What do you think?
Rate this book
Success Habits: Proven Principles for Greater Wealth, Health, and Happiness
In Success Habits , Napoleon Hill outlines his principles of success, a set of key tenets and beliefs that provide a basis for life-changing success. Hill, the legendary author of the classic bestseller Think and Grow Rich , has been immortalized for his contribution to the self-help genre. This never-before-published work provides even more of the kind of wisdom that has changed the lives of millions. With straightforward engaging language, Hill explains the fundamental rules that lead to a prosperous life. From the importance of having a definite purpose to the inexorable influence of the cosmic habit force, Hill’s principles offer a new way of thinking about intention, self-discipline, and the way we lead our lives.
Originally delivered as a series of speeches, Success Habits is filled with personal anecdotes and stories to illustrate the principles of success. Hill’s insights apply to every facet of life, inspiring readers to leverage his principles to achieve their own aspirations and create the successful lives they have always dreamed of.
Originally delivered as a series of speeches, Success Habits is filled with personal anecdotes and stories to illustrate the principles of success. Hill’s insights apply to every facet of life, inspiring readers to leverage his principles to achieve their own aspirations and create the successful lives they have always dreamed of.
240 pages, Paperback
Published January 6, 2022
191 people are currently reading
1532 people want to read
About the author
Napoleon Hill
1,563 books5,375 followersOliver Napoleon Hill was an American self-help author and conman. He is best known for his book Think and Grow Rich (1937), which is among the best-selling self-help books of all time. Hill's works insisted that fervid expectations are essential to improving one's life. Most of his books were promoted as expounding principles to achieve "success".
Hill is a controversial figure. Accused of fraud, modern historians also doubt many of his claims, such as that he met Andrew Carnegie and that he was an attorney.
Hill is a controversial figure. Accused of fraud, modern historians also doubt many of his claims, such as that he met Andrew Carnegie and that he was an attorney.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 113 reviews
January 29, 2019
Not Always Sage Advice
Transcribed from a series of radio talks in Paris Missouri in an undisclosed year, Success Habits is a self-help set of principles to guide us to greater life success. It acts as a set of rules to live by that will guarantee peace of mind, quality of purpose, and a prosperous life. The standout principle of Cosmic Habit Force cements his teaching into a required series of habits that must be regularly and consistently executed without fail.
I often wonder if Hill would be at the top of his game if her were alive today? At the very least his school would require a huge overhaul. Though his work has been immortalized and though he has worked with some of history’s most impressive luminaries, I cannot help but wonder at the juvenile delivery of his simplistic principles. His work is the epitome of simple but not easy however hearing the same principles put forth by others in the same field tends to resonate more perhaps because of the way Hill presents himself.
He seems full of his own ego and maybe it partly has to do with the translation of these radio talks to print but Hill seems to loves him some him. Curiously, egotism is a big no-no in his book yet Hill is ripe with it. Maybe hard to see in one’s own self.
I may not so much disagree with what he is saying but with the way he says it. Perhaps the way he frames and defines certain notions needs to be better explained because when he makes a statement such as “an introvert fixes his mind on his own selfish interests, and takes very little interest in other people” I could not disagree more. I wonder how he defines an introvert because his definition and mine could not be further apart. Nonetheless, this statement is a complete turn-off and a red flag, not something I would think Hill would want associated with his work.
There are other principles of his work that I find questionable such as his idea that idle time is always bad. I disagree. Sometimes idle time is exactly what is required to recharge creative juices and for those of us that suffer the ill effects of the monkey mind and inability to disconnect, Hill’s advice to always be in perpetual motion towards a goal seems like bad advice. Also, an acceptance of a life circumstance even while working to change the outcome is prudent opposed to Hills assertion to non-acceptance. Some things are unchangeable and to rail against that is counterproductive. His son’s hearing issues are a good example. What if his attempts made no difference?
Read it if you are into the genre to get an expanded view of the topic but do beware to take some things with a grain of salt.
Transcribed from a series of radio talks in Paris Missouri in an undisclosed year, Success Habits is a self-help set of principles to guide us to greater life success. It acts as a set of rules to live by that will guarantee peace of mind, quality of purpose, and a prosperous life. The standout principle of Cosmic Habit Force cements his teaching into a required series of habits that must be regularly and consistently executed without fail.
I often wonder if Hill would be at the top of his game if her were alive today? At the very least his school would require a huge overhaul. Though his work has been immortalized and though he has worked with some of history’s most impressive luminaries, I cannot help but wonder at the juvenile delivery of his simplistic principles. His work is the epitome of simple but not easy however hearing the same principles put forth by others in the same field tends to resonate more perhaps because of the way Hill presents himself.
He seems full of his own ego and maybe it partly has to do with the translation of these radio talks to print but Hill seems to loves him some him. Curiously, egotism is a big no-no in his book yet Hill is ripe with it. Maybe hard to see in one’s own self.
I may not so much disagree with what he is saying but with the way he says it. Perhaps the way he frames and defines certain notions needs to be better explained because when he makes a statement such as “an introvert fixes his mind on his own selfish interests, and takes very little interest in other people” I could not disagree more. I wonder how he defines an introvert because his definition and mine could not be further apart. Nonetheless, this statement is a complete turn-off and a red flag, not something I would think Hill would want associated with his work.
There are other principles of his work that I find questionable such as his idea that idle time is always bad. I disagree. Sometimes idle time is exactly what is required to recharge creative juices and for those of us that suffer the ill effects of the monkey mind and inability to disconnect, Hill’s advice to always be in perpetual motion towards a goal seems like bad advice. Also, an acceptance of a life circumstance even while working to change the outcome is prudent opposed to Hills assertion to non-acceptance. Some things are unchangeable and to rail against that is counterproductive. His son’s hearing issues are a good example. What if his attempts made no difference?
Read it if you are into the genre to get an expanded view of the topic but do beware to take some things with a grain of salt.
March 15, 2020
Success Habits: Proven Principles for Greater Wealth, Health, and Happiness
Napoleon Hill
2018
Napoleon Hill’s first book was Law of Success in 1928. It was just in time for the market crash of 1929 and the subsequent recession that followed. In 1937 he published his, Think and Grow Rich a best seller and a cornerstone of the motivational book genre.
The current book is based on transcripts found of a series of radio lectures that he delivered in 1952 in Paris, Missouri. Having not read his other books, I can only say that I was impressed with the folksy wisdom that he shared with the radio audience.
