Chapter 1 : The power of thought

Think and Grow Rich Chapter 1 talks about the power of thought. It explains why our thoughts are important and why we should take them so seriously.

Chapter 1 summary

Thoughts are things

Riches begin with a state of mind which may be induced by thinking. This state of mind has in particular definiteness of purpose and persistence. The idea is to shift one’s mind from a failure conscious state of mind into a money conscious one. For this, only one idea is needed and this book contains the best and most practical ways to create sound ideas.

It is important to have the definite knowledge that thoughts can be transmuted into physical by the application of certain principles. In other words, following the instructions money will start to come naturally. Only 1 person among 100,000 knows this secret, but nobody talks about it because of its simplicity.

Strange power

This is a strange power that attracts riches and which we can understand and apply through given instructions. One of the characteristics of the money conscious state of mind (also called Carnegian state of mind) is it is visible in the expression of the face, in the eyes; and has the power to influence people.

Readiness

When one is truly ready for a thing it puts in its appearance, and the link between failure and success is something one have to learn before one could succeed in anything. No one is ready for a thing until he believes he can acquire it.

Almost all achievers have dedicated thought to analyse where success comes from, and most of them learnt something which has to do with two stories: a A Fifty-Cent Lesson in Persistence and 3 feet from Gold.

Quitting when one is overtaken by temporary defeat is natural, logical and instinctive. And that is why opportunities almost always come disguised in the form of misfortune or temporary defeat. They are big opportunities because everybody quits. However, in most cases of success, success came one step beyond the point where temporary defeat had overtaken the men. T&GR is about learning the art of converting temporary defeat into opportunity.

Chapter 1 analysis and review

The first step is understanding the importance of having a definite purpose. You can choose the purpose you want, but it is important that you have one. Which one is yours? Can you write it down?

The second step is knowing that you have to get prepared and be ready, and that means you have to convince yourself and your social environment you really are. To do it, you have to put in its appearance and be trustworthy. If you already are, you look like it. And the oposite also works: if you look like it, it is because you already are.

The third point you have to keep in mind is that when you are really determined to do something, people around you can perceive it. You transmit more confidence and people listen to you much more.

Quotes in this chapter

Here below you can see the 3 quotes from Chapter 1 which summarize the main three ideas of the section.

More gold has been mined from the brains of men than has ever been taken from the earth.

Chapter 1 : Think and Grow Rich

The first quote is about the fact that before you start anything you must know what you want. You must have a vision. Not a business idea, but just a vision.

Then, you will be able to develop more concrete ideas as your vision materializes with the help of your work. Do you see yourself as an actor? Do you see yourself in the Oil and Gas industry? Do you see yourself inventing a new IT system? Those would be perfect instances of a vision.

When one is truly ready for a thing, it puts in its appearance.

Chapter 1 : Think and Grow Rich

You have to be ready. You have to get prepared and you have to look like ready. If you manage to look as if you were prepared, it means for the rest of the world (and yourself) you are prepared.

Failure is a trickster with a keen sense of irony and cunning. It takes great delight in tripping one when success is almost within reach.

Chapter 1 : Think and Grow Rich

Keep in mind temporary defeat is stricky. Big opportunities are so because everyone quits. That is why you have to try and try even though you feel like quitting.

A Fifty-Cent Lesson in Persistence and 3 feet from Gold are two short stories in which the hero becomes suceesful because of trying even when everything seemed lost.

Go to Chapter 2 or read our 5-minute summary of the book.