25th November 2018

BACKGROUND

The other day I was watching a Bollywood movie, Sanju, portraying different facades including addictions, of the life of a veteran Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt. After watching that movie, I could realize how important habits are in our lives. In my opinion, our habits greatly impact our destiny. I repeat “Our habits greatly impact our destiny. So form good habits, and also give a try to ‘The Power of Habits’.”

ABOUT THE BOOK

The book ‘THE POWER OF HABITS – WHY WE DO WHAT WE DO IN LIFE AND BUSINESS’ a best seller by the author ‘CHARLES DUHIGG’ is a very resourceful matter to start from if we wish to know more about ‘habits’! It is a lucidly written, easy to understand, 156-page book and filled with astonishing scientific facts and real-life case studies. The book could be completed in two weeks with a daily two-hour reading. In this book, the author brings forth the significance of habits, its formation, modification and its value on the free will of our day to day lives.

In this way, the book is divided into three parts: The first section focuses on how habits emerge within individual lives. It explores the neurology of habit formation, how to build new habits and change old ones, and the methods. The second part examines the habits of successful companies and organizations. The third part looks at the habits of societies.

Each chapter revolves around a central argument: habits can be changed if we understand how they work. Though transforming a habit isn’t necessarily easy or quick, but it is possible.

However, content-wise, the book consists of PROLOGUE, THE HABIT LOOP, THE CRAVING BRAIN, THE GOLDEN RULE OF HABIT CHANGE, KEYSTONE HABITS, STARBUCKS AND THE HABIT OF SUCCESS, THE POWER OF CRISIS, HOW TARGET KNOWS WHAT YOU WANT BEFORE YOU DO, SADDLEBACK CHURCH AND MONTGOMERY BUS BOYCOTT and THE NEUROLOGY OF FREE WILL.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Mr. Charles Duhigg is a well-known and respected journalist worldwide. He is based in the US and has been a recipient of the Pulitzer Prize. He has written books on habits and productivity. His other book worth reading is Smarter Faster Better.

INTERPRETATION

The book starts with an interesting story worth sharing, ‘Lisa Allen, according to her file, was thirty-four years old, had started smoking and drinking when she was sixteen, and had struggled with obesity for most of her life. At one point, in her mid-twenties, collection agencies were hounding her to recover $10,000 in debts. An old résumé listed her longest job as lasting less than a year. The woman in front of the researchers today, however, was lean and vibrant, with the toned legs of a runner. She looked a decade younger than the photos in her chart and like she could out-exercise anyone in the room. According to the most recent report in her file, Lisa had no outstanding debts, didn’t drink, and was in her thirty-ninth month at a graphic design firm.’ How did that change happen? ‘On her first morning in Cairo, Lisa woke at dawn to the sound of the call to prayer from a nearby mosque. It was pitch black inside her hotel room. Half blind and jet-lagged, she reached for a cigarette. She was so disoriented that she didn’t realize—until she smelled burning plastic—that she was trying to light a pen, not a Marlboro. She had spent the past four months crying, binge eating, unable to sleep, and feeling ashamed, helpless, depressed, and angry, all at once. Lying in bed, she broke down. She showered and left the hotel. As she rode through Cairo’s rutted streets in a taxi and then onto the dirt roads leading to the Sphinx, the pyramids of Giza, and the vast, endless desert around them, her self-pity, for a brief moment, gave way. She needed a goal in her life, she thought. Something to work toward. So she decided, sitting in the taxi that she would come back to Egypt and trek through the desert. It was a crazy idea, Lisa knew. She was out of shape, overweight, with no money in the bank. She didn’t know the name of the desert she was looking at or if such a trip was possible. None of that mattered, though. She needed something to focus on. Lisa decided that she would give herself one year to prepare. And to survive such an expedition, she was certain she would have to make sacrifices. In particular, she would need to quit smoking.’ To the scientists at the laboratory, the details of her trek weren’t relevant. Because for reasons they were just beginning to understand, that one small shift in Lisa’s perception that day in Cairo the conviction that she had to give up smoking to accomplish her goal —had touched off a series of changes that would ultimately radiate out to every part of her life. ‘Over the next six months, she would replace smoking with jogging, and that, in turn, changed how she ate, worked, slept, saved money, scheduled her workdays, planned for the future, and so on. She would start running half-marathons, and then a marathon, go back to school, buy a house, and get engaged. Eventually, she was recruited into the scientists’ study, and when researchers began examining images of Lisa’s brain, they saw something remarkable: One set of neurological patterns—her old habits—had been overridden by new patterns. They could still see the neural activity of her old behaviors, but those impulses were crowded out by new urges. As Lisa’s habits changed, so had her brain.’ It’s not just individuals who are capable of such shifts. When companies focus on changing habits, whole organizations can transform. Lisa was the scientists’ favorite participant because her brain scans were so compelling, so useful in creating a map of where behavioral patterns— habits—reside within our minds. The choices we make each day may feel like the products of well-considered decision making, but they’re not. They’re habits. And though each habit means relatively little on its own, over time, the meals we order, what we say to our kids each night, whether we save or spend, how often we exercise, and the way we organize our thoughts and work routines have enormous impacts on our health, productivity, financial security, and happiness.

HOW HABITS WORK?

When the MIT researchers started working on habits in the 1990s they were curious
about a nub of neurological tissue known as the basal ganglia.

The human brain is like an onion, composed of layer upon layer of cells. Those closest to the scalp—are generally the most recent additions from an evolutionary perspective. That’s where complex thinking occurs. E.g. a new invention or a laugh at a friend’s joke, etc. Deeper inside where the brain meets the spinal column—are older, and more primitive structures which control our automatic behaviors, such as breathing, swallowing, and reflex actions. Toward the center of the skull is a golf ball–sized lump of tissue that is similar to what one might find inside the head of a fish, reptile, or mammal. This is the BASAL GANGLIA.

The habits are stored in basal ganglia through a process called ‘CHUNKING’ i.e. converting a sequence of actions into an automatic routine. E.g. when we are learning to drive, then the associated routines seem difficult. After a lot of practice, we become adjusted to different intricacies of driving such that it doesn’t seem to be a tedious task at all. In other words, a complex task of driving performed again enables it to become our habit such that it eventually becomes a part of our reflexes.  This happens only due to chunking. Thus, once habits start unfolding, our gray matter is free to quiet itself or chase other thoughts. Habits emerge because the brain is constantly looking for ways to save effort.

The process of habit formation within our brains is a three-step loop. It is also called HABIT LOOP. The first step is called CUE. A cue is a trigger that tells the brain to go into an automatic mode for an associated habit. Cue is anything, from a visual trigger such as a candy bar or a television commercial to a certain place a time of day, an emotion, a sequence of thoughts etc. The second step is a ROUTINE, which can be physical or mental or emotional. Finally, there is a REWARD, which helps your brain figure out if this particular loop is worth remembering for the future. Rewards can range from food or drugs that cause physical sensations, to
emotional payoffs, such as the feelings of pride that accompany praise or self-congratulation Over time, this loop—cue, routine, reward; cue, routine, reward—becomes more and more automatic.

Habits never really disappear per se but get encoded into the structures of our brain. That’s a huge advantage for us, as it would be awful if we had to relearn how to drive after every vacation. The problem is that the brain can’t tell the difference between bad and good habits, and so if we have a bad one, it’s always lurking there, waiting for associated cues and rewards.

So if we learn to create new neurological routines that overpower those bad behaviors, then we can force those bad tendencies into the background.

HOW ARE HABITS FORMED?

New habits are created through a process called CRAVING. Craving influences how cue and reward work. Craving (i.e. desire/frustration) is what powers the habit loop. The stronger the craving, the longer the new habits are formed.

So by putting together a cue, a routine, and a reward, and then cultivating a craving that drives the loop, a new habit can be formed. Example, when a smoker sees a cue—say, a pack of Marlboros—his brain starts anticipating a hit of nicotine. Just the sight of cigarettes is enough for the brain to crave a nicotine rush.

Particularly strong habits produce addiction-like reactions that can force our brains into autopilot, even in the face of strong disincentives, including loss of reputation, job, home, and family.

However, these cravings don’t have complete authority over us. But to overpower a bad habit, we must recognize which craving is driving bad behavior.

HOW TO TRANSFORM A HABIT?

To form a new habit have a strong craving like that of the previous habit. Keep the old cue and deliver the old reward but INSERT A NEW ROUTINE.

That’s the rule: If we use the same cue, and provide the same reward, we can shift the routine and change the habit. Almost any behavior can be transformed if the cue and reward stay the same. This GOLDEN RULE has influenced treatments for alcoholism, obesity, obsessive-compulsive disorders, and hundreds of other destructive behaviors.

When a stressful situation or circumstances hit us, it is seen many of us resort to our previous bad habits. Hence, for habits to permanently change, fostering BELIEF is important. People must believe that change is feasible. Belief is easier when it occurs within a community.

Thus, if one wants to quit smoking, then s/he should figure out a different routine that will satisfy the cravings filled by cigarettes. Then, find a support group, a collection of other former smokers, or a community that will help one in believing he can stay away from nicotine.

WHICH HABITS MATTER THE MOST?

Some habits matter more than others in remaking businesses and lives. These are KEYSTONE HABITS. These habits can influence how people work, eat, play, live, spend, and communicate. Keystone habits start a process that, over time, transforms everything. These habits can be detected through SMALL WINS which fuel transformative changes by leveraging tiny advantages into patterns that convince people that bigger achievements are within reach.

CONCEPT OF WILL POWER

Willpower is the single most important keystone habit for individual success. The best way to strengthen willpower is to make it into a habit.

At times it may appear that people with great self-control aren’t working hard. They have a strong willpower. These people have made exercising their willpower a habit automatically, thereby strengthening it. In this way by choosing a certain behavior ahead of time, and then following that routine when an inflection point arrives a willpower can become a habit. One way to do that is by thinking ahead of time-worst case scenario and being prepared. That is to say is by having a plan.

In this way, willpower is like a muscle. The way muscles increase is the way willpower increases.

HOW LEADERS CREATE HABITS THROUGH ACCIDENT AND DESIGN?

This is done by creating a crisis, voluntarily/involuntarily. Good leaders seize crises to remake organizational habits. In fact, crises are such valuable opportunities that a wise leader often prolongs a sense of emergency on purpose.

HOW MOVEMENTS HAPPEN?

A movement starts because of the social habits of friendship and the strong ties between close acquaintances. It grows because of the habits of a community, and the weak ties that hold neighborhoods and clans together. And it endures because a movement’s leaders give participants new habits that create a fresh sense of identity and a feeling of ownership.

ARE WE RESPONSIBLE FOR OUR HABITS?

For Aristotle, habits reigned supreme. Habits are not as simple as they appear. To modify a habit, one must decide to change it, one must consciously accept the hard work of identifying the cues and rewards that drive the habits’ routines, and find alternatives. So once we know a habit, especially a bad habit exists, then we have a responsibility to change it! This is because we have free will.

In this way we and only we are responsible for our habits.

