We recorded this Dec 23, 2024. We decided to sneak one in during Christmas week and when we connected for the pre game, neither of us had any ideas about what might make a good topic

Then we shared a couple of real "what just happened" stories and AI was a common theme. So we decided to share our genius

I didn't edit or listen to this episode for the first time in 3 years. I think it'll be good

Learn how to make fun of yourself and recognize how little you know

Mark & Jim

Hey all. We began with a New Years, year-end, goal setting theme within the context of some JIm Rohn quotes

What we ended up with is an in depth reflection on Jim Rohn's wisdom and how much of it might be very helpful as we plan for what's next

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Mark leads with year-end, new year and goal setting as topics. The context is the wisdom of Jim Rohn.

Our Jim loves Rohn and brought some quotes as foundations for our episode

Jim says it’s the past, present and future approach

He reflects on being in sales and the goal setting and metrics of sales

Jim shares his opinion of Jim Rohn and how timeless his wisdom is

Jim says 2024 was a year of real change and events that will shape us forever. Decisive

AI, new administration, mainstream news failing…

Two Rohn quotes…

“Don’t wish it was easier, wish you were better”

“To get what you want, you give others what they want”

Mark says wisdom is wisdom and if it’s helpful, you’ll find it in all works (Twain, Stoics, Bible…)

Jim brings up Rohn’s optimism and patriotism. The value of hard work and possibilities

Mark brings up that hope, optimism and wisdom are choices. You seek them or you don’t

Mark read’s Jim G’s Rohn quotes

Formal education and self education. Jim describes his own self education journey. Mark reflects on his experience with education and quotes Twain. Education became indoctrination

Control - “Either you run the day or the day runs you”. Jim brings in our wheel framework and the self (awareness and control). Mark shares how all the “Selfs” work together

Discipline - “Success is nothing more than a few disciplines practiced every day”. Mark frames this as “showing up”

Prepared, on time, with a good attitude. Mark reflects that all the good stuff is hard, but it’s simple. Jim brings up sports and how critical showing up is, not just talent. He then cites the high cost of being the best. Mark brings up his father and brother being pilots

The Pain Of Discipline - Choosing discipline or choosing regret. Jim shares “I’d rather die in my world than live in someone else’s with regret”. Better or bitter. Mark talks about his regrets in terms of how he processes his regrets. Jim - Life is hard and if it’s not, you’re not trying hard enough”

Mark tells his “Get A Helmet” story

Jim says it dangerous to tell kids that things should be easy. Mark reflects on “rub some dirt on it” and “No pain no gain”. The Vince Lombardi era

Mark asks about the happy medium between pain and fortitude

Walls - The walls we build around us to keep sadness out, also keep the joy out

Jim has one more…

If you don’t design your own plan…

Peoples problems are always more important than yours

Mark recommends Jim Rohn, Mark Twain and the Stoics

Mark introduces the topic of self awareness. He shares that their “pregame” discussion was very self reflective. He suggests that the time of year, as well as some other personal events from Jim’s life and Mark’s have the guys a bit mired in self reflection and self awareness

Mark reads a couple of quotes Jim brought to the recording. One secular (Stoic) and one Biblical (Thomas)

Jim shares some context for his quotes and shares his position on self awareness and what’s going on in his life

Jim reflects on yesterday being the 5 year anniversary of his father’s death. He says to really understand yourself, you have to go back in time. Family history and stories. Jim came across some photos of his dad he’d never seen before. Then he reflects a bit on his grandparents (4 grandparents/four quadrants - that shape you)

Jim asks about Mark’s conversation with his dad and comments about “peeling back Jim’s onion”

He talks about piling multiple issues all on top at once and how that makes tough stuff even tougher

Are we getting more “Imperfect” or more self aware

Mark shares his mom and dad’s influence and then describes his memories of his grandfathers…not from memory but from stories

Jim returns to our fathers and specifically his relationship with his father. How he has gained appreciation and gratitude for his dad since his death. Jim also suggests that he’s grown too

Mark gives Jim kudos for being personally accountable with all these things for being responsible for his response to hardship and challenge. Learning from his experiences

Mark shares that his dad also had 10 brothers and sisters too. Both guys are also middle children

Mark shares his self image

Jim shares another saying/quote about virtues and vices

They discuss both. Jim thinks we all strive to be the best versions of ourselves

Mark reflects on being fathers of young adult kids and what fathers face as their kids get older - more people more problems How to navigate these additional relationships. They joke about the meaning of love and different types of love

Intimacy, jealousy, all the emotions

Mark says it’s also a function of the time of year

Jim shares his experience going through the photos of his dad. He got them touched up - colorized and they came to life. He reflects about how his father tried to discuss these things with Jim when he was younger

Mark brings up his mom’s suicide and how his feelings have evolved as time has gone by. For his kids too

Mark says self awareness enables us to address and feel these things

Jim asks Mark to speak more about his mom. Mark talks about his younger brother and how he feels like he inherited his troubles from his mother

Mark goes deep on his mom’s suicide story. How he went from anger to sadness to forgiveness and empathy/love

Mark is grateful for her now. He sees her asa troubled soul

Jim says we’re all troubled souls

Mark thinks there are two types of people. Melancholy and not melancholy

Jim asks about Mark’s father. Mark says his dad was the exact opposite. He shares his parents divorce and some of the details

Jim asks more about Mark’s mom. Did he recognize his mom’s condition when he was young

Mark oversimplifies the impact his parents had on his 3 siblings and himself. He shares some suicide and addiction reflections

Jim begins to wrap up and Mark adds a takeaway

We are all going through stuff. We’re not alone

Mark loves the 4 quadrant approach of your 4 grandparents

Jim reflects on how this episode relates to our flywheel

Relationships and worldview

As our family members get older…more episode material:)