Yesterday was the first official day of summer. It reminded me of this email I had sent out previously:

Today’s email is the third in the Jim Rohn season series:

Somehow a part of me was wishing the summer one was some version of “goof off all day and take it easy”, but apparently that wasn’t in the Jim Rohn philosophy anywhere.

First, Jim says you need to learn how to nourish and protect your crops all summer. The noxious weeds and bugs will take it, if you don’t prevent it.

Jim goes on to talk about how there are two major things to know:

All good will be attacked

All values must be defended

Every garden must be tended all summer.

Here are just a few of the things in my life that I think of when I hear Jim talk about protecting the garden:

· My marriage. I need to be diligent about making sure I give my marriage the attention and respect it deserves. I have a wonderful marriage to an unbelievable woman and that deserves constant vigilance to make sure it stays that way.

· My kids. I need to be aware of what I am doing every day that will have long term impacts on the two little ones that are looking up to their dad every day.

· My relationship with God. I need to spend time daily studying the Bible and praying.

· Mavidea. We have an awesome culture and have the best place to work in the entire world. And we need to keep it that way. Anything less is unacceptable.

· My attitude. I need to make sure that I don’t associate with negative people. I need to guard my words and deeds carefully so that I am being positive and being the example that I would like to be for others.

Jim ends by saying “If you never develop this skill you will never end up with anything of value.” I think this is the part that drives the point home. If you can’t figure out how to tend to the gardens in your life, you will end up with nothing.

You may have a great relationship in the short term.

You may have money for short periods.

You may find happiness in short intervals.

But in order to have all of those things (and more) in the long run, you must learn to protect and nurture that which is valuable to you. You must spend time cultivating those things of value.

Take a minute to think about what is valuable in your life and whether or not you are doing a good job of gardening. If not, get to work.

Make it a great day.

Jake