THE SIX STEPS OF NAPOLEON HILL’S THINK AND GROW RICH METHOD
The six-step breakdown
The six steps formula is a method of training the mind to pursue the goal of earning a specific amount of money within a deadline. According to Hill, only if you have a burning desire for wealth, you will convince yourself that you will eventually have it.
By developing the desire for money, you will become “money conscious”, meaning you will see yourself in possession of the funds you want before actually having it. Hill also said, “Only those who become money conscious ever accumulate great riches.”
What are the six steps of Napoleon Hill’s method?
- “Fix in your mind the exact amount of money you desire. It is not sufficient merely to say, ‘I want plenty of money.’ Be definite as to the amount.”
There is a psychological reason behind the idea of setting a specific goal. According to Edwin Locke’s studies, people who set precise and challenging intentions manage to succeed in their plans.
The main reason behind establishing a defined target is that you will better understand the sacrifice and challenging tasks you must make to reach it.
- “Determine exactly what you intend to give in return for the money you desire. There is no such thing as something for nothing.”
The bigger and challenging the goal you have set is, the more you will have to work hard and sacrifice to obtain it. To focus on outstanding achievement and do more than what you usually do, you must take away time and effort from something else.
Will you dedicate to this purpose hours previously committed to fun activities? Moments with friends and family? Your savings? Nothing comes from nothing. You must redirect most, or all, of your effort into the so much desired end to transform the thought into reality.
- “Establish a definite date when you intend to possess the money you desire.”
How long will it take you to reach the craved goal? By choosing a deadline too far away, you might feel that you have a lot of time at your disposal. You might end up procrastinating on every task. At the same time, picking a day too close to the moment of commitment might make you feel anxious and lead to early burnout.
Evaluate carefully the amount of work you must do to accomplish the predetermined purpose and choose wisely the day of your success.
“A goal is a dream with a deadline.” — Napoleon Hill.
- “Create a definite plan for carrying out your desire and begin at once, whether you are ready or not, to put this plan into action.”
It’s time to take action! Yes, because it might seem simple and stupid but taking the first step is the hardest thing to do. You know how much money you want to make; you have decided by when you will have that precise amount; now it’s time to develop the plan to reach your goal.
It doesn’t have to be perfect or detailed; you can always add tasks and features while you keep going as unexpected events might happen along the path. Having an idea of what is necessary to reach your purpose will help you optimize your time and resources.
- “Write out a clear, concise statement of the amount of money you intend to acquire, name the time limit for its acquisition, state what you intend to give in return for the money, and describe clearly the plan through which you intend to accumulate it.”
Once the plan is ready in your mind, write it down. Write the exact amount of money you want to accumulate, the deadline, and the steps you will take to achieve your financial success.
According to the article about goal-settings published on Positive Psychology, “People who write their goals are more likely to achieve their goal than those who don’t by 50%.”
Writing it down will make it sound more real, more achievable, and you will have a clear statement about what you want and how you will get it. You are now in charge of making real what’s just ink on a piece of paper.
- “Read your written statement aloud, twice daily, once just before retiring at night, and once after arising in the morning. As you read, see and feel and believe yourself already in possession of the money.”
It might seem odd, silly, even nonsense to read aloud your statement twice a day, but there is a psychological reason for this practice too.
In fact, according to Kathryn J. Lively Ph.D. article on Psychology Today, “Affirmations are used to reprogram the subconscious mind, to encourage us to believe certain things about ourselves or about the world. They are also used to help us create the reality we want — often in terms of making (or attracting) wealth, love, beauty, and happiness.”
In other words, repeating daily your statement aloud backed up by the emotion connected to the possession of the specific amount of money has the power to increase your vibration and magnetically drawn to you, according to the law of attraction, what you deeply desire.
“It is important that you follow the instructions in these six steps, it is especially important that you observe and follow the instructions in the sixth step.” — Napoleon Hill
Conclusion
Will Napoleon Hill’s method to transmute desire into its financial equivalent work? I suppose we should find the answer by trying it firsthand on custom goals and personalized achievement plans.
As Hill’s proved many times in his books, successful people weren’t “successful” before we knew them for the circumstances that made them so. Some of them started from nothing, working their way to the top; others had even invented something that didn’t exist before as Ford did.
All the inventors and entrepreneurs Hill interviewed over 20 years had many characteristics in common; one of those was the burning desire to succeed, to reach the goal they have set for their lives. Preparing their mindset the best way they could to achieve their defined purpose was the first step they took.
“Most great people have achieved their greatest success just one step beyond their greatest failure.” — Napoleon Hill
