I’ve been reading an excellent book by Mike Litman and Jason Oman called Conversations with Millionaires.
One of the interviews Mike Litman did was with Jim Rohn. In that interview, Mike asked Jim to talk about the power in the being and the becoming. Here is what Jim Rohn replied:
What we acquire of course is valuable.
But, the greatest value is not what we acquire. The greatest value is what we become.
My mentor had an interesting way of teaching it.
When I was 25 years old he said, “I suggest, Mr. Rohn, that you set a goal to become a millionaire.”
I was all intrigued by that. You know, it’s got a nice ring to it – millionaire.
Then he said, “here’s why…” I thought to myself, ‘gosh, he doesn’t need to teach me why. Wouldn’t it be great to have a million dollars.’ Then he said, “no then you’ll never acquire it. Here’s why. Set a goal to become millionaire for what it makes of you to achieve it.”
He said, “Do it for the skills you have to learn and the person you have to become. Do it for what you’ll end up knowing about the marketplace, what you’ll learn about the management of time and working with people. Do it for the ability of discovering how to keep your ego in check. For what you have to learn about being benevolent. Being kind as well as being strong. What you have to learn about society and business and government and taxes and becoming an accomplished person to reach the status of millionaire. All that you have learned and all that you’ve become to reach the status of millionaire is what’s valuable. Not the million dollars. If you do it that way, then once you become a millionaire, you can give all the money away. Because it’s not the money that’s really important. What’s important is the person you have become.”
That was one of the best pieces of philosophy I have ever heard in my life.
Nobody ever shared it with me like that before.
Another thing he said was, “beware of what you become in pursuit of what you want. Don’t sell out. Don’t sell out your principles. Don’t compromise your values. Because you might acquire something by doing so, but it won’t taste good.”
An old prophet said, “sometimes what tastes good in the mouth finally turns bitter in the belly.”
Then, later we regret that we compromised or that we did something incredibly wrong to acquire something. It’s not worth it. If we do that, then what we get is worthless.
If you use something like that to challenge yourself to grow, to reach a certain level, I think it’s wise. Because then you know where the true value is and that is in the person you become.
Go back and read that again.
It’s not about the million dollars. It’s about what we become in the pursuit. What we have to become to get it.
Now go back and read it again. Read it as many times as necessary until you truly understand what Mr. Rohn is saying. Then begin your journey. Or get in touch with me and we can take that journey together. I’d love to have you along for the ride.
To Your Success, Because Your Success Matters
David Haines
(215) 268-6696 Anytime!
Find out more information about Mike Litman at www.mikelitman.com or Jason Oman at www.jasonoman.com
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