“You must either modify your dreams or magnify your skills.” ~ Jim Rohn
I had the pleasure of attending several weekend workshops with the late Jim Rohn in the 1980’s and 1990’s. Aside from the workshops, I also had some one-on-one time with him. His style really resonated with me and I would say he was a true gentleman who took the time to hone his craft. When I saw a reference to this quote I was taken back 20 years and I could actually hear him saying it with his great voice. I could also immediately see how true it was then and perhaps even more so today. I thought of how much Jim would appreciate DemGen’s business model which is to help entrepreneurs clarify their dreams/visions and magnify their skills while acquiring the other skills necessary from our team to help them realize their vision.
My take is that we are to DREAM as Big or BIGGER than ever. I truly feel that’s what we’re designed to be doing. This is not to say – let’s get a lot of stuff or even make truckloads of money. I feel its fine to do so if you wish, yet to me the bigger picture is – what do you want your life to flow like. How will your business support your personal lifestyle and vice-versa. At DemGen we crafted a unique process around this called the “Future Vision Map”. Establish the destination and then set out a plan to achieve and implement that dream/vision. I feel anything can be created from correct thinking just as it always has.
After years of working traditionally in business and trying to compensate for the areas that were not my unique and true skill set. I’ve come to realize that I prefer to hire bookkeepers and accountants rather than take a course such as “accounting for non-accountants” or “accounting for dummies” as an example. Why attempt to strengthen a weakness when I can partner with someone that has a strength in the area I need support, and they like doing that work. I prefer to “magnify” and only work in the areas I enjoy and am good at. Dan Sullivan and the team at Strategic Coach talk about this a lot in Unique Ability – which I highly recommend reading.
In truth I know this post would go a little outside Jim’s true intentions on this quote. Jim was a voracious learner, I can hear him say – why would you ever set your goal or standard lower…read a book, take a course, elevate yourself. I subscribe to all of that myself. And at the same time I feel he would appreciate my modern take on it. You don’t have to be an expert in all the areas – do what you are great at and collaborate on the other areas.
Wishing you sky-high dreams and magnified skills,
Gary
© Gary Evans, DemGen Inc. 2013
