I appreciate your feedback and I of course agree with you that in life we ARE constantly giving in order to get. However, this wasn’t exactly what I was getting at. You see, what I DON’T agree with is how this quote leads into the second which states that we must fail monumentally and struggle before we will ever “make it.”

This places the assumption and expectation in one’s mind that before they will ever be successful, they must endure strife. For me, the Law of Attraction works because I refuse to believe this statement. I act as if I cannot fail.

I believe that if you are “waiting” to fail so that you can eventually become successful, you most certainly will fail!

The expectation of failure is a limiting belief that will hold you back from becoming successful and that is what I believe.

Do you see the difference?

Anyways, I am so happy to see you taking part in this discussion. I wrote this post to be controversial on purpose as I wanted to spark a fascinating conversation like this one. So thank you.

And for the record, I AM a huge Napoleon Hill fan Just food for thought.

Cheers!

Alexandra

Thanks for the blog post Alex, I just discovered your blog and I am enjoying it.

As a big fan of Think and Grow Rich this post definitely made me think. I read your post with an open mind and a willingness to challenge my current beliefs and assumptions. However, after thinking about it, I disagree with your analysis of the first Napolean Hill quote …

“Determine exactly what you intend to give in return for the money you desire. There is no such reality as something for nothing.”

To which you said
“What!?! I have to give something up in order to become successful? That is the biggest load of bullshit I have ever heard. Outdated or not – that statement is absolutely FALSE.

Of course we have all heard the phrase “there is no such thing as a free lunch” but I am telling you there is – and it tastes damn good. Any modern-day marketer, including myself, knows that it’s the free lunches that keep our customers coming back for more.”

Your line of reasoning doesn’t make sense to me. Maybe you have a different definition of what it means to “give’ something than Napolean Hill and I do. I think that it is fantastic that you have created the life of your dreams at such a young age. I am also very confident that you did that by giving. The money didn’t just flow to you because you wanted it to. You created value and you gave it to others. You gave your time to learn skills and to cultivate your talents. Your blogs for example are something that you give to others. You give your time and talents in doing the outstanding work that I hear you do with MindValley.

Everything I have seen that you do is focused on giving and creating value for others. This is why I am perplexed at you calling that first quote bullshit.

You say that “it’s the free lunches that keep our customers coming back for more.” To me this perfectly illustrates Napolean Hill’s quote, you are giving something to your customers. You may not being getting money back in direct return for the blog posts or other “freebies” that you give to people but those things are certainly profitable to you. They profit you in building trust, rapport, and gratitude with people. This gives you influence which can bring you money from multiple sources. In your case it seems like it certainly does bring you money because you are financially successful. I am willing to bet all of the money that has flown to you has been because you gave your, time, talents and value.

Yes, you are giving something for free to your followers and to prospective customers. But unless those people do something, the “freebies” you give them won’t do them any good. They have to give their time and efforts in learning and applying the things you give them.

The Law of Attraction does work. However, it works in concert with the Law of Action. Money does not flow to people without them taking action. It is an incredibly powerful way to create what you want including money, but it is not a “free lunch.” You may not have to “give” any money to attract the money that you desire but you do have to “give” your time and effort to create and “give” value to others.

From what I have seen, you have “given” a lot “in return for the money you desire,” so it appears that you have done exactly what Napolean Hill said to do in his quote. So once again, I’m not sure why you think the first quote is bullshit. I have the thought that in your desire to challenge conventional wisdom and to be controversial you might have misinterpreted Napolean Hill’s meaning. I think your willingness to cut through the bullshit and shoot straight is a great strength of yours, however sometimes our greatest strengths can create blind spots.

I am open to challenging and changing my understanding on this point, being open is the only way to learn and grow. Who knows, maybe I am the one missing something. I would love to hear further explanation from you on this, I hope you are open to my opinion as well.

All the best to you, Keep up the good work and have a great day Alex!

Aaron Neal
sosaaron@gmail.com

Anyways working at MV must be cool and it sounds like your enjoying what you do.
~cheers

Most of what people want, like money, requires a flow from somewhere to them. In order to allow a flow in to you it will help to create a flow out from you. I don’t believe Hill means you have to sacrifice something of yourself. I believe he means you have to create something and flow it out in exchange for what you flow in.

I believe the second quote, “all who succeed in life get off to a bad start, and pass through many heartbreaking struggles before they “arrive” and that the turning point in the lives of those who succeed usually comes at the moment of some crisis,” is there as an encouragement to persist through difficult times. While not required for success, difficult times prior to success are common among people who succeed. He is saying that when you push toward your goal you will likely encounter some roadblocks.

But I agree with you in this sense: If you proceed with the full assumption that there is no such thing as something in your way, you will arrive.

I had a great childhood, great teenage years, and now I’m in my fabulous early twenties. And yes things’ll get better and more successful. And no, i won’t hit rock bottom before that happens. hells no.

here’s to the free lunch (which I had yesterday!)

bummer

LOL.

Good post!