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Success Through a Positive Mental Attitude

Success Through a Positive Mental Attitude

by Napoleon Hill 1960 384 pages
4.28
11k+ ratings
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Key Takeaways

1. Cultivate a Positive Mental Attitude (PMA) to Transform Your Life

"What the mind of man can conceive and believe, the mind of man can achieve with PMA."

The power of PMA. A Positive Mental Attitude is the foundation for success in all areas of life. It shapes your thoughts, actions, and ultimately, your results. PMA encompasses qualities such as faith, hope, optimism, and courage, which enable you to overcome obstacles and attract success.

Practical application. To develop PMA:

  • Use self-motivators and affirmations daily
  • Focus on solutions rather than problems
  • Surround yourself with positive influences
  • Practice gratitude and appreciate your blessings
  • Visualize your desired outcomes

Remember, your attitude is a choice. By consciously choosing PMA, you set yourself up for success and happiness.

2. Set Clear Goals and Take Action to Achieve Them

"Anything in life worth having is worth working for!"

Goal setting process. Defining clear, specific goals is crucial for success. Start by writing down your objectives, giving them deadlines, and breaking them into smaller, manageable steps. This process helps clarify your vision and provides a roadmap for achievement.

Action steps:

  1. Identify your major definite purpose
  2. Set both short-term and long-term goals
  3. Create a detailed action plan
  4. Use the "Do It Now!" principle to overcome procrastination
  5. Review and adjust your goals regularly

Remember, goals without action are merely dreams. Consistent, purposeful action is what transforms aspirations into reality.

3. Harness the Power of Your Subconscious Mind

"Your subconscious mind is the seat of habit, memory, and inviolable standards of conduct."

Understanding the subconscious. Your subconscious mind is a powerful force that influences your thoughts, behaviors, and outcomes. By learning to communicate effectively with your subconscious, you can tap into its vast potential to achieve your goals.

Techniques to influence the subconscious:

  • Use positive self-talk and affirmations
  • Visualize your desired outcomes vividly
  • Practice autosuggestion before sleep
  • Engage in regular meditation or self-reflection
  • Expose yourself to uplifting and inspiring content

By aligning your conscious and subconscious minds, you create a powerful synergy that propels you towards success.

4. Overcome Obstacles with Inspirational Dissatisfaction

"Inspirational dissatisfaction can motivate you to succeed."

Turning frustration into motivation. Inspirational dissatisfaction is the art of using your discontent as a catalyst for positive change. Instead of becoming discouraged by obstacles, use them as stepping stones to greater achievement.

Steps to cultivate inspirational dissatisfaction:

  1. Identify areas in your life that need improvement
  2. Set higher standards for yourself
  3. Develop a burning desire to overcome challenges
  4. Create a plan of action to address your dissatisfaction
  5. Take consistent, purposeful steps towards your goals

By reframing obstacles as opportunities, you can maintain a positive attitude while constantly striving for improvement.

5. Use Other People's Money (OPM) to Build Wealth

"Business? It is quite simple. It is other people's money!"

Leveraging OPM. Using Other People's Money is a powerful strategy for building wealth and achieving financial success. This concept involves strategically borrowing or investing funds from external sources to accelerate your growth and increase your returns.

Key principles of using OPM:

  • Maintain high ethical standards and integrity
  • Develop a solid business plan or investment strategy
  • Build strong relationships with potential lenders or investors
  • Understand and manage risk effectively
  • Always have a clear plan for repayment or profit-sharing

Remember, with great leverage comes great responsibility. Use OPM wisely and ethically to create win-win situations for all parties involved.

6. Develop a Magnificent Obsession to Find Purpose

"Develop an obsession—a Magnificent Obsession—to help others."

Finding meaning through service. A Magnificent Obsession is a passionate commitment to a cause greater than yourself. By dedicating your life to serving others and making a positive impact, you can find deep fulfillment and purpose.

Steps to develop a Magnificent Obsession:

  1. Identify causes or issues that deeply resonate with you
  2. Assess your unique skills and resources
  3. Set ambitious goals for making a difference
  4. Take consistent action towards your chosen cause
  5. Inspire others to join your mission

Remember, true wealth and success come not just from what you gain, but from what you give back to the world.

7. Practice Self-Motivation and Motivate Others

"Motivation is that which induces action or determines choice."

The power of motivation. Self-motivation is the driving force behind all achievement. By learning to motivate yourself and others, you can overcome obstacles, maintain enthusiasm, and achieve your goals more effectively.