CONCLUSION

Habits greatly affect our lives. It’s a part of a three-step loop: cue, routine, and reward. By changing routine and keeping cue and reward as same, new habits can be forged. For a new habit to last permanently, people must believe in what they are doing. Keystone habits are important habits worth forging. Willpower is an important keystone habit that strengthens the more we exercise it. As rational humans, we are responsible for our habits.

The book is going to be very informative and helpful for the reader to wish to know more about habits and its importance on their day to day lives.

Regarding the movie, I would say after being able to relate it to this book, I simply have deep respect for the actor, and all other artists associated with it.

Best wishes!

(For more information on the author, please visit: https://charlesduhigg.com/the-power-of-habit/ The reader may buy the book from Amazon. Link: https://www.amazon.com/Power-Habit-What-Life-Business/dp/081298160X)

 

 

 

This is going to be a long post for a good reason! Finally, after a long gap, I am writing about books. Ultimately, I could complete the phenomenal work ‘Think and Grow Rich’, of late Mr. Napoleon Hill. For me, now on this work would have a place next to the Bible. So amazing this work is that it’s worth reading and emulating again and again. At this outset, I simply congratulate late Mr. Hill, even though I know this work stands out far beyond such insignificant praises.

LESSER KNOWN FACTS

The book is a result of 20 years of practical testing on the lives of the extraordinary people such as A. Lincoln, T. Edison, A. Carnegie, W. Wilson etc. It sincerely attempts (and successfully does) to disclose the secret that has been passed from a generation to another, over the millennia provided one knows what is that what one wants. The secret in the book unravels not directly but implicitly, many times for those who are ready and searching for it. The book starts with a simple statement that all great accomplishments have their beginnings in an idea.

ABOUT THE BOOK

The book is one of the best personal development works I have ever read. Though it’s titled ‘Think and Grow Rich’, in my opinion, the philosophy discussed in the book is applicable to almost everything. As mentioned, the book discusses the secret implicitly. It is a 260-page book, divided into 15 chapters, that could take 3 months or more if read and emulated every day properly.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Mr. Napoleon Hill (born October 26, 1883 – November 8, 1970) was an American author, salesman, entrepreneur, and teacher. His is noted for authoring numerous books on personal development, such as the phenomenal Think and Grow Rich, Laws of Success etc.

DESCRIPTION

The summary is discussed in points for the easier understanding.

1.  Chapter 1 of the book is an INTRODUCTION.

1.2. It states that riches start with an IDEA. When one knows exactly what he/she desires (specific purpose), then the riches come easily. By ‘riches’, the author refers to success and anything that one desires to achieve.

1.3. In order to become rich and wealthy, one has to remain PERSISTENT. PERSISTENCE is trying something again and again, after learning through failures, until the goal gets accomplished. Persistence need not mean hard work, always!

1.3 In order to get what one wants, one should have a BURNING DESIRE, in addition to being persistent.

1.4 Noting the importance of BURNING DESIRE and PERSISTENCE, the author ingeniously remarks ‘Psychologists say that when one is truly ready for something, it puts in its appearance. One should remain alert, as “when the opportunity comes, it comes in a different form. This is one of the tricks of the opportunity. It has a sly habit of slipping in by the back door and often comes disguised in the form of misfortune, or temporary defeat. Perhaps this is why so many fail to recognize opportunity.” He also posits “Before success comes in any man’s life, he is sure to meet with much temporary defeat, and, perhaps, some failure. When defeat overtakes a man, the easiest and most logical thing to do is to QUIT. That is exactly what the majority of men do.”

1.5. The chances of succeeding in life increase IF ONE STARTS LEARNING FROM HIS EXPERIENCES, by analyzing them. In this way, reflective thinking on a regular basis could favor the chance of success.

1.6 The chapter also explicates that success would come to those who are BOLD, FEARLESS and SUCCESS CONSCIOUS. On the other hand if one is failure conscious, then he is sure as hell, doomed for failures! WHAT IS SUCCESS CONSCIOUSNESS? It simply means that the thoughts in mind have so much become dominated by the idea of the success that one can see oneself already in possession of it. Similarly, the meaning could be derived for failure consciousness as well.

2. Ways for the riches. Chapter 2 onwards are described in detail certain attributes that are required for the accumulation of the riches. The first such attribute is DESIRE (or BURNING DESIRE, as previously expounded).

2.1. The chapter brings out the significance of desire. Accordingly, when the desire becomes a dominating thought, then it has a gets a great possibility of being transmuted into a physical equivalence. In this outset, the author remarkably guides the reader in having a continuous burning desire, for which he genuinely iterates, ‘Every person who wins in any undertaking must be willing to burn his ships and cut all sources of retreat. Only by so doing can one be sure of maintaining that state of mind known as a BURNING DESIRE TO WIN, essential to success.’ This is very important to understand and remember if one wants riches!

2.2. The author details the distinction between a mere wish and the BURNING DESIRE. He remarks, ‘Wishing will not bring riches. But desiring riches with a state of mind that becomes an obsession, then planning definite ways and means to acquire riches, and backing those plans with persistence which does not recognize failure, will bring riches.’ Thus, BURNING DESIRE + DOMINATING THOUGHTS + DEFINITE PLAN + NO FEAR OF FAILURE + PERSISTENCE = Journey towards RICHES.

2.3. The chapter also explains a method through which a burning desire can be transmuted into its physical equivalence. In other words, HOW SHOULD ONE TRANSMUTE A DESIRE INTO THE REALITY? Well, by following the given steps, called the SIX PRINCIPLES:

(i) Know exactly what you want regarding the riches;

(ii) Determine exactly what you intend to give back in return for the thing you desire. Note that there is no such reality as something for nothing;

(iii) Establish a definite date when you wish to have the riches;

(iv) Have a clear plan through which you wish to have the riches;

(v) Put steps (i) to (iv) in writing and;

(vi) Read your statements loud twice a day, before going to bed and after arising in the morning, with emotions. Reading without EMOTIONS would not give any results.

For a novice like myself, this is one of the most important lessons I have learned from this book.

2.4. The chapter describes the importance of EMOTIONS. It explains that the greatest leaders in this world have been DREAMERS, who could transmute their dreams or imagination into a reality. In this way, Lincoln or Gandhi were no exceptions. TOLERANCE AND OPEN MIND ARE NEEDED FOR DREAMERS TO SUCCEED. Those who are not open to new ideas, those who are not open to risks, and those who are not success conscious are doomed to fail. The practical dreamers have always been and shall always be the pattern makers of civilization.

2.5. The author also advises people about the mystery of failure by saying that: “If the thing you wish to do is right, and you believe in it, go ahead and do it! Put your dream across, and never mind what “they” say if you meet with temporary defeat, for “they,” perhaps, do not know that EVERY FAILURE BRINGS WITH IT THE SEED OF AN EQUIVALENT SUCCESS”, and also that, “all who succeed in life get off to a bad start, and pass through many heartbreaking struggles before they “arrive.” The turning point in the lives of those who succeed, usually comes at the moment of some crisis, through which they are introduced to their “other selves.” In contrast, regarding the failures, the author also presents the case seen with most of the people who fail simply because could not transmute their burning desire into a physical equivalence but for intemperance. In this way he states that, “Disappointment over love affairs, generally has the effect of driving men to drink, and women to ruin; and this, because most people never learn the art of transmuting their strongest emotions into dreams of a constructive nature.”

2.6. INSTEAD OF US CHASING OUR DREAMS, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT OUR DREAMS CHASE US rather? Well, yes, as given in the chapter. According to the author, if we have:

(i) Working knowledge of SIX PRINCIPLES +

(ii) Fire of HOPE +

(iii) FAITH +

(iv) COURAGE +

(v) TOLERANCE =

Then what we need comes to us, WHEN WE ARE READY FOR IT.

2.7. In this context, it is worth noting remembering the following: “If Mother Nature bends to the will of desire, is it logical that mere men can defeat a burning desire? Strange and imponderable is the power of the human mind! We do not understand the method by which it uses every circumstance, every individual, every physical thing within its reach, as a means of transmuting DESIRE into its physical counterpart. Perhaps science will uncover this secret”.

3. Chapter 3^rd of the book is about FAITH.

3.1. It states that when FATH is blended with DESIRE, it produces certain vibrations, which gets picked up by the subconscious mind and gets transmuted to the INFINITE INTELLIGENCE. This is a very important statement to remember, in my opinion.

3.2 FAITH, LOVE, AND SEX are the strongest of all positive emotions. When these are blended, it produces certain colorful vibrations which can be very easily picked up by the INFINITE INTELLIGENCE. In other words, the blending of FAITH, LOVE, AND SEX is the link between the finite (man) and the infinite (God/supernatural/INFINITE INTELLIGENCE etc.).

3.3. HOW TO DEVELOP FAITH? It is by giving repeated suggestion to the subconscious mind via the principle of auto-suggestion (self-suggestion). E.g. telling yourself that you are good constantly, even if the world doesn’t believe so. Eventually, you’ll become good.

3.4. WHAT IS MISFORTUNE? The subconscious mind is able to transmute the dominant thoughts in our conscious mind into a reality. Therefore, if the dominant thoughts are negative, then our reality is negative. This is what may be called as a misfortune. It is explained in the words of the author as, “subconscious mind will translate into its physical equivalent, a thought impulse of a negative or destructive nature, just as readily as it will act upon thought impulses of a positive or constructive nature. This accounts for the strange phenomenon which so many millions of people experience, referred to as “misfortune,” or “bad luck. There are millions of people who BELIEVE themselves “doomed” to poverty and failure, because of some strange force over which they BELIEVE they have no control. They are the creators of their own “misfortunes,” because of this negative BELIEF, which is picked up by the subconscious mind, and translated into its physical equivalent.”

3.5. REGARDING THE CONFUSION OF THE NOTION “FAITH”, the author points out that, “All down the ages, the religionists have admonished struggling humanity to “have faith” in this, that, and the other dogma or creed, but they have failed to tell people HOW to have faith. They have not stated that “faith is a state of mind, and that it may be induced by self-suggestion.” He also adds, “FAITH is the “eternal elixir” which gives life, power, and action to the impulse of thought”, WHICH IS WORTH REMEMBERING.

3.6. WHAT IS ETHER? According to the author, FAITH is a result of POSITIVE DOMINATING THOUGHTS. FAITH connects thoughts to positive aspects of ETHER. In this context, “The ether is a great cosmic mass of eternal forces of vibration. It is made up of both destructive vibrations and constructive vibrations. It carries, at all times, vibrations of fear, poverty, disease, failure, misery; and vibrations of prosperity, health, success, and happiness, just as surely as it carries the sound of hundreds of orchestrations of music, and hundreds of human voices, all of which maintain their own individuality, and means of identification, through the medium of radio. From the great storehouse of the ether, the human mind is constantly attracting vibrations which harmonize with that which DOMINATES the human mind. Any thought, idea, plan, or purpose which one holds in one’s mind attracts, from the vibrations of the ether, a host of its relatives, adds these “relatives” to its own force, and grows until it becomes the dominating, MOTIVATING MASTER of the individual in whose mind it has been housed.”

3.7. WHAT IS THE FORMULA FOR SELF CONFIDENCE? This a very important skill. The author comprehensively describes the formula for SELF CONFIDENCE, in this chapter. It is:

“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 to render 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 I INTEND TO BECOME.

