This is a great chapter. I feel very motivated to continue on with my work again. It is so important to do the things that we need to do which will keep us motivated and working away at our vision. So, here are some notes that I want to share on this chapter.

Motivate Yourself to Achieve Success

Mr. Hill said that one of the greatest rewards for success is not necessarily monetary (although that is important), but it is the feeling of satisfaction that you have done a job well.  In answer to his own question, “How can you motivate yourself to succeed?” he answers, “Develop a burning desire for something that you wish to have in order to reach a greater goal you have set for yourself.  Remember, there is a difference between merely wishing for something and deciding definitely that you are going to have it”.

How to Have a Burning Desire

And what about after you get that “burning desire”?  He says this, “Once you have that burning desire, you will develop an intensity of purpose that will allow you to simply brush aside obstacles that seemed insurmountable before.  All things are possible to the person who believes that they are possible“.

Then he gives some very powerful steps that we must take.

1. Set yourself a definite goal in life
2. Write it down
3. Commit it to memory
4. Direct every thought and all your energies to making it come true

Setbacks and Challenges

What about challenges, what about setbacks?  Napoleon says “Instead of letting momentary setbacks throw you off course, search in them for the seed of an equivalent benefit which can help you get back on track to attaining your goal.”

So, I have been completely swamped by my software project for my biggest client and have not progressed as I wanted on my tools that I am working on in my spare time (i.e. I haven’t had spare time lately).  So, instead of getting down or forgetting about it, I have to look for a benefit that I have gained because of this setback.  It is there, there is something in this that will help me to reach my goal.

Start Where You Are

Finally, let me end with Napoleon Hills final paragraph about starting where you are.

“Remember, Whatever the mind of man can conceive and believe, the mind of man can achieve. The person determined to attain success starts where he stands, making the best of whatever tools he has and acquiring whatever else he needs along the way.  Start from wherever you stand–today.”

napoleon hill