Chapter 9 : Persistence

Think and Grow Rich Chapter 9 Persistence summary analyzes why persistence is key for any accomplishment. Second, it describes 4 simple steps to develop the habit of persistence.

Summary : Persistence

The sustained effort

It is the sustained effort necessary to induce faith. In Chapter 9, Persistence is understood as an essential factor in the procedure of transmuting desire into money, and whose basis is the power of will. Persistence is imperative.Without it, you will be defeated before you start. Read this summary as often as needed, to keep in mind persistence has no substitute.

The majority of people are ready to throw their aims and purposes overboard and give up at first sigh of opposition or misfortune. The very few who carry on despite all opposition until they attain their goals are the Carnegies, the Fords, Rockefellers, Edisons, etc.

Fortunes gravitate to men whose minds have been prepared to attract them, just as water gravitates to the ocean. This book summary is all the stimuli necessary to attune any normal mind to the vibrations which will attract the object of one’s desire.

To get results you must apply all the rules until their application becomes a fixed habit with you. Occasional effort will be of no value. The lack of persistence (common to the majority of men), may be conquered only through the intensity of the desire.

The first test as to your persistence will come when you begin to follow the six steps in Chapter 2. Unless you are 1 out of 100, you may read the instructions and then pass on with your daily routine and never comply with those instructions. Don’t let you be among the 99 losers.

Poverty consciousness

Poverty consciousness occupy the mind by default. Money consciousness must be created to order unless one is born with it.

You may find it necessary to snap out of your mental inertia, through a similar procedure, moving slowly at first, then increasing your speed until you gain complete control over your will. Be persistent no matter how slowly you may start, as with persistence will come success.

“I do not think there is any other quality so essential to success of any kind as the quality of perseverance. It overcomes almost everything, even nature.”

John D. Rockefeller, on Persistence

The good part of the master mind is that some members can aid other members in the development and maintenance of persistence.

Fear of criticism

People refuse to take chances in business because they fear the criticism if they fail. In those cases the fear of criticism is stronger than the desire for success. Keep in mind most feared criticism comes from relatives and friends.

The time to nurse an idea is at the time of its birth. Every minute it lives gives it a better chance of surviving. The fear of criticisms is at the bottom of the destruction of new ideas.

Chapter 9: Persistence is very clear on this respect. If you analyze yourself and you become aware you fear criticism from relatives and friends try to overcome it. If you can’t, don’t hesitate to move somewhere else (new city, new country, etc.) far from criticism.

The habit of persistence

Some people were born with the quality of perseverance. But for most people (including famous businessmen ) it is not innate, it is acquired through training and drilling.

There are four simple steps leading to the habit of persistence:

• Definite purpose backed by burning desire.
• Definite plan expressed in continuous action.
• A mind closed tightly against all negative and discouraging influences.
• Friendly alliance with the people who will encourage you to achieve.

The purpose of the 13 principles of Carnegie is to enable you to take these 4 steps as a matter of habit. Those give the privilege of making life yield whatever price is asked.

Poverty needs no plan and no one to aid it, because it is bold and ruthless. Riches are shy and timid, and need to be attracted.

Go to Chapter 10 or read our 5-minute summary of the book.