Third. I know through the principle of auto-suggestion, any desire that I persistently hold 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 a 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.”

4. Chapter 4^th of the book is about AUTO-SUGGESTION.

4.1. AUTO-SUGGESTION IS SELF SUGGESTION. No thoughts whether positive or negative can enter the subconscious mind without the aid of the principle of AUTO-SUGGESTION, except the thoughts picked up from the ether. (The case with ether is interesting to understand. It is this: if our dominating thoughts are positive then positive thoughts are going to be picked up from the ether. Similarly, if our dominating thoughts are negative, then negative thoughts will be picked up from the ether). Our FIVE SENSES (eyes, ears, nose, skin, and mouth) may receive messages, but they are passed or rejected at will by the conscious mind so that it can go to the sub-conscious mind. In this regard, IT IS WORTH OBSERVING THAT, “Nature has so built man that he has ABSOLUTE CONTROL over the material which reaches his subconscious mind, through his five senses, although this is not meant to be construed as a statement that man always EXERCISES this control. In the great majority of instances, he does NOT exercise it, which explains why so many people go through life in poverty.”

4.2. IT IS IMPORTANT to apply auto-suggestion with EMOTIONS, lest the desirable results won’t come. The ability to use the principle of AUTO-SUGGESTION depends on the capacity to concentrate on a desire until it becomes a reality. That concentration, in my opinion, is possible only when we have a BURNING DESIRE.

4.3. HOW TO FOLLOW THE ‘SIX PRINCIPLES’? For that:

(i) Go to a quiet spot where you won’t be disturbed. Close your eyes and read your SIX PRINCIPLES loud and visualize that you are already in possession of it.

(ii)  Do it every day and night.

(iii) Place a written copy of the statement to a place where one can see it at night and morning and read it with EMOTIONS, before retiring to bed and upon arising out of it, until it has been memorized. HAVE FAITH IN WHAT YOU DO. Faith is one of the most powerful positive emotions. Initially, skepticism will come, but if the instructions of six principles are followed, the skepticism will eventually transform into belief. Eventually, you would be able to say, “I am the master of my fate. I am the caption of my soul”.

5. Chapter 5^th of the book is about SPECIALIZED KNOWLEDGE.

5.1. Specialized knowledge is more useful in accumulating money than general knowledge. As such, knowledge won’t help unless it is put to use and implemented within time. People who believe that knowledge is power lack a clear understanding. Knowledge is only potential power. It is useless if not implemented within a given stipulated time.

5.2. WHO IS AN EDUCATED PERSON? In the author’s view, an educated person is not the one with abundant specialized knowledge. An educated person is a one, who has developed in his mind, the faculties that enable him to achieve whatever he desires without violating the rights of the others.

5.3. It should be noted that the accumulation of great fortunes requires power. Power comes from the specialized knowledge implemented in time. However, what is unique to be remembered is that the specialized knowledge need not be with the person who wishes to accumulate fortunes. If a person, who wishes to accumulate the fortune does not have a specialized knowledge, it still does not matter so long as he has a VISION and is able to take help of (hire/employ) people of the specialized knowledge. This association of the person with the others who have the required skills is called MASTER MIND alliance. That is why the author says, “The man who can organize and direct a “Master Mind” group of men who possess knowledge useful in the accumulation of money, is just as much a man of education as any man in the group.”  Remember, that, knowledge has no value if it’s not implemented in time. That is why successful people keep growing by acquiring the knowledge related to their field.

5.4. The author also talks about the SIGNIFICANCE OF HAVING A BALANCE PERSONALITY: A man who is able to get along with others, has a good extra-curricular profile and academic grades are more sought after in comparison to a completely academic man by the employers.

5.5. The author also talks about the IMPORTANCE OF IDEAS. In his view, the ideas which do not appear to have merit, are seedlings from which great fortunes have grown. An idea is capable of yielding income far greater than that of the ‘average’ doctor, lawyer, or engineer whose education required several years of experience. Remember that, the idea is the main thing. The specialized knowledge may be found right around the corner.

6. Chapter 6^th of the book is on IMAGINATION.

6.1. Man can create anything that he can imagine. The only limitation is that he has not been able to fully use his imagination. He has discovered that he has imagination and has merely used it beyond the elementary level.

6.2. FORMS OF IMAGINATION:

(i) SYNTHETIC IMAGINATION: This faculty is nothing but learning from experiences, education, observations etc.

(ii) CREATIVE IMAGINATION: This faculty acts as a medium between the finite mind of the man and the infinite intelligence. It is through this faculty that hunches, gut-feelings, inspirations, enlightenment, clairvoyance are received. It is through this faculty that new ideas are handed to man (through the infinite). It is through this faculty that an individual communicates with the sub-conscious mind of others. This faculty works only when the conscious mind is vibrating at a very high frequency which only happens when the conscious mind is driven by a strong desire.

6.3. It must be remembered that both synthetic and creative faculties of imagination become developed, the more often we use our imagination, just like a muscle. Every matter that exists in the universe began in the form of energy. Any desire can be transmuted into physical equivalence. Why? Because desire is a thought impulse i.e. a form of energy, and energy can be transmuted into matter.

6.4 HOW TO TRANSMUTE DESIRE INTO PHYSICAL EQUIVALENCE?

(i) First, imagine,

(ii) Specifically, define what you want and within what time, i.e. definiteness of purpose within a specified time. This is because one a time limit is specified, then people automatically start finding ways to realize that definite purpose. This is because God (Infinite) seems to throw himself on the side of the man who knows exactly what he wants if he is determined to get just that. For details read the point 2.3.

7. Chapter 7^th of the book is on ORGANIZED PLANNING.

7.1. It is the association of ourselves with useful, like-minded, and strong people who would help us and themselves in making our desires a reality.

7.2. IMPORTANT STEPS TO DO REGARDING THE MASTER MIND ALLIANCE

(i) Form a MASTER MIND alliance;

(ii) Make sure how you would benefit them in return of their benefit for the realization of your desires, i.e. mutually help;

(iii) Regularly meet with the people of the alliance twice a week. MASTERMIND helps in the perfection of your goals;

(iv) Maintain perfect harmony between the members of the alliance.

7.3. The cautions the reader, time by time, that if the ways laid out in the book, are followed perfectly, then the reader could experience a TEMPORARY DEFEAT, which is nothing but a signal that our plans are not sound and that success is near, provided we have a SOUND PLAN. In my observation, thus, forming a MASTERMIND alliance with people who do not quit until the goal is accomplished is very important.

7.4. The author also brings a DISTINCTION BETWEEN A LEADER AND A FOLLOWER. According to him, there are two types of people: LEADERS and FOLLOWERS. People who are LEADERS are compensated exorbitantly more than people who chose to be FOLLOWERS. IT IS IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER as the author says that, “Most great leaders began in the capacity of followers. They became great leaders because they were INTELLIGENT FOLLOWERS.”

7.5. MAJOR ATTRIBUTES OF LEADERSHIP:

(1) Unwavering courage;

(2) Self Control: REMEMBER that a person who cannot control himself can never control others.

(3) Keen sense of justice;

(4) Definiteness of decision;

(5) Definiteness of plans; as the author says, “A leader who moves by guesswork, without practical, definite plans, is comparable to a ship without a rudder. Sooner or later he will land on the rocks;”

(6) Habit of doing more than paid for;

(7) Pleasing personality;

(8) Sympathy and understanding;

(9) Mastery of details. As the author writes, “Successful leadership calls for mastery of details of the leader’s position.”

(10) Willingness to assume full responsibility;

(11) Cooperation traits. Leadership is of two types: LEADERSHIP BY CONSENT is long lasting and LEADERSHIP BY FORCE is short lasting.

7.6. MAJOR CAUSES OF FAILURE OF LEADERSHIP:

(1) Inability to organize details. As the author says, “When a man, whether he is a leader or follower, admits that he is “too busy” to change his plans or to give attention to any emergency, he admits his inefficiency. The successful leader must be the master of all details connected with his position.” In my opinion, this means that a leader must know the administrative rules of his organization and his position.

(2) Unwillingness to render a humble service;

(3) Expectation of pay for what they know;

(4) Fear of competition from followers. As the author says, “The a leader who fears that one of his followers may take his position is practically sure to realize that fear sooner or later. The able leader trains understudies to whom he may delegate, at will, any of the details of his position. Only in this way may a leader multiply himself and prepare himself to be at many places, and give attention to many things at one time. It is an eternal truth that men receive more pay for their ABILITY TO GET OTHERS TO PERFORM than they could possibly earn by their own efforts. An efficient leader may, through his knowledge of his job and the magnetism of his personality, greatly increase the efficiency of others, and induce them to render more service and better service than they could render without his aid.” 

(5) Lack of imagination;

(6) Selfishness;

(7) Intemperance;

(8) Disloyalty;

(9) Emphasis on ‘authority of leadership’;

(10) Emphasis on ‘title of leadership’.

7.7. FERTILE FIELDS WHICH WILL REQUIRE THE OPPORTUNITY FOR LEADERSHIP:

(i) Politics;

(ii) Banking business;

(iii) Industry;

(iv) Religion;

(v) Law, medicine, and education;

(vi) Journalism.

This aspect should be understood keeping in mind the year the book was written. The world has changed greatly.

7.8. WHEN AND HOW TO APPLY FOR LEADERSHIP POSITION:

In this section, the author confidently states that “The information described here is the net result of many years of experience during which thousands of men and women were helped to market their services effectively. It can, therefore, be relied upon as sound and practical”. This is discussed in detail in this book on page 116. The paragraph below is just the gist. Accordingly, the leadership position could be applied to through the following:

(i) EMPLOYMENT BUREAUS: Care must be taken to select only reputable bureaus, the management of which can show adequate records of achievement of satisfactory results.

(ii) ADVERTISING in newspapers, trade journals, magazines, radio, social media etc.

(iii) PERSONAL LETTERS OF APPLICATION. A detailed instruction has been given in the book of page 117. The gist is also written in the subsequent section.

(iv) APPLICATION THROUGH PERSONAL ACQUAINTANCES. Note that, “This method of approach is particularly advantageous in the case of those who seek executive connections and do not wish to appear to be “peddling” themselves.”

(v) APPLICATION IN PERSON

7.9. HOW TO WRITE PERSONAL LETTERS OF APPLICATION?

It is done by doing the following:

(i) Letters should be neatly typed, ALWAYS, and signed by hand;

(ii) Both the LETTER OF APPLICATION and the brief of experience or qualifications should be prepared by an expert, and must include the following information:

• EDUCATION: Schooling, subjects specialized and the reasons for that specialization.
• EXPERIENCE: Describe the erstwhile experience, names, and address of the former employers and anything special that you have learned which could be useful for your current position that you seek.
• REFERENCES: Every business firm wishes to know your antecedent. So, attach the letters regarding your service from your former employers, teachers under whom you have studied, prominent people whose judgment may be relied upon.
• PHOTOGRAPH OF SELF
• APPLY FOR SPECIFIC POSITION: Avoid application for a position without describing EXACTLY what particular position you seek. Never apply for “just a position.” That indicates you lack specialized qualifications.
• GIVE THE REASON WHY YOU ARE THE BEST FIT. It will determine, more than anything else, your chances of selection.
• OFFER TO WORK ON PROBATION: As the author says, “it will be most effective if you offer to work for a week, or a month, or for a sufficient length of time to enable your prospective employer to judge your value WITHOUT PAY. This may appear to be a radical suggestion, but experience has proved that it seldom fails to win at least a trial. If you are SURE OF YOUR QUALIFICATIONS, a trial is all you need. Incidentally, such an offer indicates that you have confidence in your ability to fill the position you seek. Make clear the fact that your offer is based upon:
• Your confidence in your ability to fill the position;
• Your confidence in your prospective employer’s decision to employ you after trial;
• Your DETERMINATION to have the position you seek.”
• KNOWLEDGE OF YOUR PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYER’S BUSINESS: Before
  applying for a position, do sufficient research in connection with the
  business to familiarize yourself thoroughly with that business, and
  indicate in your brief the knowledge you have acquired in this field.

