Think And Grow Rich (Summary of the book — Part -2)

Continuing to part 1 of the summary of this book, in part 2 we further try to complete the book. Let’s begin with reasons for failure.

Reasons for failure:

Author, after his analysis of various individuals, he came up with 30 major reasons of the failure, now, for the purpose of this blog, I will keep up with major failure reasons that author has mentioned because writing about all 30 can be out of the scope of this blog. To read about all, I would strongly suggest to read the book.

1. Lack of well-defined purpose:
   Every one must have a definite purpose, a goal to achieve because that is what keeps us on track. Otherwise, if you try to overthink, you may find yourself in existential crisis as to what is your purpose in life. 98 out of 100 people author analysed face this problem. This leads to problem no 2
2. Lack of ambition to aim above mediocrity:
   This is what called adjustment with your current state. Even though your are dissatisfied with your current state, you are not willing to pay the price to get ahead. Society also plays a role in pulling you back. So our job is to break the stereotypes and get ahead. Have an ambition, aim above your capability and work for it. If not the last stage but your current state will definitely improve but never stop dreaming.
3. Lack of self discipline:
   Discipline comes through self-control. We should be able to control all the negative thoughts and remove them completely from our mind. But before we control thoughts we must control ourselves. If we do not conquer self, we will be conquered by self. It’s like seeing your friend and enemy together when you stand in front of the mirror.
4. Lack of persistence:
   Most of us are good starters but poor finishers of everything we begin. We tend to give up at first signs of defeat. But if we are persistent, failure cannot cope with persistence. Without persistence you will be defeated, with persistence you will win.
5. Wrong selection of mate for marriage/relationship:
   This is most common cause of failure that author has seen in his analysis. Find someone who motivates you, find someone who supports in your career, find someone who dreams with you. This mistake of wrong selection can completely destroy your ambition and mark your life with failure and misery.
6. Egotism:
   This is considered as a red light to keep it away. They are highly fatal to your success.
7. Wrong Selection of Vocation:
   No man can succeed in a line of endeavour which he does not like. The most essential step in marketing services that you can do, is to select what you like to do, in which you can throw yourself wholeheartedly.

The above reason cover almost all phases of our life. To read all, I would suggest to read the book.

As we saw persistence as of the quality to success. Let’s dig deep into how to develop it.

How to develop Persistence:

There are four simple steps to develop persistence, as follows:

1. A definite purpose backed by burning desire for its fulfillment.
2. A definite plan, expressed in continuous action.
3. A mind closed tightly against all negative and discouraging influences including negative suggestions from friends, relatives and acquaintances.
4. A friendly alliance with one or more persons who believe in your goal and will encourage you throughout your journey and encourage you to follow the plan and purpose.

To develop the fourth step, there is a principle called MasterMind.

What is MasterMind Principle:

MasterMind principle says that, you surround yourselves with people who nurture same thoughts like you. If you are positive, you will be surrounded with people having positivity in their life. If you want to get rich and think of money, or ways to make it big, you will be surrounded by rich people, be it office or your friend’s circle. You may feel suffocated when you try to hangout with people having opposite thinking from you, when they nurture different thoughts which are not same as you. So whenever, you feel something isn’t working out with folks in your life, this is the same reason behind that. But beware, if someone successful, someone positive, finds difficult to hangout with you, then it’s time to watch your thoughts 😅. This works for marriage/relationship as well. If your partner’s thoughts do not resonate with you, it is time to get out. Not sure why you got in that relationship at first place 😄 This is MasterMind Principle in short.

Form the habit of applying and using positive emotions. Eventually they will dominate your mind so completely, that the negatives won’t enter it.

One thing that author has observed and even me at some place, I am sure you must have seen it as well..
People generally resort to prayers ONLY when everything else has FAILED. They go for prayers with doubts in their mind, which are the same emotions the subconscious mind acts on and passes on to infinite intelligence. And they pray with some meaningless words if they are not aware of subconscious mind and the way it works.
Prayer, does sometime work, but if it does, try to recall the state of your mind in which you were and this theory will make more sense to you.

The communication to subconscious mind costs nothing except Faith, Patience and Persistence, Understanding and a Sincere desire to communicate. Paid prayers won’t work, the infinite intelligence does not do business by proxy. You either communicate or you do not.

Money Talks:

The main reason that author has written the book on money, is because, the world has lately(during his time) passed through experience that left millions of men and women paralysed with fear of poverty. And fear of poverty is the very much dangerous. Yes, there are riches other than money which cannot be measured in dollars, but millions of people who will say, “Give me all the money I need, and I will find everything else I want”. And in today’s world it’s true. You need good health, then you have to eat organic and it comes at a cost. You want to live long, well you got to exercise and gym membership comes with a cost. You need to travel faster to places of work, well transportation in private vehicles comes with a cost. Higher education, comes with a cost. So even though money is just a form of paper, it controls everything, and you with your mind can control the flow of money in your life.

Protecting yourselves against negative influences:

I would like to conclude this summary and the last part by mentioning some points on how one can protect themselves from negative influences.

1. We as a human are susceptible to fears that we have, be it poverty, criticism, etc. But its under our control to setup habits so that we can counteract those fears.
2. Deliberately spend time and seek company of people who influence to think and act for yourself.
3. Never leave your mind open to weaknesses.

So with this, we conclude the summary of the book, Think And Grow Rich . There are other stories in the book which are a good read. This is just summary, I would suggest to give a read for the whole book. Observe the title, it’s not Work Hard and Grow Rich, there is a reason. 😄

Next in line for summaries is Rich Dad, Poor Dad. I have finished reading it, and have moved on for The Subtle art of not giving a F*CK.

Till then, see you next time. Hope it was worth your time to read. Let me know, what was good and what can be improved. Reach out to me LinkedIN and Twitter for discussions, suggestions on new books or just say “hi” over a cup of green tea. 😆