In the book Think and Grow Rich, Napoleon Hill emphasizes the principle of desire. He doesn't refer to a casual wish, but an intense passion that drives a person to action. For instance, if someone has a burning desire to start a successful business, they must define their goal precisely, such as aiming to open a chain of restaurants within five years. This goal must be specific, measurable, and time-bound to prevent it from becoming mere wishful thinking. The person must also identify what good or service will result from achieving this goal, like providing quality food and excellent service to customers.

Asked on the following book summary:

resource preview

Think and Grow Rich

All-time best-seller that lays out the steps needed to unleash one's potential, focusing on building individual self-confidence and a clear set of goa...

Start for free ⬇️

Download, customize, and translate hundreds of business templates for free

Go to dashboard to download stunning templates

Download

book summary Preview

View all chevron_right

Question was asked on:

The book starts with Hill's most important principle, desire. This does not mean wishing for something that is missing. Desire here means an intense passion, wanting something so fiercely that it motivates a person to action. The specific desire must be very precisely defined or it may fall back into wishful thinking. A desire must also have a timeline, as well as a specified good or service that will result from achieving the goal.

Questions and answers

info icon

To use the principle of desire to possess 10,000, you need to first clearly define what you want to achieve with that amount. It could be starting a business, investing in stocks, or buying a property. The desire must be intense and passionate enough to motivate you to take action.

Next, set a timeline for when you want to achieve this goal. This could be in a year, two years, or five years. The timeline will help you stay focused and motivated.

Lastly, identify the specific good or service that will result from achieving your goal. This could be financial independence, a steady income, or a tangible asset. This will give your desire a concrete form and make it more achievable. Remember, the principle of desire is not about wishful thinking, but about setting clear, actionable goals and working towards them with passion and determination.

The theme of desire in "Think and Grow Rich" is highly relevant to contemporary debates on motivation and success. In the book, desire is not merely a wish, but an intense passion that drives action. This aligns with modern understanding of intrinsic motivation, which is driven by an interest or enjoyment in the task itself, and often results in increased effort and persistence. Furthermore, the book emphasizes the importance of having a clear, defined goal and a timeline, which is a common theme in contemporary discussions on goal-setting and success. Thus, the principles outlined in "Think and Grow Rich" continue to be applicable in today's discourse on motivation and success.

View all questions
stars icon Ask another question