May 30th, 2010 by rob white
Many years ago, I was given a first edition autographed copy of Napoleon hill’s book, Think and Grow Rich. I gave the content of the book little attention, but because it was a rare book, I put it on my desk (in the office), for everyone to notice.
One day a friend came in and began casually examining the book while waiting for me to finish up some business on the phone. He let out a loud ‘WOW’. He held the book up and pointed to a paragraph, saying, “read this.” I hung up the phone to read the paragraph. In that instant, I realized that I owned a book of considerable value for its contents, not because it was an autographed edition by a famous author.
This discovery aroused my interest in self-help books. I took the time to read the book thoroughly and the information in the book gave me a brand new perspective on myself and life.
I now recognize the value of a good book when I read it, AND I don’t assume I have mentally digested it in one reading. The best way to treat the mind so it serves you is to offer your mind an opinion, insight or working principal of life – drip, drip, drip – one idea at a time. The mind is influenced by mindful repetition. I’d learned this while reading Napoleon Hill’s book and I immediately set out to apply it. I have read Think and Grow Rich no less than 300 times.
If you intend for your mind to serve you, you must first serve it with what you want it to accept as true; serve it with repetitious loving spoonfuls (not giant buckets). President JFK’s father called his son ‘President John’ for years before John had even finished high school – drip, drip, drip. Any more than that, and it boggles the mind.
With what idea will you treat your mind? What book are you willing to read a dozen times?
Hi Rob,
Nice post! It’s very true. I too am an avid reader of self-help books. (I really do need to check out Think And Grow Rich).
I’ve noticed that when the ideas in a book really move me and I pass it on to friends, they may be as blown away by the content as I am, but seem to think that simply reading the book is enough. When it doesn’t change their life they lose interest.
I have spent the last couple of years actually trying to re-wire my brain for these new ways of thinking with amazing results! But it takes work…
The idea that I am treating my mind with right now? “I always have more than enough money. Thank you Universe!)
The book I will read over and over in my life? The Power Of Now by Eckhart Tolle
Thanks for asking!
Indeed, Jenny … (1) Tolle is a ‘realized’ being and has a lot to offer you. (2) When you share knowledge with others, you get to keep it. Only that which we give away is truly ours! Nice energy, Jenny.
Rob,
Let me first start out by saying – Oh, how you torture us by making us wait a whole week in between posts!
Second, I read Napolean Hill’s classic work years ago around the time I took Jose Silva’s now famous self-improvement course, The Silva Method. It had been referenced in Silva’s course material.
I was so excited by the book. All those ideas of creating your reality with your thoughts was all new to me. I went through it and underlined all my favorite parts and then loaned it to someone who never returned it. Fast forward to earlier this year – I bought myself another copy! I haven’t had the time to go through it again though, but plan to.
There are two other books I’ve loaned out and ended up having to buy again that I reference often: Louise Hay’s, You Can Heal Your Life & Florence Scovel Shinn’s, The Game of Life And How To Play It. I love these two books for their simplicity and straight forward easily digestible ideas.
Thanks for this great post Rob.
Angela, your sense of appreciation for life is apparent. It is oozing out of you for everyone to enjoy. This is clear to me. Your cup runneth over with great thoughts and clearly you love to share the pearls you’ve discovered in life.
Hi Rob,
I have read many good things about Napoleon Hill’s book “Think and Grow Rich.” It is EXTREMELY impressive that you have read it around 300 times! I’m pretty sure I read it back around 2002. But I know I would get a lot out of reading it again today.
Furthermore, I had never heard that story about President Kennedy. Very interesting! The point I take from it is that we become what we think about over a long period of time.
I haven’t read many books multiple times. But I have watched the DVD “The Secret” around 15 times over the past three years or so. And I’ve also watched the Abraham-Hicks movie “The Secret Behind the Secret” around 4-5 times since earlier this year. I should mention that Jerry Hicks was greatly influenced by “Think and Grow Rich.” He mentioned it in “The Secret Behind the Secret.”
