Twelve Pillars by Jim Rohn and Chris Widener
Are you stuck running on empty, feeling that your hard work isn’t matching your dreams? Twelve Pillars, a novel by legendary success mentor Jim Rohn and Chris Widener, blends foundational life principles into a fictional story of Michael’s transformative journey. This book matters today because it provides a highly structured and yet emotionally compelling blueprint—the Pillars of Success—essential not just for achievement, but for designing a truly exceptional life and leaving a lasting positive impact.
Who May Benefit
- Individuals seeking profound personal change.
- Professionals looking to increase influence and income.
- Aspiring entrepreneurs and business leaders.
- Anyone dedicated to continuous self-improvement.
- Parents or mentors focused on teaching success principles.
Top 3 Key Insights
- Personal growth is paramount: Your income and success are tightly constrained by your personal development; you must become a ‘million-dollar person’ before earning the money.
- Change is internal: The only way to change your circumstances or life outcome is by first changing the way you live and who you are.
- Master the craft of influence: True leadership is simply mastering the art of influencing others and helping them change their beliefs and actions for the better.
4 More Takeaways
- Self-education yields a fortune, while formal education only guarantees a living.
- Relationships require time, effort, and imagination, treating them like a garden you must constantly tend.
- You must design your own life plan, or you will inevitably fall into someone else’s plan for you.
- Written goals are powerful because they bring cognitive awareness, compelling your mind to work toward achieving them.
Book in 1 Sentence
Through the story of Michael and his mentor, this novel outlines the twelve fundamental success principles required to build a life of achievement and legacy.
Book in 1 Minute
Twelve Pillars introduces Michael, a man dissatisfied with his life, who meets the insightful Charlie and begins learning the life-changing principles gathered by the wealthy Mr. Davis. The central message is radical: to achieve more, you must first improve yourself beyond your job, as income rarely exceeds personal development. The Pillars provide a framework covering everything from prioritizing health and relationships to mastering sales, time, and goal-setting. By applying these lessons and choosing the right associations, you transform yourself into an attractive, capable individual. The ultimate purpose of this journey is not just wealth, but mastering these Pillars to leave behind a meaningful legacy for those who follow your trail.
1 Unique Aspect
The wisdom is presented through a “unique tapestry of a fictional account” involving three characters—Michael, Charlie, and Mr. Davis—allowing the reader to absorb profound principles through compelling, relatable storytelling rather than simply through instruction. The narrative structure embodies the idea that “when the student is ready, the teacher will appear”.
Chapter-wise Summary
1. A Chance Encounter
“So you have to work harder on yourself – improving yourself – than you do on your job.”
Michael encounters Charlie, the caretaker of the magnificent Twelve Pillars estate, under unusual circumstances. Their conversation quickly turns to Michael’s career in sales and his plateaued success. Charlie introduces the fundamental distinction between working hard on your job (earning a salary based on your skill level) and working harder on yourself (improving your skills beyond your pay grade). Michael admits he wants things to change for his family, leading Charlie to deliver the core message from Mr. Davis: the only way things will change for Michael is when he changes. If he continues to live as he is now, he will continue to produce the same results.
Chapter Key Points
- Success demands self-improvement.
- Hard work alone is insufficient.
- Changing self changes life.
2. Live a Life of Health
“You should make sure that the outside of you is a good reflection of the inside of you.”
Three weeks later, Michael seeks out Charlie again, his desire for excellence now reignited. Michael realizes he had become complacent and was blaming external circumstances instead of taking responsibility for his life. He had already begun his transformation by writing down a list of ten things he needed to change. This chapter establishes physical health as a foundational pillar, suggesting that the condition of one’s external life, including physical well-being, is a reflection of the commitment and discipline applied internally.
Chapter Key Points
- Health reflects inner state.
- Complacency must be overcome.
- Reignite passion for excellence.
3. The Gift of Relationships
“The way to build relationships is by giving them time.”
