Key Takeaways
1. Your Attitude Shapes Your Reality
It is, then, our attitude toward life that determines life’s attitude toward us.
The magic word. Your attitude is the single most important factor determining your results in life, influencing your home, work, and interactions. It's a powerful indicator of what you expect from the world, and the world tends to reflect those expectations back to you. You have complete control over your attitude, setting it anew each morning, whether consciously or unconsciously.
Cause and effect. Just as a mirror reflects your image, your environment reflects your habitual attitude. A cheerful, expectant attitude attracts positive responses, making you the kind of person others enjoy being around. Conversely, a defensive or doubtful attitude can make you a magnet for unpleasant experiences, reinforcing a self-generating, doom-fulfilling prophecy.
Cultivate positivity. To develop a great attitude, practice gratitude and expectancy daily. Treat everyone as the most important person on earth, as this habit fosters self-esteem in others and builds positive relationships. Remember, destructive emotions like anger and jealousy hurt only you; forgive others and yourself to clear your path.
2. Discover Your Acres of Diamonds
The thing about this story that so profoundly affected Dr. Conwell, and subsequently, millions of others, was the idea that each of us is, at this moment, standing in the middle of his or her own acres of diamonds.
Opportunity at hand. Many people spend their lives searching for success elsewhere, unaware that the greatest opportunities often lie within their current circumstances. The famous "Acres of Diamonds" story illustrates this: a farmer sells his land to seek diamonds, only for the buyer to discover the continent's richest diamond mine on that very farm. This parable highlights the importance of thoroughly exploring your present situation before seeking greener pastures.
Intelligent objectivity. To uncover your own "acres of diamonds," cultivate "intelligent objectivity"—the ability to step back and examine your work and life with fresh eyes, as a stranger might. Ask yourself:
- How can I improve what I'm currently doing?
- What needs or wants can I fulfill for my customers or community?
- How will my work evolve in the next 20 years?
- What better ways exist to perform my tasks?
Overcome, don't escape. Don't run away from problems; overcome them right where you are. True triumph comes from working through perplexities, not fleeing them. By dedicating time to dissect your work and brainstorm improvements, you'll find opportunities clamoring to be noticed, transforming your current endeavors into a rich harvest.
3. Define Your Worthy Destination
Success is the progressive realization of a worthy goal.
The power of purpose. People who achieve unusual success, despite handicaps, share a common trait: clear, burning goals. This vision, invisible to others, drives them daily, overcoming obstacles and leading to remarkable achievements. "What the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve" is not just a saying; it's a fundamental truth of human accomplishment.
The journey is the reward. Success isn't solely about achieving a goal; it's the progressive realization of a worthy goal. This means anyone actively working towards a meaningful objective is successful now. Happiness stems from the direction you're moving, the anticipation and effort of the journey, rather than just the destination itself.
- Children are happier before opening presents.
- We are happier preparing for vacation.
- We are happier moving toward our goals.
Set your course. To harness this power, create a "want list" of everything you desire, then prioritize it, making number one your primary goal. Write it down, review it daily, and focus on it. By concentrating your thoughts on a single, worthy goal, you channel your mental power, giving your life direction and purpose, and inevitably drawing that goal closer to you.
4. Unleash the Miracle of Your Mind
The ultimate creative capacity of the human brain may be, for all practical purposes, infinite.
Untapped potential. Experts estimate that most people operate on less than 10% of their mental capacity, with some suggesting as low as 5%. Neurological research indicates the human brain's creative capacity is virtually infinite, a vast storehouse of data we haven't learned to fully program. This means everything you currently have is a result of a tiny fraction of your true mental power.
Problem-solving is key. Successful people aren't problem-free; they've simply learned to solve their problems. A staggering 92% of worries are needless, focusing on things that never happen, past events, or petty concerns. By identifying and focusing on legitimate, solvable problems, you can bridge the gap between your current situation and your goals.
Exercise your mind. To tap into this gigantic potential, dedicate one hour a day, five days a week, to exercising your mind. Take a blank sheet of paper, write your primary goal at the top, and then brainstorm 20 ideas for improving your work or achieving your goal. This practice:
- Deeply embeds your goal into your subconscious.
- Triggers great ideas throughout the day.