Nice sharing Greg. It comes from your heart. I like what you offering to the world. Different is not new, but everyone wants to think so, Greg. I see that you are searching for newness, not differentness. Wonderful!
Rob, very interesting, but are you saying I now have to re-read my books?
Actually, you have a great point here. I started my book blogs precisely because I was sure to forget what I read and writing about it helps me emphasize the content further. As to what I am willing to read again and again, no self-help books but Tolstoy’s Anna K and Wuthering Heights along with all my other favorite classics. Every reading uncovers a new layer of gold for me.
You are not only a great reader of great books, Farnoosh … there is a best seller book author sleeping deep inside of you. I like how you put your words to print. Detach your inner workd from your outer world and watch the genius that will flow from you.
Rob, Rob, flattery gets you anywhere with me
….but I have a feeling you were being sincere and serious in your most eloquent remark…..THANK YOU for encouraging me.I need to press on with my Iran memoirs…I so thank you for that kind encouragement!!!
Hi Rob,
Thanks for sharing this. Exactly just like we feed our body with food, we have to feed our mind with reading books. Personally, I have 3 books that I read over and over again, “The science of getting rich” by Wallace Wattles, “The power of your subconscious mind” by Joseph Murphy, and “Your erroneous zones” by Wayne Dyer. I recommend those for everyone.
Thank you Dia for sharing the books that have touched your soul. It is easy to preach under the power of darkness; many do. It is a gift to humanity to share under the power of light. Thank you for your light.
Think and Grow Rich is one of the book that changed my life. Now I’m applying its principles into my life. Never did I know the power that I have at my disposal.
Yes, Walter, it is the APPLICATION of a book that gives it power in your life. If we don’t bring the knowledge of the book into our daily affairs, our mind stores it in our memory vault along with all the other knowledge that is valuable only if we use it. As I say with my books – ‘Don’t read this book – USE IT’.
I loved Hill’s book Think and Grow Rich. I have read it a few times. Not nearly as often as you have. Little wonder you write so well. My all time fav is Don Quixote. I have read that at least 20 times over the past ten years.
I have the opposite tendency. I’m usually like a ping pong ball back and forth and on to the next book. Except of course your book, Rob
I’m only on day 34. Once I get to day 90 I’m going to do it all over again! BTW day 29 pre-tending or pretending was primo! just what I needed.
Yes, Carol Anne, the big difference between pre-tending (which is to attend to your affairs in your mind ahead of time) and pretending (which is to act in a way to get approval) is that pre-tending is your natural creative self in action and pretending is your ego with its feelings of inadequacy compelling you. GOOD JOB
Hi Rob,
I like to treat my mind to some great books. As reading open minds.
I also like to treat my mind to some relaxation and meditation each day as it deserves.
Bye for now,
Cheryl Paris
The Acorn Coach Blog
N.B. The Acorn Coach Blog is a link url to: http://www.cherylparis.com
I love the bible. I think it is the best self-help book ever. I also really like this blog. We get to share. Thanks.
I read Think and Grow Rich but it didn’t really do it for me. Can’t really explain why though. I think I go from book to book because I have not found one that has anything to do with me. Tony Robbins, Dyer, Tolle etc. etc. the list goes on and on. They just seem like hot air to me. Aren’t there people who just figure stuff out for themselves?
Nothing can guide you like your ‘inner guidance system’, Ramone. And sometimes others help you to turn within to find the ultimate teacher.
Hi Rob, you’ve convinced me. I’ve heard of it of course but never read it. Better lay my sticky paws on it fast:) 300 times is a lot though. I rarely read things twice if I’m not going to be examined on them but do try to read things in the same vein eg. motivating, upbeat. I do think there’s a lot to be said for repeat reading though and really driving it deep. I’m going to try it and this could be the book. Thank you.
