The Entrepreneur Forum | Financial Freedom | Starting a Business | Motivation | Money | Success

Welcome to the only entrepreneur forum dedicated to building life-changing wealth.

Build a Fastlane business. Earn real financial freedom. Join free.

Join over 80,000 entrepreneurs who have rejected the paradigm of mediocrity and said "NO!" to underpaid jobs, ascetic frugality, and suffocating savings rituals— learn how to build a Fastlane business that pays both freedom and lifestyle affluence.

Free registration at the forum removes this block.

Why does everyone love Think and Grow Rich

Phantom

New Contributor
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
71%
Jul 1, 2011
7
5
I can't read past the fourth chapter on this book. Its so much fluff. That whole law of secret was based on this. Why are people raving about it so much? Looking in the mirror, saying affirmations does not make you rich.
 
Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

Jonleehacker

Gold Contributor
Read Fastlane!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
61%
Oct 31, 2007
1,845
1,124
Edmonton, Canada
I can't read past the fourth chapter on this book. Its so much fluff. That whole law of secret was based on this. Why are people raving about it so much? Looking in the mirror, saying affirmations does not make you rich.

It's easy to be a hater.

Give us your version of how to get rich - from your own experiences, of course.
 

Graves

Contributor
Read Fastlane!
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
9%
Jan 31, 2011
272
25
I can't read past the fourth chapter on this book. Its so much fluff. That whole law of secret was based on this. Why are people raving about it so much? Looking in the mirror, saying affirmations does not make you rich.

It makes people feel better.
 

Darkside

Bronze Contributor
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
18%
Jul 4, 2010
782
139
San Diego
I can't read past the fourth chapter on this book. Its so much fluff. That whole law of secret was based on this. Why are people raving about it so much? Looking in the mirror, saying affirmations does not make you rich.


I agree. No matter how many times you wish or say in your mind that you want to become wealthy, it won't happen. The only way to become wealthy is to take action; start a business, then work every day to make that business successful, develop a talent that you can market, etc.

It's why I shun pretty much all wealth or motivational gurus; since almost all of them have become wealthy through telling other people how to become wealthy; they didn't succeed in business on their own before writing their advice books so why should I read or listen to anything they have to say?

Read books by people who've actually succeeded in business before writing their books like MJ or Felix Dennis.
 
Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

ClintonSkakun

Contributor
Read Fastlane!
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
36%
Mar 26, 2011
138
49
D
I can't read past the fourth chapter on this book. Its so much fluff. That whole law of secret was based on this. Why are people raving about it so much? Looking in the mirror, saying affirmations does not make you rich.

I agree buddy! I don't kno how many times I've heard people praise Think and Grow Rich as "the book you HAVE to read." I read it, it was ok at the time. Later on I began doubting anything related to the law of attraction. No wonder this book is popular among MLMs. It's this kind of feel good stuff that keeps people pouring money into the self-help industry.

The thing that bothers me, now that I look back at Think and Grow Rich, was it didn't give me any real meat on how to build a business. The main theme of the book is visualizing and using affirmations, and then it goes into using sexual energy, having a "pleasing personality," and creating a committee of imaginary great people. In hindsight, none of the books like Think and Grow Rich gave me any real insight on building a business, or what it takes to be rich. Win Friends and Influence People is another similar one, and although it has application, I find people who take a large steaming dump on this book and are still rich and successful. I've read a lot of books that I used to think were gold and now, after a few years of reading and learning, they just don't seem to nail it anymore.

Any one of these authors who get too esoteric I tend to let fall to the way side. There's nothing magical or mystical about making money and you don't have to stand in front of a mirror and say, "I'm fullfilling my million dollar potential..." or a similar cornball affirmation. In my mind, these kinds of "excercises" rank us among the people who believe they've been abducted by aliens(without even knowing it), or believe that sprinking water annointed by the holy ghost heals cancer.(but ironically can't restore missing limbs)

I don't need to be worth 10 million dollars to tell you this won't work because looking in the mirror and chanting affirmations doesn't solve a need in the marketplace. If you could just attract money(if the LOA actually worked) we wouldn't need jobs(and nothing would get done). Since most people either work jobs or own businesses we have to conclude that the LOA either doesn't work, or everyone has such a hopelessly corrupt mindsets that they can't harness the power of the LOA. In which case isn't it easier to just go out and make money the old fashion way? The reason why not too many people make money from chanting affirmations is that there isn't much of a demand for it. You can't get someting for nothing and just say, "I know everyone works for their money but I'm just going to chant affirmations and be open to money coming to me." This is the kind of delusional thinking the self-help industry peddles to the blind.

