Think in Terms of Decades Not Just Years (excerpted from 52 Lessons I Learned from Jim Rohn and Other Great Legends I Promoted!)
One of my strengths when originally getting into sales and then owning my own business was I had a sense of urgency. That sense of urgency pushed me to get things done, make things happen and not wait until tomorrow to do what I could do today.
But as we all know our strengths can also be our biggest weakness.
When I was in my mid 30’s I had the great fortune to spend two days with Paul J Meyer at his home in Waco. Paul was not only the founder of SMI, he also owned 41 companies at the time. Paul was a big goal setter and really one of the early pioneers of the personal development world. In fact, one if his grand goals was to give away a billion dollars before he passed away. I’m not sure if he got there but it was evident at his memorial service in 2009 that he had made a major difference in thousands and thousands of lives through his charitable contributions and his foundation.
I learned so much in those two days and from many other opportunities to connect with Paul later on. But one of the major impacts Paul had on me was with my long term perspective. Paul shared something with me that had a major impact then and still impacts me heavily today.
Paul challenged me to think in terms of decades not just years!
In fact, Paul shared that most people think in terms of weeks and months, much less years and decades. But he said for him a short term goal was 20 years! Wow!
Paul helped me get out of purely thinking in terms of the immediate when it came to income creation and got me thinking long term related to building a business, investments and most importantly building a team and relationships.
I’m still a big believer in 90 day short term goals, as well as one year goals and beyond. But it’s equally powerful to look at goals in terms of decades especially when you hit milestones like 2010-2020, or turning 30, 40 or 50 years old, and then asking yourself what you want to do from 50-60 or 50-70.
Thinking in term of decades helps you look past just building and accomplishing. It helps you think about the legacy you want to leave and the difference you can make in others lives, starting with your inner circle and then going beyond.
As Paul challenged me, I challenge you, when making big decisions in your life to always ask yourself not only what impact it will have today and a year from now, but also in the next decade and beyond.
Thank you Paul for taking the time to invest in me and hopefully I have at least a small part in passing your wisdom and legacy on to future generations.
To Your Better Future,
Kyle Wilson
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