(iii) NEATNESS and PERSONAL TOUCH in the application is important as it commands attention and suggests that you are a painstaking person.

7.10. HOW TO GET THE EXACT POSITION YOU DESIRE? This is given in detail in the book on page 120. In the words of the author, this is possible through the following steps;

“First. Decide EXACTLY what kind of a job you want. If the job doesn’t already exist, perhaps you can create it.

Second. Choose the company or individual for whom you wish to work.

Third. Study your prospective employer, as to policies, personnel, and chances of advancement.

Fourth. By analysis of yourself, your talents and capabilities, figure WHAT YOU CAN OFFER, and plan ways and means of giving advantages, services, developments, ideas that
you believe you can successfully deliver.

Fifth. Forget about “a job.” Forget whether or not there is an opening. Forget the usual routine of “have you got a job for me?” Concentrate on what you can give.

Sixth. Once you have your plan in mind, arrange with an experienced writer to put it on paper in neat form, and in full detail.

Seventh. Present it to the proper person with authority and he will do the rest. Every company is looking for men who can give something of value, whether it be ideas, services, or “connections.” Every company has room for the man who has a definite plan of action which is to the advantage of that company.

This line of the procedure may take a few days or weeks of extra time, but the difference in income, in advancement, and in gaining recognition will save years of hard work at small pay.”

7.11. The chapter also discusses the importance of QQS in the organization. A goof QQS means your chances of moving ahead in an organization are higher. QQS stands for Quantity, Quality and the Spirit of the service.

7.12. It is also interesting to study to OBSERVE THE 30 CAUSES OF FAILURE as discussed in this chapter in detail on page 127. The brief gist is given below:

(1) Unfavorable hereditary background;

(2) LACK OF A WELL-DEFINED PURPOSE IN LIFE;

(3) LACK OF AMBITION TO AIM ABOVE MEDIOCRITY;

(4) INSUFFICIENT EDUCATION;

(5) LACK OF SELF-DISCIPLINE;

(6) ILL HEALTH, as a result of (a) overeating of foods not conducive to health, (b) wrong habits of thought; giving expression to negatives (c) wrong use of, and overindulgence in sex (d) Lack of proper physical exercise (e) inadequate supply of fresh air, due to improper breathing;

(7) UNFAVORABLE ENVIRONMENTAL INFLUENCES DURING CHILDHOOD;

(8) PROCRASTINATION, for which it is important to remember that ‘Most of us go through life as failures because we are waiting for the “time to be right” to start doing something worthwhile. Do not wait. The time will never be “just right.” Start where you stand, and work with whatever tools you may have at your command, and better tools will be found as you go along’.

(9) LACK OF PERSISTENCE, as for the persistence there is no substitute and with which the failure cannot cope up;

(10) NEGATIVE PERSONALITY;

(11) LACK OF CONTROLLED SEXUAL URGE;

(12) UNCONTROLLED DESIRE FOR “SOMETHING FOR NOTHING”;

(13) LACK OF A WELL DEFINED POWER OF DECISION. Men who fail, reach decisions, if at all, very slowly, and change them frequently, and quickly. Indecision and procrastination are twin brothers. Where one is found, the other may usually be found also;

(14) ONE OR MORE OF THE SIX BASIC FEARS. Six basic fears are related to (1) Poverty (2) Criticism (3) Ill Health (4) Loss and love of someone (5) Old age (6) Death;

(15) WRONG SELECTION OF A MATE IN MARRIAGE. This a most common cause of failure. The relationship of marriage brings people intimately into contact. Unless this relationship is harmonious, failure is likely to follow. Moreover, it will be a form of failure that is marked by misery and unhappiness, destroying all signs of AMBITION.

(16) OVER-CAUTION;

(17) WRONG SELECTION OF ASSOCIATES IN BUSINESS. This is one of the most common causes of failure in business. Pick an employer who is worth emulating;

(18) SUPERSTITION AND PREJUDICE. A superstition is a form of fear. It is also a sign of ignorance. Men who succeed keep open minds and are afraid of nothing;

(19) WRONG SELECTION OF A VOCATION, as the most essential step in the marketing of personal services, is that of selecting an occupation into which you can throw yourself wholeheartedly;

(20) LACK OF CONCENTRATION OF EFFORT;

(21) THE HABIT OF INDISCRIMINATE SPENDING;

(22) LACK OF ENTHUSIASM. Enthusiasm is contagious, and the person who has it, under control, is generally welcome in any group of people.

(23) INTOLERANCE;

(24) INTEMPERANCE;

(25) INABILITY TO COOPERATE WITH OTHERS. It is a fault which no well-informed businessman or leader will tolerate. In order to prevent this, associate yourself with people who are right for you, by thoroughly examining yourself as to who you are, and what you need (MASTERMIND ALLIANCE). In such case, cooperation will become easier.

(26) POSSESSION OF POWER THAT WAS NOT ACQUIRED THROUGH SELF EFFORT, but was given to for granted as you must have been lucky. REMEMBER THAT ‘quick riches are dangerous than poverty’;

(27) INTENTIONAL DISHONESTY. One may be temporarily dishonest by force of circumstances over which one has no control, without permanent damage. But, there is NO HOPE for the person who is dishonest by choice;

(28) EGOTISM AND VANITY;

(29) GUESSING INSTEAD OF THINKING;

(30) LACK OF CAPITAL. This is a common cause of failure among those who start out in business for the first time, without sufficient reserve of capital to absorb the shock of their mistakes and to carry them over until they have established a REPUTATION.

7.13. In a similar way, the author also provides, SELF ANALYSIS questionnaire for personal inventory WHICH IS WORTH ASSESSING BEFORE WE START MARKETING OURSELVES. It is given in detail on page 133 in the book. The same has been described below, as well:

(1) Have I attained the goal which I established as my objective for this year?

(2) Have I delivered service of the best possible QUALITY of which I was capable, or could I have improved any part of this service?

(3) Have I delivered service in the greatest possible QUANTITY of which I was capable?

(4) Has the spirit of my conduct been harmonious, and cooperative at all times?

(5) Have I permitted the habit of PROCRASTINATION to decrease my efficiency, and if so, to what extent?

(6) Have I improved my PERSONALITY, and if so, in what ways?

(7) Have I been PERSISTENT in following my plans through completion?

(8) Have I reached DECISIONS PROMPTLY AND DEFINITELY on all occasions?

(9) Have I permitted any one or more of the six basic fears to decrease my efficiency?
(10) Have I been either “over-cautious,” or “under-cautious?”

(11) Has my relationship with my associates in work been pleasant, or unpleasant? If it has been unpleasant, has the fault been partly, or wholly mine?
(12) Have I dissipated any of my energy through lack of CONCENTRATION of effort?

(13) Have I been open-minded and tolerant in connection with all subjects?

(14) In what way have I improved my ability to render service?

(15) Have I been intemperate in any of my habits?

(16) Have I expressed, either openly or secretly, any form of EGOTISM?

(17) Has my conduct toward my associates been such that it has induced them to RESPECT me?

(18) Have my opinions and DECISIONS been based on guesswork, or accuracy of analysis and THOUGHT?

(19) Have I followed the habit of budgeting my time, my expenses, and my income, and have I been conservative in these budgets?

(20) How much time have I devoted to an UNPROFITABLE effort which I might have used to better advantage?

(21) How may I RE-BUDGET my time, and change my habits so I will be more efficient during the coming year?

(22) Have I been guilty of any conduct which was not approved by my conscience?

(23) In what ways have I rendered MORE SERVICE AND BETTER SERVICE than I was paid to render?

(24) Have I been unfair to anyone, and if so, in what way?

(25) If I had been the purchaser of my own services for the year, would I be satisfied with my purchase?

(26) Am I in the right vocation, and if not, why not?

(27) Has the purchaser of my services been satisfied with the service I have rendered, and if not, why not?

(28) What is my present rating on the fundamental principles of success?

8. Chapter 8^th of the book is on DECISION.

8.1. It states that the INDECISION BRINGS FAILURE.

8.2. SUCCESSFUL PEOPLE TAKE DECISIONS QUICKLY AND ALTER IT IF NEED BE VERY SLOWLY. People who fail do otherwise. FOR QUICK DECISIONS KEEP YOUR MOUTH CLOSED, EYES AND EARS OPEN.

8.3. The author notes, regarding the decisions that most people allow others to make decisions for them despite them being their best judges. He points out that, “Close friends and relatives, while not meaning to do so, often handicap one through “opinions” and sometimes through ridicule, which is meant to be humorous. Thousands of men and women carry inferiority complexes with them all through life, because some well-meaning, but ignorant person destroyed their confidence through “opinions” or ridicule. You have a brain and mind of your own. USE IT, and reach your own decisions. If you need facts or information from other people, to enable you to reach decisions, as you probably will in many instances; acquire these facts or secure the information you need quietly, without disclosing your purpose.”

8.4. The chapter is full of examples of the great people who have been good decision makers.

9. Chapter 9^th of the book is on PERSISTENCE.

9.1. The chapter states that the frequency of persistence is directly related to the strength of the burning desire. For me, this is a very important observation. As the author rightly remarks, “Some men who have accumulated great fortunes, did so because of NECESSITY. They developed the habit of PERSISTENCE because they were so closely driven by circumstances, that they had to become persistent. THERE IS NO SUBSTITUTE FOR PERSISTENCE! It cannot be supplanted by any other quality! Remember this, and it will hearten you, in the beginning, when the going may seem difficult and slow.”

9.2. The author informs that those who have cultivated a habit of persistence seem to enjoy insurance against the failure. No matter how many times they are defeated, they finally arrive up toward the top of the ladder.

9.3. Guessing, instead of knowing destroys persistence. THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER.

9.4. Persistence is s state of mind. Like all states of mind, persistence can be cultivated. So, HOW CAN WE CULTIVATE PERSISTENCE? By:

(i) DEFINITENESS OF PURPOSE;

(ii) BURNING DESIRE;

(iii) SELF-RELIANCE, which can be developed through auto-suggestion;

(iv) NO FEAR OF FAILURE;

(v) DEFINITENESS OF PLANS;

(vi) ACCURATE KNOWLEDGE, which in my opinion should be specialized or be through mastermind alliance. Guessing instead of knowing destroys persistence;

(vii) COOPERATION with help of SUPPORTIVE PEOPLE;

(viii) WILL – POWER. The habit of concentrating one’s thoughts upon the building of plans for the attainment of a definite purpose leads to persistence;

(ix) HABIT. Persistence is the direct result of habit. The mind absorbs and becomes a part of the daily experiences upon which it feeds.

