Think and Grow Rich (Napoleon Hill) - Chapter 01:

Hill opens the book by suggesting that thoughts are things, powerful things at that, especially when combined with purpose, persistence and a burning desire to achieve. The first requirement of success, according to Hill, is for you to have a burning desire, a definite aim to accomplish a particular goal. Your job then is to define and articulate a specific goal that you're working towards. Second, be willing to do whatever it takes to reach this goal. Napoleon Hill tells the story of Edwin C. Barnes who had a goal to work with Thomas Edison. Barnes' goal was resolute - he wanted to work with Edison, not for him. It was an all or nothing bet for Barnes. He had to overcome incredible adversity in order to even be in the presence of Edison, let alone prove to him that he had what it takes to be the great inventor's partner.

Hill quotes Edison who described Barnes' desire this way, "When a man really desires a thing so deeply that he is willing to stake his entire future on a single turn of the wheel in order to get it, he is sure to win."

You must believe in your mind that you are worthy of success. You must think, believe and know, without any doubt, that this is the goal you will do anything to achieve. Your own thoughts determine your success more than external circumstances. 

Another lesson is to not despise small beginnings. Barnes didn't start out as Edison's partner. He started in a menial role, and had to prove himself. At this point, it was his proximity to Edison that mattered more than the menial work Barnes was doing, or the peanuts he was earning. 

Just because you have a definite purpose doesn't mean it will happen immediately. Have patience. Put in the work, while patiently stalking an opening like a cheetah stalks a springbok. And keep your mind open. It's not likely to happen exactly the way you planned it. 

Hill tells the story of the man who quit three feet from gold, which illustrates our previous point about patience and putting in the work - smart work as well as hard work is the key. The point? Persevere even in the face of temporary defeat. "Seek expert counsel before giving up." Someone who's run the race before you may have insights that you don't. If you ask for their help, they’ll guide you in the right direction and show you obstacles to avoid.

We also learn about resolve from the little girl who needed 50 cents for her mother. When your determination is greater than your fear you can accomplish great things. I saw a video on the internet recently that spoke about certainty. In any encounter, it is the person with the most certainty who triumphs. In a sales situation, your certainty wins you the sale or your prospects certainty deprives you of the sale, whichever is strongest. So, if you want to succeed, strengthen your certainty. Strengthen your resolve. 

 Napoleon Hill's promise is that when you begin to think and grow rich, you will observe that riches begin with a state of mind, with definiteness of purpose, with little or no hard work. He says, instead of focusing on all the reasons why something will not work or cannot be done; let's expand our imagination into possibilities thinking. Let's play by a different set of rules. Let's figure out how other people became successful and play by those rules. Let's become success conscious instead of failure conscious.  

Hill informs us that one of the principles of success is desire. Knowing exactly what you want and being committed to having it whatever it takes. "You are the master of your fate; you are the captain of your soul because you have the power to control your thoughts." Problem is that constructive thoughts and destructive thoughts consist of the same power. If you think more about poverty and suffering, you will tend to act in ways that attract poverty. Likewise, if you think more about wealth and prosperity, you will tend to act in ways that attract happiness, health and wealth. So, pay attention to your dominant thoughts. Are they drawing you closer to prosperity? Are you taking actions that will make you rich? Good. Keep going in that direction. If not, change your thoughts. Change your actions. Change your results.

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