Author: Jim Rohn
Publisher: African Pastors Literature Trust
Reviewer: Goke Ilesanmi
Wealth and happiness are two of the greatest desires of human beings. In short, they often go together because most people that are financially wealthy tend to be happy because of the attendant financial independence. I am sure this realisation must have informed Jim Rohn’s decision to entitle his book ” Seven Strategies for Wealth and Happiness” with the subtitle ‘Power Ideas from America’s Foremost Business Philosopher’. Rohn is America’s foremost business philosopher who has helped people of all walks to improve their lives.
In this text, Rohn offers guide on how you can unlock the fountain of your prosperity inside of you. The author reveals the seven valuable strategies that are central to your achievement of success and enjoyment of happiness. According to Rohn, for you to realise your aspiration of enduring success and happiness, you need to unleash the power of goals; seek knowledge; learn the miracle of personal development; control your finances; master time; surround yourself with winners; and learn the art of living well.
This text is segmented into seven strategies (parts) of eleven chapters. Rohn isolates chapter one from the strategic segmentation, thus grouping chapters two to eleven into seven strategies. In chapter one, he examines five key words. According to Rohn, all the ideas in this book stem from a group of key words. He adds that to understand this book, therefore, and get maximum value from its contents, it is essential that we examine these key words one after the other.
These key words, according to Rohn, are “Fundamentals”, “Wealth”, “Happiness”, “Discipline” and “Success”. He says fundamentals refer to those basic principles on which all accomplishments are built. “Fundamentals form the beginning, the basis and the reality from which everything else flows,” he adds.
As far as the second key word “Wealth” is concerned, Rohn submits that wealth is a controversial word because it brings to mind a wide variety of images and sometimes conflicting concepts. The author educates that to one person, wealth may mean having enough money to do whatever he or she wishes; and to another, it may mean freedom from debt, etc.
As regards happiness, Rohn observes that happiness embraces the universal quest, a joy that usually accompanies positive activity. He says happiness is the skill of reacting to the offerings of life by perception and enjoyment. Rohn expatiates that it is achieved by both giving and receiving, reaping and bestowing. In his words, “It belongs to those who are in control of both their circumstances and their emotions. Happiness is also the freedom from the negative children of fear such as worry, low self-esteem, envy, greed, resentment, prejudice, and hatred.”
As far as the last key word, that is, “Success” is concerned, the author educates that it, too, maintains elasticity of interpretation. Rohn adds that it is an elusive notion, a paradox as it is both a journey and a destination. “Success is both accomplishment and a wisdom that comes to those who understand the potential power of life,” reflects the author.
Strategy one of this text is generically labelled “Unleash the power of goals”, and contains three chapters, that is, chapters two to four. In these chapters, Rohn examines the concepts of what motivates people as regards goals, how to set goals, as well as how to make goals work for you.
In strategy two that is notionally christened “Seek knowledge”, and contains one chapter, that is, chapter five entitled “The path to wisdom”, this great business philosopher says one of the fundamental strategies of living the good life is to know what information you need in order to achieve your aims. Rohn says once you know what you need to know, it is also helpful to know how to go about gathering that knowledge.
Strategy three is labelled “Learn how to change”, and covers just a chapter, that is, chapter six, which is based on the miracle of personal development.
In strategy four that is conceptually summarised as “Control your finances”, and contains one chapter, that is, chapter seven, which is based on how to achieve financial freedom, Rohn emphasises the importance of tax-payment, the 70/30 Rule, charity, capital investment and savings to achieving financial freedom.
Strategy five is tagged “Master time”, and covers just a chapter, that is, chapter eight, which is based on how to be an enlightened time manager, while strategy six is based on the need to surround yourself with winners.
Strategy six covers chapter nine, which discusses the principle of association. “One of the major influences shaping the person you want to be is also one of the least understood. It is your association with others – the people you allow into your life…,” says Rohn. He adds that the influence of those around you, is so powerful and subtle that you often do not realise how it can affect you.
In the last strategy, that is, strategy seven which is tagged “Learn the art of living well”, and covers two chapters, that is, chapters ten and eleven, he examines the concepts of your road to richer lifestyle and the day that turns your life around. “Think of something you can do today to make you feel richer and better about your life…,” advises the author. Rohn says you should be happy with what you have while pursuing what you want.
Conceptually, this book is fantastic and outstanding. As regards style, this text is a success. Apart from the simplicity of language, the presentation is also logical. Brilliant segmentation of the chapters into different strategies makes this text very reader-friendly. What’s more, to achieve conceptual reinforcement and ensure easy understanding on readers’ part, Rohn uses biblical allusions as well as autobiographical illustrations.
However, though Rohn has now corrected the two errors of “7” and “&” found in his old title tagged “7 Strategies for Wealth & Happiness”, one error noticed in the book that needs to be corrected is, “I was yet to understand….” instead of the Standard English version “I had yet to understand….”
On the whole, the text is a masterpiece. If you aspire to be wealthy and happy in life, then this text is a must-read for you. It is simply irresistible.
GOKE ILESANMI (FIIM, FIMC, CMC), CEO of Gokmar Communication Consulting, is an International Platinum Columnist, Professional Public Speaker, Career Mgt Coach and Certified Mgt Consultant. He is also a Book Reviewer, Biographer and Editorial Consultant.
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