9.5. WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF THE LACK OF PERSISTENCE? These are:

(i) Failure to recognize and to clearly define exactly what one wants;

(ii) Procrastination, with or without cause;

(iii) Lack of interest in acquiring specialized knowledge;

(iv) Indecision;

(v) The habit of relying upon alibis instead of creating definite plans for the solution of problems;

(vi) Self-satisfaction. There is but a little remedy for this affliction, and no hope for those who suffer from it;

(vii) Indifference usually reflected in one’s readiness to compromise on all occasions, rather than meet opposition and fight it;

(viii) The habit of blaming others for one’s mistakes rather than analyzing what went wrong;

(ix) WEAKNESS OF DESIRE;

(x) Willingness, even eagerness, to quit at the first sign of defeat;

(xi) Lack of ORGANIZED PLANS, placed in writing where they may be analyzed;

(xii) The habit of neglecting to move on ideas, or to grasp opportunity when it presents itself;

(xiii) WISHING instead of WILLING;

(xiv) The habit of compromising with POVERTY instead of aiming at riches;

(xv) Searching for all the short-cuts to riches, trying to GET without GIVING a fair equivalent;

(xvi) FEAR OF CRITICISM.

10. Chapter 10th of the book is on the POWER OF MASTERMIND.

10.1. The chapter talks about VARIOUS BENEFITS OF THE MASTER MIND, which are ECONOMIC and PSYCHIC. Regarding the psychic benefit, the author points out that no two minds come/work together in harmony if they do not create a third invisible/intangible force which is like a third mind. According to him, that is why the group of brains coordinating in harmony provide more energy than a single brain. Why? Because the human mind is a form of energy.

10.2. Thoughts enter our minds (through CONSCIOUS MIND to SUB-CONSCIOUS MIND) through the FIVE SENSES via AUTO-SUGGESTION; except the ones picked up from the ETHER (GIVEN BY INFINITE INTELLIGENCE DEPENDING UPON OUR DOMINANT THOUGHTS whether +ve/-ve at that time). Our FIVE SENSES may lead to error sometimes but the INFINITE INTELLIGENCE is always accurate. IT SHOULD BE NOTED that ether is the messenger of both positive and negative thoughts. If positive thoughts dominate our minds, the positive thoughts will be picked up by the ether and vice versa.

10.13. The author further suggests ways through which we can communicate with INFINITE INTELLIGENCE, as discussed in subsequent chapters.

11. Chapter 11th of the book is on the POWER OF SEX TRANSMUTATION.

11.1. SEX is very important. It is not bad. It is the strongest stimuli to which the human mind responds. It is a part of a natural process. The author further writes, “Sex desire is the most powerful of human desires. When driven by this desire, men develop keenness of imagination, courage, willpower, persistence, and creative ability unknown to them at other times. So strong and impelling is the desire for sexual contact that men freely run the risk of life and reputation to indulge it. When harnessed, and redirected along other lines, this motivating force maintains all of its attributes of keenness of imagination, courage, etc., which may be used as powerful creative forces in literature, art, or in any other profession or calling, including, of course, the accumulation of riches. The transmutation of sex energy calls for the exercise of willpower, to be sure, but the reward is worth the effort. The desire for sexual expression is inborn and natural. The desire cannot, and should not be submerged or eliminated. But it should be given an outlet through forms of expression which enrich the body, mind, and spirit of man. If not given this form of outlet, through transmutation, it will seek outlets through purely physical channels. A river may be dammed, and its water controlled for a time, but eventually, it will force an outlet.” For a novice as myself, this statement is very important and acts as a beacon. It has got everything that I need to know. Sometimes we fail, and a feeling of guilt arises. What we should know is that we should not feel guilty for it leads to repeating the same thing again and again, out of fear. Instead, we must analyze what went wrong in our previous trial, and how should it be corrected this time and be persistent. For, this is nothing but an experience, which we know we will win in the end, for there is no such thing as fear as when it comes, it never appears fearful! For me, the above statement is one in all, as it has got everything to learn from regarding this topic.

11.2. SEX is significant in three ways:

(i) Perpetuation of species;

(ii) Maintenance of good health;

(iii) Transformation of mediocrity to genius.;

In this context, it is worth noting by the author that, “Fortunate, indeed, is the person who has discovered how to give sex emotion an outlet through some form of creative effort, for he has, by that discovery, lifted himself to the status of a genius”. However one must also keep in mind that such a thing usually happens after a certain age (usually after 40) as given in the chapter, for the author also says in section ‘WHY MEN SELDOM SUCCEED BEFORE FORTY’ starting on page 191 that, “I discovered, from the analysis of over 25,000 people, that men who succeed in an outstanding way, seldom do so before the age of forty, and more often they do not strike their real pace until they are well beyond the age of fifty. This fact was so astounding that it prompted me to go into the study of its cause most carefully, carrying the investigation over a period of more than twelve years. This study disclosed the fact that the major reason why the majority of men who succeed do not begin to do so before the age of forty to fifty, is their tendency to DISSIPATE their energies through overindulgence in the physical expression of the emotion of sex. The majority of men never learn that the urge of sex has other possibilities, which far transcend in importance, that of mere physical expression. The majority of those who make this discovery, do so after having wasted many years at a period when the sex energy is at its height, prior to the age of forty-five to fifty. This usually is followed by noteworthy achievement.” This is very important for the young men in their 20s and 30s to realize. They may fail, but they need not feel guilty about it. Instead of making things worse, they should rather analyze what went wrong, learn from mistakes, come out better and be persistent, for such a thing is natural and has its own way. In no way, however, do I mean, that one should over-indulge. This is why according to the author, all great achievements in any field were credited to people who had a highly sexed nature and had learned the way of transmuting sexual energies into other creative pursuits.

11.3. The author describes a genius. So WHO IS A GENIUS?

A genius is, “a man who has discovered how to increase the vibrations of thought to the point where he can freely communicate with sources of knowledge not available through the ordinary rate of vibration of thought.” In this way, it may be ascertained that a genius is a man who has SIXTH SENSE. SIXTH SENSE is nothing but CREATIVE IMAGINATION. Creative imagination functions best when the mind is vibrating (due to some stimulation of some or all of the TEN STIMULANTS) at a very high frequency. As explained by the author, “When brain action has been stimulated, through one or more of the ten mind stimulants, it has the effect of lifting the individual far above the horizon of ordinary thought, and permits him to envision distance, scope, and quality of THOUGHTS not available on the lower plane, such as that occupied while one is engaged in the solution of the problems of business and professional routine. When lifted to this higher level of thought, through any form of mind stimulation, an individual occupies, relatively, the same position as one who has ascended in an airplane to a height from which he may see over and beyond the horizon line which limits his vision, while on the ground. Moreover, while on this higher level of thought, the individual is not hampered or bound by any of the stimuli which circumscribe and limit his vision while wrestling with the problems of gaining the three basic necessities of food, clothing, and shelter. He is in a world of thought in which the ORDINARY, work-a-day thoughts have been as effectively removed as are the hills and valleys and other limitations of physical vision, when he rises in an airplane.”

THIS IS WHAT ARE SO CALLED THE HUNCHES, INNER-CONSCIENCE, GUT FEELING, TELEPATHY, CLAIRVOYANCE, REVELATIONS, EPIPHANY OR ENLIGHTENMENT. THIS IS WHERE THEY COME FROM. For me, it is important to remember.

11.4. PEOPLE WHO ARE ON THE TOP OF ANY FIELD HAVE BEEN GENIUSES AS THEY COULD USE THEIR SIXTH SENSE, BUT HOW? This has been through the fact that they had a highly SEXED NATURE. After a certain age, through persistence, they discovered a power of SEXUAL TRANSMUTATION and they became genius. In this regard, the author carefully explains the BIRTH OF A GENIUS, that, “Love, alone, will not bring happiness in marriage, nor will sex alone. When these two beautiful emotions are blended, marriage may bring about a state of mind, closest to the spiritual that one may ever know on this earthly plane. When the emotion of romance is added to those of love and sex the obstructions between the finite mind of man and Infinite Intelligence are removed. Then a genius has been born!”

11.5 WHAT CONSTITUTES A ‘HIGHLY SEXED NATURE’ IN A MAN? In my understanding, HIGH LEVELS OF TESTOSTERONE  that is directed in a positive direction. As the author says, HIGHLY SEXED nature is characterized by the following aspects in their MARRIED LIVES: LOVE, SEX, and ROMANCE. When the three are blended, a genius is born.

11.6. WHAT ARE ‘TEN STIMULANTS’? It is listed as follows:

(1) Sex;

(2) Love;

(3) Burning desire: Fame, glory, power, money etc.

(4) Music;

(5) Friendship;

(6) Master Mind Alliance;

(7) Mutual suffering;

(8) Autosuggestion;

(9) Fear;

(10) Narcotics and alcohol.

11.7. WHAT ARE THE CHARACTERISTICS OF HIGHLY SEXED PEOPLE? It is given on page 193 in the book, in the words of the author as, “Highly sexed people always have a plentiful supply of MAGNETISM. Through cultivation and understanding, this vital force may be drawn upon and used to great advantage in the relationships between people. This energy may be communicated to others through the following media:

1. The handshake. The touch of the hand indicates, instantly, the presence of magnetism, or the lack of it.
2. The tone of voice. Magnetism, or sex energy, is the factor with which the voice may be colored, or made musical and charming.
3. Posture and carriage of the body. Highly sexed people move briskly, and with grace and ease.
4. The vibrations of thought. Highly sexed people mix the emotion of sex with their thoughts or may do so at will, and in that way, may influence those around them.
5. Body adornment. People who are highly sexed are usually very careful about their personal appearance. They usually select clothing of a style becoming to their personality, physique, complexion, etc.”

12. Chapter 12^th of the book is on THE SUBCONSCIOUS MIND.

12.1. The SUBCONSCIOUS MIND works 24*7. It acts as a link between the CONSCIOUS MIND (FINITE INTELLIGENCE of the man) and ETHER (INFINITE INTELLIGENCE). The working of it is similar to the idea, as explained by the author on page 210, that, “The method by which you may communicate with Infinite Intelligence is very similar to that through which the vibration of sound is communicated by radio. If you understand the working principle of radio, you of course, know that sound cannot be communicated through the ether until it has been “stepped up,” or changed into a rate of vibration which the human ear cannot detect. The radio sending station picks up the sound of the human voice, and “scrambles,” or modifies it by stepping up the vibration millions of times. Only in this way, can the vibration of sound be communicated through the ether. After this transformation has taken place, the ether “picks up” the energy (which originally was in the form of vibrations of sound), carries that energy to radio receiving stations, and these receiving sets “step” that energy back down to its original rate of vibration so it is recognized as sound. The subconscious mind is the intermediary, which translates one’s prayers into terms which Infinite Intelligence can recognize, presents the message, and brings back the answer in the form of a definite plan or idea for procuring the object of the prayer. Understand this principle, and you will know why mere words read from a prayer book cannot, and will never serve as an agency of communication between the mind of man and Infinite Intelligence.”

