Thoughts Are Things

…and powerful things at that, when they are mixed with definiteness of purpose, persistence and a burning desire for the translation into riches.

Six Ways to Turn Desires into Gold

1. Fix in your mind the exact amount of money you desire
2. Determine what you intend to give in return for the money you desire
3. Establish a definite date when you intend to possess the money you desire
4. Create a definite plan for carrying out your desire and begin at once whether you are ready or not to put this plan into action.
5. Write out a clear concise statement of the amount of money you intend to acquire, name the time limit for its acquisition, state what you intend to give in return for the money, and describe clearly the plan through which you intend to accumulate it.
6. Read your written statement aloud, twice daily, once just before retiring at night, and once after arising in the morning. As you read – see and feel and believe yourself already in possession of the money.

2nd Main Point of Think and Grow Rich –Faith

Repetition of affirmation of orders to your subconscious mind is the only known method of voluntary development of the emotion of faith.

Self Confidence Formula 

(This is an abridged formula. I recommend you read the book for the full formula)

• I know I have the ability to achieve the object of my definite purpose in life. I demand of myself persistent, continuous action toward its attainment.
• I realize the dominating thoughts of my mind will eventually reproduce themselves in outward, physical action, and gradually transform into physical reality; therefore, I will concentrate my thoughts for 30 minutes daily on thinking of the person I intend to become and creating a clear mental picture;
• I know through the principle of autosuggestion that any desire which I persistently hold in my mind will eventually seek expression through some physical means; I will devote 10 minutes daily to demanding of myself the development of self-confidence.
• I have clearly written down a description of my definite chief aim in life; and I will never stop trying, until I shall have developed sufficient self-confidence for its attainment.
• I will engage in no transaction which does not benefit all whom it affects. I will succeed by attracting to myself the forces I wish to use, and the cooperation of other people. I will eliminate hatred, envy, jealously, selfishness, and cynicism, by developing love for all humanity. I will cause others to believe in me, because I will believe in them, and in myself. I will sign my name to this formula, commit it to memory, and repeat it aloud once a day, with full faith that it will gradually influence my thoughts and actions so that I will become a self-reliant, and successful person.

3rd Main Point of Think and Grow Rich –Auto-Suggestion

Auto-Suggestion is now known as affirmations and visualization. (This is an abridged version of the method Napoleon Hill suggested.)

• Find a quiet place, close your eyes and repeat aloud so you can hear it the written statement of how much money you desire, the time limit for its accomplishment, and the description of the service or product you intend to give for the money.
• Do this morning and night until you can see in your imagination the money you wish to accumulate.
• Place a written copy of your statement where you can see it night and morning and read it just before bed and again when you wake up until it has been memorized.

4th Main Point of Think and Grow Rich –Specialized Knowledge

There are two types of knowledge. General and Specialized.

General knowledge is the type taught is school and is not useful for becoming wealthy because you are not taught how to organize and use it.

In order to become wealthy you need to use highly organized and intelligently directed specialized knowledge. Specialized knowledge is common and cheap to obtain from specialists. The specialists don’t become wealthy just because they have the knowledge. Knowledge must be organized and put into use for a definite purpose through practical plans of action in order to become wealthy.

5th Main Point of Think and Grow Rich –Imagination

Your desires are given shape, form and action through your imagination. There are two types of imagination.

Synthetic imagination is the ability to arrange old concepts, ideas, or plans into new combinations. This harnesses your experience, education and observations, and is mostly used by inventors.

Creative Imagination is where the finite mind of man communications directly with Infinite Intelligence. It is represented through “hunches” or “inspirations” received by the subconscious.

Synthetic imagination can be made stronger through use and as it gets stronger the Creative Imagination will automatically become accessible to you

6th Main Point of Think and Grow Rich –Organized Planning

Desire is turned into concrete plans in your imagination. There are several ways to help you to form more concrete plans.

Form a Master-Mind group.

Ally yourself with a group of like-minded folks for the creation and execution of your plan. Meet with this group twice a week and maintain perfect harmony in the group.

Conduct an assessment of your Leadership capabilities.

A good leader has certain attributes of leadership which we should all aspire towards:

These qualities of leadership are:

• Unwavering courage
• Self-control
• A keen sense of justice
• Definiteness of decision
• Definiteness of plans
• Doing more than being paid for
• Pleasing personality
• Sympathy and understanding
• Mastery of detail
• Willingness to assume full responsibility
• Cooperation of others

We should avoid the failures of leadership:

• Inability to organize details
• Unwillingness to render humble service
• Expectation of pay for what we “know” instead of what we do
• Fear of competition from followers
• Lack of imagination,
• Selfishness,
• Intemperance,
• Disloyalty,
• Emphasis of title

Use the “QQS” Formula.

