Think and Grow Rich

1. Desire: The Starting Point of All Achievement

"WHATEVER THE MIND CAN CONCEIVE AND BELIEVE, IT CAN ACHIEVE."

Burning desire is crucial. Success begins with an intense, burning desire for something definite. This desire must be so strong that it becomes an obsession, pushing you to persist despite obstacles and temporary failures. It's not enough to simply "wish" for something; you must develop a deep, emotional connection to your goal.

Practical steps to harness desire:

• Define exactly what you want
• Determine what you're willing to give in return
• Establish a definite date for achievement
• Create a clear plan
• Write a concise statement of your desire
• Read your statement aloud twice daily

The power of desire is illustrated through stories like that of Edwin C. Barnes, who partnered with Thomas Edison through sheer determination, and the author's own son, who overcame deafness through persistent desire and faith.

2. Faith: Visualizing and Believing in the Attainment of Desire

"FAITH is the head chemist of the mind."

Faith amplifies desire. Faith is a state of mind that can be induced or created by affirmation or repeated instructions to the subconscious mind. It's the visualizing element that allows you to see your desire as already accomplished, even before it materializes in reality.

Cultivating faith:

• Use auto-suggestion to influence your subconscious
• Emotionalize your thoughts
• Mix faith with love and sex for greatest power
• Study and emulate those who have achieved great success

Faith is not just a religious concept but a practical tool for achievement. The story of Mahatma Gandhi illustrates how faith in an idea can move millions and change the course of history. Similarly, Henry Ford's unwavering faith in his vision revolutionized the automobile industry.

3. Auto-suggestion: Influencing the Subconscious Mind

"The subconscious mind acts first on the dominating desires which have been mixed with emotional feeling, such as faith."

Program your mind. Auto-suggestion is the medium for influencing the subconscious mind. It's the agency of communication between the conscious reasoning mind and the subconscious, the seat of habit and emotion. By using auto-suggestion, you can plant desires directly into your subconscious mind.

Effective auto-suggestion techniques:

• Speak your desires aloud
• Visualize the attainment of your desires
• Emotionalize your words and thoughts
• Repeat affirmations consistently
• Focus intensely during the process

The key is to make your auto-suggestions so convincing that your subconscious mind accepts them as reality. This process requires concentration, repetition, and emotional involvement. The author shares personal examples of using auto-suggestion to overcome obstacles and achieve goals.

4. Specialized Knowledge: Personal Experiences or Observations

"KNOWLEDGE will not attract money, unless it is organized, and intelligently directed, through practical PLANS OF ACTION, to the DEFINITE END of accumulation of money."

Knowledge isn't power, applied knowledge is. General knowledge is often of little use in accumulating wealth. What's crucial is specialized knowledge, intelligently organized and applied towards a specific goal. This knowledge doesn't necessarily have to be in your own mind; you can access it through collaboration with others.

Acquiring and applying specialized knowledge:

• Determine the specific knowledge you need
• Identify reliable sources of this knowledge
• Develop a system for continuous learning
• Create practical plans to apply this knowledge
• Utilize the knowledge of others through "Master Mind" groups

The author illustrates this principle through stories of successful individuals like Henry Ford, who lacked formal education but knew how to access and apply specialized knowledge. He emphasizes the importance of practical education and self-directed learning over traditional academic knowledge.

5. Imagination: The Workshop of the Mind

"MAN'S ONLY LIMITATION, within reason, LIES IN HIS DEVELOPMENT AND USE OF HIS IMAGINATION."

Harness creative power. Imagination is the workshop where all plans are created. It comes in two forms: synthetic imagination, which arranges old concepts and ideas in new ways, and creative imagination, which creates entirely new ideas through intuition and "hunches." Both are crucial for success.

Developing and using imagination:

• Practice visualizing your goals in detail
• Combine existing ideas in new ways
• Be open to flashes of inspiration
• Use your imagination to solve problems
• Apply imagination to create new products or services

The power of imagination is demonstrated through stories like the creation of the United States Steel Corporation, which began as an idea in Charles M. Schwab's imagination. The author encourages readers to use their imagination to turn abstract desires into concrete plans and eventually into physical reality.

6. Organized Planning: The Crystallization of Desire into Action

"NO FOLLOWER OF THIS PHILOSOPHY CAN REASONABLY EXPECT TO ACCUMULATE A FORTUNE WITHOUT EXPERIENCING 'TEMPORARY DEFEAT.'"

Plan meticulously. Organized planning is the process of turning desire into concrete action. It involves creating detailed plans, being willing to alter those plans when they don't work, and persisting through temporary defeats. Success requires both flexibility and persistence.

Key elements of organized planning:

• Create a definite plan for achieving your goal
• Establish a "Master Mind" group for support and ideas
• Be prepared to change your plan if it's not working
• Learn from your failures and use them as stepping stones
• Develop leadership qualities to execute your plans effectively

The author provides a comprehensive guide for marketing personal services, emphasizing the importance of self-analysis, understanding what employers want, and presenting oneself effectively. He also discusses the changing nature of leadership and the qualities required for success in various fields.