The thing I love about Millionaire Fastlane , How to Get Rich, etc. etc. is that these books are pragmatism at it's best. They doesn't rattle on about vague, mystic concepts none of us will ever really understand.
 

Jonleehacker

Gold Contributor
Read Fastlane!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
61%
Oct 31, 2007
1,845
1,124
Edmonton, Canada
oy vey.

So you guys would "take action" building a bridge, for example, without creating a clear vision of what you are trying to create?

Don't you think NASA took time defining what the "vision" was for the space shuttle before they started building?

All successful people have a vision of what they want before they get started (like MJ's Lambo). Something that inspires their action, something worthwhile to work towards.

If you don't have that before you take action, you will quit when the inevitable struggles start to show up.

That's what Think and Grow Rich, The Secret etc are all about.

In my experience most people who hate on these books either: 1.) haven't ever done anything. or 2.) use the process but do it without having conscious knowledge of what they are doing.
 

Likwid24

Legendary Contributor
FASTLANE INSIDER
EPIC CONTRIBUTOR
Read Fastlane!
Summit Attendee
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
295%
Mar 26, 2011
2,098
6,193
46
Staten Island, NY
I think you guys are all missing the point of the book. As Napoleon Hill says in the beginning, some people will get the secret in the first few pages, some will get it in the last few and some might not get it at all.

The book is meant to show that all people who become very successful have one main thing in common. Every single one of them has a DESIRE to be successful so powerful that nothing will stop them. They wanted it, just like MJ wanted it. He wanted it so bad he moved away from friends and family and busted his a$$ until he got it.

I didn't take it as a book to motivate me because I am already motivated. I already have the DESIRE. I guess if you don't have the DESIRE then you won't understand and therefore, the reason that you don't get it.

The DESIRE is something every successful person he interviewed had in common. He did not interview them before they became wealthy. He interviewed them after. When they were already there and found the one thing in common that got them there.

The book is not about looking in the mirror and telling yourself you can do it. What I took from it is that if you don't have that DESIRE deep inside you then you will never have and therefore will never reach your maximum potential. You might want to have money, wealth and freedom but without the DESIRE to do so, you will never get there.

IMO, if your looking for a self help book to motivate you to reach financial freedom then you most likely will never reach it.
 
Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

Likwid24

Legendary Contributor
FASTLANE INSIDER
EPIC CONTRIBUTOR
Read Fastlane!
Summit Attendee
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
295%
Mar 26, 2011
2,098
6,193
46
Staten Island, NY
If they have the burning desire to do so and stop at nothing to get there, they will become rich. Some people mistake "desire" for "want". Of course there are millions of people out there who "want" to be rich. How many of those truly have a "burning" desire? Those that truly do have a "desire", will find a way to reach their goals not matter what it takes. Do not mistake "want" for "desire". There's a huge difference.
 

MJ DeMarco

I followed the science; all I found was money.
Staff member
FASTLANE INSIDER
EPIC CONTRIBUTOR
Read Rat-Race Escape!
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Summit Attendee
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
445%
Jul 23, 2007
38,076
169,492
Utah
Do not mistake "want" for "desire".

The parallel between "interest" (want) and "commitment" (desire) -- everyone is interested; the commitment part is where the winners are made.

The thing I love about Millionaire Fastlane , How to Get Rich, etc. etc. is that these books are pragmatism at it's best. They don't rattle on about vague, mystic concepts none of us will ever really understand.

That is because mathematics cannot be debated. This thread is debated because "affirmations" "thinking positive" and "desire" are all ambiguous ideas that cannot be proved. Mathematics are absolute and 2+2 always = 4.

In Fastlane terms, show me someone who has impacted the lives of millions, and I will show you a millionaire, or a soon-to-be millionaire.

A great example is Rebecca Black. Her stupid little jingle touched the lives of millions in a small way (some will argue negatively) and yes, she might not have made millions on the jingle, but now she is a worldwide, leveraged personable brand. I'm sure she has an agent. I'm sure her appearance fees are not $50/hour but maybe $5,000. How did this happen? Thinking positively? Having a vision? Desire? Nope -- it was done by numbers -- she put herself in a position of exposure to MILLIONS.

