I’m not sure how I first heard about this book, but I quickly discovered that it is well recognized as one of the best of all time for examining the psychology of people in terms of obtaining wealth in a material, educational, and emotional sense. . of the word. After reading the book just once, it became clear why this book has stood the test of time since it was published during the Great Depression in 1937. Mr. Napoleon Hill wrote this book based on the followers of his life as a partner and biographer of Andrew Carnegie. The book contains timeless advice and insights for understanding human thought and emotion, straight from one of America’s most successful businessmen. I strongly suggest that anyone interested in the philosophy of what drives human actions read this book and take note of its main message.
To open the book, Napoleon Hill points out that there are 12 areas of real wealth, almost all of which cannot be quantified in a material sense:
1) A positive mental attitude – (NOTE: positive attitude comes first)
2) Good Physical Health
3) Harmony in Human Relations
4) Freedom from fear
5) Hope for future achievements
6) Capacity for Applied Faith
7) Willingness to share one’s blessings with others
8) Be engaged in the labor of love
9) Open mind to all subjects and all people
10) Complete self-discipline
11) Wisdom to understand people
12) Financial security – (NOTE – Money is last)
Immediately after this introduction of key areas, Napoleon Hill challenges his readers that throughout the book there is a central theme in each chapter that has helped create many successful and wealthy men and women. Hill explains that this topic is crucial to fully understanding how to get rich in life and that it comes up quite often. He teases that he won’t explain exactly what that idea is, as it becomes so much more powerful when you read between the lines and figure it out for yourself. I’ll highlight this issue later in the review, but first I think it’s important to look at the main area that Napoleon Hill feels we need to enrich:
Positive mental attitude
A positive mental attitude tops the list of elements necessary for a person to become rich. The reason is that all the other elements included in the twelve are practically impossible to achieve without a positive mental attitude to begin with. There is no way to be free from fear in life, when you let negativity and self-doubt overcome your thoughts. There is no way to fully commit to love when you lack self-confidence or the ability to make others feel good. There is no way to be open to a new person or idea if you are not willing to accept the potential benefits that can be gained. There is no way to improve your financial situation if you subscribe to the notion that you are a victim and change cannot be made. In all of these situations, you must possess the positive self-image, hope, and foresight for the future needed to thrive in any situation.
A positive mental attitude and the understanding that it can achieve instills the new perspective and level of confidence needed to assume mastery of all riches. A positive mental attitude, in turn, creates hope for the future. When you have hope for the future, anything is possible. So focus your mental attitude, build your hope, and then work on mastering the remaining riches. I have constantly worked on my mastery of a positive mental attitude and can proudly say that it is the fuel behind much of my fire. When you begin to remove the negativity and begin to become solution oriented, the world holds amazing possibilities.
What it takes to get rich (according to Napoleon Hill)
As I mentioned, I have pointed out the principles and theme presented in the book that Mr. Hill is referring to, but I won’t say that implicitly. I call them the 4 d. Essentially, these D’s provide what it takes to be successful and get rich:
1) DEFINITION OF PURPOSE – Once you identify your purpose, everything takes on a new level of meaning. Wandering in the dark will only take you so far and leave you with a few bumps and bruises. Set your goals and purposes and once the goal is set, move forward with a lighted path.
2) WANTED – Once you have defined your purpose, there is still no guarantee that you will act on it. Hill infers that the deep desire for what you want and the passion in the search for it is essential. As Tony Robbins would say, make it seem like achieving your purpose will create maximum pleasure.
3) DEDICATION- Hill talks about levels of maturity and understanding that it takes commitment, dedication, and sacrifice to get rich. In Hill’s personal example, Andrew Carnegie asked Hill to work for him for years without pay, with the agreement that Hill would one day recount his experiences. This required years of sacrifice, but ultimately this dedication was the determining factor in Hill’s success.
4) DETERMINATION – I understand that this is overcoming obstacles. Inevitably, things will get in the way of your pursuit of your purpose. You must use your desire and dedication to stay determined and let persistence carry you through the challenges. Often financial struggles will act as a seemingly insurmountable obstacle, use your resources to overcome this.
Hill refers to all of these throughout his book and tells countless stories when all four are applied. In general, he suggests that to think and get rich we must passionately apply ourselves and use these four D’s. Hill also goes much deeper into getting rich in each of the 12 highlighted areas that are most important.
Like I said, I think your in-depth analysis on the psychology of people is spot on. As an entrepreneur, I have found countless ways to apply his methods and have proceeded to reread his book twice.
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