Change is an inevitable part of life and Jim Rohn’s ‘The Seasons of Life’ asks us to view life’s challenges from a different perspective.
The book in a nutshell
Based on the parable of the sower and the reaper, it illustrates the parallels between life and the changing seasons. It describes what we need to do in each ‘season’ of life to ensure success in the next.
Key takeaways
Winter
If we’ve done the hard work and prepared for it then winter doesn’t have to equal suffering. We are able to manage while we wait for it to pass. If we haven’t done what we should then we will feel the pain of it.
The lesson of winter is preparation. Use it as a chance to learn, grow and improve your skills. Hard times often bring the greatest lessons.
Spring
Spring brings the freshness of new hope and opportunity after the bleakness of winter but we must take advantage. In order to make the most of it we have to be aware and able to take action. We have to seize the moment.
No action equals no harvest.
Summer
During summer we take care of what we’ve created. We nurture it lovingly and do what we need to do to protect it. Neglect is the one sure way to guarantee a failed crop. Patience, perseverance and commitment are critical during this season.
Fall
This is harvest time and brings great rewards if you planted in the spring and worked diligently all summer. A good harvest ensures that you are able to withstand what the winter will bring and prepared for taking advantage of the next opportunities. If you’ve shown only bad habits and lack of care and effort during the summer a poor harvest is the most likely result.
My favourite quotes:
‘Don’t pray for things to be easier, rather, pray for more obstacles and more challenges for it is out of these that man’s character and will to succeed are formed.’
‘You cannot change the seasons but you can change yourself.’
Final thoughts
I love the simplicity of this book and I can hear Jim Rohn’s voice when I read it. It struck me that he’s right, the seasons will change but they are predictable. They will come whether we want them to or not and we have no control over them. It’s what we do when we are going through each season that can make the biggest difference in our lives. If we can learn and apply those lessons then we can reap great rewards.
If you’re going through a challenging time this is just the read you need. It will help you to understand that any challenge you’re going through is just your winter season and it won’t last forever. Spring will come eventually (it always does) so make the most of it.