7. Decision: The Mastery of Procrastination

"PROCRASTINATION, the opposite of DECISION, is a common enemy which practically every man must conquer."

Decide swiftly and firmly. The ability to make quick decisions and stick to them is a key characteristic of successful people. Procrastination and indecision are major causes of failure. Cultivating the habit of prompt decision-making is crucial for success.

Developing decisiveness:

• Gather relevant information, but avoid "analysis paralysis"
• Trust your own judgment
• Take responsibility for your decisions
• Learn from both successes and failures
• Avoid seeking others' opinions on every decision

The author illustrates the power of decision through historical examples like the signing of the Declaration of Independence. He emphasizes that decisions made with determination and backed by persistence can overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles.

8. Persistence: The Sustained Effort Necessary to Induce Faith

"PERSISTENCE is an essential factor in the procedure of transmuting DESIRE into its monetary equivalent."

Never give up. Persistence is the sustained effort necessary to induce faith and achieve success. It's the power of will that pushes through failure and opposition. Without persistence, even the most brilliant ideas and plans will fail.

Cultivating persistence:

• Have a definite purpose backed by burning desire
• Create a definite plan and take continuous action
• Maintain a positive mental attitude
• Form a Master Mind alliance for support
• Recognize and overcome the symptoms of lack of persistence

The author shares stories of individuals like Thomas Edison and Henry Ford, whose persistence led to monumental success despite numerous setbacks. He emphasizes that persistence is a state of mind that can be cultivated through habit and practice.

9. Power of the Master Mind: The Driving Force

"No two minds ever come together without, thereby, creating a third, invisible, intangible force which may be likened to a third mind."

Harness collective intelligence. The Master Mind principle involves the coordination of knowledge and effort between two or more people working towards a definite purpose. This alliance creates a synergistic effect, producing ideas and insights beyond what any individual could achieve alone.

Utilizing the Master Mind principle:

• Select members with complementary skills and knowledge
• Establish a clear, shared purpose
• Meet regularly to exchange ideas
• Maintain harmony and positive energy in the group
• Be willing to give as much as you receive

The author cites examples like Henry Ford's use of the Master Mind principle to build his business empire. He explains that the Master Mind operates on both economic and psychic levels, allowing access to infinite intelligence and creative ideas.

10. The Mystery of Sex Transmutation

"The emotion of sex contains the secret of creative ability."

Channel sexual energy. Sex transmutation is the switching of the mind from thoughts of physical expression to thoughts of some other nature. The sex drive, being the most powerful of human desires, can be harnessed and redirected into creative pursuits, leading to heightened imagination, courage, willpower, persistence, and creative ability.

Harnessing sexual energy:

• Recognize the power of sexual energy beyond physical expression
• Learn to redirect this energy into creative endeavors
• Use love and romance as inspiration for achievement
• Understand the link between highly successful people and strong sex drives
• Balance sexual expression with transmutation for optimal results

The author discusses how many great leaders and achievers have been motivated by love and suggests that the proper understanding and control of sexual energy can lead to extraordinary accomplishments in various fields.

11. The Subconscious Mind: The Connecting Link

"You may VOLUNTARILY plant in your subconscious mind any plan, thought, or purpose which you desire to translate into its physical or monetary equivalent."

Program your inner computer. The subconscious mind is the connecting link between the finite mind of man and Infinite Intelligence. It works day and night, processing the dominant thoughts that are impressed upon it. By understanding and controlling the operation of your subconscious mind, you can directly influence your success and achievement.

Influencing the subconscious mind:

• Feed it positive, constructive thoughts
• Use auto-suggestion to plant desires in the subconscious
• Harness the power of emotion to amplify your thoughts
• Recognize and eliminate negative emotions like fear
• Understand that the subconscious mind is always "on"

The author explains how the subconscious mind can be a powerful ally in achieving success, but it can also work against you if fed negative thoughts. He provides practical steps for harnessing the power of the subconscious through positive thinking and emotional control.

12. The Brain: A Broadcasting and Receiving Station for Thought

"The brain may be compared to a broadcasting station, which has two main functions: transmitting and receiving."

Tune into success. The human brain is capable of picking up vibrations of thought from other brains, similar to a radio receiving and broadcasting station. This concept explains phenomena like "mental telepathy" and provides a scientific basis for the power of positive thinking and the Law of Attraction.

Utilizing the brain's broadcasting capabilities:

• Recognize that thoughts have a physical nature and can be transmitted
• Maintain a positive mental frequency to attract positive thoughts
• Use visualization to "broadcast" your desires to the universe
• Be open to receiving ideas and inspiration from others
• Understand that your thoughts influence your reality

The author explores the cutting-edge (for his time) research into the nature of the brain and thought, suggesting that our thoughts have a physical impact on the world around us. He encourages readers to use this knowledge to consciously direct their thoughts towards success and achievement.

Last updated: January 22, 2025