WEEK FIFTY-ONE

Hello and welcome to Week Fifty-One of The Jim Rohn One-Year Success Plan. Hope
your week is going well.

After reading through this week's lesson related to a financial and family legacy from Jim
and Chris, I'm reminded of the pressures and challenges we all are faced with in fulfilling
our desires, to be our best and to make a difference in the lives of those we care about. If
you have made it this far - Week 51, you are obviously a person who is very committed
to your goals. And you, like myself, probably have lofty goals related to good health,
good relationships, personal growth, financial independence, being a good husband (or
wife), being a great parent, etc. The same principle that applies to achieving success in all
of those goals is also one of the fundamentals to leaving a financial and family legacy -
time and consistency.

The key to financial independence is the law of accumulation. Rarely will one big year
put someone over the top for good. But 10 very good years in a row allows the law of
accumulation to take place. The same is true with our health, our relationships and our
personal development.

I remember several years ago meeting and spending a few days with Paul J. Meyer. Paul
founded Success Motivation Institute over 50 years ago, and today he owns over 40
companies and is an incredible example of the law of accumulation. I remember at the
time, my mentality was that I wanted everything now -- to be financially independent in 2
- 5 years, to have 100% growth per year in my company and goals like that. Paul shared
with me that a short-term goal for him was 10-20 years and that many of his long-term
goals were 50 plus years. I remember leaving there with a new paradigm about goals. So
instead of financial independence in 2-5 years, I decided to set a goal for 10 years.
Instead of 10 new projects that year at our company I switched it to 10 over the next 5
years. After that, when I saw perceived missed business opportunities or
friends/associates driving nicer cars, owning bigger houses or breaking sales records, it
did not create the feeling in me of "the fear of loss". I knew I would too; it was just a
matter of time.

So the key is to never be discouraged if you are not where you want to be, but rather to be
encouraged that time is on your side. You will reach your goals, provided you hold on to
them. Until next time, make it a great week!

Kyle

“My philosophy of life is that if we make up our mind what we are going to make of
our lives, then work hard toward that goal, we never lose — somehow we win out.”
-- Ronald Reagan

Copyright Jim Rohn International 2002-2004 736

Copyright Jim Rohn International 2002-2004 737
 LLEEA
AVVIIN
NGGA
A LLEEG
GAAC
CYY

Jim Rohn's Twelfth Pillar of Success: Leaving A Legacy, Part

Four - Financial Legacy
Hi, Jim Rohn here. This month we focus on leaving a legacy. Here is an overview of the
month.

1. A Life Well-Lived. Week one of this month covered the importance of leaving a
legacy of a life well-lived. We learned how our lives impact all those who follow behind
us.

2. Principles to Live By. Two weeks ago we covered key principles to live by that will
help you leave a legacy. These will be the foundations of a life that leaves an impact on
others. The principles we live by are the basis for the kind of legacy we will leave behind.
We will also begin our how-to's by looking at how to leave a relational legacy. All of life
is based on relationships, and we choose what direction those relationships go. We can
live our lives in such a way that when we are gone, people are impacted by the relational
legacy we left behind.

3. The Importance of a Spiritual Legacy and an Impact Legacy. Last week we

covered both how to leave a spiritual legacy as well as how to leave an "impact legacy."
The core of who we are as individuals is spiritual. We were created with the intention of
relating to God through our spiritual life. One of the greatest gifts we can leave behind is
a spiritual example and legacy. We will also talk about how to leave a life legacy that
impacts people. There are those who live on this earth and then just disappear, leaving
little more than a trace. Then there are others who by their legacy, live on through others
for years to come. We will talk about how to be the latter.

4. Financial Legacy. This week we will look at leaving a business legacy, a financial
legacy and a family legacy. We will see how the businesses we operate have a deeper
impact than we might have imagined. We will talk about establishing a strong financial
base that will provide for others long-term. We will also look at one of the most
important aspects of legacy, those we touch most deeply--our family.

