In 1908, a young American journalist called Napoleon Hill began a 20-year study to discover the secrets behind the success of the country’s top business leaders.
A century later, the best-known result of his work – the book Think and Grow Rich – has sold many millions of copies worldwide and remains consistently on the best-seller lists.
If you really can buy success in a book, those millions of people must have benefited hugely from this publication.
But the truth is that it’s probably made little difference to most of the people who’ve read it.
In fact, Hill himself doesn’t seem to have fully benefited from his own advice as it looks like W Clement Stone, who partnered with him in some projects, actually made most of the money.
None of that should suggest that it’s not a great book. It remains one of the best on the topic and is definitely worth reading.
The problem is that most of the people who read it are missing part of the secret. As Hill said:
“Whatever the mind of man can conceive and believe, it can achieve.”
However, he didn’t say that positive thinking on its own is enough.
He is right to emphasize the power of the mind to help deliver what you want. His view on this has subsequently been backed up my much more extensive and scientific research.
But the whole point of his study is that the true secret of a winning mindset is not only rooted in what you think, it depends on what you do and how you do it. It is the combination of attitude and action.
For example in sports, you don’t just show up and win an Olympic medal, no matter how much you believe in your ability.
It requires skill, focus, commitment and practice – all building towards an enticing goal. A consistent training plan, daily action and regular testing against the performance of others lead towards achievement of the goal.
Not everyone can win a gold medal but everyone has their own definition of success and this will only be achieved by taking the task seriously.
In business, achieving success requires a similar path. But, for some reason, many people seem to take it less seriously.
Many business owners spend more time on improving their golf swing than they do on improving their business success.
Many people simply drift around and don’t quite focus on anything.
As in sport, the secret of success in business is finding something you’re very good at. Then aiming for your chosen target and giving it 100% commitment. It also means following a plan for success and consistently testing yourself against the best.
At least that’s the way it should be. In reality, most people miss a few steps and therefore miss out on the success.
Developing the success mindset is about having the right way of thinking to get the results you want. And it’s about taking the right action.
The Science of Success
There have been many studies of the secrets of success since Hill carried out his – using many different fields of expertise.
One field that has provided some useful information to build on is NLP (Neuro-linguistic Programming). Briefly, you could say that NLP is the scientific study of what makes certain people successful, so that their success can be replicated by others.
One of the important NLP methodologies is modeling. This is about identifying what works well in successful people, and then adapting it into your own behavior. Modeling takes into account all the elements that contribute to success:
- Physiology: What you do physically in specific situations.
- Language: How you communicate with other people and with yourself.
- Attitude: Your thinking or frame of mind.
NLP has identified a number of powerful beliefs that are shared by people who are successful. These beliefs have been proven to help people get the results they want, particularly in sales, marketing and communication.
In a series on this blog over the next three weeks, I’ll be looking at 7 empowering beliefs that anyone can model to enhance their own success.
For more on the secrets of success, check out the 5 Step Success System
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{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
There’s a lot of wisdom in Napoleon Hill’s book, but the original version was racist and sexist. It just goes to show that with anything, you have to weed out the good parts and apply it as it benefits you.
I can get a lot more accomplished when I focus on accomplishing a certain task or tasks each day. Otherwise I do tend to drift around and not get much done.
It does take a lot of work to make any business a success, whether it’s online, or brick-and-mortar.
People don’t always realize this with an online business, and they don’t take it seriously enough. I’m guilty of this myself. Thanks for reminding me to stay focused.
Speaking of success in sport, I was thinking of the example of Tiger Woods, who won the U.S. Open earlier this week.
Not only is he a great golfer, he is also in terrific physical shape, appears the most mentally well-prepared golfer out there, and he really seems to have the strongest desire AND expectation to win.
It’s now wonder that he is the best. Too bad he has to have more knee surgery though.