Recommended reading for young and old, successful or ambitious, interested in history or interested in the future. My notes should reveal some of his insights.
Notes:
23: Here are the nine basic motives, some combination of which is used by all people who accomplish anything:
1. Love
2. Sex
3. Material wealth
4. Self-preservation
5. Freedom of body and mind
6. Personal expression and fulfillment
7. Perpetuation of live after death
8. Desire for revenge (negative)
9. The grandfather of them all….FEAR
34: Opinions usually are without value, because they are typically based on bias, prejudice, intolerance, guesswork, or hearsay evidence.
43: Plans do not create themselves.
65: Faith is a state of mind which must be cultivated by some technique which will help the individual to take possession of his own mind at all times and for all purposes, and to be able to direct it to any desire, with the belief that this end will be obtained.
68: That motto is that whatever the mind can conceive and believe the mind can achieve. Three key words: conceive, believe and achieve.
76:…when you believe in a thing, when you take steps to carry it out as if it already had been accomplished, it puts the power of infinite intelligence squarely back of you.
77: I would say that the best part of my experiences came not out of my successes but out of my failures, because I survived those failures.
89: If you fail today, the chances are you will have acquired something that will enable you not to fail tomorrow.
94: Genius is one tenth inspiration and nine tenths perspiration ~ Thomas Edison
100: The fifteen major causes of failure
1. Drifting
2. Unfavourable physical heredities at birth
3. Meddlesome curiosity in other’s affairs
4. Lack of definite, major purpose as a life goal
5. Inadequate education
a. Latin educio, which means to draw out, to develop from within.
6. Lack of self discipline, excess eating, drinking, sex etc…
7. Acceptance of mediocrity
8. Ill health
9. Unfavourable environmental influences during childhood
10. Lack of persistence
11. Negative mental attitude
12. Lack of control of the emotions of the heart
13. Desire of something for nothing
14. Procrastination
15. Giving in to one of more of the seven basic fear
a. Poverty
b. Criticism
c. Ill health
d. Loss of love
e. Old age
f. Loss of liberty
g. Death
119: Two most common causes of failure
1. Quitting when the going is hard
2. Procrastination
126: To him that hath, it shall be given, and to him that hath not, it shall be taken away even unto that which he has.
• For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. ~ Mark 4:24,25
• For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath ~ Matthew 25:29
So it this about faith? Is this about love? Is this about money? Is this about all of the above and a reflection that when GOD shared Free Will with us (and gave up some of his omnipotence) he invested in us something great and therefore expected from us a great return? GOD understands Free Markets and Capitalism but more important so did Jesus’ disciples in their teachings to us. ~ @LinoVersion
131: I was blessed at birth with four powerful causes for struggle:
1. Poverty
2. Fear
3. Superstition
4. Illiteracy
140: The one thing that the Creator intended every human being to do was to exercise complete control over his own mind, and to direct that mind to the attainment of whatever the individual considered to be necessary for his success and peace of mind.
141: Back in the early days I didn’t have self-confidence.
158: Factors that make up a pleasing personality
1. Positive mental attitude
2. Flexibility
3. Pleasing tone of voice
4. Tolerance
5. Sense of humour
6. Frankness of manner and speech
7. Pleasing facial expression
8. Keen sense of justice
9. Sincerity of purpose in all human relationships
10. Versatility
11. Tactfulness
12. Prompt decision making
13. Faith in infinite intelligence
14. Appropriate of words used
15. Controlled enthusiasm
16. Sportsmanship
17. Common courtesy
18. Personal adornment
19. Good showmanship
20. Going the extra mile
21. Temperance
22. Patience
23. Gracefulness in posture and carriage
24. Humility of the heart
25. Personal magnetism
181: Now consider some of the things that you shall not do if you want to have a pleasing personality.
1. Habit of breaking in when others are speaking
2. Selfishness expressed by word or deed
3. Sarcasm should not be used
4. Exaggeration of speech
5. Expression of egotism
6. Indifference
7. Envy
8. False flattery
9. Slovenliness in speech
10. Monopolizing conversations
11. Conveying impression of superiority
12. Insincerity
13. Gossip
14. Fault finding
15. Challenging people with whom you disagree
190: Cosmic habit force is a law of the universe into which all of the other natural laws blend and become a part
1. Power of control over one’s mind
2. Means by which he can organize privilege of using his own mind
3. There must be a technique, a plan a method
191: The eight guiding princes:
1. Financial prosperity
2. Sound physical health
3. Peace of mind
4. Prince of hope
5. Prince of faith
6. Prince of love
7. Prince of romance
8. Overall wisdom
197: Very often I canny out my instructions to my eight princes in silence, generally just before I go to sleep. I call their attention to my needs, and express my gratitude in advance for having received and responded to my requests. That’s highly important.
199: The law of harmonious attraction. That law states that like attracts like.
200: …nobody is going to make me angry unless I wish to become angry, because I have a system of keeping my mind positive…
202: Struggle to me is just a way of becoming stronger.
203:…development of a system of applying the principle of going the extra mile…
209: You can become a success or you can become a failure, and the way you become a success is by recognizing the power of your mind, by laying out the patterns that you wish to carry out, and by keeping your mind focused on their patterns until this great law of cosmic habit force automatically picks up the patterns and carries them out to their logical conclusion.
213: They suffer from a lack of confidence in self.
215: You’ll never be an educated person, no matter how many degrees you have, unless you understand and adapt yourself to the laws of nature, and especially this great overall comptroller of all of the natural laws known as the law of cosmic habit force.
218: …familiar with the statements that appear in many places in the Bible about the power available when two or more people meet and ask for things in the name of the Master.
219: The business of slandering people….is bad.
220: You can’t prosper and have peace of mind without being in tune with the infinite.
221: Give and you shall receive
222: Last but not least, let us remember that whatever the mind can conceive and believe, the mind can achieve.
~ Napoleon Hill
Napoleon Hill
2018
Napoleon Hill’s first book was Law of Success in 1928. It was just in time for the market crash of 1929 and the subsequent recession that followed. In 1937 he published his, Think and Grow Rich a best seller and a cornerstone of the motivational book genre.
The current book is based on transcripts found of a series of radio lectures that he delivered in 1952 in Paris, Missouri. Having not read his other books, I can only say that I was impressed with the folksy wisdom that he shared with the radio audience.
Recommended reading for young and old, successful or ambitious, interested in history or interested in the future. My notes should reveal some of his insights.