So let's talk about the topics for this week!

Leaving a Financial Legacy.

Our finances are an integral part of our lives. They play a part of each and every day.
Whether we are earning, purchasing or planning, we deal with our finances on some level
virtually every day. What our financial estate becomes, just like every area of our lives, is
a product of the choices we make. If we make right choices, we will go in the right
direction. If we make poor choices, we will end up leaving a financial legacy of poverty
and lack.
Copyright Jim Rohn International 2002-2004 738
But, one of the realities we deal with as humans is that while we can make all of the right
decisions and everything we touch may turn to gold, there will come a day when our
money will no longer be ours. As the old saying goes, “You can’t take it with you.” So,
after we have passed away we not only leave our money behind, we will also leave a
financial legacy.

The financial legacy you leave can be either positive, just as all of the legacies we have
looked at this month, or negative. The choice is yours. You decide what kind of legacy
you leave as it relates to your finances. The choice is yours.

To help you think through the issues surrounding a great financial legacy, here are some
thoughts for you to consider:

Have a Plan. Just as in every area of life, we must have a plan--a plan for earning,
saving, investing, giving, tax reduction, retirement, and where our money will go when
we are gone. By doing so, you will go much farther and leave a great example for those
around you.

Have a Goal. Goals keep us moving in the right direction. They give us something to
shoot for. They keep us moving in a forward direction. They help us measure progress
and stay motivated. When you have goals you will reach greater heights and leave an
inspiring example for others.

Have an Advisor. If you go to the gym to work out to maximize your health, you get a
personal trainer. If you want your car to operate at its best, you take it to a mechanic. If
you want to stay healthy, you go to the doctor. If you want to grow spiritually, you seek
the help of a minister or church. If you want to be emotionally healthy, you visit a
counselor. It makes perfect sense then that if you want to be successful financially, you
need to have an advisor. Find one you are comfortable with and who will understand
what you want out of life – someone who understands and appreciates your values.

Invest. It is better to gain profits rather than wages. Investments provide us with the
opportunity to reap profits. You must risk in order to gain the reward. You must place
your capital at risk in order to gain the financial reward. That is capitalism at its core.
Those who start the businesses and place their capital at risk will earn more than those
who they hire to run the machines in the factories. Invest in your own business or in
another person’s business through the financial markets.

Stay Out of Debt. Debt is nothing less than a killer. Debt is the exact opposite of
investment. When you invest, you get the principle back and then some.
When you borrow, you give the principle and then some. Remember, the
old proverb that says, "the borrower shall be the servant of the lender."
True indeed. It is better to be the lender than a spender.

Tithe and Be Generous. Make it a goal to give away a percentage of

your income to your church, the less fortunate or a charity that you
believe in. Believe me, not only will you feel good about it – so will
they. Generosity does wonders for both parties involved. It helps you
Copyright Jim Rohn International 2002-2004 739
keep the power of money in check and it helps them by providing much needed funds to
carry out their mission. Over your lifetime if you are methodical about this, you will be
able to do a tremendous amount of good in the world.

Enjoy It Now. Save enough money now to ensure your security and the security of your
loved ones, but also enjoy your wealth now! Take that trip. Buy that second home. Give
that gift to a loved one. Money is a tool to provide for us on two levels--that which we
need and that which we desire. When you have the needs covered, spend some on what
you desire. If you plan on leaving your wealth to your children when you die, give them
some now so you can help them understand what to do with it and then you can
experience the joy of watching them use it and enjoy it themselves.

Teach Your Children About Money. One of the best things we can do is to teach our
children about money. Teach them the principles. Teach them to work hard and smart and
to increase their earning power. Teach them to save and invest. Teach them to be
generous. This is one way that you can pass on a great understanding of finances and
create a great deal of freedom in their lives.

