Think and Grow Rich reflects Napoleon Hill’s philosophy about the psychological power of thought and the brain. To prove his theory, Hill interviewed 500 millionaires and influencers, including Henry Ford. He combined their answers with his philosophy to create the best strategies to become a successful person.
Analysis
When you read the title for the first time, you might assume that the book is only about making money. In contrast, Napoleon Hill does not focus solely on wealth, but also on achieving seemingly impossible goals in life. He claims that people must not quit when they face huge obstacles along their journey. Indeed, Hill admits that turning a goal into reality is never easy. Yet, he believes that with strong desire and willpower, you will eventually accomplish your objectives.
Hill summarizes his philosophy into thirteen principles, which are the keys to improving your mental faculties and connecting you to Infinite Intelligence—a term he uses to describe the Universal Mind Power. According to Hill, you will attract wealth, power, love, and anything else you desire by applying these principles in your life.
Principle 1: Desire — The Starting Point of All Achievement
If you want to achieve your goals, you must have a strong desire. Hill believes that a burning desire becomes an obsession that leads to success. He outlines five key areas:
- Career: Instead of thinking only about salary and title, focus on growing within the company. In other words, shift from ego to personal growth.
- Leading: If you’re inexperienced in leadership, set aside your ego and learn from a leader you admire.
- Money: Hill offers six steps to turn your desire for money into reality:
• Fix in your mind the exact amount you desire.
• Determine what you will give in return.
• Set a specific date to acquire it.
• Create a definite plan and start at once.
• Write a clear statement of the above steps.
• Read the statement aloud twice per day. - Failure: Failing is not the end of the world. Do not let negative emotions stop you. Instead, learn from failure and use it as a growth opportunity.
- Other People’s Desires: By helping your manager, company owner, and colleagues achieve their goals, you will also progress toward your own.
Principle 2: Faith — Visualization of, and Belief in the Attainment of Desire
Faith is essential to transform desire into reality. It can be developed by repeating positive affirmations and suggestions to your subconscious mind. You must attract positive energy and believe in your own abilities.
Principle 3: Auto-Suggestion — The Medium for Influencing the Subconscious Mind
Auto-suggestion is the bridge between your desire and your subconscious. If you consistently repeat your desire with faith, your thoughts will become dominant. As a result, negative emotions will lose their grip on you.
Principle 4: Specialized Knowledge — Personal Experiences or Observations
Hill distinguishes between general and specialized knowledge. General knowledge—what you learn at school—won’t make you rich. Instead, specialized knowledge is needed. This can be gained through experience, mentorship, or continuous learning.
Principle 5: Imagination — The Workshop of the Mind
Through imagination, people generate ideas that become reality. Hill defines two types:
- Synthetic imagination, which rearranges old ideas in new ways.
- Creative imagination, driven by strong desire and new insights, leading to innovation.
Principle 6: Organized Planning — The Crystallization of Desire into Action
Without a clear plan, you have no direction. To achieve your goals, you must build a practical and flexible strategy. You may face setbacks at first, but remember: no plan is perfect. Revise your plans until you succeed.
Principle 7: Decision — The Mastery of Procrastination
Hill notes that successful people make decisions quickly and rarely change them. To succeed, avoid procrastination and indecisiveness, as both lead to failure.
Principle 8: Persistence — The Sustained Effort Necessary to Induce Faith
Persistence is crucial. It is built upon a strong will and supported by definite plans, self-reliance, accurate knowledge, and clarity of purpose.
Principle 9: Power of the Master Mind — The Driving Force
Power can be attained through a Master Mind group—a team of like-minded, success-driven people. Being around positive individuals helps you set long-term goals and gives you the energy to achieve them.
Principle 10: The Mystery of Sex Transmutation
Sex is a powerful emotion. Hill argues that sexual energy can be redirected into willpower, creativity, imagination, and drive.
Principle 11: The Subconscious Mind — The Connecting Link
Your subconscious mind responds to your emotions. Hill suggests feeding it with positive emotions (Desire, Faith, Love, Sex, Enthusiasm, Romance, Hope) and avoiding negative ones (Fear, Jealousy, Hatred, Revenge, Greed, Superstition, Anger). When negativity arises, use meditation to regain control.
Principle 12: The Brain — A Broadcasting and Receiving Station for Thought
Your brain emits and receives thought vibrations. Fill it with clear goals and positive images, and your subconscious will work to bring those ideas to life.
Principle 13: The Sixth Sense — The Door to the Temple of Wisdom
The sixth sense alerts you to opportunities or dangers before they occur. It can be awakened through meditation, but only after mastering the other twelve principles. Fear blocks the sixth sense, especially fears related to poverty, criticism, illness, loss of love, aging, or death.
All in all, this book is the result of over twenty years of research. Napoleon Hill asserts that with strong desire, faith, persistence, long-term vision, and willpower, you can achieve anything you set your mind to.
Thank you for taking the time to read this long review.
By Wadi Batyouk.
