This is a classic of personal development literature. But has it gone past its use-by date?
Published in 1937 at the end of the Great Depression, the book was 27 years in the making. Despite it’s now dated language and style it remains highly relevant to today’s audience. The principles described continue to form the basis of much of the work of modern authors in the personal development space.
(Warning: you may find some statements to be inappropriate or sexist, indicative of the time it was written. If you can look past these you'll find great value in the underlying principles.)
Summary of the book
Various authors have researched just what it is that makes successful people successful, but perhaps none to the degree of Napoleon Hill. He spent 20 years studying 500 millionaires!
The results of his research are summarised into 13 principles described in the classic book.
Step 1 - Desire
Hill states that we must have a burning desire in order to achieve our goals. He argues that those who succeed are those who are so focused on their goal, so committed, that failure is simply not an option they consider.
Step 2 - Faith
Hill argues that you must believe that you can achieve your goals in order to achieve them.
Step 3 - Autosuggestion
Hill argues the benefits of daily affirmations which spell out exactly what you will achieve and when. You don't have to be specific about how you will arrive at your goal, but you must be specific about what that goal is.
Step 4 - Specialised Knowledge
Continue to learn and seek the knowledge you need in order to achieve your goal. Hill states:
“The person who stops studying merely because he has finished school will be doomed to mediocrity no matter what may be his calling.”
Seeking the knowledge doesn't always mean being able to do everything yourself. Knowing when you can outsource and exactly what you need will have a dramatic impact on your ability to achieve your goal.
Step 5 - Imagination
Hill writes
“Man’s only limitation, within reason, lies in his development and use of his imagination.”
He urges readers to come up with ideas and visualise their success.
Step 6 - Organised planning
“Achievement can be no greater than your plans are sound.”
The idea is simple: create a plan and take action on that plan. The difference between those who succeed and those who don’t often comes down to simple execution. Those who continue to take action move closer to their goals with each action.
Step 7 - Decision
"Mastering procrastination and the ability to make decisions is the seventh step to riches."
Step 8 - Persistence
“Be persistent no matter how slowly at first you may have to move. With persistence comes success.”
Step 9 - Power of the mastermind
Hill argues that in order to be our best we need to surround ourselves with the best.
Step 10 - The mystery of sex transmutation
This chapter definitely needs a modern update as it's really written for men only. But Hill’s idea that the choice of life partner will impact our ability to succeed is worth exploring.
Step 11 - The subconscious mind
“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.”
Hill argues for the power of the positive mindset and our ability to influence our mindset.
Step 12 - The brain
Interact with other smart people to solve problems.
Step 13 - The sixth sense
Hill defines the sixth sense as “that portion of the subconscious mind which has been referred to as the Creative Imagination,” through which “ideas thoughts and plans dash into the mind.”
Essentially, your gut instincts.
Hill continues that through your sixth sense “you will be warned of impending dangers in time to avoid them, and notified of opportunities in time to embrace them.”
Why read it?
Anyone familiar with writings in the personal development field will immediately recognise Napoleon's ideas. His principles form the basis of much of the work of modern authors in this space. And while modern authors add their own value through their own unique lens, if you want to go straight to the source, there is no replacement for the original.
Although the language can seem formal and archaic at times, Napoleon's insights have proven timeless. If the language becomes a barrier, try listening to the audiobook.
Who will benefit?
Anyone who wants to understand how to make the most of our mind’s ability to problem-solve.
Resource:
Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill
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