New Year’s Resolution: Think and Grow Rich Revisited
How is that New Year’s resolution working out for you? If you are like most people you have made up your mind to lose weight, start/repair a relationship or fix your finances. Are you one of the few, the proud, the dedicated? When the end of January comes, are you still sticking to your resolution?
If your resolution was to fix your finances. Here is a little something that might help you stay committed to your goals.
The year was 1937, the Great Depression was shaking the very foundations of the American psyche. People were questioning not only our economic system, but the viability of our most fundamental values. In the face of overwhelming evidence to the contrary Napoleon Hill stood up and voiced his convictions.
The seminal classic “Think and Grow Rich” was published. This book is just as remarkable today as it was when it was first printed. Next year will be it’s 75th anniversary and in view of the recent economic news, it seems that the message within it’s pages could have been written yesterday.
It is the time of year when we turn to the guru’s and seek help. But, who do the guru’s turn to? Where do they find the inspiration behind their “you can do it” and “atta’boy” messages?
The answer, my friend, is not blowing in the wind. The answer lies within Napoleon Hill’s “Think and Grow Rich”.
If your goal is to turn your finances around, this could be the best first step to take. The writing style might come across as slightly stiff and formal. Some of the examples and situations presented might skirt the edges of politically incorrect. However, the message is delivered with the passion and ardor of a true believer. It just might infect you with a positive attitude.
Here is a quick and easy summary of the principals outlined in his book. Follow the guidelines and you just might find yourself back on the right financial track.
Desire
Napoleon Hills focuses on your desire to achieve extraordinary wealth. Anyone can wish for money, practically everyone does. If you are going to apply his principles you must have a burning desire to achieve financial success. One of the tools he insists you can use to foster this is very simple to implement. Write it down. Be very specific in your goal. I will make xx amount of money per month. Determine what you will give to achieve this. Establish a definite date by which this will be achieved. Develop a plan and implement it immediately. Once you have written this out. Post it where you will be constantly reminded of it. Read it out loud every morning and every night before you go to sleep.
Faith
You must believe to achieve. Faith can be developed, and strengthened. Convince yourself and you will unleash the power of your mind to do wondrous things.
Autosuggestion
Mr. Hill is a firm believer in the power of the mind. He believes this power can be harnessed for good or evil. He also believes that you can “trick” your subconscious mind into working for you. Apply the two concepts of desire and faith and you will program your mind to achieve wealth.
Develop a specialized knowledge
If you have nothing to offer the world, that is precisely what it will return to you. Nothing. Develop a skill, develop knowledge. You must be able to offer something of worth in order to receive something of worth. This is not as difficult as it sounds. Knowledge is readily available and easily compiled.
Imagination
Believe in the power of ideas. Once thoughts become actions they develop a life of their own. Once you have begun applying the steps mentioned previously, ideas will take root. There is nothing more powerful than thought. All you have to do is look around you to see how powerful an idea can become. Christianity, democracy, Microsoft. All ideas that started in the fertile soil of imagination.
Organized Planning
“Your achievements can be no greater than your plans are sound.” With this in mind, begin to find people who have a similar mindset as the one you are intent on building. Begin the process of assembling a team. This will be your master mind group. No one person has enough knowledge, experience and education to succeed on a massive scale without the cooperation of other people. The plans your master mind group develops must be practical and workable. If your plan fails, don’t be discouraged. It just means you need a better plan!
Decisions and Persistence
Once you have made a decision on your goals, do not waver. Your plans may change but your determination can not.
Overcome your fears
Fear can be categorized and outwitted. You can program the power of your subconscious mind to help you overcome the fears that paralyze the minds of many people. Do not let fear of failure stop you from acting.
If you are intrigued by the ideas in “Think and Grow Rich” you should read more. There are copies of the book available for a free download over the internet. It has remained a best seller for almost 75 years. Much of the advice is timeless, this is a book that belongs in everyone’s personal library to be read and read again.
Follow the strategies in this book and maybe next year you will need to find a new resolution. Your financial worries will be gone!
Guest Author – Monte French