Think and Grow Rich - Self Confidence Formula

Uncanny wisdom from Napoleon Hill

If you’ve never read Think and Grow Rich - do it.

I’ve been revisiting my notes which I’ve posted on LinkedIn.

I thought Chapter 3: Faith: Visualizing and Believing in the attainment of desire was worth revisiting - specifically his Self Confidence Formula.

I know that I have the ability to achieve the object of my definite purpose in life. Therefore, I demand of myself persistent, continuous action towards it’s attainment, and I here and now promise to take such action.

I realize dominating thoughts of my mind will eventually reproduce themselves in outward, physical action and gradually transform themselves into physical reality. Therefore, I will concentrate my thoughts for 30 minutes daily upon the task of thinking of the person I intend to become, thereby creating in my mind a clear mental picture.

I know through the principle of autosuggestion that any desire I persistently hold in my mind will eventually seek expression through some practical means of attaining the object. Therefore, I will devote 10 minutes daily to demanding of myself the development of self-confidence.

I have clearly written down a description of my definite chief aim in life. I will never stop trying until I have developed sufficient self-confidence for its attainment.

I fully realize that no wealth or position can long endure unless built upon truth and justice. Therefore, I will engage in no transaction that does not benefit all whom I affects. I will succeed by attracting to myself the forces I wish to use, and the cooperation of other people. I will induce others to serve me because of my willingness to serve others. I will eliminate hatred, envy, jealousy, selfishness and cynicism by developing love for all humanity because I know that a negative attitude towards others can never bring me success. I will cause others to believe in me, because I will believe in them, and myself. I will sign my name to this formula, commit it to memory and repeat it aloud once a day, with full faith that it will gradually influence my thoughts and actions so that I will become a self-reliant and successful person.

My favorite thing about Napoleon Hill’s Self Confidence Formula is that he makes a statement, “I know that I have the ability to achieve the object of my definite purpose in life.”

Then he goes on to take it a step further and makes a commitment: “Therefore, I demand of myself persistent, continuous action towards it’s attainment, and I here and now promise to take such action.”

How often to we make statements that lack the requisite follow up of a commitment.

So simple to notice.

So difficult to consistently execute.