promises. Here’s how that occurred: misfortune has taken place because of the kind of person you are.” I said, “Well, how can I change all that?” He answered,
“If you will change yourself, everything else will change for you. You don’t have to change what’s outside, all you’ve got to change is what’s inside. To have more, you simply have to become more.”
And then he said,
“Don’t wish it were easier, wish that you were better. Don’t wish for fewer problems, wish for more skills. Start making these personal changes, and it will all change for you.”
He was absolutely right.
* Source: Leading an Inspired Life by Jim Rohn