Techniques for motivation:

  • Set inspiring goals and visualize success
  • Use positive self-talk and affirmations
  • Create a supportive environment
  • Celebrate small wins and milestones
  • Learn from role models and mentors
  • Practice gratitude and maintain perspective

Remember, motivation is not a one-time event but a continuous process. Cultivate habits and mindsets that keep you motivated for the long haul.

8. Maintain Physical and Mental Health for Success

"PMA will help you develop mental and physical health and a longer life."

Holistic well-being. Your physical and mental health are fundamental to your success and happiness. A positive mental attitude contributes significantly to overall well-being, while good health enables you to pursue your goals with energy and enthusiasm.

Strategies for optimal health:

  • Engage in regular physical exercise
  • Practice stress-management techniques like meditation
  • Maintain a balanced, nutritious diet
  • Prioritize adequate sleep and rest
  • Cultivate positive relationships and social connections
  • Engage in activities that bring you joy and fulfillment

Remember, your health is your most valuable asset. Invest in it consistently for long-term success and happiness.

9. Learn from Failure and Turn Adversity into Opportunity

"Every adversity has the seed of an equivalent or greater benefit."

Reframing setbacks. Failure and adversity are inevitable parts of life, but they don't have to define your journey. By adopting a positive mental attitude, you can extract valuable lessons from your failures and use them as stepping stones to success.

Steps to turn adversity into opportunity:

  1. Acknowledge the setback without dwelling on it
  2. Identify the lessons and insights gained
  3. Adjust your approach based on what you've learned
  4. Set new goals that incorporate these lessons
  5. Take action with renewed determination and wisdom

Remember, it's not about avoiding failure, but about failing forward – using each setback as a catalyst for growth and improvement.

10. Embrace Continuous Learning and Personal Growth

"The further our work proceeds and the deeper our knowledge of the mental life... penetrates, the more clearly two new factors force themselves upon our notice which demand the closest attention as sources of resistance..."

Lifelong learning. Success is not a destination but a journey of continuous growth and improvement. By cultivating a love for learning and consistently expanding your knowledge and skills, you position yourself for ongoing success and fulfillment.

Strategies for personal growth:

  • Read widely and regularly
  • Seek out mentors and role models
  • Attend seminars, workshops, and courses
  • Practice self-reflection and introspection
  • Set challenging goals that push you out of your comfort zone
  • Embrace new experiences and perspectives

Remember, the most successful individuals are those who remain curious and open to new ideas throughout their lives. Commit to being a lifelong learner, and you'll unlock your full potential for success and happiness.

Last updated:

FAQ

What's Success Through a Positive Mental Attitude about?

  • Focus on PMA: The book emphasizes the importance of maintaining a Positive Mental Attitude (PMA) as a key to achieving success in various aspects of life, including personal and professional endeavors.
  • 17 Success Principles: It introduces 17 principles that guide readers in transforming their mindset and actions towards achieving their goals.
  • Real-Life Examples: The authors, Napoleon Hill and W. Clement Stone, share numerous stories of individuals who have successfully applied these principles, illustrating the practical application of PMA.

Why should I read Success Through a Positive Mental Attitude?

  • Transformative Impact: Many readers, including notable figures, have credited the book with changing their lives and perspectives, making it a valuable resource for personal growth.
  • Proven Techniques: The book provides practical techniques and methods for self-motivation and personal development, making it a valuable resource for anyone looking to improve their life.
  • Empowerment: Reading this book can empower you to take control of your thoughts and actions, leading to a more fulfilling and successful life.

What are the key takeaways of Success Through a Positive Mental Attitude?

  • PMA vs. NMA: The book contrasts Positive Mental Attitude (PMA) with Negative Mental Attitude (NMA), emphasizing that PMA attracts success while NMA repels it.
  • Importance of Goals: It stresses the necessity of having a definiteness of purpose, which is crucial for achieving any worthwhile goal.
  • Action is Essential: It highlights the importance of taking action and not just thinking positively; "You can attract happiness with PMA," but you must also act on it.

What are the best quotes from Success Through a Positive Mental Attitude and what do they mean?

  • “You are a mind with a body.”: This quote emphasizes the idea that our thoughts and mental attitudes significantly influence our physical actions and overall life outcomes.
  • “What the mind of man can conceive and believe, the mind of man can achieve with PMA.”: This encapsulates the core message of the book, suggesting that belief in oneself and a positive mindset are essential for achieving success.
  • “Every adversity has the seed of an equivalent or greater benefit.”: This quote encourages readers to find the silver lining in challenges, reinforcing the idea that difficulties can lead to growth and opportunity.

What is PMA and how can I apply it from Success Through a Positive Mental Attitude?

