When we talk about success, I believe we should not do exactly what successful people do. Because all successful people do things differently. No one successful people whom I know do exactly what another successful people did yet they became as successful as the former. But what I do believe is we should learn what are the principles behind the successful people.
Andrew Carnegie was one of the richest man in history. According to one article by Business Insider, Andrew Carnegie ranked no. 2 of the wealthiest people in history after J. D. Rockefeller. Even richer than Bill Gates, if the amount was adjusted to the inflation. So it makes sense to learn some principles from one of the most wealthiest people in history. And most people know, Napoleon Hill was been assigned by Carnegie to study successful people (in terms of wealth). He did document it in one of his book – The Science of Success. Here are the 10 principles of success.
1. Define Your Purpose
One should define their purpose of living in this world. How they can look at things which can be better and start to add values based on your purpose. Put them into action! Defining a purpose is what I call defining a “Passion Statement”. Passion creates desire and desire according to Hill, is the starting point of all achievement.
2. Create a “Master-Mind-Alliance”
Master Mind is a group of people who share with each other their thoughts. A group of people who have what you haven’t. Master Mind works like multiplying your brain power. It works like a battery to provide that extra voltage to the electricity. Create your own “Master-Mind-Alliance” with people who have the same vision.
3. Go the extra mile
Hill said, “The man who does more than he is paid for will soon be paid for more than he does.” Go the extra mile and continue to add value. Soon you will be paid more that what you earn. Scorpions sum up in a better words – What You Give, You Get Back.
4. Practice “Applied Faith”
Believe in yourself. Believe things will happen. Mohamad Ali said, “To become a great champion, you must believe that you are the best. If you’re not, pretend you are!” Have faith in yourself, have faith the world is acting good towards you and believe it with confidence.
5. Have Personal Initiatives
Start to do something today. Do not wait for others to push you. Create some activities that will help to achieve your defined purpose. Stop blaming your boss when things goes wrong. Do something instead.
6. Indulge Your Imagination
Imagination is so powerful. Your mind is a powerful tool and by using imagination, a person can achieve things which are impossible. Lim Goh Tong started by imagining to turn the forest of an highland into a theme park, and you can see what Genting Highlands has transform to now. Everything in life which is man made, start with a person imagine about it, including the building you are in right now. Someone was imagining about it before it was built.
7. Exert Enthusiasm
If you have a vision, you have your purpose, but you are not excited about it, no one will buy into your vision. Get excited, gain your enthusiasm and transfer that energy with passion and you can influence people better.
8. Think Accurately
According to Hill, accurate thinking is “the ability to separate facts from fiction and to use those pertinent to your own concerns or problems.” Sometimes we worry to much which this worry create fear and resistance. And most fear in this world never really happens. Put your fear aside and start to think accurately.
9. Concentrate Your Effort
Pareto rules of 80/20 applied to almost everything that we do. Do not focusing on low impact task. One can be busy but not achieving anything. But if you want to achieve something, stop doing the less important task and start concentrate your effort. Learn how to say “No!”
10. Profit From Adversity
Every draw back is an opportunity to succeed. According to Hill, “Every adversity, every failure, every heartache carries with it the seed of an equal or greater benefit.” Take advantage of every draw back because every cloud has a silver lining.
May you can apply all the 10 principles share by Napoleon Hill after studying the success of Andrew Carnegie.
Let’s rock 2015 with more success!
References:
http://www.businessinsider.com/richest-americans-ever-2011-4
http://www.businessinsider.my/andrew-carnegies-rules-of-success-2014-5
http://www.amazon.com/The-Science-Success-Prosperity-Happiness/dp/0399170952/
http://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/399.Napoleon_Hill