13 Principles For Success - The Mastermind Genius of Napoleon Hill
Entrepreneurs are a different breed. As a group, we tend to be feverishly passionate about our businesses and our work. Ironically, many traditional business groups are unable to fuel the fire and enthusiasm that entrepreneurs thrive on. So, I was delighted when I heard about Kellie Kuecha; her organization, Women That Win, a woman's resource service; and the MastHERmind programs that she presents.
Kellie's MastHERmind curriculum was inspired by the Mastermind concept first described in Napoleon Hill's classic book, Think And Grow Rich. In 1908, Hill was commissioned by Andrew Carnegie - then the richest man in the world - to interview 500 successful people in order to discover and publish a formula for success that the average person could duplicate. For over 20 years, Napoleon Hill continued his research and eventually, in 1937, he condensed his work into his book "Think and Grow Rich." This book, still in print, has sold over 30 million copies and it has influenced and continues to influence our collective thought and most of the current literature and teachings on prosperity and success. Hill's work identified 13 principles for success - one of which was Mastermind. These are his famous 13 principles:
1. DESIRE. Hill believed that a burning desire is the starting point for all achievement. Do you have a burning desire? Have you ever had one? It seems that those who are most successful in life live their lives as a series (or a cycle) of desires, passions, and accomplishments.
2. FAITH. In this context faith is about visualizing and believing that you will attain your desire.
3. AUTO SUGGESTION. Today, we call the concept of auto suggestion affirmation. This is the practice of repeating positive thoughts in order to influence your subconscious mind. An affirmation should be in the present, even if you don't have it yet. So, if your goal is to create a multi-million dollar business, your affirmation would be "I am building a multi-million dollar business." As your plan becomes clearer you would say "I own a multi-million dollar business."
4. SPECIALIZED KNOWLEDGE. Those who pursue knowledge and professional competence are more confident, more competent, and more likely to succeed. What do you do to make yourself professionally competent? How do you continue your professional education?
5. IMAGINATION. As you go about your day think about ways in which things can be done better.
6. ORGANIZED PLANNING. Every goal needs a plan. When you have a plan in place you know what to do next. You've heard the cliché - If we fail to plan, we plan to fail.
7. DECISION. Hill found that successful people are able to reach decisions promptly and change their decisions slowly. What makes a decision good or bad is not necessarily the outcome. Instead, the process that was used to reach the decision is the key. Hill saw the decision making process as a way to master procrastination.
8. PERSISTENCE. Simply stick with it. Don't quit!! And, don't take no for an answer. Instead find a way around your obstacles - which takes us back to imagination.
9. MASTERMIND. According to Hill, a Mastermind team is a small group of people who come together with a dedication to a shared goal. Masterminding is engaging in focused conversation and brainstorming with others on a common path. Typically, the issue at hand is business related but the mastermind process could be used around almost any dilemma, project, or experience. Masterminding works because five heads are better then one. And, the sharing of information and ideas allows us to benefit from each other's knowledge and experience.
10. THE MYSTERY OF SEX TRANSMUTATION. This is the ability to switch the mind from thoughts of physical expression, to thoughts of some other nature. Additionally, Hill found that almost every successful person had a supportive person (a love interest) to count on.
11. THE SUBCONSCIOUS MIND. Hill talked about using your mind to visualize your future as you want it to be. And, he talked about following your hunches - the messages that you get from your subconscious mind.
12. THE BRAIN. How much of your brain's full potential do you use? Maximizing your brain power means thinking through your problems instead of emotionally reacting.
13. THE SIXTH SENSE. According to Hill, when you have mastered the first 12 principles you can go through the door to the Temple of Wisdom and tap into your sixth sense - infinite intelligence.
The Mastermind concept (#9 - above) has intrigued me for almost 20 years. So when I was asked to join one of Kellie's MastHerMind groups I knew I wanted in. Kellie's 16-week MastHERmind curriculum is designed to take the team participants, their careers, and their lives to the next level. Unlike some Mastermind teams, we did not collectively read Hill's book. Instead, each week we focused on a different aspect of our lives and our businesses. Topics included finances, work/life balance, branding, marketing, personal development, time management, organization, sales, negotiating, philanthropy and community involvement, health and wellness, web presence, networking, and asset protection. At the end of the program I had developed a new perspective of my business and myself. And, I was clear as to where I wanted to go, both personally and professionally, as well as how I would get there. However, the best part of the experience was the connections I was able to make with some of the women in my group. These women and I share an interest in business and thanks to the MastHERmind process we now also share a strong bond which has kept us together, meeting weekly, for almost two years.
