Two pieces of gold nuggets for your thought

I'm a firm believer that the riches in the world reside not in some diamond, or gold, or ore mine, but in the minds of normal men. Men like you and me, who are endowed with the unique ability to think forward, to plan, and to execute. Ordinary men have made extraordinary riches, and bring relief to many the world over, because they put what they think into action.

'Think to Grow Rich' by Napoleon Hill is a book that is written almost a century ago, but its tenets of truth have not been diminished, and have in fact, risen to the fore as quintessential wisdom in today's knowledge based economy. There are reasons why people like Andrew Carnegie, Charles Scwab, Jean Pierpont Morgan and Warren Buffett have built industrial behemoths with as little as the clothes on their skin, and a brain within their skulls. And this book helps modern men like you and me to understand why and how.

Truly, "thoughts are things", and powerful things at that, when they are mixed with definiteness of purpose, persistence, and a burning desire for their translation into riches, or other material things. - Napoleon Hill

Napoleon knows, because he learnt it from the big man Andrew Carnegie, who at his death in 1915, stood as the world's richest man. Carnegie had a net worth of over $US500m and had created countless educational, and art institutions. Wealth begins with a thought, and when met with persistence and determination, it is absolutely inevitable.

I leave you with the following two articles, as quoted from the book "Think and Grow Rich."

Self Confidence Formula

FIRST: I know that I have the ability to achieve the object of my definite purpose in life; therefore, I demand of myself persistent, continuous action toward its attainment. And I here and now promise of such action.

SECOND: I realize the dominating thoughts of my mind will eventually reproduce themselves in outward, physical action, and gradually transform themselves into physical reality; therefore, I will concentrate my thoughts for thirty minutes daily, upon the task of thinking of the person that I intend to become, thereby creating in my mind a clear mental picture.

THIRD: I know through the principle of autosuggestion, any idea that I hold persistently in my mind will eventually seek expression through some practical means of attaining the object back of it; therefore, I will devote ten minutes daily to demanding of myself the development of self-confidence

FOURTH: I have clearly written down a description of my definite chief aim in life, and I will never stop trying, until I shall have developed sufficient self-confidence for its attainment

FIFTH: I fully realize that no wealth or position can long endure, unless built upon truth and justice; therefore, I will engage in no transaction which does not benefit all whom it affects. I will succeed by attracting to myself the forces I wish to use, and the cooperation of other people. I will induce others to serve me, because of my willingness to serve others. I will eliminate hatred, envy, jealousy, selfishness, and cynicism, by developing love for all humanity, because I know that a negative attitude toward others can never bring me success. I will cause others to believe in me, because I will believe in them, and in myself. I will sign my name to this formula, commit it to memory, and repeat it aloud once a day, with full faith that it will gradually influence my thoughts and actions so that I will become a self-reliant, and successful person.

The Man Who Thinks He Can

“If you think you are beaten, you are,
If you think you dare not, you don’t.
If you like to win, but you think you can’t,
It is almost certain that you won’t

“If you think you’ll lose, you’re lost,
For out in the world we find,
Success begins with a fellow’s will –
It’s all in the state of mind.

“If you think you are outclassed, you are,
You’ve got to think high to rise,
You’ve got to be sure of yourself before
You can ever win a prize.

“Life’s battles don’t always go
To the stronger or faster man,
But soon or late the man who wins
Is the man WHO THINKS HE CAN!”