12.2. The subconscious mind never remains idle. If we fail to implant our desires consciously (using 13 principles described in this book) into the subconscious mind through our conscious mind, then it will take those thoughts which are often negative.

12.3. There are 7 POSITIVE THOUGHTS and 7 NEGATIVE THOUGHTS. The negative thoughts have a tendency to dominate in our subconscious mind automatically very easily. The positive thoughts do not have that tendency. The positive thoughts are made to dominate our subconscious mind via AUTO-SUGGESTION. If our subconscious mind is dominated by positive thoughts then positive things happen in our lives and vice versa.

12.4. 7 POSITIVE THOUGHTS/ EMOTIONS are: Desire & Faith; Love, Sex & Romance; and Hope & Enthusiasm. 7 NEGATIVE THOUGHTS/ EMOTIONS are Fear; Jealousy; Hatred; Revenge; Greed; Superstition and Anger.

12.5. In this context, the author also points about the significance of Patience, Faith, Understanding, and of Sincere Desire. He states on page 210 that, “What reason have men to believe that this same energy does not connect every human brain with Infinite Intelligence? There are no toll-gates between the finite mind of man and Infinite Intelligence. The communication costs nothing except Patience, Faith, Persistence, Understanding, and a SINCERE DESIRE to communicate. Moreover, the approach can be made only by the individual himself. Paid prayers are worthless. Infinite Intelligence does no business by proxy. You either go direct, or you do not communicate.”  

12.6. FEAR and FAITH are poor bedfellows. Where one is found, other cannot exist.

13. Chapter 13^th of the book is about THE BRAIN.

13.1. The crux of the chapter is that the mind and the subconscious mind reside in the brain. In this way, our brain is like a radio that steps up the vibration to connect with the ether.

14. Chapter 14^th of the book is about SIXTH SENSE.

14.1. SIXTH SENSE is an important part of the subconscious mind. Through the sixth sense, the INFINITE INTELLIGENCE communicates with the FINITE MAN.

14.2. This principle (the sixth sense) can be assimilated and applied only when the other principles discussed above have been mastered. Regarding the sixth sense, the author accurately describes it on page 218 as, “The SIXTH SENSE is that portion of the subconscious mind which has been referred to as the Creative Imagination. It has also been referred to as the “receiving set” through which ideas, plans, and thoughts flash into the mind. The “flashes” are sometimes called “hunches” or “inspirations.”

14.3. Through the aid of SIXTH SENSE, one is warned of the impending dangers and ways to avoid them and be notified of the opportunities in time to embrace them.

14.4. The chapter details out the example of the ‘Imaginary Council Meeting’ comprising of initial people like Abraham, Edison, Carnegie, Emerson, Burbank, Napoleon, Darwin, Ford and Paine which the author frequently participates in using his sixth sense. The highlights of this meeting are given on page 220 of in the book.

14.5. The Imaginary Council Meeting might appear impractical to an apparently sane person, but in the view of the author, if the other principles have been mastered, the sixth sense been developed, and the meeting is perfected, then it has a potential to generate the outcome in the desired way. Nearly all great leaders such as Napoleon, Bismark, Joan of Arc, Christ, Buddha, Confucius, and Mohammed since the time immemorial have made the use of the sixth sense. This is very important to remember.

14.6. Regarding the experience of the sixth sense, the author remarks on page 225 “Any emergency which arouses the emotions, and causes the heart to beat more rapidly than normal may, and generally does, bring the sixth sense into action. Anyone who has experienced a near accident while driving knows that on such occasions, the sixth sense often comes to one’s rescue, and aids, by split seconds, in avoiding the accident.”

14.7. The author also distinguishes between faith and fear. Both faith and fear are the enemies of each other. While fear comes naturally, and voluntarily, the faith has to be developed through AUTO-SUGGESTION instead. The GHOSTS of FEAR are nothing but the imaginations of our own mind. These affect us when our imaginations are undisciplined (thus negative in most cases). Through the discipline of AUTOSUGGESTION, the GHOSTS OF FEAR are controlled and made redundant. This is also very important to remember.

15. Chapter 15^th of the book is about GHOSTS OF FEAR.

15.1. Fear can be conquered if we understand its fundamentals. Fear is a result of doubt, and doubt is a result of indecision. In other words, indecision leads to doubt and doubt leads to fear. So overcome the problem of indecision, the problem of doubt and hence fear will be solved. This is important to remember.

15.2. There are SIX BASIC FEARS as,

(i) Fear of POVERTY;

(ii) Fear of CRITICISM;

(iii) Fear of ILL HEALTH;

(iv) Fear of LOSING SOMEONE LOVING;

(v) Fear of OLD AGE;

(vi) Fear of DEATH.

15.3. Thus people whose dominant thoughts are positive, and who can decide in time without fear are usually the ones who are lucky and hence happy.

15.4. Fear of POVERTY SYMPTOMS is indifference, indecision, doubt, worry, over-caution and procrastination.

15.5. Fear of CRITICISM SYMPTOMS is self-consciousness, lack of poise, lacking firm decision, inferiority complex, extravagance, lack of initiative and lack of vision.

15.6. Fear of ILL HEALTH SYMPTOMS is negative thoughts, hypochondria, lack of exercise, susceptibility, self-codling and intemperance.

15.7. Fear of LOSING SOMEONE LOVING SYMPTOMS are jealously, fault finding, and gambling.

15.8. Fear of OLD AGE SYMPTOMS are given on page 243 as, “The tendency to slow down and develop an inferiority complex at the age of mental maturity, around the age of forty, falsely believing one’s self to be “slipping” because of age. (The truth is that man’s most useful years, mentally and spiritually, are those between forty and sixty). The habit of speaking apologetically of one’s self as “being old” merely because one has reached the age of forty, or fifty, instead of reversing the rule and expressing gratitude for having reached the age of wisdom and understanding. The habit of killing off initiative, imagination, and self-reliance by falsely believing one’s self too old to exercise these qualities. The habit of the man or woman of forty dressing with the aim of trying to appear much younger, and affecting mannerisms of youth; thereby inspiring ridicule by both friends and strangers.”

15.9. Fear of DEATH SYMPTOMS are given on page 246 as “The habit of THINKING about dying instead of making the most of LIFE, due, generally, to lack of purpose, or lack of a suitable occupation. This fear is more prevalent among the aged, but sometimes the more youthful are victims of it. The greatest of all remedies for the fear of death is a BURNING DESIRE FOR ACHIEVEMENT, backed by useful service to others. A busy person seldom has time to think about dying. He finds life too thrilling to worry about death. Sometimes the fear of death is closely associated with the Fear of Poverty, where one’s death would leave loved ones poverty-stricken. In other cases, the fear of death is caused by illness and the consequent breaking down of physical body resistance. The commonest causes of the fear of death are: ill-health, poverty, lack of appropriate occupation, disappointment over love, insanity, and religious fanaticism.” In respect of the fear of death, it is WORTH READING in the words of the author that, “The entire world is made up of only two things, ENERGY, and MATTER. In elementary physics we learn that neither matter nor energy (the only two realities known to man) can be created nor destroyed. Both matter and energy can be transformed, but neither can be destroyed. Life is energy, if it is anything. If neither energy nor matter can be destroyed, of course life cannot be destroyed. Life, like other forms of energy, may be passed through various processes of transition, or change, but it cannot be destroyed. Death is mere transition. If death is not mere change, or transition, then nothing comes after death except a long, eternal, peaceful sleep, and sleep is nothing to be feared. Thus you may wipe out, forever, the fear of Death.” He uniquely narrates his EXPERIENCE REGARDING THE THOUGHTS OF A PERSON HE HAD INTERVIEWED TO BE ELECTROCUTED TWO HOURS AFTER THAT as, “I once interviewed a man who was to be electrocuted two hours later. The condemned man was the calmest of some eight men who were in the death-cell with him. His calmness prompted me to ask him how it felt to know that he was going into eternity in a short while. With a smile of confidence on his face, he said, “It feels fine. Just think, brother, my troubles will soon be over. I have had nothing but trouble all my life. It has been a hardship to get food and clothing. Soon I will not need these things. I have felt fine ever since I learned FOR CERTAIN that I must die. I made up my mind then, to accept my fate in good spirit.”

15.10. In this regard, it is also worth remembering that a worry is a form of fear that develops over time and paralyzes one’s reasoning, and hence should be avoided. Hence in the words of the author, “A man whose mind is filled with fear not only destroys his own chances of intelligent action, but, he transmits these destructive vibrations to the minds of all who come into contact with him, and destroys, also their chances. Even a dog or a horse knows when its master lacks courage; moreover, a dog or a horse will pick up the vibrations of fear thrown off by its master, and behave accordingly. Lower down the line of intelligence in the animal kingdom, one finds this same capacity to pick up the vibrations of fear.” This is why the author also says “Mental telepathy is a reality. Thoughts pass from one mind to another, voluntarily, whether or not this fact is recognized by either the person releasing the thoughts, or the persons who pick up those thoughts.”

15.15. That is why it must be remembered that in order to be highly successful you have to be at ease with yourself and kill the fear.

CLOSING THOUGHTS

I had wanted to write a summary and a review, but now I don’t think I could do justice to it either. This compilation itself has taken more than a month. This book is phenomenal. This book is absolutely phenomenal. It has taken me so long to read and digest this book that I couldn’t help in keeping up with myself. Whatever I have written on this blog about this book, is miniscule in comparison to what actually has been written in it. At this outset, I sincerely thank late Mr. Napoleon Hill to have forged such a magnificent resource for countless people who had felt helpless in their lives. For me, the book is next only to the Bible or other holy scriptures. The book has been and shall always be a guiding light on the path of self-development and of course to the riches. I close quoting what the author has said, “If we are related,” said the immortal Emerson, “we shall meet.” In closing, may I borrow his thought, and say, “If we are related, we have, through these pages, met.” Peace!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I feel happy in sharing that I have published my second book from Mauritius. This work is dedicated to my teachers who taught me everything from ‘A’ to ‘Z’ !!

The book is on Renewal for Smart Cities. Some perspectives explored in the work are:

(1) Processes applicable to revamping the inner-city areas;

(2) Relationship between these processes;

(3) Renewal as the most sustainable process of revamping the inner-city;

(4) Assessment for renewal upon the inter-relationship of the factors that affect sustainability.

I believe that this work is different since it attempts at revamping inner-city areas in the context of the ‘smart’ cities.

After having worked on the book for a couple of months, I have realized that research is an ocean of eternity. The more we sail deeper, the lesser seems to be our acumen. Over these months of working on this, I have realized that there is so much that could be and should be done for our cities. Is this work perfect? No, absolutely not. It is open for debate and I would really appreciate it. As I said, just like many, I too am a sailor exploring the ocean. Just like a traveller who recounts, these works are nothing but mere figments of imagination and experiences based on limited understanding but verified by empirical research.

With these thoughts, I present this work for the contest of IDEAS !!! BEST WISHES !!

