It Takes Time…

As we all live in this fast/instant everything world (food, service, social media, entertainment, communication, etc.) it’s hard, sometimes, to separate the distinctions between the reality of the speed of technology and the principles related to building things of value (relationships, a business venture, personal and professional skills). The quote below is so powerful and a great segue way into a lesson I gleaned from my time with Jim.

“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

It Takes Time… (excerpted from 52 Lessons I Learned from Jim Rohn and Other Great Mentors)

It was 1989 when I first met the man, Jim Rohn. Jim was flying through Dallas on his way back home to LA and my mentor in the seminar business, Jerry Haines had set up a meeting with him. I was Jerry’s top sales guy, so I got to tag along. Jim was his usual casual self – jeans and a shirt, and I thought, “this guy is cool!”

Looking back at that life-changing day, it’s hard to believe that Jim was already fifty-nine years old. The guy who I personally believe is one of the most influential speakers of our time, at the age of 59, was still virtually unknown to the masses. Although Jim was on his second career of sorts and had already done some pretty high profile things in the speaking world and worked with many of the other greats, he was still in the beginning stages of what was to come. It really was the accumulation of the first 20 years of Jim’s speaking career combined with the next 20 years that created the fame Jim did eventually achieve (despite his many attempts, in his own way, to negate fame).

Yes, in many ways Jim shied away from spotlight. In 1995, I remember Jim turning down a huge opportunity (I’d worked on for 6 months) to do a big 3 book deal with the number one publisher and agent at the time. In fact, he turned down the majority of media deals on which we were approached. Jim would always say to me “fortune over fame”. The better we could create the fortune without the fame the more he could enjoy the lifestyle he desired.

When I think of the majority of speakers I’ve known and spent time with, almost every one of them was over 50 when they hit their prime. Zig, Brian Tracy, Harvey MacKay, Les Brown, Stephen Covey and yes, Jim Rohn.

I reminded of one of my favorite quotes from Jim: “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.”

Fifty-nine was not old for Jim. In many ways I don’t think he had even hit his prime yet. He kept getting better… I watched! He kept improving his gift, his craft. And people kept taking notice and it grew from there.

We’ve all heard and agree that success really is the accumulation of all the positive energy, work and efforts invested into something over a long period of time. So then let me ask, are we giving ourselves, our work and relationships the time and consistent effort they deserve to reach our desired goals? Yes, it may take some time, but with God’s grace, hopefully, we will have plenty of that ahead to create the skills, life and relationships we desire.

As Jim would say, what else are we going to do? Why not go for it! Give it our all. See what we can accomplish.

Let’s go for it!

Share this post

"I guard my endorsements carefully. Regarding Kyle, he is simply a marketing genius! No joke. Kyle was the wizard behind the successful business of my mentor Jim Rohn. Every marketing dilemma I have ever had, Kyle has given me the brilliant and elegant solution on the spot. Kyle’s consulting has saved and earned me hundreds of thousands of dollars over the years."

Darren Hardy

Former Publisher SUCCESS Magazine

"Kyle, thank you for our partnership and friendship all these years. Friendship is wealth and you make me a rich man. Much Love & Respect"

Jim Rohn

(1930-2009), Internationally
Renowned Speaker and Author

"Kyle Wilson is brilliant and very knowledgeable and an icon in this industry. He was the power behind Jim Rohn. Kyle is my longtime friend and someone I have a great deal of respect for."

Les Brown

Iconic Speaker and Author

"Kyle you were a master to work with when filming and producing at my house. Also, Helen and I have toured and done so many 'meet and greets' and have had all kinds of cool activities and opportunities on the road, but last year at your house at the Inner Circle Mastermind ranks at the top as one of the all time best experiences we have ever had on the road. At your house the people and the love was so amazing. We are use to doing all the giving, but that day we felt loved and cared for. It was just an amazing experience! We still talk about it to this day. It is at the top of our tour memories from over all these years!"

Phil Collen

Lead Guitarist, Def Leppard

"Thank you Kyle Wilson for being such a magnificent leader and creating a powerful, humanitarian thinking group of leaders. You’re such an amazing human being. Always inspired by who you are!"

Lisa Haisha

Host Amazon Show, Producer,
Philanthropist

"I have worked closely with Kyle Wilson for 20 years. He is one of the best all-around marketers, promoters, business-builders and entrepreneurs in the business today. We have generated more than a million dollars together.”

Brian Tracy

Professional Speaker,
Best-Selling Author,
CEO of Brian Tracy
International™

"If wanting to break into the speaker, author, marketing world, no one knows and does it better than my 10 year friend, Kyle Wilson. He is responsible for millions of people having access to the brilliant wisdom of Jim Rohn and so many other business thought leaders. He attracts the best people to his Inner Circle, something I'm proud to be a part of. I’m also excited to be working on a new book with Kyle, Lessons From Sports. Honored by his friendship."