Notes:
23: Here are the nine basic motives, some combination of which is used by all people who accomplish anything:
1. Love
2. Sex
3. Material wealth
4. Self-preservation
5. Freedom of body and mind
6. Personal expression and fulfillment
7. Perpetuation of live after death
8. Desire for revenge (negative)
9. The grandfather of them all….FEAR
34: Opinions usually are without value, because they are typically based on bias, prejudice, intolerance, guesswork, or hearsay evidence.
43: Plans do not create themselves.
65: Faith is a state of mind which must be cultivated by some technique which will help the individual to take possession of his own mind at all times and for all purposes, and to be able to direct it to any desire, with the belief that this end will be obtained.
68: That motto is that whatever the mind can conceive and believe the mind can achieve. Three key words: conceive, believe and achieve.
76:…when you believe in a thing, when you take steps to carry it out as if it already had been accomplished, it puts the power of infinite intelligence squarely back of you.
77: I would say that the best part of my experiences came not out of my successes but out of my failures, because I survived those failures.
89: If you fail today, the chances are you will have acquired something that will enable you not to fail tomorrow.
94: Genius is one tenth inspiration and nine tenths perspiration ~ Thomas Edison
100: The fifteen major causes of failure
1. Drifting
2. Unfavourable physical heredities at birth
3. Meddlesome curiosity in other’s affairs
4. Lack of definite, major purpose as a life goal
5. Inadequate education
a. Latin educio, which means to draw out, to develop from within.
6. Lack of self discipline, excess eating, drinking, sex etc…
7. Acceptance of mediocrity
8. Ill health
9. Unfavourable environmental influences during childhood
10. Lack of persistence
11. Negative mental attitude
12. Lack of control of the emotions of the heart
13. Desire of something for nothing
14. Procrastination
15. Giving in to one of more of the seven basic fear
a. Poverty
b. Criticism
c. Ill health
d. Loss of love
e. Old age
f. Loss of liberty
g. Death
119: Two most common causes of failure
1. Quitting when the going is hard
2. Procrastination
126: To him that hath, it shall be given, and to him that hath not, it shall be taken away even unto that which he has.
• For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. ~ Mark 4:24,25
• For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath ~ Matthew 25:29
So it this about faith? Is this about love? Is this about money? Is this about all of the above and a reflection that when GOD shared Free Will with us (and gave up some of his omnipotence) he invested in us something great and therefore expected from us a great return? GOD understands Free Markets and Capitalism but more important so did Jesus’ disciples in their teachings to us. ~ @LinoVersion
131: I was blessed at birth with four powerful causes for struggle:
1. Poverty
2. Fear
3. Superstition
4. Illiteracy
140: The one thing that the Creator intended every human being to do was to exercise complete control over his own mind, and to direct that mind to the attainment of whatever the individual considered to be necessary for his success and peace of mind.
141: Back in the early days I didn’t have self-confidence.
158: Factors that make up a pleasing personality
1. Positive mental attitude
2. Flexibility
3. Pleasing tone of voice
4. Tolerance
5. Sense of humour
6. Frankness of manner and speech
7. Pleasing facial expression
8. Keen sense of justice
9. Sincerity of purpose in all human relationships
10. Versatility
11. Tactfulness
12. Prompt decision making
13. Faith in infinite intelligence
14. Appropriate of words used
15. Controlled enthusiasm
16. Sportsmanship
17. Common courtesy
18. Personal adornment
19. Good showmanship
20. Going the extra mile
21. Temperance
22. Patience
23. Gracefulness in posture and carriage
24. Humility of the heart
25. Personal magnetism
181: Now consider some of the things that you shall not do if you want to have a pleasing personality.
1. Habit of breaking in when others are speaking
2. Selfishness expressed by word or deed
3. Sarcasm should not be used
4. Exaggeration of speech
5. Expression of egotism
6. Indifference
7. Envy
8. False flattery
9. Slovenliness in speech
10. Monopolizing conversations
11. Conveying impression of superiority
12. Insincerity
13. Gossip
14. Fault finding
15. Challenging people with whom you disagree
190: Cosmic habit force is a law of the universe into which all of the other natural laws blend and become a part
1. Power of control over one’s mind
2. Means by which he can organize privilege of using his own mind
3. There must be a technique, a plan a method
191: The eight guiding princes:
1. Financial prosperity
2. Sound physical health
3. Peace of mind
4. Prince of hope
5. Prince of faith
6. Prince of love
7. Prince of romance
8. Overall wisdom
197: Very often I canny out my instructions to my eight princes in silence, generally just before I go to sleep. I call their attention to my needs, and express my gratitude in advance for having received and responded to my requests. That’s highly important.
199: The law of harmonious attraction. That law states that like attracts like.
200: …nobody is going to make me angry unless I wish to become angry, because I have a system of keeping my mind positive…
202: Struggle to me is just a way of becoming stronger.
203:…development of a system of applying the principle of going the extra mile…
209: You can become a success or you can become a failure, and the way you become a success is by recognizing the power of your mind, by laying out the patterns that you wish to carry out, and by keeping your mind focused on their patterns until this great law of cosmic habit force automatically picks up the patterns and carries them out to their logical conclusion.
213: They suffer from a lack of confidence in self.
215: You’ll never be an educated person, no matter how many degrees you have, unless you understand and adapt yourself to the laws of nature, and especially this great overall comptroller of all of the natural laws known as the law of cosmic habit force.
218: …familiar with the statements that appear in many places in the Bible about the power available when two or more people meet and ask for things in the name of the Master.
219: The business of slandering people….is bad.
220: You can’t prosper and have peace of mind without being in tune with the infinite.
221: Give and you shall receive
222: Last but not least, let us remember that whatever the mind can conceive and believe, the mind can achieve.
~ Napoleon Hill
July 30, 2020
Perfectly Perfect.
October 28, 2024
i’ve felt lost for awhile and this book helped me find myself again. i originally started it in the beginning of September and i thought “seems cool, nothing too crazy” and i let it just sit there for almost 2 months. i’m so grateful i gave it a second chance because although 2 months ago it maybe didn’t make sense or wasn’t needed in the moment, this book really helped me find my purpose again and realise how much power i hold over my own mind and body. at times it was kinda funny because of the things he would say (since this book was written in the 50s), but it was also so refreshing. so blessed i got to read this book !
