Think and Grow Rich by Napolean Hill
You’ve read ‘Think and Grow Rich.” Are you RICH now??
Back in ‘95, I had the good fortune to find myself in an internship for a copier company. The job was a sales position, and the whole department swore by “Self Help” tapes and CD’s. I was instantly hooked on them, and started a collection of my own. At the time, I purchased a two-tape audio version of Think and Grow Rich and couldn’t get enough of it. It wasn’t until last year that I purchased the book, which I am now reading for the second time.
For fun, I decided to read some reviews AFTER I had already listened to/read the material, and I was particularly interested in one review that mentioned a conference where the speaker asked “Who has read TGR?” The reviewer stated that 20 or so raised their hands. The next question the speaker asked was “Who’s rich?” Supposedly, all their hands went down. The reviewer then stated “If you’ve read this book and you are NOT rich, please write a review.”
Well, I am not “rich” in terms of monetary value, so I guess that qualifies me.
Let me first start by saying that in Tony Robbins’ great CD program, Personal Power II, one of the first things he says is “It blows my mind how many people purchase tape programs like this AND NEVER USE THEM.” Ahh! So my question to this above-mentioned reviewer is, how many of those 20 people that read the book ACTUALLY USED THE MATERIAL?? People seem to think that if you buy these types of books or CD programs, you automatically become “rich” just because you read the information. Got news for ya, it doesn’t work that way.
It is also worth mentioning that Hill specifically says that there are many characteristics that being “RICH” can imply…and he specifically states that MONEY is LAST on the list.
So I say to this reviewer, that I do consider myself RICH because I have good family, good health, a good job, and good friends. And that’s just for starters!
Now I know everyone is thinking “big deal…what about MONEY?” OK, let me first tell you about my first experience after starting on my long road of “Self Help” materials. After listening to TGR the audio tapes, I decided right then and there that I wanted to make exactly $30,000 in my first year out of college…I graduated in ‘96, and remember that I listened to the audio tapes in ‘95. I thought about this each and every day…whether on purpose, or just casually, it doesn’t really mater…the point is, I had NO OTHER OUTCOME in my mind. I WAS GOING TO MAKE $30,000 (which by the way was a good starting salary back then.) This went on for months, and I was actually excited about the idea, and couldn’t wait to make this money THAT I KNEW I was going to make. I used all the principles described by Hill for my remaining months at college. I KNEW WHAT I WANTED, DEVELOPED A PLAN, AND EXECUTED THE PLAN. Throw in a few prayers here and there and you’ve got the gist of what Hill explains. In late spring I began interviewing when a recruiter for an insurance firm came to interview possible candidates for one of two sales positions. He went to several colleges and interviewed over 100 people. I was offered the job…which I accepted…which paid me, EXACTLY $30,000 as my starting salary.
Coincidence? Or was it the result of the principles I used as described by Hill until they were brought to fruition? I can tell you what I believe, but it doesn’t matter…it will not be BELIEVABLE until you prove it to yourself.
Now here we are, 12 years later, and I’m getting even more from the book. I have a great job, and a superb plan for the future. I am once again using the principles described in his book (which obviously are in greater detail than the tapes) and I am on my way.
So…”Am I RICH?” In monetary terms, I say to that “Not yet.” Am I RICH in other aspects of my life? I say ABSOLUTELY because I’ve used the principles outlined in this book. I’ve gotten in better shape, I’ve strengthened my relationships with my friends and family, I purchased my own house, I have ZERO DEBT (except for my mortgage of course), and things couldn’t be better for me AT THIS TIME.
Bottom line, it all comes down to how you USE THE MATERIAL. If you read it once and say “Where’s my money?” you’ll be disappointed. If you read it AND USE IT you WILL ACHIEVE RESULTS to the degree in which you put the principles to work. It really is that simple.
Read this book, use what’s in it, and you will better your life. Will you be a millionaire because of it? Perhaps…Perhaps not. It’s all up to you.
