Think and Grow Rich

Think and Grow Rich was first published amidst Great Depression. The book has been a word classic since 1937. Napoleon Hill brings in front of the readers a combined wisdom from more than 500 most successful individuals from richest men to top politicians , famous inventors , writers, people from the industry. Their insights were then summed down into principles and contribute to what Hill refers to as an overall “Philosophy of Achievement.”

I have rearranged these principles according the best possible impact factor. this is based on a simple funda……. empty the cup first if you want to put in something new. so first removing the negative factors from our brain and life is extremely important before we put in something positive. So here we go.

THE SIX GHOSTS OF FEAR:

These are something that every individual suffers from at one point of time or another. author arranges them in the order of occurrence of the most common appearances…… a) fear of poverty, b) fear of criticism, c) fear of ill health. author says these are at the bottom of most of our worries. then come the next 3. d) fear of loss of love, e) fear of old age, f) fear of death.

THESE FEARS COME EMBODIED IN DIFFERENT EMBODIMENT: The fear of poverty, embodied by indifference, indecision, doubt, worry, over-caution, and procrastination…………….The fear of criticism, embodied by self-consciousness, lack of poise, an inferiority complex, extravagance, lack of initiative, and lack of ambition……………The fear of ill health, embodied by hypochondria, poor exercise, susceptibility, self-coddling, and intemperance……………..The fear of the loss of someone’s love, embodied by jealousy, fault finding, and gambling…………..The fear of old age, embodied by slowing down and developing an inferiority complex around the age of 40, referring to oneself apologetically as “being old,” and killing off the habits of initiative, imagination, and self-reliance……………The fear of death, embodied by focusing on dying rather than living, lack of purpose, and lack of suitable occupation.

DESIRE: THE STARTING POINT OF ALL ACHIEVEMENT

Author says, “A burning desire to be and to do is the starting point from which the dreamer must take off. Dreams are not born of indifference, laziness, or lack of ambition.”

 “Wishing will not bring riches. But desiring riches with a state of mind that becomes an obsession, then planning definite ways and means to acquire riches, and backing those plans with persistence which does not recognize failure, will bring riches.”

The method by which desire for riches can be transmuted into tangible results consists of six definite, practical actions…………1) Fix in your mind the exact amount of money you desire. It is not sufficient merely to say, “I want plenty of money.” Be definite as to the amount…………..2) Determine exactly what you intend to give in return for the money you desire. (There is no such reality as “something for nothing.”)………………. 3) Establish a definite date when you intend to possess the money you desire………………4) Create a definite plan for carrying out your desire, and begin at once, whether you are ready or not, to put this plan into action……………..5) Write out a clear, concise statement of the amount of money you intend to acquire, name the time limit for its acquisition, state what you intend to give in return for the money, and describe clearly the plan through which you intend to accumulate it…………..6)Read your written statement aloud, twice daily, once just before retiring at night and once after arising in the morning. As you read, see and feel and believe yourself already in possession of the money.

FAITH: VISUALISATION OF, AND BELIEF IN ATTAINMENT OF DESIRE

HILL say, “If you do not see great riches in your imagination, you will never see them in your bank balance.”

“If the thing you wish to do is right and you believe in it, go ahead and do it. Put your dream across, and never mind what ‘they’ say if you meet with temporary defeat, for ‘they’ perhaps do not know that every failure brings with it the seed of an equivalent success.”

Successful people have solid faith in themselves. without faith in yourself and confidence to move forward you cannot succeed in life. author gives the example of mahatma Gandhi. his unwavering faith in himself helped him to end the British colonial rule in India and get his country freedom. A positive mind is more fertile to faith, and faith is the starting point for all success.

Five steps the author suggests to build faith and confidence in yourself………1) Know that you are capable of achieving your goal, and you must promise to be persistent in pursuit of this endeavour……. 2) The dominating thoughts of your mind will result in physical action and change your reality. You must, therefore, spend 30 minutes each day thinking about the type of person you want to become………. 3) For ten minutes each day, focus on increasing your sense of self-confidence………… 4) Write down a description of your goal, and don’t stop reaching for it until it’s attained………. 5) Come to realise that you cannot have enduring success if you attained it through immoral means. Therefore, make a promise to only engage in a transaction if it benefits all that are involved. A negative attitude towards humanity will never bring you success.

AUTOSUGGESTIONS: THE MEDIUM FOR INFLUENCING THE SUBCONSCIOUS MIND.

“Repetition or affirmation of orders to your subconscious mind is the only method of voluntary development of the emotion of faith.” “Each of us is what we are because of the dominating thoughts which we permit to occupy our mind.” “Any idea, plan, or purpose may be placed in the mind through repetition of thought.”