August 3, 2021
Thing to remember:”whatever the mind can conceive and believe, the mind can achieve. It happens to be true because if you conceive a thing and believe it and make a definite picture of it in your mind, the law of cosmic habit force takes over that picture and guides you to the physical equivalent of that thing. That’s how it happens to be true. “
So much to learn from this book, you can achieve anything that you want. Have a positive mental attitude!
So much to learn from this book, you can achieve anything that you want. Have a positive mental attitude!
January 29, 2020
I can see why these recordings were burried deep in an archive somewhere and never published during Napoleon Hill's life. For the most part the author comes across as an arrogant white man who knows everything, although in one section he says that we should be patient with others and try to understand their circumstances, the next minute he's judging people again.
He also says that introverts are self centered whereas extroverts care about other which is an extreme generalisation and for the most part I personally have observed the opposite.
Alsl I'm guessing this work has influenced a lot of new age spiritual teachings as a lot of Law of Attraction theory seems to be in here.
I wouldn't recommend spending anytime on this audio book and invest it in modern thought leaders instead.
He also says that introverts are self centered whereas extroverts care about other which is an extreme generalisation and for the most part I personally have observed the opposite.
Alsl I'm guessing this work has influenced a lot of new age spiritual teachings as a lot of Law of Attraction theory seems to be in here.
I wouldn't recommend spending anytime on this audio book and invest it in modern thought leaders instead.
August 27, 2022
Woof.
Repetitive and painfully outdated.
He leans hard on faith, law of attraction style thinking, and bootstrapping. All his idols were brutal capitalists, and Adolf Hitler was a big fan of his (according to him).
He also refused to teach his Deaf son ASL or lip-reading because that would be succumbing to "negative thinking."
Repetitive and painfully outdated.
He leans hard on faith, law of attraction style thinking, and bootstrapping. All his idols were brutal capitalists, and Adolf Hitler was a big fan of his (according to him).
He also refused to teach his Deaf son ASL or lip-reading because that would be succumbing to "negative thinking."
February 17, 2024
Listening to the audio-book, I have to admit that the narration style and the author's expression were less appealing than I was expecting. It felt as though the author was somewhat disconnected from some of the principles he was advising. Despite these, I rate this book 3-stars due to the clarity and conciseness of the presented suggestions.
June 28, 2023
Not bad for my first mental inspiration success book. Short and sweet which was nice to get through. Enjoyed the failure chapters in comparison to success philosophy’s. Main takeaway: the mind controls all. Infinite intelligence is out there, it is your job to go after it. Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, the mind can achieve.
April 6, 2022
As always, a very motivating book from mr. Hill. I find all his books to be motivating and to me initiative and excitement for the future.
July 20, 2022
dont understand it
August 29, 2024
So much to unpack. Great read for personal and professional growth. Will reread!
November 7, 2020
Really enjoyed this one! Lots of key knowledge I'll be using.
3.7/5
3.7/5
January 28, 2021
Felt really outdated for the modern world. And confusing.
September 20, 2020
3.5/5- rounded to four because... Math? And GR doesn't allow a book to earn a half.
This text is a compendium of radio show talks from Dr. Napolean Hill from Paris during a time when my dad was probably younger than I am now (perhaps not). This "book" (if it can be called such) promises to deliver principles that will lead to vaster wealth, happiness, and health. It does most of that, to a certain extent. Readers must approach this book like a talkshow, which is clearly stated at the forefront. It should not be evaluated as a book, it should be read as a radio talk show, completely transcribed.
To preface, I don't knock a book down on stars because I disagree with its premise. To me that is not reasonable to demote stars, everyone is entitled to their opinions and ideas, so long as they can be supported. Dr. Hill's research and evidence is interesting. His research stems from a group of famous people from back in the day. He was given a project by a famous dude and then asked to devise a success "philosophy" that could be digested by the masses. Hence the birthing of the concepts in this book.
Hill claims to have been in contact with all the big shows back in the day, such as Henry Ford, whom he cites multiple times in this book. Most of the concepts in this book are good. There are also some excellent nuggets that are life altering and what make this book a classic. I am not going to share what those are here, as I think what I take from the book as useful may be different from another's extrapolations. I did disagree with some parts, especially where Hill chirps that we need to all make muses in order to be fulfilled spiritually. That was a bit wonky for me to read. He also mentions Jesus. I was a bit confused on where his faith actually stems from, but I think he is more a believe of creating muses to soothe the spirit. This book is not losing a star for state its wordy beliefs.
Although this book is old and another copy should surface to reflect contemporary success habits, it would not surprise me if a book that was written about all of today's success gurus were to find similar traits listed in this text. This book has good ideas. Great ones even. It could be considered a self help classic.
However, it is super repetitive on some of its points. Mind drying repetitive. Several times my excitement for this book would fizzle away because I rubbing my eyes from yet another restated point, another sentence that was exactly the same three chapters ago. I tried to be understanding and tell myself "this is not a book, it is a transcription of Paris talk show." But I cannot make excuses for a book to earn 5 stars. That isn't objective reviewing, that's subjective reviewing in that I am projecting my desires for this book to BE a 5 star read but it simply isn't (at least in my opinion).
The worst part of this book for me were that some ideas were naked. And by that I mean, they were stated and then Hill moves on quickly to the next principle. Some principles are elaborated on like no tomorrow. Two pages are dedicated to not cursing. Some of the principles are contradictory too.
I also didn't like how Hill supports his points and tries to set himself up like his ideas are bulletproof. Its near the start of the book, where he basically states: "I have this success philosophy. It is proven. It is proven cause I talked to Ford and some other famous dudes. So there! You cannot break my argument." Hill forgets that his entire book is an argument. Hill isn't writing facts, even though he acts like he is. It really irked me. There was a level of conceitedness in this book that rubbed me the wrong way; it really came through at the start of the book when Hill tries to state this his points cannot be destroyed.
Overall, this is a good book though. Normally repetitive prose and a pompous tone earns a 3 stars from me, but the ideas in this book are good. I did find myself thinking about them. I did find myself trying to apply them. When a book does that to you, especially a self help book, then you know, as a reader, that it has achieved its purpose.
Although I will not be applying everything that Hill states, and I do not think this is an AMAZING book, I would say it has earned a solid 3.5 stars. It is not a 5 star due to its repetitive nature, elongated prose on certain points, and not enough words dedicated to ideas that needed it. For example, this books title has health in it, and I am not sure Hill addresses it at all in this book. Another shallow idea that was not properly fleshed out.
