(excerpted from the "How to Keep a Journal" audio
series by Jim Rohn)
If you're serious about becoming a wealthy, powerful,
sophisticated, healthy, influential, cultured and unique
individual - keep a journal. Don't trust your memory.
When you listen to something valuable, write it down.
When you come across something important, write it down.
I used to take notes on pieces of paper and torn-off
corners and backs of old envelopes. I wrote ideas on
restaurant placemats. On long sheets, narrow sheets and
little sheets and pieces of paper thrown in a drawer.
Then I found out that the best way to organize those ideas
is to keep a journal. I've been keeping a journal since
the age of twenty-five. The discipline makes up a valuable
part of my learning, and the journals are a valuable part
of my library.
I am a buyer of blank books. Kids find it interesting
that I would buy a blank book. They say, "Twenty-six
dollars for a blank book! Why would you pay that?" The
reason I pay twenty-six dollars is to challenge myself to
find something worth twenty-six dollars to put in there.
All my journals are private, but if you ever got a hold
of one of them, you wouldn't have to look very far to
discover it is worth more than twenty-six dollars.
I must admit, if you got a glimpse of my journals, you'd
have to say that I am a serious student. I'm not just
committed to my craft; I'm committed to life, committed
to learning new concepts and skills. I want to see what I
can do with seed, soil, sunshine and rain to turn them into
the building blocks of a productive life.
Keeping a journal is so important. I call it one of the
three treasures to leave behind for the next generation.
In fact, future generations will find these three treasures
far more valuable than your furniture.
The first treasure is your pictures. Take a lot of
pictures. Don't be lazy in capturing the event. How long
does it take to capture the event? A fraction of a second.
How long does it take to miss the event? A fraction of
a second. So don't miss the pictures. When you're gone,
they'll keep the memories alive.
The second treasure is your library. This is the library
that taught you, that instructed you, that helped you
defend your ideals. It helped you develop a philosophy.
It helped you become wealthy, powerful, healthy,
sophisticated, and unique. It may have helped you
conquer some disease. It may have helped you conquer
poverty. It may have caused you to walk away from the
ghetto. Your library, the books that instructed you, fed
your mind and fed your soul, is one of the greatest gifts
you can leave behind.
The third treasure is your journals: the ideas that you
picked up, the information that you meticulously gathered.
But of the three, journal writing is one of the greatest
indications that you're a serious student. Taking
pictures, that is pretty easy. Buying a book at a book-
store, that's pretty easy. It is a little more challenging
to be a student of your own life, your own future, your
own destiny. Take the time to keep notes and to keep a
journal. You'll be so glad you did. What a treasure to
leave behind when you go. What a treasure to enjoy today!
To Your Success,
Jim Rohn
