This book is like a recipe book for practical dreamers who wish to lead or be part of a "master mind" group. Think and grow rich helps you put your theories and ideas into action using detailed steps outlined in every chapter. The momentum for success is set from the beginning and maintained to the last page by the acclaimed Napoleon Hill.
From the onset, success is the message and the cause of not attaining success is given as quitting when overtaken by temporary failure. Napoleon Hill gives a list ‘The major reasons for failure’ that you can use as a checklist for self-analysis. Practicing the steps given in every chapter ensures you remain ready until you get the success that you seek.
According to Napoleon Hill, there are only 3 powerful emotions. Which branch into 6 major positive and negative emotions.
1. Faith
2. love
3. Sex
| Positive | Negative |
| Desire | Fear |
| Faith | Jealousy |
| Love | Hatred |
| Sex | Revenge |
| Enthusiasm | Greed |
| Romance | Superstition |
| Hope | Anger |
In the book, you are encouraged to read chapters 2, 3, and 11 to harness the power of these three emotions. Bible verses on faith will prove to be very helpful (Romans 14:23, Hebrews 11:1-9). And the commonly used one "Faith without action is dead" will position your vision and desire on the verge of possibilities.
If you study the locus of control, you will be able to place yourself accurately in the journey rate of success. Because when Napoleon Hill encourages the reader to have the desire, use the subconscious mind, tap into the vibrations of the universe, and outsmart fear, he challenges you to be the master of your fate which is contrary to many people’s belief where failure is always blamed on external forces. Yet failure and success are rooted in the mindset and habits you cultivate.
In our previously discussed book, confidence we established that it's an individual who plays the biggest role in their success or failure based on their habits and focus towards their ideal self or goal. External factors may have a contributing factor but ultimately it depends on how swiftly and skilfully you manoeuvre or adapt.
This not only takes dexterity and business acumen but also immense courage. Which of the 6 fears rank highest for you? I go for 3 man, tsk! Chapter 15 gives you tips on how to outwit these ghosts of fear.
- The fear of poverty
- The fear of criticism
- The fear of ill health
- The fear of loss of the love of someone
- The fear of old age
- The fear of death
Steering your life towards success will make you a leader who primarily leads themselves and then others which will require you to have the distinguishing qualities of leaders: whether born or made that’s a debate we can have on our vibrant WhatsApp group or physical meeting. There are pages specifically talking about leadership that will prove beneficial for you and even for that debate argument. ????
As a leader, you need to master your thoughts and accumulate power. According to Hill, Power is “organized knowledge” acquired through;
- Infinite intelligence – creative imagination
- Accumulated experience - studying
- Experiment and research – gathering, classifying, and organizing facts
Your thoughts determine everything. Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “Sow a thought and you reap an action; sow an act and you reap a habit; sow a habit and you reap a character; sow a character and you reap a destiny.” Our destiny is tied directly to and starts with our thoughts. This has been emphasized strongly. As you read Bible verses on Faith, you will find plenty more on thoughts plus the commonly used one ‘’as a man thinketh in his heart, so is he’’
Thoughts can be on the reachable surface of the mind, hidden somewhere in the subconscious, vivid images in our dreams or imagination. Hill encourages the use of autosuggestion, the subconscious mind and the brain as a broadcasting and receiving station for thought, the mastermind, as well as 2 types of imagination;
- Synthetic imagination
- Creative imagination
From me to you, do add meditation as a way to use or relax your thoughtful or even thoughtless mind. It works wonders. Another thing that would be wonderful is if you read the entire book, the suggestions below, and join our book club. All these could be another door to the temple of wisdom as explained in chapter 14.
- The bible verses of course.
- The richest man in Babylon by you know who (we have read the book.)
- The Wisdom of Success by Andrew Carnegie & Napoleon Hill (which might be our next book)
- The power of your subconscious mind by Joseph Murphy
- The power of habit by Charles Duhigg