  • Definition of PMA: PMA stands for Positive Mental Attitude, characterized by optimism, hope, and a focus on solutions rather than problems.
  • Daily Practice: The book suggests incorporating PMA into daily life through affirmations, visualization, and maintaining a positive outlook, especially in challenging situations.
  • Self-Motivators: Readers are encouraged to use self-motivators, such as “DO IT NOW!” to prompt immediate action towards their goals, reinforcing the habit of acting positively.

How does Success Through a Positive Mental Attitude suggest I deal with problems?

  • View Problems Positively: The authors encourage readers to see problems as opportunities for growth, stating, “So you’ve got a problem? That’s good!”
  • Ask Questions: They recommend asking yourself specific questions about the problem to uncover potential benefits and solutions, such as “What’s good about it?”
  • Divine Guidance: The book advises seeking divine guidance and engaging in thinking time to analyze and define the problem clearly.

What are the 17 success principles outlined in Success Through a Positive Mental Attitude?

  • List of Principles: The principles include PMA, definiteness of purpose, going the extra mile, accurate thinking, self-discipline, the master mind, applied faith, pleasing personality, personal initiative, enthusiasm, controlled attention, teamwork, learning from defeat, creative vision, budgeting time and money, maintaining sound physical and mental health, and using cosmic habit force.
  • Application: Each principle is designed to be applied in daily life to foster success and personal development.
  • Self-Analysis: The book encourages readers to analyze their use of these principles regularly to identify areas for improvement.

How can I motivate myself according to Success Through a Positive Mental Attitude?

  • Use Self-Suggestion: The book emphasizes the power of self-suggestion, encouraging readers to repeat positive affirmations and visualize their goals.
  • Identify Motivating Factors: Understanding the ten basic motives that inspire human action can help individuals find what drives them personally.
  • Take Action: The authors stress the importance of taking immediate action when motivated, using the self-starter phrase “DO IT NOW!” to combat procrastination.

How can I motivate others based on the teachings of Success Through a Positive Mental Attitude?

  • Express Faith in Others: The book suggests that having faith in others can significantly boost their confidence and motivation, as illustrated by the story of Thomas Edison and his mother.
  • Use Letters for Motivation: Writing letters can be an effective way to communicate encouragement and advice, allowing the recipient to reflect on the message.
  • Lead by Example: Demonstrating PMA in your actions can inspire others to adopt a similar mindset, as seen in the story of W. Clement Stone and his sales team.

What is the significance of the concept of “cosmic habit force” in Success Through a Positive Mental Attitude?

  • Definition of Cosmic Habit Force: Cosmic habit force refers to the application of universal laws and principles that govern success and behavior, whether known or unknown.
  • Power of Habits: The book emphasizes that habits shape our actions and outcomes, and by understanding cosmic habit force, individuals can align their habits with their goals.
  • Practical Application: Readers are encouraged to consciously develop positive habits that support their success, leveraging the power of cosmic habit force to achieve their objectives.

How does Success Through a Positive Mental Attitude address the concept of failure?

  • Learning from Failure: The authors encourage readers to view failure as a learning opportunity rather than a setback.
  • Resilience: Developing resilience and the ability to bounce back from failures is a key theme in the book.
  • Mindset Shift: The book advocates for a mindset shift that allows individuals to see failures as stepping stones to success rather than insurmountable obstacles.

What is the significance of the "Do It Now!" principle in Success Through a Positive Mental Attitude?

  • Immediate Action: The "Do It Now!" principle encourages readers to take immediate action toward their goals rather than procrastinating.
  • Overcoming Inertia: It helps combat inertia and the tendency to delay important tasks, fostering a proactive mindset.
  • Creating Momentum: By acting now, you create momentum that can lead to further actions and ultimately success.

Review Summary

4.28 out of 5
Average of 11k+ ratings from Goodreads and Amazon.

Success Through A Positive Mental Attitude is highly regarded by readers for its motivational content and practical principles for achieving success. Many reviewers praise the book's emphasis on developing a positive mindset and its 17 success principles. Readers appreciate the numerous real-life examples and stories of successful people. Some find the language dated but still relevant. The book is often described as life-changing, inspiring readers to take action and overcome challenges. Critics note religious references and repetition of ideas from Hill's earlier works.

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About the Author

Napoleon Hill was an American self-help author known for his influential book "Think and Grow Rich." He promoted the idea that fervent expectations are crucial for improving one's life. Hill's works focused on principles for achieving success, making him a prominent figure in the self-help genre. However, he is a controversial figure, with accusations of fraud and doubts about his claimed accomplishments. Modern historians question the veracity of his stories, including his alleged meeting with Andrew Carnegie and his claim of being an attorney. Despite the controversies, Hill's books continue to be popular and widely read.

Other books by Napoleon Hill

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