Mathematics are difficult to argue, and it is the true law of the universe.

The only way to become wealthy is to take action; start a business, then work every day to make that business successful, develop a talent that you can market, etc.

The formula is often over-complicated much like weight loss -- eat right and exercise. Bam. End of story. I think the formula for wealth is as simple and not much different.
 
Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

Rickson9

Gold Contributor
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
101%
Sep 4, 2010
1,682
1,699
Canada
I can't read past the fourth chapter on this book. Its so much fluff. That whole law of secret was based on this. Why are people raving about it so much? Looking in the mirror, saying affirmations does not make you rich.

I never read it all. I got bored.
 

Rickson9

Gold Contributor
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
101%
Sep 4, 2010
1,682
1,699
Canada
The only way to become wealthy is to take action; start a business, then work every day to make that business successful, develop a talent that you can market, etc.

Or hitch a ride on the back of a talented entrepreneur like a parasite. Our capitalistic system allows for this.

Best regards.
 

DJ Effection

PARKED
Read Fastlane!
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
0% - New User
Jun 18, 2011
5
0
I read Think and Grow Rich about a couple years ago, when I basically spent every night trolling the internet until 4 am after work. I was learning about a lot of Law of Attraction 'stuff', as well as affiliate marketing and how to start businesses on the internet, so naturally I found this book eventually.

For me, there wasnt too much about it that was really memorable. As mentioned before, there was a lot of fluff, and a lot of the exercizes I had completely forgotten about until I re-read about them in this thread. I think it was because the exersizes are designed to change how you think and feel, not nessecerily what you do. Subconsiously, I think I realized this and filtered out the advice.

People can only seem to sum this book up as, "think more positively and youll make more money." And the actual means of how to translate this into doing something that makes money is left rather vauge, giving you an impression that your thinking is wrong in some way, and because of that, the energies that permeate the universe won't shift future events in your favor that give you money. Which... really tells you nothing about starting a business.

Now, I'm all for thinking positively and all, its kinda hard to get anything done when youre all depressed and moping around feeling sorry for yourself.. but the kind of thinking the author of think and grow rich is talking about is more on a subconscious level, where your daily habits are formed. What he is asking the reader to do though, is make a monumental change in their deepest thought processes, which can be extremely hard to do. And without solid direction to go in (or 5 convenient Laws of businesses to follow), it's easy to see why most people try to apply the principals in this book and fail.

As far as why everybody likes it? I imagine it's because it's a spiritual marketers dream. Its an old book, so copyright laws allow it to circulate more freely I imagine, it combines the law of Attraction and making money into one great package, and gurus can make themselves look good.. "Look at the book I'M clued into! I bring it to you now my followers, as if they were commandments chiseled into stone slabs." Also, because its old, it automatically makes it that much more mysterious and interesting.

That's just my personal take on it though. IMO, this book DOES still have its merits on some of the psychology behind becoming richer, but it's dated, the concepts seem to evade the end goal, and the language doesn't hit as hard in the same way as MJ's book does. As far as which of the two books provide a much more realistic, executable and grounded approach to making money, no question MJ's book is much better in all those areas.
 
Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

Jonleehacker

Gold Contributor
Read Fastlane!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
61%
Oct 31, 2007
1,845
1,124
Edmonton, Canada
The formula is often over-complicated much like weight loss -- eat right and exercise.

That may be the formula, but without a burning desire to have a better body, that math is going to be just Sudoka puzzles for a couch potato. ;)

I am speaking from my own experience here, as I have known the formula for many years, but always plateaued in my fastlane pursuits. It wasn't until I cultivated a burning desire to attain my dreams (it wasn't natural to me at all) that I began to break through.
 

ClintonSkakun

Contributor
Read Fastlane!
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
36%
Mar 26, 2011
138
49
D
Although almost all people who bust their a$$ and become rich had the desire, not all who have the desire will become rich.

Right! Just because you have a constant focused desire doesn't mean you'll inevitably become rich. I've always noticed that, either in the fastlane or slowlane, the people who worked the most made the most. It's called the Law of Getting Off Your a$$(LoGOYA), and it's not called the "Secret" but the Damned Obvious Truth!
 

Likwid24

Legendary Contributor
FASTLANE INSIDER
EPIC CONTRIBUTOR
Read Fastlane!
Summit Attendee
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
295%
Mar 26, 2011
2,098
6,193
46
Staten Island, NY
Right! Just because you have a constant focused desire doesn't mean you'll inevitably become rich. I've always noticed that, either in the fastlane or slowlane, the people who worked the most made the most. It's called the Law of Getting Off Your a$$(LoGOYA), and it's not called the "Secret" but the Damned Obvious Truth!

