The first time I read Think and Grow Rich it didn’t really speak to me. But as I get older, each time I read it (or listen to the audio book) I get something new from it. Therefore I thought I’d do a series of blog posts to share some thoughts on Napoleon Hill’s classic book.
A Burning Desire
This is probably why the book didn’t speak to me when I was younger … I hadn’t found my burning desire. But as I get older I’m more sure of myself and what I want … hence a burning desire.
And Hill wasn’t talking about just any burning desire; he was talking about the desire to generate wealth.
He wrote:
Every human being who reaches the age of understanding of the purpose of money, wishes for it. 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.
Certainly, it’s not money itself that most people actually desire; it’s what money can do. Pay for a child’s education, health care (increasingly important as we age), travel, retirement savings, leaving a legacy.
Once you have a burning desire there are six steps Hill wrote about for achieving wealth. Grab a sheet of paper and do them with me.
One: Be definite about the exact amount of money you want.
Two: Commit to what you are willing to do in exchange for the money you desire. (In other words what’s your product or service).
Three: What is the exact date you intend to possess the money you desire? (A goal without a deadline never arrives)
Four: Create a definite plan of action and begin it at once. A goal without a plan is simply a wish. A plan without action is a waste of time.
Five: Write a personal mission statement – a clear, concise statement of the amount of money you want to acquire, the time limit you have set, what you intend to give in exchange for the money and describe clearly the plan or action steps you will take to accumulate it.
Six: Read your mission statement twice daily – morning and night.
Are you with me?
Thanks for this article, Andrea. I’ve never read the book, although it’s been on my reading list for awhile.
I think there’s no “attraction” without “action”, as many people, wrongfully, think that wishing for something will just magically make it real.
Keep up the good work!
Boris, I agree … action is the key. And I often see that once you commit to action, the universe throws all kinds of help at you.
You should definitely read the book. I actually have 3 copies – the original text, Think and Grow Rich for Women by Sharon Lechter and an audio book version with updated examples. The audio book is great for road trips to Toronto.