- Increases your effectiveness by the equivalent of six-and-a-half extra working weeks per year.
5. Master the Law of Cause and Effect
Our rewards in life will always match our service.
Universal law. The law of cause and effect, often stated as "As ye sow, so shall ye reap," governs everything in the universe. In life, this means your rewards—both tangible (money, possessions) and intangible (happiness, peace of mind)—will always be in direct proportion to your service to others. Any attempt to bypass this law leads to frustration and demoralization.
Examine your service. If you're discontent with your current rewards, objectively examine your service. What are you putting into the "Service" bowl of life's scale? We serve humanity through our interactions with family, friends, coworkers, and customers. The more closely knit this interdependence becomes, the greater human achievement and individual rewards.
Sow intelligently. Don't be like the person waiting for heat before putting wood in the fireplace. To increase your rewards, focus on increasing your service. Ask yourself daily: "How can I increase my service today, knowing that my rewards in life must be in exact proportion to my service?" This intelligent, creative effort ensures your goals are achieved and your "plot of ground" yields an abundant harvest.
6. Build on the Seed of Integrity
And this above all, to thine own self be true. And it must follow as the night the day – thou canst not then be false to any man.
The foundation of life. Integrity is the principle that brings quality, richness, and unwavering peace of mind to life. It means being honest and truthful with yourself and everyone you encounter. True integrity is not stern, but infused with humor, understanding, kindness, and gentleness, never yielding to expediency or the "everyone else is doing it" mentality.
Self-assessment and purpose. Integrity begins with self-knowledge—examining your abilities, talents, and goals. As Dr. Brand Blanshard noted, the richness of life comes from "finding out who one is—i.e., about one’s unique combination of powers—and then discovering through experiment and reflection what course of life will fulfill those powers most completely." This self-truth guides you to your most effective and joyful path.
The unfailing boomerang. Every dishonest act, no matter how small, is like throwing a boomerang; it will inevitably return with a painful blow. Conversely, unfailing integrity is excellent business. By consistently asking, "Is this true? Is this honest? Is this the best I can do?" you set in motion causes that guarantee positive effects, earning respect, trust, and abundant rewards.
7. Choose to Lead, Not Follow
The higher up on the pyramid you climb, the better the view, the fresher the air, and the smaller the crowd.
Break from the average. Only about 5% of people achieve unusual success, largely because most are conditioned by their environment to remain "average." They fall into the "follow the follower" trap, conforming to the crowd's habits, speech, and aspirations, never questioning if their leaders are qualified. This conformity prevents them from realizing their full potential.
Your freedom to choose. You have the freedom to choose your place on society's socioeconomic pyramid. While it takes more effort to climb higher, the rewards are significant:
- Better view and fresher air (quality of life)
- Smaller crowd (less competition)
- Greater contribution to others
- Increased personal growth and fulfillment
Independent paths. Successful individuals, at some point, break away from the crowd and forge their own independent paths. They don't need groups for identity; they are self-aware and contribute meaningfully to organizations without being defined by them. Embrace constructive discontent to motivate your ascent, knowing that it's often "easier to win" where there's less competition at the top.
8. Invest in Your Personal Corporation
A company that is growing has a tendency to continue to grow.
You are a business. Think of yourself as the president of your own personal corporation, responsible for its success or failure. This corporation has four vital functions:
- Finance: Managing your money.
- Production: Your daily output and effectiveness.
- Sales: How you present yourself and your value to others.
- Research: Continuous learning and improvement.
Neglecting any function cripples your growth.
Growth is essential. Just as a company must grow to avoid stagnation, you must continuously grow and improve. The next 10-30 years promise unprecedented opportunities, with consumer markets expanding and R&D spending soaring. Your future is unlimited if you commit to personal growth, aiming to increase your effectiveness by 10% or more annually.
Maximize your assets. You possess immense value: your unique mind, abilities, and time. Don't waste productive hours; learn to enjoy every minute, whether at work or with family. A person can double or triple their effectiveness in a month, far outpacing large corporations. By actively managing your personal corporation's functions, you preset your rewards and build a life of abundance.
9. Understand and Earn Your Money
The amount of money we receive will always be in direct ratio to the demand for what we do, to our ability to do it, and to the difficulty of replacing us.
