Transformational Income: Plan To Succeed

Steps One Through Five
Let’s recount the steps toward riches that Napoleon Hill lists in his classic book, Think and Grow Rich.

1.Desire
2.Faith
3.Auto-Suggestion
4.Specialized Knowledge
5.Imagination

The Sixth Step: Planning
Now we come to the sixth step: Organized Planning. This is one of Hill’s longest chapters and covers a variety of topics, so we will break it up into smaller, more digestible segments. Bear in mind, also, that Hill first published his book in 1937- a little over sixty years ago. While most of what he has to say is basic and holds as true today as it did back then, some of it is dated. We live in a much different world even from that which Hill envisioned. Therefore, I will omit some sections that I feel are no longer relevant. If you want to check out all that Hill has to say, by all means, read his classic in its entirety.

Wishful Thinking Is Not Planning
Antoine de Saint-Exupery said, “A goal without a plan is just a wish.” Pinocchio and his pal Jiminy Cricket not withstanding, wishing “upon a star” doesn’t gain you riches. Remember, you have to WANT it badly enough that it becomes a BURNING DESIRE. You have to have FAITH in your ability to bring it to fruitition through the principle of AUTO-SUGGESTION. You need SPECIALIZED KNOWLEDGE and you need IMAGINATION. But even all that is not enough. You have to PLAN.

If you have followed instructions, you have already done these things:

Fixed in your mind the exact amount of money you desire

Determined exactly what you intend to give in return for this money

Established a definite date when you intend to possess the money you desire

A “Master Mind” Group
Now you need to create a definite plan. Presumably you have handed this problem over to your IMAGINATION as suggested in the chapter on AUTO-SUGGESTION and you have some IDEA of how you are going to make the money. What do you do next?

1.You ask for help. You ally yourself with a group of as many people as you may need for the creation and carrying out of your plan. I know, for many of us, this is a tough step. I tend to be a lone wolf and would rather do almost anything than have to ask for help. But this is absolutely essential. We will deal with this “Master Mind” at more length later.

2.You decide what you have to offer your “Master Mind” group. What advantages and benefits can you give them in return for their cooperation? This doesn’t necessarily have to be money; you may be able to give them the same service that you are asking of them: help in creating and carrying out their plans.

3.Arrange to meet (or communicate through email, chat, forums, etc.) with the members of your “Master Mind” group regularly until you have jointly perfected the necessary plan, or plans, for the accumulation of money.

4.Maintain good relations with your Master Mind group. If you start bickering, belittling, or begrudging any ideas or help you might give them, you undermine the whole principle.

You are engaged in an undertaking of major importance to your future. It is vital that you plan carefully. But you must have the advantage of the experience, education, ability, and imagination of other minds. No one person has sufficient stores of these resources to go it alone. (I keep reminding myself) :)

Every plan you adopt in your endeavor to make money should be the joint creation of you and your Master Mind group. You may originate your own plans, in part or wholly, but SEE THAT THOSE PLANS ARE CHECKED AND APPROVED BY THE MEMBERS OF YOUR “MASTER MIND” GROUP.

If At First You Don’t Succeed…
Be aware, also, that the first set of plans you adopt may not work. If that is the case, replace that plan with another checked and approved by your “Master Mind” group and try again. And again, if necessary.

Thomas Edison, who “failed” ten thousand times before he perfected the light bulb, said, “Many of life’s failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.”

Temporary setbacks should mean only one thing: there is something wrong with your plan. After all, your achievement can be no greater than your PLANS are sound.

Hill is emphatic, “NO FOLLOWER OF THIS PHILOSOPHY CAN REASONABLY EXPECT TO ACCUMULATE A FORTUNE WITHOUT EXPERIENCING ‘TEMPORARY DEFEAT.’”

Therefore, when you select members for your “Master Mind” group, try to pick people who do not take defeat seriously or personally.

Remember: A QUITTER NEVER WINS AND A WINNER NEVER QUITS!