Quality of service: the performance of every detail, in connection with your position, in the most efficient manner possible, with the object of greater efficiency in mind

Quantity of service: the habit of rendering all the service of which you are capable, at all times, with the purpose of increasing the amount of service rendered as greater skill is developed

Spirit of service: the habit of agreeable, harmonious conduct which will induce fellow employees and associates to cooperate.

Conduct a Self-Assessment

To avoid failure, it’s useful to conduct a personal assessment. In the book, we’re given a detailed list of 28 questions to ask yourself. Please read the book to see those questions.

Look for Opportunities

Finally, your plan should include taking stock of opportunities to gain wealth. This can be in virtually any industry where market demand outstrips supply.

7th Main Point of Think and Grow Rich –Decision

A lack of decision if manifested by procrastination. Successful people make decisions quickly and are slow to change their decisions. Unsuccessful people are slow to make decisions, if they make them at all, and then change their decisions too soon.

Successful people are not easily influenced by the opinions of others. Making definite and decisive decisions takes courage. Successful people get want because they can make a decision, form plans and take action to get it.

8th Main Point of Think and Grow Rich – Persistence

Lack of persistence is one of the major causes of failure. Persistence comes from the habitual use of Auto-Suggestion.

There are four simple steps to develop the habit of persistence.

• A Definite Purpose backed by a burning desire for fulfillment.
• A Definite Plan expressed by continuous action.
• A Mind closed 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 you to follow through with both plan and purpose.

9th Main Point of Think and Grow Rich – Power of the Master-Mind

Power is essential for success. Plans are useless without power behind them. The best way to multiply your own brain power is through the use of a Master-Mind group.

When a group of people get together to coordinate knowledge and effort, in a spirit of harmony, for the attainment of a definite purpose there is type of synergy created that Mr. Hill referred to as a “Third Mind”. The members of the group can tap into this energy. People 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.

10th Main Point of Think and Grow Rich – Sex Transmutation

To transmute means to transform one form of energy into another. The sex instinct is our most primal and powerful drive. So strong is this desire that individuals often put their life and reputation on the line to indulge in it. When this sexual energy is redirected into other pursuits, it can have a far more potent effect. We can use this energy to charm and attract the people we have an interest in. If we gather this energy and use it through creative imagination, we will be able to sound and seem more attractive to people. This charm can help us get what we want by convincing people around us to cooperate.

11th Main Point of Think and Grow Rich – The Sub-Conscious Mind

You can use autosuggestion to give instructions to the sub-conscious mind that focuses on the 7 positive emotions.

The 7 Positive Emotions Are:

1. The emotion of desire
2. The emotion of faith
3. The emotion of love
4. The emotion of sex
5. The emotion of enthusiasm
6. The emotion of romance
7. The emotion of hope

You should avoid any thoughts associated with the 7 negative emotions,

The 7 Negative Emotions Are:

1. The emotion of fear
2. The emotion of jealously
3. The emotion of hatred
4. The emotion of revenge
5. The emotion of greed
6. The emotion of superstition
7. The emotion of anger

Negative emotions limit the ability of the subconscious to be effective.  For instance, if you pray for a thing but have fear as you pray that you may not receive it, your prayer will have been in vain.

12th Main Point of Think and Grow Rich – The Brain

The brain is capable of picking up vibrations of thought which are being released by other brains. The creative imagination is the receiving set of the brain.

The subconscious mind is the broadcasting station of the brain. The use of Auto-Suggestion is the way that you put into operation your ability to “broadcast” to others.

Man understands little or nothing of the intangible force of thought. But this is not a reason to underestimate it. A good way to develop the brain is brainstorming through your imagination.

13th Main Point of Think and Grow Rich – The Sixth Sense

The Sixth Sense is the sense through which Infinite Intelligence communicates to us. Some call this your intuition or hunch. Others may call it your  guardian angel, genius or muse. Through the use of Auto-Suggestion and the use of the imagination, this sense becomes more available to you.

Indecision is the seedling of fear. Indecision turns into doubt, the two blend together and become fear. The Sixth Sense will not function with fear present. 

There are six basic fears.

1. The Fear of Poverty
2. The Fear of Criticism
3. The Fear of Ill Health
4. The Fear of Loss of Love
5. The Fear of Old Age
6. The Fear of Death

In addition to these fears there is one final evil: Being susceptible to negative influences.

Fears are nothing more than states of mind. You can control your state of mind. The one thing you have control of are your thoughts. 

If you fail to control your own mind, you will control nothing else.