 

 

19^th June, 2018

BACKGROUND: “Life is uncertain, the future unknown. This is neither good, nor bad. It just is like gravity. Yet the task remains: how to master our own fate, even so.” At times we wonder how some people or organizations thrive when time becomes uncertain! Do they depend upon horoscopes? Do they blame everything on luck? After reading this book, I no longer think it that way. These highly successful people or organizations merely do not fear uncertainties. They rather embrace it, and thrive despite it.  Instead of blaming their situation on things supernatural, the movement of planets and stars, luck and horoscopes; these people rather choose to become and remain great. For them pursuing greatness is not a matter of destiny but rather a choice. Do we, as ordinary people, have all what it takes to get extraordinary results, become and remain great? Or in the words of the author, can we become 10Xers? The answer is left for the exploration by the reader.

ABOUT THE BOOK: The book GREAT BY CHOICE written by Jim Collins is an enrapturing and a thought provoking resource. It is a book that tries to explore if uncertainties really bind us? Through case studies of people (called 10Xers) and organizations having endured and prevailed phenomenal adversities, the book answers how uncertainties, need not have any effect upon our trails if we, are disciplined, make right choices, remain alert and have the requisite ambition. The book is quick-read and easy-retain. It is a week reading for an average reader who reads two hours a day, in my opinion. The book has approximately 300 pages and seven chapters. The content can be segregated into two parts essentially. The first part having the first six chapters discusses attributes of thriving in uncertainty: Fanatic Discipline, Empirical Creativity, Productive Paranoia and Level 5 Ambition.The second part with the last chapter explores what or rather who the luck is and why it’s not as important as a return on the luck. More like in the author’s other books; the headings of chapters have been written in such a way that it is easy to remember the content given in the chapter. In the similar way to make reading experience enriching, valuable individual’s memoirs are presented along with hardcore empirical data, validating the author’s hypothesis (or vice versa).

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: James C. “Jim” Collins is a guide and ateacher. He is a best seller and renowned author of growth and sustainability of an organization. He has written numerous best-selling books on personal-organizational growth and management. Some of his other notable books are: Built to Last, Good to Great and How the Mighty Fall.

INTERPRETATION: In order to withstand uncertainties and thrive upon it, a person should be able to inculcate certain qualities. As an organization is a reflection of people, these qualities would remain true for firms and companies as well. These qualities are (1) Fanatic Discipline (2) Empirical Creativity (3) Productive Paranoia and (5) Level 5 Ambition (shown in figure 1).

(1) Fanatic Discipline: To put it simple, discipline is consistency. As written by the author, “True discipline requires mental independence and an ability to remain consistent in the face of herd instinct and social pressures. Fanatic discipline often means being a non conformist”. As a practice, fanatic discipline may also be understood as 20 Mile March. Suppose there are two teams A and B for a race. In total 200 miles have to be completed. The weather is unpredictable. Sometimes it becomes hot like a desert and sometimes gets cold like Artic. Team A does not have a fixed schedule of marching. When the weather is comfortable they over-march to exhaustion and when the weather is harsh, they do not march at all. In total it takes them two weeks to complete the race. Team B, on the other hand marches 20 miles a day, every single day. They march 20 miles only even when the weather is comfortable as well as harsh. They never indulge in under-marching or over-marching. They simply march till the point that’s decided by them already. Nothing less, and nothing more – simply 20 miles per day. In this way it covers the distance in 10 days and wins the game. Team B wins. This 20 Mile March is nothing but fanatic discipline. Contrary to the conventional saying that in the times uncertain, it is better to remain flexible, the findings of the research in this book suggests firms (or individuals) which have thrived in the times of uncertainty have been the ones which have shown fanatic discipline. To put it in the words of the author, “The 20 Mile March imposes order amidst disorder, consistency amidst swirling inconsistency. But it works only if you actually achieve your march year after year. If you set 20 Mile March and then fail to achieve it – or worse, abandon fanatic discipline altogether – you may well get crushed by events”. This is important to understand as it separates 10Xers from others.

(2) Empirical Creativity: It is taking calculated risks. Creativity, one and all is not the key to transformation into great. Creativity should be supplanted with discipline. Creativity (simply innovation) to a certain threshold level is enough for individuals and organizations. The question is how do we know what is our threshold level of innovation? This is done by being empirically creative (taking calculated risks). In this book it is also referred as ‘First fire bullets and then fire cannonballs’. What is a bullet? A test aimed at learning what’s working best for a person (or organizations). It is those decisions which involve low cost, low risk and lesser distraction (from main goals). First fire bullets and then fire cannonballs means, that before taking a very big decision, one should test its validity by taking smaller decisions involving lower costs, lower risks and lesser distractions.  If through the series of smaller decisions, the validity of bigger (to be taken) decisions becomes correct, then there is no harm in taking a bigger decision, and vice versa. The process of taking smaller decisions initially can be understood as calibrating a cannonball.  Thus, before firing a cannonball, a bullet should be fired. That’s calibration. As the author also cautions, “Firing uncalibrated cannonball that succeeds, generating a huge windfall, can be even more dangerous than a failed cannonball. Keep in mind the danger of achieving good outcomes from bad process. Good process doesn’t guarantee good outcomes, and bad process doesn’t guarantee bad outcomes, but good outcomes  with bad process – firing uncalibrated cannonballs that just happen to succeed – reinforces bad process and can lead to firing more uncalibrated cannonballs”, eventually leading to disaster. 10Xers understand this, consciously or unconsciously, while others do not.

(3) Productive Paranoia: It is being vigilant. It is a process that involves three aspects:

(3.1) Building Cash Reserves: A process of securing enough resources to sustain in times of scarcity. In Financial Theory, it is known that leaders who hoard cash/resources are irresponsible for capital deployment. As per the author, only in the perfect-stable world, the theory holds validity.

(3.2) Managing Risks: Managing risks becomes easier when one inculcates the ability to pause.  Most of us would wish to live in times of certainty. We would wish for uncertainties to go away. But, in that process, some may end up taking decisions impulsively, which can be disastrous. So, if we have time to let the situation unfold, we take that time. But when the times come, we should be ready to act.

(3.3) Zoom Out and Zoom In: It is a process of taking the bottom line and seeing the bigger picture, before taking every major decision. In the words of the author, “Sometimes acting too fast increases risk. Sometimes acting too slow increases risk. The critical question is, “How much time before you risk profile changes?” Do you have seconds? Minutes? Hours? Days? Weeks? Months? Years? Decades? The primary difficulty lies not in answering the question but in having the presence of mind to ask the question.”

(4) Level 5 Ambition: It involves being SMaC i.e. Specific, Methodical and Consistent. This is one of the crucial ways of exerting control in the world that seems out of control, in the author’s opinion. It is also elucidated that, ‘signature of mediocrity is not an unwillingness to change, but rather chronic inconsistency’.

(5) Luck and Return on Luck: The last chapter of the book attempts to understand and define luck. Often people associate luck through varied phrases: “Luck is where the preparation meets opportunity” or “Luck is the residue of design” or even “The harder I work, the luckier I get.” These phases may relate to someone anecdotally, but are still not precise as to defining the luck. After a thorough research, in the book, the luck has been defined as something that is unpredictable, beyond our control and has a consequence. Based upon the consequence – good or bad, the luck too can be a good luck or a bad luck. Both good luck and bad comes equally in the life of a person (or an organization). 10Xers thrive, not because they are blessed with more good luck (for good luck and bad luck comes equally in everyone’s life), but because they make sure that they get higher (and/or positive) return on the luck. That means even if they encounter a bad luck, they make sure, that the impact of luck on their lives is positive. This behavior separates them from others who succumb to luck. 10Xers know, that it’s not the luck that matters to them more. It is a higher (and/or positive) return on the luck that matters. Luck must not be confused with a return on the luck. Luck is something that just happens. To what extent the luck has an affect over us is Return on Luck. This is shown in figure 2.

CONCLUSION: People or organizations which have thrived even in times uncertain, also called 10Xers have been the ones which have exercised fanatic discipline, pursued empirical creativity and had productive paranoia. 10Xers understand that greatness is not primarily a matter of circumstance, but more importantly a matter of choice and discipline. Ending in the words of the author, “We are not imprisoned by our circumstances. We are not imprisoned by the luck we get or the inherent unfairness of life. We are not imprisoned by crushing setbacks, self-inflicted mistakes or our past success. We are not imprisoned by the times in which we live, by the number of hours in a day or even the number of hours we’re granted in our very short lives. In the end, we can control only a tiny sliver of what happens to us. But even so, we are free to choose, free to become great by choice.”

Best wishes.

Figure 1: What does it take to be a 10Xer (*source/link: https://www.embracepossibility.com/blog/great-by-choice-jim-collins/)

Figure 2: Luck vs Return on Luck (*source/link: http://slideplayer.com/slide/3886149/)

(The reader may buy the book from Amazon. Link: https://www.amazon.com/Great-Choice-Uncertainty-Luck-Why-Despite/dp/0062120999)

 

                                                                                                                                    4^th June 2018

BACKGROUND: As ordinary people, most of us aspire to become successful – be it anything. We want to be richer, or more powerful, or perhaps someone who is admired by everyone. The bottom line is that most of us, want to contribute to good things in life. It gives great satisfaction when we see ourselves helping others. I believe almost all of us start with good and noble intentions. Many of us, however, fail in this endeavour, end up heartbroken. Most of us are good. But there are few who are great. What an individual does, culminates in organization’s habits. Therefore inculcating habits that help in becoming ‘great’, is something that can be emulated by many of us, especially those who want to accelerate their organization’s growth. Put it simply, if somehow, we are able to hone our leadership skills, then it would a cascading effect upon those associated with us.

ABOUT THE BOOK: The book Good to Great written by Jim Collins is a befitting material in this regard. The author starts with a premise that ‘good’ is the enemy of ‘great’. Most things are good but very few are great. In this book, he has delineated a process from being good to becoming great, called ‘The Flywheel’. The book is easy to read and retain comprising of approximately 300 pages. The book has nine chapters. Six of which detail out the steps in transforming from good to great. The first chapter outlines the content in a summarised form that is presented in the book. The eighth chapter describes ‘The Flywheel’, i.e. how the process manifests on the inside and the outside during transformation. Headings of chapters have been written in such a way that it is easy to remember the content given in that chapter. In order to make reading experience enriching, valuable individual’s memoirs are presented along with hardcore empirical data, validating the author’s hypothesis (or vice versa). To sum up, the book would require a five day reading for completion by a normal reader who reads almost two hours a day.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: James C. “Jim” Collins is a teacher, guide, and author on growth and sustainability of an organization. He has written numerous best-selling books on personal-organizational growth and management. Some of his other notable books are: Built to Last, Great by Choice and How the Mighty Fall.

INTERPRETATION: The book is about the process of being good to becoming great, called ‘The Flywheel’. The Flywheel, metaphorically, is big and heavy cylindrical wheel. It is rotated by people incessantly, again and again, so that it breaks its inertia, and gains momentum. Because of its own weight, the wheel that had been difficult to rotate initially is able to sustain its momentum now.  If one considers this wheel (cylindrical heavy wheel aka The Flywheel), as a system, then to those from the outside, it will appear to be a solid structure that is suddenly rotating constantly at ease. However, all those who are inside the system will definitely say that the rotation at ease has been a result of long years of hard work, sincere efforts and perseverance.  Whether it is an organization or an individual, the principle of The Flywheel remains constant upon them.