Newy Scruggs

7x Emmy Winning Broadcaster,
NBC Sports Dallas/Ft Worth

"Kyle is one of my old and dear friends and one of the smartest marketing guys I have had the opportunity to work with. He is the scrappy marketing guy. Kyle is the real deal and finds ways to create product, add value, help people, build community, he’s unbelievable."

Eric Worre

Founder of Network Marketing
Pro and International Best-Selling
Author of Go Pro

"Kyle Wilson, single handedly changed the way I look at life! And the way I participate in my own! Kyle's wisdom, loyalty and commitment to seeing people soar is unmatched in the industry. He is a spring board, sounding board and ultimately a launch pad for anyone committed to pursuing their deepest dreams and ultimate goals! He is the most authentic mentor, friend and business parter I've ever had. I'm so thankful I ended up in your sphere 'KW,' Kyle Wilson.”

Erika De La Cruz

TV & Media Host, Speaker,
Trainer and Author of Passionistas

"Kyle Wilson is the man! When I made the decision to transition from my 15 year MLB career to being a speaker, best-selling author and business consultant I researched and then sought out the man who has been behind such iconic speakers as Jim Rohn, Brian Tracy and many others. Hiring Kyle as my coach has been one of the smartest decisions I made.“

Todd Stottlemyre

Author of Relentless Success,
15 Year MLB Pitcher
and 3x World Champion

"Kyle is a valued friend, a marketing superstar and one of the most knowledgeable people in the personal development industry.”

Robin Sharma

Author of The Monk Who
Sold His Ferrari

"Kyle can I thank you for something and congratulate you in the same breath? I've done easily 500 interviews in my life. This has been my favorite one. One that went on and allowed that deeper dive because that's one of the things that time limits can rob us of. And I thank you for that because it's been very healthy and very cathartic. And you kind of brought me back in touch with how ready I am to get back on stages. I'm ready."

Glenn Morshower

Actor in Over 250 Movies and Shows

"Kyle is one of the wisest and most brilliant marketing consultants in the world. He is the man behind the great marketing of Jim Rohn International and so many other personal development legends. He is not only someone I’ve enjoyed collaborating and working with for over two decades, but is also a close and valued friend. I recommend Kyle without equivocation."

Mark Victor Hansen

Co-Creator of World’s
Best-Selling Book Series
Chicken Soup for the Soul

“Kyle Wilson is a masterful marketer and there is a good reason why top investors, entertainers, sports figures, leaders in personal development and entrepreneurs call on him as a coach, mentor, business partner and friend. Kyle knows what works in business and most importantly relationships and always over delivers. As an Inner Circle Mastermind member for over 2 years, it’s been the very best thing I could have done to level up my circle of influence, surround myself with success and have the platform to launch a best-selling book, be invited to speak, partner, invest and take my brand to the next level. I highly recommend you invest whatever is necessary to be a member of the Inner Circle or hire Kyle as your coach.

Kelli Calabrese

Wellness Mompreneur,
#1 Best-Selling Author
Mom & Dadpreneur

“Kyle Wilson is the best marketer I know. In the 20 years that I have known him, everything he touches and every idea he generates, turns into money. If you’re looking for a degree of fame, and a higher degree of wealth, I recommend you get YOUR ass to Kyle as fast as you can.”

Jeffrey Gitomer

Best-Selling Author The Little Red Book of Selling

"I've known and worked with Kyle Wilson for over 20 years. Kyle is the ONLY person that ALWAYS under-promised and over-delivered every single time my dad Zig and I worked with him. He is a valued friend and someone I have great admiration and respect for!"

Tom Ziglar

President of Zig Ziglar Corp

"Kyle's Inner Circle Masterminds have been some of the most enlightening events I've been a part of. I've met so many incredible people outside the world I live and work in. It is the pinnacle of places you can go to upgrade your network. Plus, Kyle's coaching has helped me create and additional six figure side income that allows me to impact more people."

Seth Mosley

2x Grammy Winner,
Billboard #1 Producer and
Song Writer of the Year

"When I met Kyle Wilson I had been speaking professionally for 12 years and my biggest ‘achievement’ was $60,000 in debt to the IRS, a truck I prayed every day would start, and a simple 6 CD memory training set. Kyle coached me to market that CD set and in less than 12 months my IRS debt was gone and I was speaking in Australia, Bangkok, Belgium, Singapore, Malaysia and all over the USA with the biggest names in the speaking business. It was almost magical how Kyle took my business from giving speeches in the back room of an IHOP restaurant to audiences as large as 8,000 in what seemed like overnight. I can honestly say that Kyle Wilson was not a major factor in turning my business around. Kyle Wilson was THE factor. I can’t strongly recommend his wisdom, knowledge, business mind or who he is as a person enough."

