Let others lead small lives, but not you. Let others argue over small things, but not you. Let others cry over small hurts, but not you. Let others leave their future in someone else's hands, but not you. ~ Jim Rohn

People who say they don't have a lot of time or money, and won't take the time to listen to people that make a lot of money and have a lot of time, Deserve to be Broke. ~ Sam Walton

The Best Gift to Give Yourself and Others by Jim Rohn

I’m often asked the question, "How can I best help my children, spouse, family member, staff member, friend, etc., improve/change?" In fact, that might be the most frequently asked question I receive, "How can I help change someone else?"

My answer often comes as a surprise and here it is. The key to helping others is to help yourself first. In other words, the best contribution I can make to someone else is my own personal development. If I become 10 times wiser, 10 times stronger, think of what that will do for my adventure as a father... as a grandfather... as a business colleague.

The best gift I can give to you, really, is my ongoing personal development. Getting better, getting stronger, becoming wiser. I think parents should pick this valuable philosophy up. If the parents are okay, the kids have an excellent chance of being okay. Work on your personal development as parents—that’s the best gift you can give to your children.

If you have ever ridden in an airplane, then you might have noticed the oxygen compartment located above every seat. There are explicit instructions that say, "In case of an emergency, first secure your own oxygen mask and then if you have children with you secure their masks." Take care of yourself first... then assist your children. If we use that same philosophy throughout our whole parental life, it would be so valuable.

If I learn to create happiness for myself, my children now have an excellent chance to be happy. If I create a unique lifestyle for myself and my spouse, that will be a great example to serve my children.

Self-development enables you to serve, to be more valuable to those around you; for your child... your business... your colleague... your community... your church.

That’s why I teach development skills. If you keep refining all the parts of your character (yourself, your health, etc.) so that you become an attractive person to the marketplace, you’ll attract opportunity. Opportunity will then begin to seek you out. Your reputation will begin to precede you and people will want to do business with you. All of that possibility is created by working on the philosophy that success is something you attract by continually working on your own personal development.

Give what you want to receive ~ Russell Simmons

Books were my pass to personal freedom. I learned to read at age three, and soon discovered there was a whole world to conquer that went beyond our farm in Mississippi. ~ Oprah Winfrey

Miss a meal if you have to, but don’t miss a book. ~ Jim Rohn

I find television very educating. Every time somebody turns on the set, I go into the other room and read a book. ~ Groucho Marx

Read something positive every night and listen to something helpful every morning. ~ Tom Hopkins

A library, to modify the famous metaphor of Socrates, should be the delivery room for the birth of ideas—a place where history comes to life. ~ Norman Cousins

Read an hour every day in your chosen field. This works out to about one book per week, 50 books per year, and will guarantee your success. ~ Brian Tracy

It’s not what you are that holds you back, it’s what you think you’re not. ~ Denis Waitley

You must learn to translate wisdom and strong feelings into labor. ~ Jim Rohn

Each experience through which we pass operates ultimately for our good. This is a correct attitude to adopt and we must be able to see it in that light. ~ Raymond Holliwell

Watch your manner of speech if you wish to develop a peaceful state of mind. Start each day by affirming peaceful, contented and happy attitudes and your days will tend to be pleasant and successful. ~ Norman Vincent Peale

Your attitude is either the lock on, or the key to the door of success. ~ Denis Waitley

If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude. ~ Maya Angelou

I run with the runners and occasionally walk with the walkers, but I will not sit with the sitters and I refuse to talk with the talkers! ~ Dr. Breakthrough

Life = Learn, Implement, Fail, Evaluate...REPEAT! ~ Unknown Author

There is only one person who could ever make you happy, and that person is you. ~ David Burns

Happiness resides not in possessions and not in gold; the feeling of happiness dwells in the soul. ~ Democritus

Your attitude is either the lock on or key to your door of success. ~ Denis Waitley

Neglect starts out as an infection then becomes a disease. ~ Jim Rohn