Yes but you are not going to GOYA unless you have a desire to do so. And it's not true that the people who work the most make the most. I know way too many people who work their asses off and have nothing to show for it. They have no DESIRE to get rich. They WANT to be rich but lack the DESIRE to get there. Just because you work your a$$ off doesn't mean you'll make more money.

The point is that if you desire something bad enough and you will stop at nothing to get it, then eventually you will get it. It may be true that not all people with desire will become rich but I'm sure an overwhelming majority do. I'm also sure that if you don't have the desire then you will not become rich, unless by some fluke chance you win the lottery or inherit money.
 
Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

ClintonSkakun

Contributor
Read Fastlane!
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
36%
Mar 26, 2011
138
49
D
Yes but you are not going to GOYA unless you have a desire to do so. And it's not true that the people who work the most make the most. I know way too many people who work their asses off and have nothing to show for it. They have no DESIRE to get rich. They WANT to be rich but lack the DESIRE to get there. Just because you work your a$$ off doesn't mean you'll make more money.

The point is that if you desire something bad enough and you will stop at nothing to get it, then eventually you will get it. It may be true that not all people with desire will become rich but I'm sure an overwhelming majority do. I'm also sure that if you don't have the desire then you will not become rich, unless by some fluke chance you win the lottery or inherit money.
Good point. I suppose if you want something bad enough you may do anything to get there. I agree there at least has to be a desire, otherwise there's no point of going out and working to get rich. And considering the demands this pursuit has, the potential sacrifices you have to make, you have to almost want it more than anything.
 

domular

Contributor
Read Fastlane!
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
18%
Jun 24, 2011
318
58
62
Houston, Texas, United States
You know this thread is funny because I thought I was the only person that thought this book was completely forgettable. I find it so ironic that Napoleon Hill died pretty close to penniless. I mean really, what does this say about how well his doctrine works?
 

cashflow3000

Contributor
Read Fastlane!
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
25%
Jun 13, 2011
150
38
Bellingham, Washington, USA
First: thanks to the original poster for this thread. I completely agree, Think and Grow Rich is one of those books that I never "got" and I do like that kind of book!

The issue with "desire" and "motivation" etc is they are always at odds with COMFORT.

There are many people who "say" they desire this that or the other thing, but the cold hard truth of the matter is they are COMFORTABLE.

The COMFORT ZONE is your ENEMY.

But you already knew that.

Thanks again for the thread!

JW Hagarty
 
Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

Jake

Platinum Contributor
Read Fastlane!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
148%
May 15, 2011
1,801
2,669
41
Bangkok
First: thanks to the original poster for this thread. I completely agree, Think and Grow Rich is one of those books that I never "got" and I do like that kind of book!

The issue with "desire" and "motivation" etc is they are always at odds with COMFORT.

There are many people who "say" they desire this that or the other thing, but the cold hard truth of the matter is they are COMFORTABLE.

The COMFORT ZONE is your ENEMY.

But you already knew that.

Thanks again for the thread!

JW Hagarty
Great post. and as we discussed via pm I am leaving my comfort zone in 3 weeks. Bye bye 6 figure job, hello fastlane. Nothing more motivating than having a large paycheck no longer show up in your bank account every 2 weeks. I'm getting anxious just thinking about it.
 

MJ DeMarco

I followed the science; all I found was money.
Staff member
FASTLANE INSIDER
EPIC CONTRIBUTOR
Read Rat-Race Escape!
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Summit Attendee
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
445%
Jul 23, 2007
38,076
169,492
Utah
Nothing more motivating than having a large paycheck no longer show up in your bank account every 2 weeks. I'm getting anxious just thinking about it.

Actually sounds exhilarating and exciting!
 

Stefan Em

Contributor
Read Fastlane!
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
114%
Jun 4, 2011
22
25
Switzerland
One point is important to mention in this context:

Repeating those sentences in your head, aka Self Affirmations does one thing in particular:

It programs your RAS (Reticular Activating System), the nerves in your brain, to put your awareness, your focus on those objects.

So let's say that your five senses perceive 500'000 "units" of signals in every second, but your conscious awareness can only handle like 9'000 of them.