Keep Your Family Up to Speed on Your Finances. Of course, our finances are our
own business but ultimately, our finances become our family’s business. It is important
for us to make sure that our family is aware of where we are with our finances. This is
particularly true with our spouse. Too many men have died prematurely and left wives
who didn’t know much about where the money came from, where it went or how it was
invested. And as we age, it is important for our children to know more about our finances
so that they can help us take care of them and plan for their future after we are gone.
Believe it or not, this should take place earlier rather than later.

Diversify. “Don’t put all of your eggs in one basket,” they say. Why? Because if that
basket falls, all your eggs will be broken – and nobody likes broken eggs! Have some
savings that you can get to quickly. Most financial advisors recommend 6-12 months of
living expenses. Put funds in the safe, long-term investments, perhaps a 2-5 year
certificate of deposit.

Invest Some in the Equity Markets. This is most easily done through mutual funds (and
that gives you diversity as well as an alternative to buying a single stock). Invest in real
estate. Whatever you do, cover your security first and then move into investments that
can provide greater and greater profits. The key is to make sure that if one area goes
south you can recover because of the other areas you have invested in.

Use Insurance. The right kinds of insurance are part of your investment expenditures.
You can use insurance to protect your life and property – and it is smart to do so. If you
make $100,000 a year at age 35 with a spouse and three children, what will happen to
them if you die suddenly? An investment is an expenditure that will provide returns in
due time. For instance, a healthy 35 year-old can get more than $1,000,000 worth of life
insurance for less than $100 a month. It is a wise decision to provide for your family in
case of an emergency. Either doing so or not doing so will certainly leave a legacy.

Copyright Jim Rohn International 2002-2004 740

 Utilize Legal Entities and Structures to Protect Your Wealth. If the government
allows you to protect it using a legal structure, by all means do so. If you can take a tax
deduction, by all means do so. As long as you always maintain your integrity and stay
well within the law, use every legal opportunity you can to keep your money. You
worked for it – keep as much of it for yourself and your loved ones as possible! Consult a
financial advisor, such as an accountant or lawyer for the best advice.

Use Your Wealth to Bless Others, Not Manipulate Them. Money is a tool that should
be used for good. The more money we have the more we can use that tool to help others.
Unfortunately, many people use their wealth to manipulate others. I truly believe that a
successful person is the person who uses their money to help and bless others in a
generous way. The person of integrity does not seek to use his or her money to use,
coerce or manipulate others.

The above ideas are designed to give you some thoughts on ways you can live your life
and use your money in such a way that you do good with your money in this life.
Finances are powerful. Money can be used to do many incredible things. It can also be
used to destroy. The key is this: which way is your money being used? The answer to that
question will go a long way in determining what kind of financial legacy you leave
behind.

Next, Chris is going to talk about how to leave a family legacy.

Until next week, let's do something remarkable!

Jim Rohn

“No matter what you've done for yourself or for humanity, if you can't look back on having
given love and attention to your own family, what have you really accomplished?”
-- Lee Iacocca

Copyright Jim Rohn International 2002-2004 741

Hi there, Chris Widener here. This week I want to talk with you about leaving a family
legacy. The family is the first and last group of people most of us spend time with on this
earth. It has an incredible power to shape us. That is why it is so important that we
proactively decide what our family legacy will be and then work to build it. The ideas
below are designed to help you do just that!

Here are my top seven tips for leaving a fantastic family legacy:

1. Forgive. I start with forgiveness because it is probably the most important principle for
families. Those who are closest to you are the most likely to hurt you. It is the law of
close proximity. If you are close enough to another person long enough, they will do
something to hurt or offend you. Then you have the option to forgive or hold on to the
offense. If we are to have successful families whose success transcends generations, we
will need to fully implement the act of forgiveness.