This text is a compendium of radio show talks from Dr. Napolean Hill from Paris during a time when my dad was probably younger than I am now (perhaps not). This "book" (if it can be called such) promises to deliver principles that will lead to vaster wealth, happiness, and health. It does most of that, to a certain extent. Readers must approach this book like a talkshow, which is clearly stated at the forefront. It should not be evaluated as a book, it should be read as a radio talk show, completely transcribed.
To preface, I don't knock a book down on stars because I disagree with its premise. To me that is not reasonable to demote stars, everyone is entitled to their opinions and ideas, so long as they can be supported. Dr. Hill's research and evidence is interesting. His research stems from a group of famous people from back in the day. He was given a project by a famous dude and then asked to devise a success "philosophy" that could be digested by the masses. Hence the birthing of the concepts in this book.
Hill claims to have been in contact with all the big shows back in the day, such as Henry Ford, whom he cites multiple times in this book. Most of the concepts in this book are good. There are also some excellent nuggets that are life altering and what make this book a classic. I am not going to share what those are here, as I think what I take from the book as useful may be different from another's extrapolations. I did disagree with some parts, especially where Hill chirps that we need to all make muses in order to be fulfilled spiritually. That was a bit wonky for me to read. He also mentions Jesus. I was a bit confused on where his faith actually stems from, but I think he is more a believe of creating muses to soothe the spirit. This book is not losing a star for state its wordy beliefs.
Although this book is old and another copy should surface to reflect contemporary success habits, it would not surprise me if a book that was written about all of today's success gurus were to find similar traits listed in this text. This book has good ideas. Great ones even. It could be considered a self help classic.
However, it is super repetitive on some of its points. Mind drying repetitive. Several times my excitement for this book would fizzle away because I rubbing my eyes from yet another restated point, another sentence that was exactly the same three chapters ago. I tried to be understanding and tell myself "this is not a book, it is a transcription of Paris talk show." But I cannot make excuses for a book to earn 5 stars. That isn't objective reviewing, that's subjective reviewing in that I am projecting my desires for this book to BE a 5 star read but it simply isn't (at least in my opinion).
The worst part of this book for me were that some ideas were naked. And by that I mean, they were stated and then Hill moves on quickly to the next principle. Some principles are elaborated on like no tomorrow. Two pages are dedicated to not cursing. Some of the principles are contradictory too.
I also didn't like how Hill supports his points and tries to set himself up like his ideas are bulletproof. Its near the start of the book, where he basically states: "I have this success philosophy. It is proven. It is proven cause I talked to Ford and some other famous dudes. So there! You cannot break my argument." Hill forgets that his entire book is an argument. Hill isn't writing facts, even though he acts like he is. It really irked me. There was a level of conceitedness in this book that rubbed me the wrong way; it really came through at the start of the book when Hill tries to state this his points cannot be destroyed.
Overall, this is a good book though. Normally repetitive prose and a pompous tone earns a 3 stars from me, but the ideas in this book are good. I did find myself thinking about them. I did find myself trying to apply them. When a book does that to you, especially a self help book, then you know, as a reader, that it has achieved its purpose.
Although I will not be applying everything that Hill states, and I do not think this is an AMAZING book, I would say it has earned a solid 3.5 stars. It is not a 5 star due to its repetitive nature, elongated prose on certain points, and not enough words dedicated to ideas that needed it. For example, this books title has health in it, and I am not sure Hill addresses it at all in this book. Another shallow idea that was not properly fleshed out.
January 26, 2021
My Key Notes:
1. To live with definitive purpose is to act with intention and meaning. Your objectives must be clearly defined without room of misinterpretation.
2. To live with applied faith by working towards your goals with a burning desire. Challenges will enviably come, but everything worth living for comes at a cost. And you must go the extra mile with everything you do before expecting any benefit in return.
3. Comic habit force relates to the law of universe; taking possession of your own mind; and drawing wisdom from our senses.
4. The book discusses causes of failure and factors of a pleasing personality. The key attributes I want to work on include:
i) Decisiveness and procrastination – because time and energy are precious resources. One of my goals this year includes practicing effective productivity which includes applying the 80/20 rule etc.
ii) Self-discipline – with most ideals in life (e.g. happiness, success, etc.) hard work will get you there, however without self-discipline you will never keep it.
iii) Positive mental attitude – I want to be a source of positive energy for everyone around me. I know I can make a difference in this world even though seemingly insignificant.
Inspiring Fact:
Napoleon Hill worked for 20 years without pay to research and write the first ever book on the philosophy of success titled ‘Laws of Success’. He clearly lived and breathed the concepts discussed in the book to achieve wild success and leave a lasting legacy.
Fave Quotes:
On definitive purpose and applied faith:
• “I’m talking to you now about the difference between a successful man and an unsuccessful man. You take an unsuccessful person and generally, when he gives instructions or expresses his desires, he does it in a very slipshod, loose, indefinite manner, and as the results come back they are just like that, too.”
• “To begin with is starts with a definite purpose, fixing your mind upon some objective or something that you wish to obtain, and then developing behind that objective a burning desire.”
• “Whatever the mind can conceive and believe the mind can achieve.”
• “Applied faith is nothing but a mental attitude, and you control your mental attitude.”
• “I would say that the best part of my experience came not out of my successes but out of my failures, because I survived those failures. I made up my mind that they meant nothing in my life except the challenge to greater effort, and that's the attitude that you've got to take toward defeat because you are going to have these testing times. As a matter of fact, I'm very glad to know that I did go through many major failures, because I now recognize that the average person would have fallen down under the first one or two. I found out that there is nothing in the world that can floor me and keep me floored.”
• “There is a law of nature which provides that every adversity, every defeat, every setback, every failure, every heartache, every disagreeable circumstance that you may experience, carries within itself the seed of an equivalent benefit.”
On the causes of failure:
• “Number seven is lack of ambition to aim above mediocrity. There’s one of the outstanding causes of failures: lack of the ambition to aim above mediocrity. People come into the world without their consent.”
• “Number fourteen is procrastination, the lack of the habit of reaching decision promptly and definitely. Lack of the habit of reaching decisions promptly and definitely, especially when we have all facts in hand.”
• “It means that you’ll take entire control of your own mind, and make it do whatever you want it to do, instead of being influenced by the minds of your neighbors or those nearest to you, or by those who criticize you. That’s what self-discipline means.”
