Jim Rohn was one of the founding fathers of success mentoring. He was the King of motivational "one liners." What I have always appreciated about Mr. Rohn his emphasis on personal accountability. Jim preached that happiness is an "inside game." Too often, people look to external factors such as financial wealth and material items as a marker of success but Jim knew this was a temporary and fleeting effect. True success and happiness comes from the inside, out.  

"Success is not something you pursue. Success is something you attract by the person you become."  Jim Rohn. 

We live in a fast paced society. We are slowly becoming a society that is ever focused on external and instant gratification. People today seem to want to be paid the highest salaries and live the highest standard of living all while doing it "part time" while doing a binge watching marathon of their favorite Netflix series.  

I recall a conversation I had awhile back with my step-sons regarding their career choices. They were both curious about which career path to follow and wanted my opinion on what type of careers paid the most competitively. Of course my "inner" Jim Rohn kicked in and I recalled something Jim had once said that left a big impression on me when I heard it. 

"A formal education will make you a living, self-education will make you a fortune."  -Jim Rohn

What I have come to learn and appreciate is that the "market" rewards value. Your value, and in turn, your success, is in direct proportion to your rate of personal and professional development. The idea I wanted my step-sons to understand was the correlation between value and money. The larger the problems you can solve the more value you deliver to the market.

The more value you create, the more valuable you become.

More value=more money. For some, this may mean going back to school, getting your MBA, a professional designation, or maybe its taking an online course to improve your skills in a focused area of your work such as developing a proficiency in a software program, communication skills, presentation skills or leadership competency.  

Frustrated with your level of compensation? Career feel stagnant? Rather than getting frustrated with external factors of which you can't control, put yourself back in control by looking internally first. Rather than pointing a finger to your manager, boss, the market or the current environment for your reasons for feeling stuck, and ask yourself a few internal questions to help light the internal flame. 

What can I be doing personally, to improve my current situation?

What differentiated value am I delivering to my clients or my organization? 

What am I doing to improve myself? 

Are there any skills that I have wanted to develop but just haven't taken the time?  

What is your R.O.P.E? or Rate Of Personal Evolution? Invest in yourself in 2021. What have you been wanting to do for yourself that you just haven't given the time or focus?  There is NO better investment than yourself and your own development.

I am going to make an assumption that you have developed your "business plan" for 2021. 

Have you developed your "personal development plan?" 

Start now. Develop your own personal growth plan for 2021. Climb your ROPE!

With success & happiness,

Shawn M Carlin