When I picked up this book, I was not sure what to expect. However, from the very first word, Hill created a mystery that readers had to puzzle out. He was sharing the secret to Carnegie’s success as Hill learned it from Carnegie and other successful business leaders. At this moment in time, the secret I walked away with is the importance of positive thought; however, I am sure that will change when I read the book again. This book has countless lessons that reading it just once will not be enough.
Throughout the book, Hill stressed the power of the mind. He pointed out that the subconscious was very powerful; it would help to manifest thoughts into action whether they were positive or negative thoughts. It was, therefore, essential to jettison all negative thoughts and baggage. The baggage may include people who are a drain on energy.
The book is 239 pages spread across 15 chapters. Throughout the book, Hill used examples and stories to emphasize his points. This book was written towards the end of the depression. Examples of poverty and wealth were liberally distributed throughout the book.
Some sections of the book resonated with me more than others. Here are some lessons I walked away with:
- One sound idea is all you need. You can move forward when you can identify one purpose that produces an intense desire.
- No one is doomed to bad luck. Hill believed that you created your own luck. Essentially, it is the Pygmalion effect.
- The disaster of negative thinking. Again, this is tied to the Pygmalion effect. If you believe you cannot do something, you will not be able to do it. The reverse is also true.
- The entire chapter of specialized knowledge was fascinating. Lots of interesting quotes. Here are two:
“General knowledge, no matter how great in quantity or variety it may be, is of but little use in the accumulations of money. The faculties of the great universities possess, in the aggregate, practically every form of general knowledge known to civilization. Most of the professors have but little money. They specialize on teaching knowledge, but they do not specialize on the organization, or the use of knowledge” (Hill, 1937, p. 56).
“An educated man is not, necessarily, one who has an abundance of general or specialized knowledge. An educated man is one who has so developed the faculties of his mind that he may acquire anything he wants, or its equivalent, without violating the rights of others” (Hill, 1937, p. 57).
- Hill provided many different ideas for acquiring specialized knowledge. Part of this discussion also focused on how to succeed as a student. He seemed to be accepting of home study courses. There are many ways to acquire specialized knowledge if you want it bad enough. School is one way, online or correspondence courses are another.
- One chapter focused on imagination. Hill provided ideas for developing your imagination.
- 31 causes of failure. This was an interesting list of reasons why someone failed. Naturally, except for the first reason, all of the other reasons could be addressed and should be if you want to succeed.
- In the chapter of organized planning, Hill addressed such topics as learning from failure, leader attributes, failed leadership, applying for work positions, and finding opportunities. He included a personal inventory to assess your personal virtues.
- Through the example of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Hill emphasized the importance of being decisive and making decisions.
- Persistence was another chapter that I found to be rewarding. It is an area I am working on.
- While listening to Entrepreneurs on Fire, John Lee Dumas and his guests often discuss Mastermind groups. Hill explained the groups in more detail.
- Finally, I was intrigued about the six fears that hold people back from succeeding and ways to address these fears.
Hill included a number of methods to help achieve success. These were strategies that he expected readers to put into action. One method was how to turn desire into success. There were six specific steps to this process. At the end of the book, he included a self-analysis test to see how susceptible you were to negative influences.
I really enjoyed the book and picked up a great deal from reading it. Think and Grow Rich was very much in line with the others books I have recently read on goal setting and achievement. If you are wondering why you work hard but fail to move forward, this book may provide you with reasons and ideas to break the status quo. It is a book I will definitely read again.
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