So how do we start The Flywheel from rest to bring its momentum? Well, if applied to people or organization, this process can happen when Disciplined People, Disciplined Thought and Disciplined Action coincide.

Formulaically,

Disciplined People + Disciplined Thought + Disciplined Action = The Flywheel

‘Disciplined People’ has been used literally. An individual or people in an organization become disciplined when there is a combination of two aspects: (1) Level 5 Leadership and (2) First Who Then What.

Level 5 Leadership is the highest level of leadership exhibited. It’s a combination of personal humility and professional strong will. Do not confuse a Level 5 leader as someone weak who can be rejected out rightly. A Level 5 leader is the one who is humble, down to earth, simple, sober and yet unwavering, focused, and courageous. He is a one who does not hesitate in taking bold steps, firing wrong people and doing things that matter to his organization, professionally. Yet in his personal life, he is simple and sober. His colleagues like and respect him dearly. Consider people like Abraham Lincoln, Nelson Mandela, or even Steve Jobs.

First Who Then What: An individual can move forward, and an organization can develop tremendously if they learn to team up with like-minded people or systems, first, and then decide upon the plan of actions as second. Most of the people or organization who do it another way (first framing aims-objectives and then executing it via orders upon others), fail to achieve sustained results.

While working with a Level 5 leader, the situation is entirely different. People (systems) who are like-minded hardly require motivation (hoopla). All this saves time, energy and focus. There is no need to motivate them or discipline them as they are self-motivated. So when a Level 5 leader comes in contact with like-minded people (right people), then the result becomes ‘Disciplined People’.

Formulaically,

Disciplined People = Level 5 leadership + First Who Then What

Disciplined Thought is a process which should be guided by two aspects: (1) Be Hopeful but at the Same Time Confront Brutal Facts and (2) Hedgehog Concept.

Be Hopeful but at the Same Time, Confront Brutal Facts is also referred to as Stockdale Paradox. It simply means that one should remain positive but at the same time be practical as well. It does not mean that we should only live in a falsified reality to appear hopeful. It also does not mean that one should lose one’s hope because of the problems impinging upon oneself. There has to be the inclusion of both hope and acceptance of the reality. This aspect comes out of the life-experience of Admiral Jim Stockdale, of Hoover Institution, Stanford University who was once a prisoner of Vietnam War to Vietnamese authorities. His life is an inspiring lesson to learn from and emulate upon. His book, written along with his wife Lady Sybil Stockdale, Love and War, reflecting their lives and struggles in those dark days is worth reading. Generally people can be clubbed together into three categories: (1) Who are completely shattered by catastrophic events, (2) Who bring their lives back to normal after having been shattered by catastrophe, and (3) Who come back to lives to inspire as better and stronger individuals, than they were before a catastrophe. Admiral Stockdale belongs to the category (3). In Admiral’s words, it became possible because he was hopeful but he had never lost a sight of his reality while he was tortured in the prison.

Hedgehog Concept: “Generally people behave either like foxes or like hedgehogs. Foxes pursue many ends at the same time and see the complexity. They are “scattered or diffused, moving on many levels,” says Berlin, “never integrating their thinking into one overall concept or unifying vision. Hedgehogs, on the other hand, simplify a complex world into a single idea, a basic principle or concept that unifies and guides everything. It doesn’t matter how complex the world, a hedgehog reduces all challenges and dilemmas to simple indeed almost simplistic-hedgehog ideas. For a hedgehog, anything that does not somehow relate to the hedgehog idea holds no relevance”. In words of Professor Marvin Bressler “You want to know what separates those who make the biggest impact from all the others who are just as smart. They’re hedgehogs.” Freud and the unconscious, Darwin and natural selection, Marx and class struggle, Einstein and relativity, Adam Smith and division of labour – they were all hedgehogs. They took a complex world and simplified it. “Those who leave the biggest footprints,” says Bressler, “have thousands calling after them, ‘Good idea, but you went too far!’ “. Emulating Hedgehog behaviour is very important. It may be understood as a technique of finding the purpose in life as well, colloquially. Hedgehog Concept is an amalgamation of three aspects: (1) What am I best at (2) What am I most passionate about (3) What is beneficial to me economically.

Formulaically,

What am I best at? + What am I most passionate about? + What is beneficial to me economically? = Hedgehog Concept

Only upon the convergence of these three aspects, the Hedgehog Concept come into execution. Hedgehog concept has also been referred to as the Three Circles (of the Hedgehog Concept) in the book. A once in a lifetime opportunity becomes invalid if it is not falling upon the convergence of the three circles of the Hedgehog concept. Finding a purpose in life for an individual, and formulating decisions for an organization become easy if Hedgehog Concept is applied properly.

Thus, when we have disciplined thoughts, our decisions become better. Formulaically,

Disciplined Thought = Be Hopeful but at the Same Time Confront Brutal Facts + Hedgehog Concept

Disciplined Action is a result of fostering the (1) Culture of Discipline along with (2) Technology Accelerators.

Culture of Discipline: This happens when individual and organization surround themselves with right people and system/s. A person who is disciplined is self-motivated and does not require special directions. They are assets, as opposed to unmotivated and indisciplined people or system, which require constant rejuvenation.

Technology Accelerators: A successful person or organization merely relies upon technology to improve their performance and not let it overwhelm them.

Formulaically,

Culture of Discipline + Technology Accelerators = Disciplined Action  

CONCLUSION: An entity or an organization can transform to something ‘great’ provided they have strength and discipline to adhere to ‘The Flywheel’, as it can be commonly seen theoretically and empirically from various studies. The Flywheel is a process of becoming great. It happens when many aspects are amalgamated together. Formulaically, it is understood as:

The Flywheel	Disciplined People		Disciplined Thought		Disciplined Action
	Level 5 Leadership	First Who Then What	Stockdale Paradox	Hedgehog Concept	Culture of Discipline	Technology Accelerators

Best wishes.

(The reader may buy the book from Amazon. Link: https://www.amazon.com/Good-Great-Some-Companies-Others-ebook/dp/B0058DRUV6)

Everyone wants to live happily. Many vouches for success. Even though, the notion of a success may vary from one person to another; success per se may be understood with a certain set of indicators. What does it require for a one to become successful? Is it knowledge, or networks? Is it creativity or disciple? Is it passion or practicality? Or is it much more than just a combination of these aspects?  Well! We have a big life ahead to explore all these aspects. One thing, however, which we should appreciate is the art of thinking.  The time that one spends on thinking. By this, in no way, it is advocated for indulging in daydreaming and doing nothing. Just note, that rather than doing things impulsively, it is always good if one introspects a bit about it.

The book that I had read recently is written by John C Maxwell. Mr Maxwell is a renowned American author and pastor whose writings focus on self-development and inculcating leadership.  The book ‘HOW SUCCESSFUL PEOPLE THINK – CHANGE YOUR THINKING, CHANGE YOUR LIFE‘, is very helpful for those who want to grow more professionally, socially or intellectually.  The premise of the book is that inculcating a habit of thinking resonates with one’s success.

Key points summarized from the book are:

1. Thinking is important. Good thinking means good life. Successful people have been big thinkers
2. To become a better thinker one should be with people who think good thoughts so that we too think and act on good thoughts; such that eventually, it becomes our habit.
3. In order to think good/better thinker, we should choose our environment accordingly. Thinking maybe classified as of certain types: big thinking, focused thinking, creative thinking, realistic thinking, strategic thinking, possibility thinking, reflective thinking, non-mainstream original thinking, shared thinking, bottom line thinking and unselfish thinking.
4. In order to achieve big things, we should also think big. This may be accomplished through learning continually, listening intentionally, looking expansively and living completely.
5. Once we become focused in life, we become more creative as ideas are given time to develop. Being focused enables us to reach our targets effectively. Hence a focused thinking becomes necessary. For that, we should identify our priorities in life, assess our talents and create our dreams.
6. Harnessing creativity in thinking is important. It requires one to be exploring options, valuing ideas and embracing ambiguity. No wonder creative thinkers are able to connect the unconnected and don’t fear failures.
7. Reality is the difference between what we wish for and what is. Thinking realistically is important as it minimizes downside risks, gives us a game plan for our targets, provides us with stability and security, and brings our dreams to fruition. In order to think realistically, we should appreciate the truth, assess pros and cons, know what we are capable of and be able to make decisions based on the worst-case scenario.
8. Strategic thinking is a very important component of planning for our lives as it simplifies the difficult things, reduces the margin of error, and gives one the control over oneself as well for others. It is said that the one with a plan is the one with power. Hence ‘Plan your life, live your plan’. In order to carry out strategic thinking effectively, we should always ask why before how, do chunking, estimate our resources, and put right people in the right place with the right plan; such that it becomes a habit.
9. Possibility thinking should be inculcated as well. It helps one in rising above the average, giving the energy to do tough things and not giving up. In order to inculcate possibility thinking, we should stop believing in impossibilities, look for possibilities in every situation, question the status quo and find inspiration from great achievers.
10. Reflective thinking may be understood as a kind/component of meditation. It should be inculcated as it gives true perspective, provides emotional integrity to one’s thought life, increases confidence in decision making, and clarifies the big picture in life. In order to harness reflective thinking, we should set aside time for reflection, remove ourselves from distractions, regularly review our calendar and cement our learning through action.
11. Non-mainstream original thinking may also vaguely be understood as ‘question popular thinking‘. Popular thinking maybe avoided as it sometimes means not thinking. It gives false hopes which can be devastating.  Popular thinking is inflexible to changes and often yields average results. In order to avoid popular thinking, we should think before following, try out new things, get used to being uncomfortable and also appreciate others who think differently than us.
12. Shared thinking brings many benefits, as it is faster, innovative, matured, stronger, and valuable than solo thinking. (How is it different from popular thinking?)
13. Bottomline thinking. Simply signifies that one must stick to their goals and not deviate. Bottomline thinking provides great clarity, enables us to assess a situation, boosts morale and boosts our future. In order to practice it, we should remain to the point, create a strategic plan, and align ourselves/our team with the plan.
14. Unselfish thinking. By far the best one. As the author says, this kind of thinking has a potential to change one’s life astoundingly, and one’s views on success. It is one such thinking that can deliver returns greater than any other kind of thinking. It brings personal fulfilment, adds value to others, encourages other virtues, increases the quality of life and creates a legacy. The best way to practice unselfish thinking would to think from other’s perspective and have empathy. For that, we should put others first, expose ourselves to situations where people have needs, give quietly or anonymously, invest in people and check our motives constantly
15. In a nutshell, the book conveys one simple meaning ” The Right Thought, plus Right People in the Right Environment at the Right Time for the Right Reason = Right Result”.

Closing thoughts are that it is a great book to read and learn from. It may seem boring and mundane at the start, but with persistence and patience, the interest will grow. Consequentially the reader might wonder in awe by learning such valuable messages in such a short book.

Best wishes.

(The reader may buy the book from Amazon. Link: https://www.amazon.com/How-Successful-People-Think-Thinking/dp/1599951681)