• “The successful man always fights hard to do the right thing, and never chooses the path of least resistance. All rivers do choose this path, but successful men never do.”
On the laws of nature:
• “Everything that's worthwhile in this world, ladies and gentlemen, should have a price upon it, and does have a price upon it, in one way or another. The things that you give away absolutely free, people usually value about as much as they pay for them.”
• “The Creator intended people to become wise and strong through struggle.”
• “Time trades irrational youth for the maturity of age and wisdom.”
1. To live with definitive purpose is to act with intention and meaning. Your objectives must be clearly defined without room of misinterpretation.
2. To live with applied faith by working towards your goals with a burning desire. Challenges will enviably come, but everything worth living for comes at a cost. And you must go the extra mile with everything you do before expecting any benefit in return.
3. Comic habit force relates to the law of universe; taking possession of your own mind; and drawing wisdom from our senses.
4. The book discusses causes of failure and factors of a pleasing personality. The key attributes I want to work on include:
i) Decisiveness and procrastination – because time and energy are precious resources. One of my goals this year includes practicing effective productivity which includes applying the 80/20 rule etc.
ii) Self-discipline – with most ideals in life (e.g. happiness, success, etc.) hard work will get you there, however without self-discipline you will never keep it.
iii) Positive mental attitude – I want to be a source of positive energy for everyone around me. I know I can make a difference in this world even though seemingly insignificant.
Inspiring Fact:
Napoleon Hill worked for 20 years without pay to research and write the first ever book on the philosophy of success titled ‘Laws of Success’. He clearly lived and breathed the concepts discussed in the book to achieve wild success and leave a lasting legacy.
Fave Quotes:
On definitive purpose and applied faith:
• “I’m talking to you now about the difference between a successful man and an unsuccessful man. You take an unsuccessful person and generally, when he gives instructions or expresses his desires, he does it in a very slipshod, loose, indefinite manner, and as the results come back they are just like that, too.”
• “To begin with is starts with a definite purpose, fixing your mind upon some objective or something that you wish to obtain, and then developing behind that objective a burning desire.”
• “Whatever the mind can conceive and believe the mind can achieve.”
• “Applied faith is nothing but a mental attitude, and you control your mental attitude.”
• “I would say that the best part of my experience came not out of my successes but out of my failures, because I survived those failures. I made up my mind that they meant nothing in my life except the challenge to greater effort, and that's the attitude that you've got to take toward defeat because you are going to have these testing times. As a matter of fact, I'm very glad to know that I did go through many major failures, because I now recognize that the average person would have fallen down under the first one or two. I found out that there is nothing in the world that can floor me and keep me floored.”
• “There is a law of nature which provides that every adversity, every defeat, every setback, every failure, every heartache, every disagreeable circumstance that you may experience, carries within itself the seed of an equivalent benefit.”
On the causes of failure:
• “Number seven is lack of ambition to aim above mediocrity. There’s one of the outstanding causes of failures: lack of the ambition to aim above mediocrity. People come into the world without their consent.”
• “Number fourteen is procrastination, the lack of the habit of reaching decision promptly and definitely. Lack of the habit of reaching decisions promptly and definitely, especially when we have all facts in hand.”
• “It means that you’ll take entire control of your own mind, and make it do whatever you want it to do, instead of being influenced by the minds of your neighbors or those nearest to you, or by those who criticize you. That’s what self-discipline means.”
• “The successful man always fights hard to do the right thing, and never chooses the path of least resistance. All rivers do choose this path, but successful men never do.”
On the laws of nature:
• “Everything that's worthwhile in this world, ladies and gentlemen, should have a price upon it, and does have a price upon it, in one way or another. The things that you give away absolutely free, people usually value about as much as they pay for them.”
• “The Creator intended people to become wise and strong through struggle.”
• “Time trades irrational youth for the maturity of age and wisdom.”
October 22, 2021
Have you ever wondered that why a large majority of people fail in achieving their goals while only a few reach the peak of their careers? If you do, and you are passionate to get to know why then congratulations! You are on the right page.
The author of this great book is Napoleon Hill. I will discuss how he got this idea to write the first-ever book on success philosophy. He once had an opportunity to interview Andrew Carnegie (a steel magnate and the richest person in America in the 19th century) for three hours but fortunately, this interview became a two-sided interview and has lasted for three days. Dr. Hill was interviewing Mr. Carnegie however Mr. Carnegie was interviewing Dr. Hill without letting him know. On the last day, Mr. Carnegie asked Dr. Hill, “If I commission you to organize the success philosophy by interviewing and researching for 20 years so would you be ready to devote your twenty years without a financial subsidy from me”? Dr. Hill replied with much confidence, Yes, I will not only devote my twenty years for this philosophy but will finish it up to the end”. Hence, Dr. Hill's job got started for the organization of this successful philosophy that will work for the common man and has been exposed to the world for the first time ever.
Everyone on this planet wants to achieve their goals and be successful people in the world. In this book, Napoleon Hill has clearly explained the habits to be followed and techniques to be used to accomplish your goals and put your name at the top of the list. The book will teach you how to use your willpower to take full possession of your own mind and use it for achieving your major purpose in your life. A large number of people do not know how to use their minds according to their will and to be able to link it with their major purpose. Strong willpower, healthy applied faith, strength in persistency, and complete control of your mind will lead you to accomplish your goals. Dr. Hill will teach you in this book how to work on your mind to strengthen your aforementioned areas to get your major purpose and live a successful life.
I believe that a lot of people love this book because it teaches not only the way a human being can achieve their major purpose but will also make you familiar with those causes that you were lagging in. It values pretty much, to know about the setbacks and failures so that when it comes in your way you would have the power to use it on your will and for your growth. The author has explained the 15 major causes of failure, starting from quitting to the seven different types of fears a fail mindset is suffering from. “The Quitter never wins, and the winner never quits” what a wonderful statement the author has made. According to the study, 50% of people quit at the beginning and 40% quit when they are going through tough days. And hence, only 10% of people successfully achieve their goals.
The author has devoted a smaller portion at the end of this book to pleasing personality and cosmic habits. This is to be in mind that a pleasing personality plays a pivotal role in success. Working with different people and building a master-mind alliance needs a charming personality that would connect things in favor of one. How to dress wisely according to the current circumstances, adornment, communication skills and tone of voice made a person a personality. If do you want to create a good first impression and make things in your own way then you need to work on the techniques stated in this book. I myself learned how to make the mastermind group that will help me achieve my goals and it is possible only if one has a stunning personality.