Great comment Annabel … very open minded. I read a good book so many times that I dream the words while sleeping. Now, I know my subconscious has the contents. Without my subconscious participating – it is all vain repetition to me. I have an elevator in my home at the beach on Cape Cod. I once read it was possible to do that and it seemed foreign to me. I read the article two dozen times, dreamt of it, and now it is so. It can be as simple as something that silly.
Hey Rob!
How are you, friend? I really like this post, we often sit on goldmines without even knowing it, huh.
I’m definitely a self-help lover, when I read self help books, they put me at such ease.. I can literally be in such a state of stress, but reading books like “steve covey’s” the 7 habits of successful people, just puts me at ease. I guess it’s because books like that make me want to appreciate life in general..
It’s all good stuff.
Cheers buddy!
–Parker
Hey Parker Lee … indeed, Covey is great. yes, folks who write meaningful books can have a wonderful influence on the peaceful state of your mind. Thanks for the input.
Hi Rob, I haven’t read it yet but your post has intrigued me. I have only read a handful of self-help books that I’ve received as gifts; perhaps I need to read one that will really grab me. I tend to re-read poetry books. Often I glean new meaning or message in some of the lines. It’s like looking at something from a different angle.
Yes, Belinda, when a book helps you to see things from a different angle, you are able to think about things from a new perspective, and as thou thinketh – thou doth create! Thank you for your thoughts.
rob, Great post and really informative. I think I will try and get hold of the book. It looks brilliant! Thanks for sharing your wisdom
Richard
Thank you, Richard, for appreciating my wisdom so that you may find your ownwisdom (prevalent in all that you think, say and do). As thou see-eth in others … soon you find yourself be-eth just like that. Blessing.
My favorite book is ‘the lazy man’s way to riches’ by Joe Karpo. Now that’s the way to living a good life!
Hey Rob, thanks for another greast post! You’ve seriously read it more than 300 times? Wow… that’s crazy. I’ve read the book a few times and I agree that it’s one of the best books out their on for achieving goals. But I like the concept of it which is that you need to believe. The more you can condition your mind that you’re going to be something, the more likely it will happen. Great example with President John F. Kennedy!
Yes, Hulbert, I have the book tht many times. You body never tires of daily nutrition … the mind never tires of daily inspiration. yes, a mind drenched with great ideas creates a great life for you.
Think and Grow Rich is an amazing book! Napoleon Hill was a truly a man on a mission..and I love his famous quote. “Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve.”
The only difference between Napoleon Hill and you, Faizal … is NOTHING. He would be the first to say that. If your thoughts align – your ability to accomplish align. I think YOU expect great things from you. Great expectation. Keep on going!
Hi Rob, I’m so glad I found your blog! I subscribed so as to keep getting a nice steady drip from you
I read Eckhart Tolle’s, “The Power of Now” regularly. I might ‘think’ I know everything that’s in there, but without regular reading it’s easy for me to fall into old patterns.
Indeed,when you are conscious and deliberate about the thoughts that take center stage of your mind,Jean, you determine what your life is about. You no longer fall into old patterns (that determine for you).
Wow Rob! You read Think and Grow Rich over 300 times? I’ve got homework to do!
You bring up a great point about the mind needing to accept what is true. Our subconscious mind stores our ‘known’ information. If we try to force an ‘unknown’ piece of information, it can easily be rejected. Your ‘drip’ analogy serves us better than positive affirmations.
I learned an interesting tidbit today about FJK’s father calling his son ‘President John’ for years. Thank you for the great post.
You’re a great thinker, Kim. I love your simplicty of communication. By the way, I am guilty of often flipping letters or words around (FJK vs JFK). Back then, I would beat myself for it. Now I know the truth – if my heart is in the right place and my brain makes a miss-take …. no one really cares. Regarding the swubconscious: this mighty powerful level of our mind cannot reason for itself. It simply stores what we repeat dozens of times and eventually acts on it. Our awareness is the gatekeeper to our subconscious. That is why awareness is key to taking command of the mind. Thanks for the input, Kim.