The discussion shifts to relationships, which are compared to tending a garden that requires time, effort, and imagination to flourish. Michael learns that this principle applies not only to marriage but to all relationships—friends, family, church, and work. The lesson emphasizes that relationships are built on giving them time, encouraging Michael to spend more time with his wife, Amy, and his children and friends. If relationships are neglected, they will surely struggle.
Chapter Key Points
- Relationships are like gardens.
- Dedicate time, effort, imagination.
- Relationships require tending.
4. Achieve Your Goals
“The major reason for setting a goal is for what it makes of you to accomplish it.”
Michael shares his challenge of feeling like he is not living up to his potential, which leads Charlie to discuss the power of goals. Writing down goals is introduced as the key step that brings a goal into reality and provides the necessary cognitive awareness for the mind to begin achieving it. Michael is encouraged to write down 100 things he wants to accomplish before he dies. The most important lesson about achievement is that the far greater value lies not in the goal achieved (like making a million dollars), but in the growth of the person required to reach it.
Chapter Key Points
- Writing goals creates reality.
- Aim for 100 life goals.
- Personal growth exceeds monetary value.
5. The Proper Use of Time
“Days are expensive. When you spend a day you have one less day to spend.”
Charlie stresses the finite nature of life, noting that days are “expensive” and must be spent wisely, ensuring that daily actions align with overall life goals. Michael is cautioned against the “time management trap” where people spend time on the urgent rather than the important. The urgent, if uncontrolled, becomes a tyrant. Charlie highlights that we must choose whether we control our time or let it control us, urging Michael to be the master and designer of his own life plan. Failing to design your own life plan means you will fall into someone else’s plan.
Chapter Key Points
- Spend days thoughtfully.
- Be time’s master.
- Design your own life plan.
6. Surround Yourself With the Best People
“To attract attractive people you must be attractive.”
Michael now discusses the people in his life, and Charlie challenges him to evaluate his associations by asking if they affect his current situation positively. Charlie uses a pool analogy, explaining that just as adding too much of the wrong chemical ruins the water, association with the wrong people can ruin your life’s balance. Mr. Davis teaches that to attract successful, attractive people, one must first work on oneself and become attractive and powerful. The results in life and career directly correlate with the associations chosen, giving Michael the freedom and responsibility to limit or disassociate with people who hold him back.
Chapter Key Points
- Associations directly impact life.
- Attract success by improving self.
- Take responsibility for choices.
7. Be a Life-Long Learner
“Formal education will make you a living. Self-education will make you a fortune.”
Charlie introduces the concept of becoming a life-long learner, noting that a successful person never stops seeking knowledge. He observes that many assume they know everything they need to know about life after graduating from high school or college. Mr. Davis’s principle states that while formal education provides a living, self-education will make you a fortune. Michael notices Charlie is physically declining but agrees to read a list of recommended books from Mr. Davis, cementing the understanding that development is continuous.
Chapter Key Points
- Successful people never stop learning.
- Self-education brings great fortune.
- Read recommended books.
8. All of Life is Sales
“Know your stuff. Talk to lots of people. Be persistent and never take ‘no’ for an answer.”
Sales is defined by three powerful principles. First, you must know your product or skill set; you cannot effectively share what you do not truly possess and believe in. Second, success in sales depends on the law of large numbers—talking to a large volume of people ensures a predictable percentage of buyers. Third, persistence is crucial, urging the salesperson to “never take ‘no’ for an answer”. This mindset applies to all of life, not just professional selling.
Chapter Key Points
- Believe in what you sell.
- Utilize law of large numbers.
- Maintain powerful persistence.
9. Income Seldom Exceeds Personal Development
“You have to love what you become, not love money.”
This chapter provides a profound lesson on wealth. Mr. Davis states that after achieving great wealth, the most important outcome is the character growth of the person who achieved it. You must grow personally to the point where you are a wealthy person, rather than simply having money. Charlie pushes Michael to consider working for himself to capture profits, pointing out that 99% of the wealthy became so by working for themselves and capturing the profits, a system superior to the wage system. Michael realizes he has alternative options beyond his current job.
Chapter Key Points
- Become the wealthy person first.
- Profits are better than wages.
