twelve pillars, by Jim Rohn and Chris Widener, is a short, easy-to-read story about a man named Michael Jones, who feels his life is at a dead end. He meets an older gentleman named Charlie who shares with Michael twelve “pillars” that have helped Charlie’s homeowner, Mr. Davis, achieve great success. The story is somewhat predictable (although I’m not going to tell you how, you have to read the book), but it effectively conveys each of the pillars. I introduced these pillars to a group of college students a few months ago and thought it would be nice to share them with you as well.

Pillar 1 is “Personal Development”. This pillar highlights that you can only go as far as the level you are at. The key points of this pillar are: success comes when you develop beyond where you are today; read books, attend seminars/speaker engagements, study the best people; and implement and integrate what you have learned. These points remind me of the definition of insanity, doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. To get different results, you have to change what you’re doing. “The only way things are going to change for you is when you change.”

Pillar 2 is “Total Wellness”, which is “three-dimensional health”. The three dimensions are the body (physical), the soul (our intellect, emotions and will) and the spirit (part of us that transcends this world). The Spirit is your core, the soul is the next layer, and the body is the outer layer. You have to work on all three, not just work on one to the detriment of the others. The relationship between the three dimensions highlights the need to be transparent, sincere and genuine. Let people see you for who you really are. “You have to make sure that your exterior is a good reflection of your interior.”

The Third Pillar is “The Gift of Relationships”. Relationships represent the “most beautiful ups and downs” and the “most tormented lows” of life. Relationships are the backbone of our existence. twelve pillars explains that relationships are like a garden, you have to cultivate them. Once you get them up and running, maintaining them to keep them growing is much easier. “Time, effort, and imagination must be constantly summoned to keep any relationship flourishing and growing.” People say that money makes the world work, but I believe that relationships make the world work because things are done through people.

Pillar 4 is “Achieve your goals”. I have heard and read many times that you should write down your goals. Writing them down brings them to reality. An added benefit of achieving your goals is that you become a better person. “The main reason for setting a goal is what makes you achieve it.” One thing I learned from someone else is that plans will change, but your goals will stay the same. A good approach to checking your progress is “Plan, Do, Check, Adjust.”

“The good use of time” is the fifth Pillar. There are two types of pain, the pain of discipline, which weighs only ounces, and the pain of regret, which weighs tons. Do not procrastinate, the end of your life will come sooner than you expect; don’t wait until it’s too late. Remember that when you spend one day, you have one less day to spend, so spend each day wisely. “Every day you have many opportunities, but only one better opportunity.” The best opportunities are those that align with your overall goals. Know the difference between urgent and important.

“Surround yourself with the best people” is Pillar 6. “Don’t join an easy crowd, you won’t grow. Go where the expectations and performance demands are high.” People have amazing power to influence your destiny. Every relationship you have is an association, be it positive, neutral or negative. Ask yourself the following questions about your relationships. Who I am? What effect are they having on me? What do you have me reading? What do you have me saying? Where do they have me going? What do you have me thinking? What are they turning me into? Then ask yourself if you are good with answers. Categorize each person you meet. Is he or she someone you should disassociate with, have a limited association with, or should you expand your association? Surround yourself with winners, successful people who exhibit and live by values ​​and skills that you want to acquire and develop. You become like those you date, so be picky.

Pillar 7 is “Be a student for life”. Most of his life is lived after formal education. “Formal education will earn you a living. Self-education will earn you a fortune.” Self-education is about what you teach yourself and what you learn along the way so that you are constantly improving and growing. Learning is the beginning of wealth, health and spirituality. Read books, watch successful people, reflect on your own experiences; Learn what went right and what went wrong. Help others by sharing what you have learned. “All

Life is Sales” is the eighth Pillar. Sales means influence and influence is the key to a successful life; learn the art and skill of influence. “A key to having influence with others is that others perceive you as a person with talent and virtues.” Your talent and virtues represent your character and ability. Be a person of strong character and growing ability and you will always be increasing your influence.

Pillar 9 is “Income rarely exceeds personal development.” Money does not solve the problems of life; you can lose it, be sued for it, or it can be stolen. What matters is what you become because, “What you become directly influences what you get.” Become a million dollar person. Remember, even if you lose money, you have the skills to win it back.

“All communication brings the common ground of understanding” is Pillar 10. “Communication is two or more people working together to find the common ground of understanding. And when they find that common ground, they position themselves to have tremendous power together” . Communication is difficult, but important in all relationships. It’s about what you say, how you say it, when you say it, and the receptivity of who you say it to. Make sure you really listen. The character behind listening is caring enough and valuing the other person enough to want to listen. People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.

Pillar 11 is “The world can always use one more great leader.” Anyone can be a great leader, all it takes is mastering the art of influence. Leaders make a difference through service. “Managing others is helping them change their thoughts, beliefs, and actions for the better.” Be interested in people, not just what you can get from them. Help people with more than just their jobs, help them with their lives. A critical component is the leader-follower relationship, which must be based on trust and integrity. Great leaders are real, they know where they are. Great leaders have an optimistic vision, they know how to get to a better destination and they work for that vision. Another quote I like that captures the essence of leadership is: “The challenge of leadership is to be strong but not rude; to be kind but not weak; to be bold but not a bully; to be thoughtful but not lazy; to be humble.” “. but not shy; be proud, but not arrogant; have humor, but without madness”.

Finally, Pillar 12 is “Leave a Legacy”. Life is short. You can’t choose how long you’ll live, but you can choose how well you’ll live. “Live a life that helps others spiritually, intellectually, physically, financially, and relationally. Live a life that serves as an example of what an exceptional life can look like.” The path we travel has been prepared for us by others who have gone before us. So live your life in such a way that it serves those who will come after you. Open a path that will allow others to move forward in their lives faster than if they had to open the path themselves.

As you can see, the twelve pillars are interdependent; you cannot concentrate on one and neglect the others. The bottom line is that you have a choice about your life, “Make a life or Design a life.” I hope you find value in these pillars and feel inspired to take up twelve pillars and apply the pillars to your life and business.