Ron White

Best-Selling Author of
Black Belt Memory,
2009 & 2010 US Memory Champion

"Kyle Wilson is not only one of my most valued friends and mentors, he is a marketing genius and brilliant business man, always providing the most honest and insightful solutions to any challenge. I am honored to have him as my book partner and life-long counterpart."
Jeanette Ortega,

Jeanette Ortega

Best-Selling Author of
The Little Black Book of Fitness
& Celebrity Fitness Trainer

"Kyle, you ROCKED the EOFIRE show. You are a great storyteller and shared great lessons. Truly impressed…and thank you for what you do/have done for this Entrepreneurial world."

John Lee Dumas

Host of EOFire Podcast with
over 100 million Downloads

"Anytime I'm in a conversation with Kyle Wilson, I always take my notepad out and start taking down notes cause there's so much to learn. Kyle it's a real honor for me to know you."

Bob Burg

Speaker and Best-Selling Author
of the Go Giver

“Kyle Wilson literally built an empire over 18 years working with one of the true legends in the entire speaking space, Mr. Jim Rohn. Somebody I look up too, somebody who was a hero of mine that I wanted to be like because of the way he had great integrity. Kyle has that same integrity, he truly cares about making you look good. He cares about you having quality materials and I will Guarantee you will be so grateful you partnered up and got into one of Kyle's books. Kyle cares truly from the heart about your success. And about representing you in the way you want to be represented. With your great content, and your great information and with who you are as a business, as a brand, as a person. So do yourself a favor, work with my friend Kyle.”

James Malinchak

Featured on ABC’s Hit TV show
Secret Millionaire &
Founder of Big Money Speaker

"Kyle Wilson’s insight, marketing acumen and business knowledge are guru level. His consulting, friendship and brilliant solutions have changed the trajectory of my career and life. His strategies don’t just elevate, they transform you and your brand.”

Olenka Cullinan

Speaker, Passionista, Founder of
Rising Tycoons &
#iStartFirst Bossbabe Bootcamps

"From the moment I met Kyle realized that he was a unique individual. In life their is 'talent' and then behind that 'talent' there is always the business savvy behind it. We say that when the pupil is ready, the teacher will appear. Kyle Wilson IS that teacher and that consultant....are you ready? Kyle, I know our best work is yet to come. Thanks for the friendship and expertise."

Nick Bradley

PGA Tour Mentor,
Speaker, Author

"Is there anyone in the world who is better at grooming and managing a speaker than Kyle Wilson? Absolutely not! Kyle was the man behind Jim Rohn. Kyle, while managing my speaking career, took me to 60 speaking engagements a year while increasing my fee, and helped me publish numerous books that sold nearly a million copies, produce two best-selling audio programs, taught me how to sell product from the back of a room (with a number of $50,000 days and one $110,000 day) and got me my own television show and a co-host with Zig Ziglar on his television show, True Performance. There is not a single person alive who not only knows but has mastered the speaking business from beginning to end like Kyle Wilson. Take my highest recommendation and multiply it by ten and you have what I think about Kyle. What? You haven’t picked up the phone yet to get on board with him? Get going!!"

Chris Widener

Best-Selling Author The Angel Inside

"Kyle Wilson has been a life changing mentor, friend and business partner. He not only has extreme marketing knowledge, is talented and gifted at speaking, coaching and leading, but he also has a unique focus, drive and charisma that magnetizes others and helps them to succeed and become more motivated. I would recommend anyone wanting to propel to higher levels to work with Kyle"

Kim Somers Egelsee

# 1 best selling author
and Tedx speaker

"Kyle Wilson's Inner Circle is nothing short of Life Changing! It offers insights and valuable outcomes for entrepreneurs, champions, and business leaders. IC is high-trust, honest, and encouraging, an integrity-filled environment that generates awareness, understanding, and wisdom from the team for you. IC provides one a board of trusted advisors... the ""GPS to help you get to the next level."

Tim Cole

(Business) Managing Director,
(Military) Colonel, USMC (Ret)

"After only working with Kyle for a few months, I felt my professional world opening up in new and inspired ways. Kyle’s marketing brilliance and business wisdom combine to make him a one in a million in this coaching world. I found that I literally would just listen to whatever he says and that is not common for a strong-willed woman like me, but his guidance is pure gold and his goodness shines through it all. I am so very grateful to him for his coaching.”

Dr. Stormy Hill, OTR/L

Entrepreneur, Author, Educator, Mom

"Kyle you have greatly influenced my life and career. You and Jim made a perfect team with a legacy that will continue to change lives more than any otherthought leaders with timeless wisdom."