In the universe, the stars, sun, and moon can be seen following a specific pattern and they cannot change it, While human beings have been awarded the power to possess their own mind and use it for what they want from their life and avoid what they don’t want. We daily see a crowd of people who failed to make it and it is only because they fail to make the habits that help them achieve their goals in life. Lack of consistency in doing things is one of the big issues in today’s world and Dr. Hill has addressed it brilliantly in this book. When we do things many times it becomes our habit and if we align it in a way that could lead us towards accomplishing our major purpose in our life. People who have changed the course of the world have one thing in common which is the successful habits that led them to attain their main goal. Changing your habits and alignment is not simple but the author has given some techniques on how you can compel your subconscious mind to work for you and achieve what you want from.
If you have followed Napoleon Hill's book “Think and grow rich, “then this book would be the right choice to follow as well. By reading this book you will make your previous concepts clearer and more understandable which will inspire you to achieve your goals at any cost. Personally, I’ve learned a lot from this book, and some of the statements in this book like “everything has a price and if you want to get that you need to pay the price first and then you can get it, “has made me fallen in love with this book. This statement made my concept clear and I have taken it in a broader sense. Now I am able to bear any kind of tough time as I am ready to pay the price for what I’m dreaming of. Besides knowledge, this book has worked for me to reestablish my mind to achieve my major purpose and thus I give it 5 stars.
The author of this great book is Napoleon Hill. I will discuss how he got this idea to write the first-ever book on success philosophy. He once had an opportunity to interview Andrew Carnegie (a steel magnate and the richest person in America in the 19th century) for three hours but fortunately, this interview became a two-sided interview and has lasted for three days. Dr. Hill was interviewing Mr. Carnegie however Mr. Carnegie was interviewing Dr. Hill without letting him know. On the last day, Mr. Carnegie asked Dr. Hill, “If I commission you to organize the success philosophy by interviewing and researching for 20 years so would you be ready to devote your twenty years without a financial subsidy from me”? Dr. Hill replied with much confidence, Yes, I will not only devote my twenty years for this philosophy but will finish it up to the end”. Hence, Dr. Hill's job got started for the organization of this successful philosophy that will work for the common man and has been exposed to the world for the first time ever.
Everyone on this planet wants to achieve their goals and be successful people in the world. In this book, Napoleon Hill has clearly explained the habits to be followed and techniques to be used to accomplish your goals and put your name at the top of the list. The book will teach you how to use your willpower to take full possession of your own mind and use it for achieving your major purpose in your life. A large number of people do not know how to use their minds according to their will and to be able to link it with their major purpose. Strong willpower, healthy applied faith, strength in persistency, and complete control of your mind will lead you to accomplish your goals. Dr. Hill will teach you in this book how to work on your mind to strengthen your aforementioned areas to get your major purpose and live a successful life.
I believe that a lot of people love this book because it teaches not only the way a human being can achieve their major purpose but will also make you familiar with those causes that you were lagging in. It values pretty much, to know about the setbacks and failures so that when it comes in your way you would have the power to use it on your will and for your growth. The author has explained the 15 major causes of failure, starting from quitting to the seven different types of fears a fail mindset is suffering from. “The Quitter never wins, and the winner never quits” what a wonderful statement the author has made. According to the study, 50% of people quit at the beginning and 40% quit when they are going through tough days. And hence, only 10% of people successfully achieve their goals.
The author has devoted a smaller portion at the end of this book to pleasing personality and cosmic habits. This is to be in mind that a pleasing personality plays a pivotal role in success. Working with different people and building a master-mind alliance needs a charming personality that would connect things in favor of one. How to dress wisely according to the current circumstances, adornment, communication skills and tone of voice made a person a personality. If do you want to create a good first impression and make things in your own way then you need to work on the techniques stated in this book. I myself learned how to make the mastermind group that will help me achieve my goals and it is possible only if one has a stunning personality.
In the universe, the stars, sun, and moon can be seen following a specific pattern and they cannot change it, While human beings have been awarded the power to possess their own mind and use it for what they want from their life and avoid what they don’t want. We daily see a crowd of people who failed to make it and it is only because they fail to make the habits that help them achieve their goals in life. Lack of consistency in doing things is one of the big issues in today’s world and Dr. Hill has addressed it brilliantly in this book. When we do things many times it becomes our habit and if we align it in a way that could lead us towards accomplishing our major purpose in our life. People who have changed the course of the world have one thing in common which is the successful habits that led them to attain their main goal. Changing your habits and alignment is not simple but the author has given some techniques on how you can compel your subconscious mind to work for you and achieve what you want from.
If you have followed Napoleon Hill's book “Think and grow rich, “then this book would be the right choice to follow as well. By reading this book you will make your previous concepts clearer and more understandable which will inspire you to achieve your goals at any cost. Personally, I’ve learned a lot from this book, and some of the statements in this book like “everything has a price and if you want to get that you need to pay the price first and then you can get it, “has made me fallen in love with this book. This statement made my concept clear and I have taken it in a broader sense. Now I am able to bear any kind of tough time as I am ready to pay the price for what I’m dreaming of. Besides knowledge, this book has worked for me to reestablish my mind to achieve my major purpose and thus I give it 5 stars.
December 24, 2024
72%
One of the boldest things that is said in this book is the fact that this guy is one of Adolf Hitler's inspirations. And he owns up to that. And it's not even the main point of the book, but it stands out so much that how can you not address it? And that's why during the time period where Adolf Hitler was a big central corner piece of topic and influence in society, he originally, I believe, was presented as an extremely moral and righteous and scientific man. A man, because he was very likely extremely Christian and representing what many people considered to be the correct path, because he supported eugenics and eugenics was considered to be correct during that time period. As we moved away from that and distanced ourselves, that's where it gets more interesting. Where do we fall on the spectrum here? Is he considered to be a good or bad man during the time period? And that's why it's really fascinating to see how things change over time. And that's not even a big part of this book. I thought Napoleon Hill was talking in Paris, France, and then he's like, Paris, Missouri. I'm like, what the fuck? So I found it really comical. But there's some really great tips in here. One that stands out to me is dress for success. Like, yeah, I mean, I'm not saying to not dress like yourself, not be yourself, but I'm saying to have mindfulness to show off certain aspects of yourself in situations. It's an extremely valuable tool. And practicing positive self-talk is another great thing. But he talks about working with Ford a lot. And it's funny, because Ford was a very common man. That's true. But he talks about being, and he talks about being timed all the time as well by Carnegie. Like, 60 seconds. Dude. I time people too. But if you can't, like, if you don't know that you're being timed, it's not helpful. There's just certain expectations and understandings that people need to have. And you're not going to get very far with them. So this is a really good, wildly multidirectional book.
