Either you run the day, or the day runs you.

Jim Rohn (1930–2009), an American business philosopher and motivational speaker, frequently emphasized personal responsibility, disciplined habits, and intentional time use in his seminars and audio programs from the 1970s onward. This line is commonly attributed to him in the context of his teachings on self-management: planning one’s day, setting priorities, and acting deliberately rather than reacting to circumstances. It reflects Rohn’s broader message that small daily choices compound into long-term results—an idea he used to motivate audiences of entrepreneurs and sales professionals to adopt routines, goals, and structured schedules.

The quote frames daily life as a contest between agency and drift. To “run the day” is to decide in advance what matters—priorities, time blocks, and commitments—so that attention and effort serve chosen goals. If you do not, “the day runs you”: urgent demands, distractions, and other people’s agendas dictate your actions, leaving you reactive and scattered. Rohn’s stark either/or phrasing is rhetorical, but it highlights a practical truth: without intentional structure, default patterns take over. The saying functions as a call to self-discipline and proactive planning as the foundation of achievement.