Money's true value. Money is not inherently bad; it is vitally important as the harvest of our production and service. It provides for necessities, education, comfort, and the means to help others. While it doesn't guarantee happiness, it certainly facilitates it more than poverty. Money is a completely negotiable reward, reflecting the value you bring to the world.
The earning formula. Your income is directly proportional to three factors:
- Demand: How much people need or want what you do.
- Ability: Your skill and competence in performing your work.
- Replaceability: How difficult it is to find someone else to do what you do.
This explains why a brain surgeon earns more than a janitor, despite both being equally important as human beings.
Set financial goals. Most people fail to set specific financial goals. Decide on three amounts:
- Desired yearly income (now or near future).
- Target savings/investment amount.
- Desired retirement income.
Write these down and review them regularly. Then, forget the money itself and focus intensely on increasing your service and improving your skills until you are truly worth the income you seek. Money is an effect, a servant, not a master; valuable service is the cause.
10. Cultivate Knowledge and Language
Knowledge of the exact meanings of a large number of words accompanies outstanding success.
The ladder to success. Your degree of ignorance determines your place in the world, but anyone can overcome it. Knowledge is the most important ladder to climb the social pyramid and reach the top 5%. Since no one can know everything, begin by mastering your language, then delve into your general area of interest.
Language reveals all. Your use of language is the one thing you cannot hide; it instantly proclaims your level on the social pyramid. Studies show a direct correlation between vocabulary size and executive level and income. Children with better vocabularies achieve better grades. Deliberately learning new words expands your knowledge base, as each new word acts as a nucleus for related ideas.
Lifelong learning. Make it a point to continuously expand your knowledge.
- Read 15 minutes daily: This habit alone can lead to reading 1,000 books in a lifetime.
- Utilize audio programs: An effortless and effective way to learn, especially while driving or doing other tasks.
- Study your field: Become a first-class professional by knowing all there is to know about your work.
A mind stretched by a new idea can never return to its original dimensions; continuous learning is the key to growth, enjoyment, and success.
11. Conquer Each Day, One Task at a Time
Do, each day, all that can be done that day.
The building blocks of life. A successful life is simply a collection of successful days, and each day is built from successful tasks. To achieve your goals, focus on living successfully one day at a time, treating each day as a building block in the tower of your life. The quality and efficiency of each task, not just the quantity, determine the strength and beauty of your overall structure.
The $25,000 idea. To bring order and efficiency to your days, adopt Ivy Lee's method:
- List six most important tasks for tomorrow.
- Number them in order of importance.
- Start with #1 and stay with it until completed.
- Move to #2, and so on.
This simple yet powerful system eliminates confusion, ensures important tasks are prioritized, and dramatically increases your accomplishment rate.
Stay the course. Don't get sidetracked by distractions or worry about the distant future. Concentrate on each task of the day, performing it as successfully as you can. This consistent, unrelenting succession of successful days will inevitably lead you to your goals. As William James advised, "If they will do each day as best they can the work which is before them, they will wake up one day to find themselves among the competent people of their generation."
12. Become the Indispensable Leader
The man or woman who becomes truly outstanding at what he or she does has the world on a string.
Leadership is key. Every successful organization, from a small business to a large corporation, thrives on strong leadership. Morale and attitude filter down from the top, reflecting the "person on the white horse" who takes ultimate responsibility. These leaders are dreamers, planners, and problem-solvers, often working tirelessly to drive growth and success.
Specialize and solve. During the Depression, while millions sought "any job," one man found work by specializing. He researched a business, identified its problems, and offered solutions, proving his value rather than just asking for a paycheck. This demonstrates that security comes from becoming outstanding and indispensable in a particular line of work.
- Select a field: Choose an area where you can build a career.
- Become an expert: Learn everything about that business/industry.
- Offer solutions: Focus on how you can help a company or community.
Be outstanding. The person who is truly outstanding in their field possesses confidence, peace of mind, and an intimate knowledge of their work. They are always in demand, regardless of economic conditions. Make the conscious decision to become this person. By dedicating yourself to excellence and continuous improvement, you will not only achieve your goals but also inspire others and secure your place among the most valuable individuals in society.
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