In Think and Grow Rich, Napoleon Hill conveys the message that our minds have more power in determining one's success than we all realize. He thoroughly explains this point by giving examples that he has seen in his own life, and by sharing what he has witnessed while studying other successful people. Hill then discusses the 13 Steps to Riches. These include, desire, which is how bad someone wants to obtain something and to what extent they will go to reach their goals. Faith, the understanding that one will accomplish their goals with time. Auto suggestion, the way to guide one's thoughts and feelings through feeding it helpful suggestions. Specialized knowledge, choosing to focus on one's craft and career everyday. Imagination, the key to unlocking genius ideas and growing the mind. Organized planning, the ability to organize and use one's thoughts and translate them into reality. Decision, the ability to promptly make the correct decisions. Persistence, the ability to continue pushing forward amidst temporary defeat. The Power of the Mastermind, getting close friends whose goals align with yours to help you on your way. The Mystery of Sex Transmutation, channeling one's sexual energy into something else. Then finally all of the more complex ones, such as Using the Subconscious Mind, Using the Brain Correctly, and Gaining the Sixth Sense. Finally, Hill the discusses what fear is and how to avoid its damaging consequences.
Quote:
“Fears are nothing more than states of mind” (294).
Fear is not real. Fear is just a different type of mindset that one faces on their journey through life. The most common six basic fears are the fear of poverty, criticism, ill health, loss of a love of someone, old age, and death. All of these are felt more so before they arrive, than when they actually happen to you. If one understands fear is a bad state of mind, they can block it out and never let their hope be damaged. The ability to block out thoughts of fear and replace them with visualizations of success and joy can radically change one’s attitude and in turn change their circumstances. Everyone feels fear in their lives, but by understanding that it is just a mindset and you can change your thoughts to a better one, life can always be joyful.
Essay:
You Can Do Anything You Set Your Mind To Most of humankind has gone through life expecting that whatever happens to them is inevitable. They cannot outrun their fate and they can under no circumstances have an extraordinary life because those are only meant for the rich and famous. It is precisely because of this belief that most have lived basic, ordinary lives that once over, leave all feeling dissatisfied and as though they never truly lived in the first place. People stop chasing their dreams and trying to accomplish their greatest goals the moment another displays their disbelief. In the 1937 copy of Think and Grow Rich, Napoleon Hill addresses the timeless concept of finding success in a world of struggle and despair. In this book, Hill conveys the message that anyone can obtain success by stating that the only limitations are those in our minds, by declaring that habits can change lives, and by revealing that success is always closer than one thinks. Everyone has limits in their life. Some of these are true, like extreme impossibilities such as flying, but most of these are just imaginary limitations. Hill quickly establishes that “Our only limitations are those we set up in our own minds” (36). He explains that if one goes into life with the notion that they can only go so far with their goals and never complete them, then that is exactly what they will do. Truly our limits in life are exactly whatever we choose them to be. If one really wants to accomplish something they must first realize that they are truly capable of doing it and then remove all previous limitations that lived in their head. Once this is completed, one can begin to accomplish anything that they desire. The next thing that caused Hill to realize that everyone can accomplish their greatest desires is his witness to the role that small habits play in success. Small and seemingly insignificant habits are one of the largest contributors to the discipline found in successful people. Hill states that small habits turn into larger ones, which in turn become one’s actions. These actions then dictate the new direction in which one’s life is headed. Anything is possible when one can control their daily habits. As declared by Hill, “We rise to high positions or remain at the bottom because of conditions we can control if we desire to control them [...] both success and failure are largely the results of habit” (99). In displaying that habits can direct success, and anyone can change their habits, Hill conveys that everyone has the ability to accomplish whatever it is that they want. Finally, Hill discovers that success is always closer than one thinks. When times get hard it’s very easy to accept defeat and give up. This should never happen! No failure is final unless it is accepted to be that way. Challenges that make one feel as though they want to give up are what Hill calls “temporary defeat”. It’s not a real defeat unless you accept it as one and stop trying. Oftentimes, when circumstances make one want to give up, success quickly follows, if they only keep trying. Hill found that in the journey to accomplish one’s dreams, “Success came just one step beyond the point at which defeat had overtaken them” (9). It has been proven time and time again that difficult situations are the precursor to the greatest riches. One truly can accomplish anything and everything that they want, they just have to make up their mind to obtain it. In Think and Grow Rich, Napoleon Hill conveys this message to be true, by showing that there are no limitations outside of one’s mind, displaying the ability for small habits to make huge differences, and by revealing that success is always just right around the corner. This book is an inspiration to everyone and has shown that you too can do anything that you set your mind to. The only thing left is to ask oneself: when do I begin?
Themes:
Power of the Mind: Our minds grant us the ability to control all of our thoughts which in turn create our reality.
Finding Success: Anyone can find success in life, they just have to have the mindset and persistence to obtain it.
Discovering Satisfaction in Life: Riches do not always mean money. Riches can be found through family, friendships, and enjoyment in one's career.