Think and Grow Rich (English)

by Napoleon Hill

Will-power and desire, when properly combined, make an irresistible pair. Men who accumulate great fortunes are generally known as cold-blooded, and sometimes ruthless.

Moreover, experience with thousands of people has proved that lack of persistence is a weakness common to the majority of men. It is a weakness which may be overcome by effort. The ease with which lack of persistence may be conquered will depend entirely upon the intensity of one’s desire.

The starting point of all achievement is desire. Keep this constantly in mind. Weak desires bring weak results, just as a small amount of fire makes a small amount of heat.

If you find you are weak in persistence, center your attention upon the instructions contained in the chapter on “Power”; surround yourself with a “Master Mind” group, and through the cooperative efforts of the members of this group, you can develop persistence.

Some men who have accumulated great fortunes, did so because of necessity. They developed the habit of persistence, because they were so closely driven by circumstances, that they had to become persistent.

“Every failure brings with it the seed of an equivalent advantage.”

Persistence is a state of mind, therefore it can be cultivated. Like all states of mind, persistence is based upon definite causes, among them these: 1. Definiteness of purpose. Knowing what one wants is the first and, perhaps, the most important step toward the development of persistence. A strong motive forces one to surmount many difficulties. 2. Desire. It is comparatively easy to acquire and to maintain persistence in pursuing the object of intense desire. 3. Self-reliance. Belief in one’s ability to carry out a plan encourages one to follow the plan through with persistence. (Self-reliance can be developed through the principle described in the chapter on autosuggestion.) 4. Definiteness of plans. Organized plans, even though they may be weak and entirely impractical, encourage persistence. 5. Accurate knowledge. Knowing that one’s plans are sound, based upon experience or observation, encourages persistence; “guessing” instead of “knowing” destroys persistence. 6. Co-operation. Sympathy, understanding, and harmonious co-operation with others tend to develop persistence. 7. Will-power. The habit of concentrating one’s thoughts upon the building of plans for the attainment of a definite purpose, leads to persistence. 8. Habit. Persistence is the direct result of habit. The mind absorbs and becomes a part of the daily experiences upon which it feeds. Fear, the worst of all enemies, can be effectively cured by forced repetition of acts of courage. Everyone who has seen ...

These are the weaknesses which must be mastered by all who accumulate riches. Failure to recognize and to clearly define exactly what one wants. Procrastination, with or without cause. (Usually backed up with a formidable array of alibis and excuses.) Lack of interest in acquiring specialized knowledge. Indecision, the habit of “passing the buck” on all occasions, instead of facing issues squarely. (Also backed by alibis.) The habit of relying upon alibis instead of creating definite plans for the solution of problems. Self-satisfaction. There is but little remedy for this affliction, and no hope for those who suffer from it. Indifference, usually reflected in one’s readiness to compromise on all occasions, rather than meet opposition and fight it. The habit of blaming others for one’s mistakes, and accepting unfavorable circumstances as being unavoidable. Weakness of desire, due to neglect in the choice of motives that impel action. Willingness, even eagerness, to quit at the first sign of defeat. (Based upon one or more of the 6 basic fears.) Lack of organized plans, placed in writing where they may be analyzed. The habit of neglecting to move on ideas, or to grasp opportunity when it presents itself. Wishing instead of willing. The habit of compromising with poverty instead of aiming at riches. General absence of ambition to be, to do, and to own. Searching for all the shortcuts to riches, trying to get without giving a fair equivalent, usually reflected in the habit of...

People refuse to take chances in business, because they fear the criticism which may follow if they fail. The fear of criticism, in such cases is stronger than the desire for success.

I discovered that most ideas are stillborn, and need the breath of life injected into them through definite plans of immediate action.

There are four simple steps which lead to the habit of persistence. They call for no great amount of intelligence, no particular amount of education, and but little time or effort. The necessary steps are: A definite purpose backed by burning desire for its fulfillment. A definite plan, expressed in continuous action. A mind closed tightly against all negative and discouraging influences, including negative suggestions of relatives, friends and acquaintances. A friendly alliance with one or more persons who will encourage one to follow through with both plan and purpose.

