Think and grow rich

Five Life Lessons from Napoleon Hill’s Think and Grow Rich
It’s been quite long since I read the book “Think and Grow Rich ” by Napoleon Hill but I recently went through the book again because I strongly believe that with every reading comes new lessons and inspiration. Just as expected, I came across fresh lessons that challenged my perception and I made up my mind to share these lessons learned with you.
Now if you haven’t read the book “Think and grow rich, ” then I am sorry to say that you are shielding yourself from uncommon knowledge; I am talking about knowledge that has the power to change your mindset and empower you to create wealth. And if you have read the book, then you probably must have missed these five lessons that I am about to share with you. Regardless of the group you belong, you are going find this article informative.
Think and grow rich is a classic book that analyzes the secret to the success of great men from all walks of life. The book explains in details the success secret of self made men such as Henry Ford, Andrew Carnegie, Thomas Edison, King Gillette, George Eastman, John D. Rockefeller and Alexander Graham Bell . When it comes to learning the secrets to wealth, then “Think and grow rich ” is unquestionably the book to read.
Sincerely speaking, there are over 101 lessons to be learned from the book “Think and grow rich” ranging from business success secrets, personal success strategies to life lessons. So instead of rambling over why you should read the book “Think and grow rich, ” I believe it is better I share with you five life lessons I learned from Napoleon Hill’s “Think and grow rich.” So sit back and digest the lessons you have probably missed.
Five Life Lessons from Napoleon Hill’s Think and Grow Rich
1. All you need is one sound Idea to Succeed
This lesson is so true and glaring; yet, most of us fail to achieve success in life. I decided to extract this lesson from “Think and grow rich ” because I see individuals skipping from one business idea or opportunity to another. Everyday, I see individuals planning to start a business but they don’t seem to be making headway simply because they are waiting for the perfect business opportunity.
Everyday, I receive messages from budding entrepreneurs wanting to partner with me and this is the way most of their pitch goes.
“I have an excellent business idea that will make us a lot of money.”
“My idea is so unique that nobody else knows it.”
“I have just discovered the perfect business opportunity. Will you invest with me?
“I think we should work together, I have tons of business ideas.”
While I try my best not to discourage the aspiring entrepreneurs, I do my best to make them realize that the world is filled with brilliant ideas . After all, most caterers and chefs can bake a better hamburger than Ray Kroc; yet,
Ray Kroc became a billionaire with his averagely baked burger . If the perfect idea is all it takes to become a billionaire, I expect everyone to hit tremendous success effortlessly.
Now that brings me back to my lesson one that states “All you need is one sound idea to succeed. ” This lesson is very important and applicable to our everyday life. Everyday, I come across people bouncing from one business opportunity to another; from one get rich quick scheme to another. I also have friends who spend all their time and resources chasing different investment opportunities .
To these set of people, they think their problem lies in the business opportunity and they hope that one day, they will hit the right idea. But I want to say to you that you don’t need multiple ideas to succeed in life; all you need to achieve success is one sound idea. That idea could be a skill you possess or your passion, talent or hobby.
Remember that Henry Ford did not become a billionaire with multiple business ideas, neither did John D. Rockefeller. Andrew Carnegie did not pursue several business ideas and opportunities; he focused on steel. Bill gates and Larry Ellison focused on software; Carlos Slim Helu focused on telecommunication and Oprah Winfrey focused on entertainment . So if you are going to achieve success or strike it rich in life, then you have to find your passion or a business opportunity you are passionate about promoting and focus on it.
Remember, all you need to achieve success is just one sound idea; so be wise.
2. Becoming Rich begins with your Mindset
I have written on this time without number but I believe strongly that it’s worth repeating that becoming rich begins with your mindset . Napoleon Hill in his book “Think and Grow Rich” said that when you begin to think and grow rich, you will observe that riches begin with a state of mind, with definiteness of purpose and with little or no hard work . And I believe this statement in its entirety.
“Getting rich begins with the right mindset, the right words and the right plan. ” – Rich Dad
In the book “Think and grow rich” Napoleon Hill emphasized the fact that
success comes to those who become success conscious and failure comes to those who indifferently allow themselves to become failure conscious. He also pointed out the fact that one of the main weaknesses of mankind is the average man’s familiarity with the word “impossible. ”
“The word impossible has been and remains deleted from our dictionary. ” – Ingvar Kamprad
It was based on these points that I drew out my lesson two that states: “Becoming rich begins with the right mindset. ” I have written tons of articles with respect to developing your mindset so you can check them out if refocusing your mindset is your priority.
3. You are the master of your fate
Do you believe in fate? Do you believe that your life is being controlled by some supernatural forces? Do you believe that your fate or destiny has been predetermined even before your birth ? Then I feel you should have a rethink. Well, even before I came across this life lesson from “Think and grow rich,” I had already developed the perception or belief that I am responsible for my life. And that’s why Abraham Lincoln said that “a man is not responsible for the beginning of his life but the end thereof. ”
Well, if you think you are more spiritual than I am; then think again because even God said in the scripture that:
“See thou a man diligent in his business? He shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before vain men. ” – Proverbs 22: 29
“For whatsoever thy hands find to do, do it with all thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom in the grave. ” – Ecclesiastes 9: 10
“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man sow, that shall he also reap. ” – Galatians 6: 7
Though while trying to sound not too spiritual, I want you to know that life was formed on rules and that’s why philosophers believe that nothings happens without a reason or cause . I strongly believe in miracles but I want you to know that miracles don’t just happen; miracles are always the product of two factors “Faith and Self belief.”
So what am I trying to stress? The point I am trying to emphasize here is that you are responsible for your life. You have not being predestined to be rich or poor; either of them is a choice which only you can choose for yourself . So if you believe in fate, I want you to abandon that belief and take charge of your life today.
After all, no one is doomed to bad luck and the bible emphasized this fact in the statement that “as a man thinketh in his heart, so he is. ”So take charge of your life today; take control of your life’s direction. Just as Napoleon Hill said, “you are the master of your fate. ”
4. The starting point of all achievement is desire
How did great men become great? How did the richest people in the world become rich? The answer is very simple; they strongly desired it and they used that desire as an inspiration to reach for greatness.
“I intend to be, the richest man in the world. ” – Howard Hughes
Henry Ford did not become a billionaire by chance; he desired it. Barrack Obama did not emerge the president of United States by chance; he strongly desired it and worked towards it. Wal-Mart did not become the most capitalized company in the world by chance; the management desired it and acted on the laid down principles of its founder “Sam Walton ” to make that desire a reality.
“Dream more than others, think practical. ” – Howard Schultz
So if you are going to achieve anything worthwhile in life, then you must strongly desire it and must be willing to make some sacrifices for that desire to become a reality . That draws the curtain on lesson number four: “The starting point of all achievement is desire. ”
5. Knowledge is not power
My lesson number five may look controversial but I don’t expect it to be because it’s the truth. We have all grown up bearing in mind that knowledge is power but I want to state clearly that “Knowledge is not power. ” Knowledge is only potential power; the wise application of knowledge is where the true power lies.
In the book “Think and grow rich, ” Napoleon Hill stressed the point that
knowledge will not attract money; unless it is organized and intelligently directed through practical plans of action . Lack of understanding of this fact has been the source of confusion to millions of people who falsely believe that knowledge is power.
Knowledge is not power!!! It is only potential power until it is organized into definite plans of action and directed to a definite end. Programming knowledge did not make Bill Gates or Larry Ellison the richest people in the world; intelligent application of programming knowledge with a synergy of business sense did. So change your perception about knowledge and get down to work.