2. Spend time with them – as a group and individually. It takes time to build
cohesiveness. Spend time with your family as a whole and individually. We eat together
as a family 19 out of 20 nights. That is a commitment we have to one another. Then I will
spend time with each of my kids alone, playing a game or talking, as well as spend time
with just my wife. It is important to give time to the building of our families. Even 15
minutes, done each day, will create better relationships.

3. Create family memories. Do activities together that will be memorable. And take
pictures and video. Keep journals and scrapbooks of the events. Make sure that you
remember what good things have happened in your past together. Life goes by quickly,
children grow up and memories fade – unless you have pictures! Do fun things and make
sure you keep those memories alive.

4. Don’t let distance separate you. Kids grow up and move away. That happens. But
today there is absolutely no excuse whatsoever for not staying in touch. Telephone rates
are so low you should be able to talk to your long-distance relatives at least once a week
if not more often. Email is even better for “shooting off” the latest family news. We live
in an unprecedented age of communication. The only reason someone wouldn’t
communicate today is because they don’t want to. If you want to build a family legacy –
pick up the phone and call.

5. Laugh together. I believe that the family that laughs

together stays together. There is nothing like fun to bring a
family together. Rent funny movies, go to plays, remember the
fun times at family gatherings and laugh at the past (but not at
any one person’s expense). Laughing is good for the soul – the
individual and the family. Laugh with your family and see the
bonds grow deep.

6. Say “I love you” often. You have heard the old joke where the old woman says to her
old husband, “Honey, it’s been fifty years since you told me you loved me.” The old man
replies, “I said it at the wedding and if anything ever changes, I’ll let you know.” Well,
folks, that doesn’t cut it. We need to hear that others love us and they need to hear it from
Copyright Jim Rohn International 2002-2004 742
us. And it becomes even more powerful if our actions back up our words. I ask my kids
on a regular basis, "Do you know I love you?" And then I follow it up with, "Do you feel
like I love you?" I want them to both know it and feel it. And I say it often. Don’t let
someone in your family wonder if you love them – tell them!

7. Carpe Familia – Seize the Family! You have heard of Carpe Diem – seize the day.
Well, it is time for us to seize our families and all of the opportunities that they have. We
must begin to see the possibilities of our families and seize the opportunities for greatness
that each family has. Yes, our families can be great – and get even greater – if we set our
minds on developing a family legacy. Have you “seized the family?” If not, make that
commitment. Don’t let your family fall apart! Get it going and growing into greatness!

Your family represents the most powerful force for shaping and molding your life and the
lives of each member. When we proactively take hold of all that they can be by using the
above principles, we will see those families do great things and leave wonderful legacies.

Get started – it is never too late!

Have a great week!

Chris Widener

“It takes time to build a corporate work of art. It takes time to build a life. And it takes
time to develop and grow. So give yourself, your enterprise, and your family the time
they deserve and the time they require.”
-- Jim Rohn

Copyright Jim Rohn International 2002-2004 743

 Q
Quueessttiioon
nss ffoorr R
Reefflleeccttiioon
n::

Q. Do you have a plan for your finances? If not, why not? If so, what
is it?

Q. Are you in debt? If so, do you have a plan to get out of it?

Q. Are you generous with your resources? Would others say the same about you?

Q. Do your investments have diversity? If not, do you have a plan to bring some
diversity to your investments?

Q. Are you utilizing the proper insurance strategy for your unique situation?

Copyright Jim Rohn International 2002-2004 744

 A
Accttiioon
n SStteep
pss T
Thhiiss W
Weeeekk::
1. Develop a financial plan if you do not have one. Write an outline here.

2. Spend some time looking at your finances and setting some goals this week.

3. Take a step to review the diversity of your investments.

A.
B.
C.

4. Review your insurance and make sure you have a proper strategy in place.

5. Spend some good quality time with your family this week. Write comments here.

A look forward - Look for the final wrap-up Week Fifty-Two email from
Kyle, Jim and Chris!

Copyright Jim Rohn International 2002-2004 745