Power is essential for success in the accumulation of money. Plans are inert and useless, without sufficient power to translate them into action.

Power may be defined as “organized and intelligently directed knowledge.” Power, as the term is here used, refers to organized effort, sufficient to enable an individual to transmute desire into its monetary equivalent.

Power is required for the accumulation of money! Power is necessary for the retention of money after it has been accumulated!

let us examine the sources of knowledge: 1. Infinite Intelligence. This source of knowledge may be contacted through the procedure described in another chapter, with the aid of Creative Imagination. 2. Accumulated experience. The accumulated experience of man, (or that portion of it which has been organized and recorded), may be found in any well-equipped public library. An important part of this accumulated experience is taught in public schools and colleges, where it has been classified and organized. 3. Experiment and research. In the field of science, and in practically every other walk of life, men are gathering, classifying, and organizing new facts daily. This is the source to which one must turn when knowledge is not available through “accumulated experience.” Here, too, the Creative Imagination must often be used.

The “Master Mind” may be defined as: “Coordination of knowledge and effort, in a spirit of harmony, between two or more people, for the attainment of a definite purpose.” No individual may have great power without availing himself of the “Master Mind.”

“Men take on the nature and the habits and the power of thought of those with whom they associate in a spirit of sympathy and harmony.”

The meaning of the word “transmute” is, in simple language, “the changing, or transferring of one element, or form of energy, into another.”

Sex transmutation is simple and easily explained. It means the switching of the mind from thoughts of physical expression, to thoughts of some other nature.

The stimuli to which the mind responds most freely are: The desire for sex expression. Love. A burning desire for fame, power, or financial gain. Music. Friendship between either those of the same sex, or those of the opposite sex. A Master Mind alliance based upon the harmony of two or more people who ally themselves for spiritual or temporal advancement. Mutual suffering, such as that experienced by people who are persecuted. Autosuggestion. Fear. Narcotics and alcohol.

The method by which he does this varies with the individual, but this is the sum and substance of his procedure: He stimulates his mind so that it vibrates on a higher-than-average plane, using one or more of the ten mind stimulants or some other stimulant of his choice. He concentrates upon the known factors (the finished part) of his invention, and creates in his mind a perfect picture of unknown factors (the unfinished part), of his invention. He holds this picture in mind until it has been taken over by the subconscious mind, then relaxes by clearing his mind of all thought, and waits for his answer to “flash” into his mind.

Sex energy is the creative energy of all geniuses. There never has been, and never will be a great leader, builder, or artist lacking in this driving force of sex.

This energy may be communicated to others through the following media: 1. The hand-shake. The touch of the hand indicates, instantly, the presence of magnetism, or the lack of it. 2. The tone of voice. Magnetism, or sex energy, is the factor with which the voice may be colored, or made musical and charming. 3. Posture and carriage of the body. Highly sexed people move briskly, and with grace and ease. 4. The vibrations of thought. Highly sexed people mix the emotion of sex with their thoughts, or may do so at will, and in that way, may influence those around them. 5. Body adornment. People who are highly sexed are usually very careful about their personal appearance. They usually select clothing of a style becoming to their personality, physique, complexion, etc.

There is no other road to genius than through voluntary self-effort!

Memories of love never pass. They linger, guide, and influence long after the source of stimulation has faded.

You cannot entirely control your subconscious mind, but you can voluntarily hand over to it any plan, desire, or purpose which you wish transformed into concrete form.

Remember that the subconscious mind may be voluntarily directed only through habit, under the directions given in the chapter on faith.

The emotion of desire The emotion of faith The emotion of love The emotion of sex The emotion of enthusiasm The emotion of romance The emotion of hope

The emotion of fear The emotion of jealousy The emotion of hatred The emotion of revenge The emotion of greed The emotion of superstition The emotion of anger

Positive and negative emotions cannot occupy the mind at the same time. One or the other must dominate. It is your responsibility to make sure that positive emotions constitute the dominating influence of your mind.