In your RAS it is written what has value to you and what not, it decides which of those 500'000 "perceived units" really matter to you.

It's like when I tell you to look for red things around you. You will find them, see them, because your RAS focuses on them.

So in your everyday life, your RAS subconsiously has those affirmations about wealth and money running. Every single day of your life there are opportunities, open doors within the things you perceive. With your RAS focused on them you will miss less of those doors.
 
Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.
Last edited:

amys101place

PARKED
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
0% - New User
Jul 20, 2011
1
0
Try listening to 'The Strangest Secret in the World'. I'd be curious to know what you guys think of that?

I can understand why some feel the way they do. When I read 'The Secret', it completely felt that way, but 'Think and Grow Rich' and the above audio recording go much deeper than that for me.. and I can honestly say this..

I found the above recording last year and decided to pursue IM and "make" it work. I posted "$100 a day" everywhere... all over my house, my car, my gym locker.. you name it. It's been almost a year now and I just hit the $3000 a month ($100 a day) the first time last month. So.. I really believe in these principles. They're all about consistent focus and giving energy to creating things.. which is a proven law. It's an odd concept, but one that works.

Great post though. I enjoyed reading the views of all!
 

oldscool

Bronze Contributor
Read Fastlane!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
144%
Jul 20, 2011
317
458
your internet
Try listening to 'The Strangest Secret in the World'. I'd be curious to know what you guys think of that?

I can understand why some feel the way they do. When I read 'The Secret', it completely felt that way, but 'Think and Grow Rich' and the above audio recording go much deeper than that for me.. and I can honestly say this..

I found the above recording last year and decided to pursue IM and "make" it work. I posted "$100 a day" everywhere... all over my house, my car, my gym locker.. you name it. It's been almost a year now and I just hit the $3000 a month ($100 a day) the first time last month. So.. I really believe in these principles. They're all about consistent focus and giving energy to creating things.. which is a proven law. It's an odd concept, but one that works.

Great post though. I enjoyed reading the views of all!

The only law that is proven is the law of doing what is right for you.

While, Olympic track, and, field runner used to do the same thing as you. I feel like it is better to cut your time in half by just doing the thing you want to accomplish. Affirmations, and, such becomes another crutch, that's why many people fail in their lives. If they spent less time looking for motivations, and, just directly get to the nitty gritty they'd leap frog to success.

Ask yourself what is it you want, and, get to getting it. No need to have seances, and, s%$#. JUST DO IT!!
 

Darkside

Bronze Contributor
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
18%
Jul 4, 2010
782
139
San Diego
The only law that is proven is the law of doing what is right for you.

While, Olympic track, and, field runner used to do the same thing as you. I feel like it is better to cut your time in half by just doing the thing you want to accomplish. Affirmations, and, such becomes another crutch, that's why many people fail in their lives. If they spent less time looking for motivations, and, just directly get to the nitty gritty they'd leap frog to success.

Ask yourself what is it you want, and, get to getting it. No need to have seances, and, s%$#. JUST DO IT!!



True. When it comes down to it, you know what you need to do so just do it! If you have an idea for a business, get started on it; don't sit around trying to motivate yourself to take action; just take action!
 
Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

RustyZ32

New Contributor
Read Fastlane!
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
67%
Sep 14, 2011
3
2
Texas
Think and Grow Rich is actually a short "commercial" version of Napoleon Hills work Law of Success, that book is pretty big and very comprehensive. Its the only book that kept me motivated and got me inspired. Its one of the best books out there and in my opinion is still the best, its just full of practical advice.
Its not for everyone and there is nothing wrong with it, you just have to approach it with the right mindset.
 

Rafal

Contributor
Read Fastlane!
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
61%
Jul 14, 2011
99
60
Warsaw, Poland

Kak

Legendary Contributor
FASTLANE INSIDER
EPIC CONTRIBUTOR
Read Rat-Race Escape!
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Summit Attendee
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
492%
Jan 23, 2011
9,678
47,664
34
Texas
On a drive into houston on friday I continued as far as the "jobs/resume" part and pulled over and deleted the audiobook from my SD card.

I had enough.
 

Post New Topic

Please SEARCH before posting.
Please select the BEST category.

Post new topic

Guest post submissions offered HERE.

New Topics

Fastlane Insiders

View the forum AD FREE.
Private, unindexed content
Detailed process/execution threads
Ideas needing execution, more!

Join Fastlane Insiders.

Top