The Art of Exceptional Living by Jim Rohn is a two CD set of both live and studio recordings.

This was my first exposure to Jim Rohn and I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised. The older I get, the more I’m attracted to practical advice as opposed to motivational advice; and Jim Rohn’s CD was exactly that.

Here are a few nuggets from the audiobook:

“The greatest value in life is not what you get, it’s what you become.”

Jim Rohn places an enormous emphasis on personal development. He encourages his listeners to become serious students of life.

“Learn to work harder on yourself than you do on your job.”

He explains that at age 25, he had been working for six years with nothing to show for it but broken promises to his family. He was a hard worker, but realized that it was going to take more than hard work to make it.

Interestingly enough, it took meeting his mentor to change his life. Just like Napoleon Hill, Jack Canfield, and many others; Jim Rohn was taught the secrets to success from his mentor before becoming a mentor to the masses through his writing and lectures.

“Philosophy (is) the major determining factor in how your life works out.”

This advice isn’t anything new; it’s the same message of personal responsibility taught by almost every success teacher out there, but I like the simplicity of Mr. Rohn’s delivery.

He breaks it down to a simple message that everyone can relate to: We all have to deal with the same weather, taxes, economy, politicians, bosses, air, water, soil, and seeds. As Mr. Rohn says “it’s all you got! If you blame those things, you’re blaming all you got!” Your philosophy will determine how well you turn these ingredients into equities.

“Formula for Failure: a few errors in judgement repeated every day.”

Mr. Rohn’s definitions of success and failure were my favorite part of the whole program. This simple definition of failure explains why it’s so easy to fail without realizing it.

He mentions the old phrase an apple a day keeps the doctor away as an example. Mr. Rohn asks the question, “what if that’s true?”

Everyone knows they should be eating apples, but most people don’t see how choosing to eat a candy bar over an apple is really going to hurt them. This tiny little error in judgement won’t hurt them immediately, but if repeated every day over several years, it can do serious damage.

“A guy who has an empty bank account probably has high cholesterol.”

When I heard this, it struck me personally. Right before my financial transformation, my doctor told me I had high cholesterol. I was still in my 20′s and couldn’t believe it.

Mr. Rohn is right on point and I was a good example.

“Formula for Sucess: a few simple disciplines practiced every day.”

I absolutely love this simple formula because it’s so accessible. Instead of rah-rah “you can move mountains” motivational stuff, Jim Rohn suggests that you just do a few little things right every day and make it a lasting habit. I can’t stress enough how much wisdom is captured in this statement.

It’s such a simple philosophy that most people won’t even pay attention to it. Most people are impatient. If they don’t see results right away, they quit.

Read, Read, Read -All Leaders are Readers

Jim Rohn challenges his listeners to become serious students of life. He suggests reading something instructional for at least thirty minutes a day, an hour if possible. “Miss a meal, but don’t miss your thirty minutes,” he says, once again emphasizing his philosophy of a few simple disciplines practiced every day.

He says that you should be a serious student of:

1. Health
2. Life
3. Spirituality
4. Culture
5. Uniqueness
6. Sophistication
7. Economics
8. Prosperity
9. Productivity
10. Sales
11. Management
12. Skills
13. Values
14. History
15. Philosophy
16. Law
17. Novels
18. Biographies

“Did you know there are cassettes and books on how to be stronger, more decisive, a better speaker, a more effective reader, have a better effect on other people, become more loving, develop personality, get rich, develop influence, become sophisticated… and people don’t use them?

How would you explain that?“

Isn’t that a great question? Anyone can go down to their local library and access the same wealth of knowledge that would enable them to change their life, but most people choose not to.

Here are a list of books that Jim Rohn suggests:

1. Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill. “Doesn’t that book title intrigue you?”
2. How to Read a Book by Mortimer Adler
3. The Lessons of History by Will Durant
4. Story of Philosophy by Will Durant
5. Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand

He says that you have to have balance; meaning that you can’t just read inspirational books. You have to read a few books about tragedy as well.

Three Treasures to Leave Behind

Mr. Rohn recommends three activities to leave a legacy for generations to come:

• 1. Keep a Journal
“Capture ideas, don’t trust your memory.”
• 2. Leave a Library
“Every home over $200,000 has a library.”
• 3. Take a lot of Pictures
“A picture is worth a thousand words.”

Worth the Money

These CD’s are worth owning and adding to your library. Put them on your iPod so you can refer back to them from time to time.

The Art of Exceptional Living by Jim Rohn