Motivational Gurus: Jim Rohn and Jim Rome

There’s one thing you need to know about me: I get Jim Rohn and Jim Rome confused.

(One dude is a leadership guru. The other dude is an ESPN guy or something.)

And there’s another thing you need to know: I love Jim Rohn quotes, but I don’t always get them right.

(Close enough, I say!)

So I was in a car, a few weeks ago, with a human resources consultant who also happens to be a dear friend. What do you talk about on a two-hour car ride when you’re done talking about work and life and pets and kids and employee engagement and SHRM?

You talk about more HR shit like leadership and motivational speakers.

So I said, “I believe you are the sum of the five parts of people you spend time with. That’s some Jim Rome gold, right there.”

My friend laughed and said, “Don’t wish for the stars, man. Wish you were a better.”

I loved it! He was playing along, too!

So I doubled-down on my fake Jim Rome knowledge and said, “If you want it, here it is. Go and get it. First, find a way.”

And my friend said, “Excuses build coffins with nails.”

Boom. That’s pretty much true.

Being on the road and away from home is boring. Sometimes it’s filled with awkward silence. Sometimes it’s filled with too much chatter about work itself. What I cherish about my friend is that he didn’t correct me on Jim Rohm versus Jim Rome. He didn’t bat an eyelash when I wanted to talk about anything other than work. And he made me think that, yeah man, excuses do build coffins. I see it.

Spending time and having weird conversations with colleagues and friends? That’s what motivates me (or keeps me from going crazy) when I’m on the road.