Autosuggestions means persuading or repeated commanding yourself that, you can reach your goals, your thoughts and ideas can be put to reality, go your own way with confidence.

SPECIALISED KNOWLEDGE: PERSONAL EXPERIENCES OR OBSERVATIONS:

“There are two kinds of knowledge. One is general; the other, specialized. General knowledge, no matter how great in quantity or variety it may be, is of but little use in the accumulation of money.”

“Knowledge is only potential power. It becomes power only when, and if, it is organized into definite plans of action and directed to a definite end.”

For this you don’t have to stuff you head with too much facts. it is important to acquire the right experience and knowledge. keep learning till the end of life. willingness to continue learning throughout life is a great asset. “The way of success is the way of continuous pursuit of knowledge.” If you reach a point where your amount of knowledge required exceeds your capacities, author recommends creating a “Master Mind” group. a group should consisting of individuals who have the knowledge you seek.

IMAGINATION: THE WORKSHOP OF THE MIND

According to the author there are two types of imagination: synthetic and creative. it is the creative imagination that transforms our dreams into ideas and our ideas into reality. if you want to keep your imagination active and always responding , challenge it and encourage it.

ORGANISED PLANNING: THE CRYSTALLISATION OF DESIRE INTO ACTION:

“When a group of individual brains are coordinated and function in harmony, the increased energy created through that alliance becomes available to every individual brain in the group.” to achieve success you have to collaborate with others. author in this chapter wants us to understand as to HOW TO BUILT PLANS WHICH WILL BE PRACTICAL.

Author suggests these strategies: ……. 1) Ally yourself with a Master Mind group that consists of people who will help you carry out your plan…….. 2) However, before assembling the group, be sure to ascertain what it is you can offer each of the members in return for their work………… 3) Meet with the group at least twice a week, or more if possible, until a solid plan has been created………….. 4) Maintain good relations between you and the group at all times.

DECISION: THE MASTERY OF PROCRASTINATION

“Success requires no apologies. Failure permits no alibis.”

After analysis of 25000 men and women and enquiring about their causes of failure, the one cause that topped the list was LACK OF DECISION. and one of the commonest enemy which hinders your decision making is PROCRASTINATION. Believe in yourself and never take too long or hesitate to make decisions. Those who make decisions quickly know what they want and how to get it. next hindrance in decision making is getting influenced by others. if you happen to be amongst those , then the author has some tips for you……….. 1) keep your own counsel. take no one into your confidence, except the members of your “Master Mind” group………… 2) close friends and relatives can also be a hindrance sometimes with their “opinions” and sometimes through ridicule, which is meant to be humorous………….. 3) you have a brain and mind of your own. use it…………. 4) keep your eyes and ears wide open…..and your mouth closed, if you wish to acquire the habit of prompt decision. always remember GENUINE WISDOM IS USUALLY CONSPICUOUS THROUGH MODESTY & SILENCE.

PERSISTENCE: THE SUSTAINED EFFORT NECESSARY TO INDUCE FAITH

“Riches do not respond to wishes. They respond only to definite plans, backed by definite desires, through constant persistence.”

“IF one does not possess persistence, one does not achieve noteworthy success in any calling”.

Author gives eight-stage action plan to cultivate persistence:……1) Definiteness of purpose: Knowing exactly what you want………..2) Desire: Becoming obsessed with amassing your monetary fortune………… 3) Self-reliance: Belief that you can follow your plan increases your persistence………….. 4) Definiteness of plans: Organised, thorough plans guide you forward………….. 5) Accurate knowledge: Ensuring that your plans are based on fact…………….. 6) Co-operation: Members of your Master Mind can encourage you to persist…………… 7) Willpower: Concentrating your attention on seeing your plans through to completion………….. 7) Habit: Persistence is the direct result of habit. What you do daily becomes who you are. By repeatedly acting courageously, fear can be overcome.

THE SUBCONSCIOUS MIND: THE CONNECTING LINK.………

“Positive and negative emotions cannot occupy the mind at the same time.”………..

The Seven Major Positive Emotions:…….Desire…….Faith……Love………Sex………..Enthusiasm……….Romance………… and Hope. Coming to the Seven Major Negative Emotions (To be avoided):…….Fear………..Jealousy…………Hatred………..Revenge……….Greed………Superstition……….Anger

THE SIXTH SENSE: THE DOOR TO THE TEMPLE OF WISDOM……

The author believes in “Infinite Intelligence” that could be tapped into when the subconscious was vibrating at a particularly high, positive frequency. the author says to understand sixth sense you have to master the other principles first. ” through the aid of the sixth sense, you will be warned of the impending dangers in time to avoid them, and notified of opportunities in time to embrace them”.