- Love becoming, not money.
10. All Communication Brings the Common Ground of Understanding
“Communication is two or more people working together to find the common ground of understanding.”
Michael returns to Twelve Pillars to discuss effective communication. Charlie explains that communication is challenging because people often engage in a “turf battle,” trying to get the other person to concede their ground instead of seeking a neutral, common understanding. When two or more people successfully find common ground, they are positioned to have tremendous power together. This common ground is vital for working well with spouses, colleagues, and anyone else.
Chapter Key Points
- Seek shared understanding.
- Avoid turf battles.
- Common ground creates power.
11. The World Can Always Use One More Great Leader
“The challenge of leadership is to be strong, but not rude; be kind but not weak; be bold but not a bully…”
Leadership is often misunderstood; Mr. Davis teaches that everyone can be a great leader because leadership is fundamentally the art of influencing others. Leaders help people change their thoughts, beliefs, and actions for the better. Effective leadership requires a challenging balance of traits: being strong but kind, bold but humble, and never timid or arrogant. Great leaders help people with their entire lives, not just their jobs, and they are masters of influence.
Chapter Key Points
- Leadership is influencing people.
- Balance kindness and strength.
- Help others improve their lives.
12. Leave a Legacy
“My goal in life has been to live it in such a way that it would serve those who have come after me, to blaze a trail that would allow others to move forward in their lives faster than if they had to blaze that trail themselves.”
Michael arrives for his final lesson and finds Charlie is too sick to meet but has left him a letter from Mr. Davis. Mr. Davis reveals that the final Pillar is the most important: Leave a Legacy. A legacy is achieved by living an exemplary life—spiritually, intellectually, physically, financially, and relationally—that serves as a powerful example. Legacy is fulfilled by teaching others how to live their best life, much like planting a tree that provides seeds for future generations to plant their own. Michael leaves, realizing his life will never be the same.
Chapter Key Points
- Legacy is the most important Pillar.
- Live an exemplary, exceptional life.
- Teach others to live well.
10 Notable Quotes
- “So you have to work harder on yourself – improving yourself – than you do on your job.”
- “The only way things are going to change for you is when you change.”
- “You should make sure that the outside of you is a good reflection of the inside of you.”
- “The major reason for setting a goal is for what it makes of you to accomplish it.”
- “Days are expensive. When you spend a day you have one less day to spend.”
- “You control your time or it controls you. Take your pick.”
- “To attract attractive people you must be attractive. To attract powerful people you must be powerful.”
- “Formal education will make you a living. Self-education will make you a fortune.”
- “Income seldom exceeds personal development.”
- “Leaving a legacy is like planting a tree.”
About the Author
Jim Rohn is widely regarded as a pivotal figure in personal development, having shared his fundamental principles and teachings for over 40 years. He is considered an extraordinary human whose philosophy enhances the quality of life for anyone exposed to it, according to Anthony Robbins. Mark Victor Hansen calls Rohn the “Chairman of Speakers,” recognizing his style, substance, and charisma. Often described as a modern-day Will Rogers, his insights into achievement and success have launched countless individuals on a life-changing path. Rohn’s primary purpose for teaching and traveling is explicitly “To leave a legacy”.
Chris Widener is described as a leader of the new generation of personal development and leadership experts. He began speaking professionally in 1988, has shared stages with US Presidential candidates, and is known for his highly motivational content. Widener has written over 350 articles and produced more than 30 audio programs on leadership and motivation. He is praised by Jim Rohn for his phenomenal knowledge and ability to engage an audience, and is a contributor to The Jim Rohn One-Year Success Plan.
How to Use This Book
Read this novel like a personal coaching session. Focus on applying one Pillar at a time—especially working harder on yourself—to build the foundation for your future success.
Conclusion
The wisdom contained within Twelve Pillars offers a clear map: your current life is merely a reflection of who you are, but you have the power to change. By committing to personal growth, mastering influence, and diligently choosing your path, you can design a life that serves as an exceptional example for others. Don’t wait for miracles; begin working harder on yourself today to create the legacy you are meant to leave!