Kellie's MastHERmind curriculum was inspired by the Mastermind concept first described in Napoleon Hill's classic book, Think And Grow Rich. In 1908, Hill was commissioned by Andrew Carnegie - then the richest man in the world - to interview 500 successful people in order to discover and publish a formula for success that the average person could duplicate. For over 20 years, Napoleon Hill continued his research and eventually, in 1937, he condensed his work into his book "Think and Grow Rich." This book, still in print, has sold over 30 million copies and it has influenced and continues to influence our collective thought and most of the current literature and teachings on prosperity and success. Hill's work identified 13 principles for success - one of which was Mastermind. These are his famous 13 principles:
1. DESIRE. Hill believed that a burning desire is the starting point for all achievement. Do you have a burning desire? Have you ever had one? It seems that those who are most successful in life live their lives as a series (or a cycle) of desires, passions, and accomplishments.
2. FAITH. In this context faith is about visualizing and believing that you will attain your desire.
3. AUTO SUGGESTION. Today, we call the concept of auto suggestion affirmation. This is the practice of repeating positive thoughts in order to influence your subconscious mind. An affirmation should be in the present, even if you don't have it yet. So, if your goal is to create a multi-million dollar business, your affirmation would be "I am building a multi-million dollar business." As your plan becomes clearer you would say "I own a multi-million dollar business."
4. SPECIALIZED KNOWLEDGE. Those who pursue knowledge and professional competence are more confident, more competent, and more likely to succeed. What do you do to make yourself professionally competent? How do you continue your professional education?
5. IMAGINATION. As you go about your day think about ways in which things can be done better.
6. ORGANIZED PLANNING. Every goal needs a plan. When you have a plan in place you know what to do next. You've heard the cliché - If we fail to plan, we plan to fail.
7. DECISION. Hill found that successful people are able to reach decisions promptly and change their decisions slowly. What makes a decision good or bad is not necessarily the outcome. Instead, the process that was used to reach the decision is the key. Hill saw the decision making process as a way to master procrastination.
8. PERSISTENCE. Simply stick with it. Don't quit!! And, don't take no for an answer. Instead find a way around your obstacles - which takes us back to imagination.
9. MASTERMIND. According to Hill, a Mastermind team is a small group of people who come together with a dedication to a shared goal. Masterminding is engaging in focused conversation and brainstorming with others on a common path. Typically, the issue at hand is business related but the mastermind process could be used around almost any dilemma, project, or experience. Masterminding works because five heads are better then one. And, the sharing of information and ideas allows us to benefit from each other's knowledge and experience.
10. THE MYSTERY OF SEX TRANSMUTATION. This is the ability to switch the mind from thoughts of physical expression, to thoughts of some other nature. Additionally, Hill found that almost every successful person had a supportive person (a love interest) to count on.
11. THE SUBCONSCIOUS MIND. Hill talked about using your mind to visualize your future as you want it to be. And, he talked about following your hunches - the messages that you get from your subconscious mind.
12. THE BRAIN. How much of your brain's full potential do you use? Maximizing your brain power means thinking through your problems instead of emotionally reacting.
13. THE SIXTH SENSE. According to Hill, when you have mastered the first 12 principles you can go through the door to the Temple of Wisdom and tap into your sixth sense - infinite intelligence.
The Mastermind concept (#9 - above) has intrigued me for almost 20 years. So when I was asked to join one of Kellie's MastHerMind groups I knew I wanted in. Kellie's 16-week MastHERmind curriculum is designed to take the team participants, their careers, and their lives to the next level. Unlike some Mastermind teams, we did not collectively read Hill's book. Instead, each week we focused on a different aspect of our lives and our businesses. Topics included finances, work/life balance, branding, marketing, personal development, time management, organization, sales, negotiating, philanthropy and community involvement, health and wellness, web presence, networking, and asset protection. At the end of the program I had developed a new perspective of my business and myself. And, I was clear as to where I wanted to go, both personally and professionally, as well as how I would get there. However, the best part of the experience was the connections I was able to make with some of the women in my group. These women and I share an interest in business and thanks to the MastHERmind process we now also share a strong bond which has kept us together, meeting weekly, for almost two years.
Elinor Robin, PhD is a Mediator and Mediation Trainer specializing in relationship conflicts related to marriage, divorce, the family, small business, and the workplace. Elinor has served on the faculty of mediation and dispute resolution symposiums throughout Florida as well as nationally and internationally. She brings her academic pursuits, a background in small business and a wide range of experiences from within the family, juvenile, civil, and criminal courts to her work. To learn more about Elinor visit her website http://www.ElinorRobin.com. And, to learn more about her unique divorce mediation practice visit http://www.AFriendlyDivorce.com.
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