“JFK”
Hi, Rob! One of the most amazing illustrations of your point is Napolean Hill’s story about his son. I’m not going to spoil it for your readers, but if any of you will read the story about his son, you’ll know what I mean. The drip analogy reminds me of how a small drip of water can wear away the toughest rock. Even so, constant drips of positivity will wear down negativity around and in us.
Indeed, Steve, Hill’s deaf son story is awesome. It proves a major point that he makes about the power of thinkingin the right direction. Thanks for your feedback. Clearly, Hill impressed you, which will make an impression on how you conduct your life. I imagine great things will occur in your presence.
My favorite book of all times is Covey’s ‘Seven Habits’. If I can take those habits on as mine – I can see how easy my life could be.
Indeed, Harold …. Covey’s 7 Habits are a blueprint for success in any area of your life. It does take walking those habits up the rungs of the Thinking Ladder and up the rungs of the Doing Ladder in order to absorb them so you own them. Most folks neglect the Doing Ladder, and then wonder why they forgot the habits six months after reading the book
I have a first edition classic of the author Richard Bach. I treasure it.
Great post! Think and Grow Rich is really an inspiring book. Most of the stuff we read today stems from those same concepts. I need to go back and read it now that you mention it. Thanks for the reminder.
YES, Ralsph, it seems that success consists of the same working principles today as it did 80 years ago, 800 years ago, 8,000 years ago. Many people look for the right and perg=fect NEW SELF-HELP BOOK that will give them ‘the secret’. The secret has been out since the beginning of mankind (male and female intended with this statement), in one form or another.
I do believe that ‘the secret of success’ is not a secret. It only seems like a ‘secret’ because we refuse to admit that we have more talent than we use. It is easy for me to say, and more difficult for me to live that way.
Great insight, Armand. Insights like that are forerunners of great breakthroughs.
Dear Rob,
I appreciate more than words can express that the “undercurrent” of life is love. I keep coming back to the phrase “love is always present awaiting our arrival.
To me, what you’re pointing out is what I call our connection to “source energy” or “great mystery”. It doesn’t matter how it’s defined, but when I experience it, it is always with a feeling of tremendous love. Love that is a bodily felt sensation and knowing of the connection to all that you speak of.
I love that you touch on powerful knowings that help us improve our connection to others and make the planet a better place to be in the process.
Thanks,Rob!
Lauren
Wow, Lauren, your intuitive knowing is clearly evolved. You have to put in the work to get those insights. Kudos .. you are an example for other fellow travelers to model. Keep on goin!
I just finished reading Napoleon Hill’s book. I absolutely loved it!
I love that you loved the book, Kara. I hope you put it into action in your life. The proof of the truth of the powerful lessons in the book are now up to you.
I bought an old autographed ‘Seven Habits’ book, by Stephan Covey, for a buck at a flea market. That was the best investment I have ever made.
That is cool! It is good to know I am not the only one who sees the value in buying books at flea markets and yard sales. I have too many so after I read them, I give them away on my website.
I like the idea of taking time to give my mind a treat by reading Inspirational books. I can see where that puts the mind in a good mood and then it comes up with better tips for me to solve my problems.
The classics really seem to have more substance that the newer books, to me. I really enjoy reading books from the earlier times. The reinvented methods are worded differently, to be up-to-date I suppose. However, the ideas seem to have lost something in the translation, too fluffy for my taste.
Wow, Sandra … I love your noticement: new self-help books are often reinvented methods simply worded differently than the classics. Indeed, many do lose something in the translation. Thanks for that wise observation.
My favorite self-help book is still the bible. Tell me anything new that isn’t covered in the bible. The rest is all rehash.
My favorite self-help book is the bible – the rest are all rehashes.