One of the boldest things that is said in this book is the fact that this guy is one of Adolf Hitler's inspirations. And he owns up to that. And it's not even the main point of the book, but it stands out so much that how can you not address it? And that's why during the time period where Adolf Hitler was a big central corner piece of topic and influence in society, he originally, I believe, was presented as an extremely moral and righteous and scientific man. A man, because he was very likely extremely Christian and representing what many people considered to be the correct path, because he supported eugenics and eugenics was considered to be correct during that time period. As we moved away from that and distanced ourselves, that's where it gets more interesting. Where do we fall on the spectrum here? Is he considered to be a good or bad man during the time period? And that's why it's really fascinating to see how things change over time. And that's not even a big part of this book. I thought Napoleon Hill was talking in Paris, France, and then he's like, Paris, Missouri. I'm like, what the fuck? So I found it really comical. But there's some really great tips in here. One that stands out to me is dress for success. Like, yeah, I mean, I'm not saying to not dress like yourself, not be yourself, but I'm saying to have mindfulness to show off certain aspects of yourself in situations. It's an extremely valuable tool. And practicing positive self-talk is another great thing. But he talks about working with Ford a lot. And it's funny, because Ford was a very common man. That's true. But he talks about being, and he talks about being timed all the time as well by Carnegie. Like, 60 seconds. Dude. I time people too. But if you can't, like, if you don't know that you're being timed, it's not helpful. There's just certain expectations and understandings that people need to have. And you're not going to get very far with them. So this is a really good, wildly multidirectional book.
April 14, 2020
Success Habits: Proven Principles for Greater Wealth. Health, and Happiness
The book is based on radio show transcripts from a series talks given by Napolean Hill in 1950s. He covers how to create definiteness of purpose, aligning your thinking with your purpose, applying faith, avoiding the major causes of failure, maintaining the self-discipline necessary to succeed, cultivating a pleasing personality, and plenty of examples from his life and others.
The book contains 13 chapters that were essentially individual radio program segments stitched nicely together.
My favorite chapters are Definiteness of purpose, Persistence and Decisiveness, and Cosmic Habit Force.
My Favorite quotes are:
- “If you attain fame and fortune, and do not attain gratitude along with it, the chances are that you will not enjoy that fame or that fortune.”
- “I learned that when one needs anything very badly, it is very difficult for him to find anyone who wishes to help him get it, but when one gets over the hump, achieves recognition, and no longer needs help, then just about everybody on earth wants to do something for him.”
- “Life has no bargains. Everything that you get that's worthy of having has a price upon it.”
- “To be an accurate thinker let your mind be an eternal mark. Question everything and every one until you satisfy yourself that you are dealing with facts.”
#Rasha_ElGhitani
14/4/2020
The book is based on radio show transcripts from a series talks given by Napolean Hill in 1950s. He covers how to create definiteness of purpose, aligning your thinking with your purpose, applying faith, avoiding the major causes of failure, maintaining the self-discipline necessary to succeed, cultivating a pleasing personality, and plenty of examples from his life and others.
The book contains 13 chapters that were essentially individual radio program segments stitched nicely together.
My favorite chapters are Definiteness of purpose, Persistence and Decisiveness, and Cosmic Habit Force.
My Favorite quotes are:
- “If you attain fame and fortune, and do not attain gratitude along with it, the chances are that you will not enjoy that fame or that fortune.”
- “I learned that when one needs anything very badly, it is very difficult for him to find anyone who wishes to help him get it, but when one gets over the hump, achieves recognition, and no longer needs help, then just about everybody on earth wants to do something for him.”
- “Life has no bargains. Everything that you get that's worthy of having has a price upon it.”
- “To be an accurate thinker let your mind be an eternal mark. Question everything and every one until you satisfy yourself that you are dealing with facts.”
#Rasha_ElGhitani
14/4/2020
April 20, 2020
This book is a compilation of recordings that Mr. Napoleon Hill made while on the radio to the citizens of Paris, Missouri in the early 1950's. It was compiled by the efforts of the Napoleon Hill Foundation in Wise, Virginia. It is a great review of Mr. Hill's success philosophy in his folksy manner and expressions.
What you might find interesting in this book: Mr. Hill gets into "Cosmic Habit Force" which he did not discover until 1.5 years after the success of his book, "Think and Grow Rich." In fact, Mr. Hill describes it was that book's success that made him re-read it 1.5 years later, so sometime in 1939, where he discovered what he calls this "Cosmic Habit Force" which are all Natural Laws of the Universe and how it applies to man's thinking and creating for himself/herself.
So this book adds that additional layer of this concept if you are not familiar with it in his other books before 1939 like "Law of Success" or the "Magic Ladder to Success."
What you might find interesting in this book: Mr. Hill gets into "Cosmic Habit Force" which he did not discover until 1.5 years after the success of his book, "Think and Grow Rich." In fact, Mr. Hill describes it was that book's success that made him re-read it 1.5 years later, so sometime in 1939, where he discovered what he calls this "Cosmic Habit Force" which are all Natural Laws of the Universe and how it applies to man's thinking and creating for himself/herself.
So this book adds that additional layer of this concept if you are not familiar with it in his other books before 1939 like "Law of Success" or the "Magic Ladder to Success."
May 7, 2020
I received a copy of this story from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I found this easier to read than other works by Napoleon Hill. And I took more away from it than I would have if I had only listened to this lecture series. But I don't know that his practical advice fits with our modern world. The principles he discusses are useful and are certainly still being touted everywhere today but the application looks a little different. It felt a bit dated and honestly, bored me a little at times.
I can forgive the repetitive nature of these segments because the original format probably necessitated some amount of repetition. But it doesn't fit in a book like this. It made me skim parts. At the end of the day, I'm glad I read this; I just don't know how much I'd recommend it to other people. I think there are works out there that accomplish the same idea and are easier to read.
I found this easier to read than other works by Napoleon Hill. And I took more away from it than I would have if I had only listened to this lecture series. But I don't know that his practical advice fits with our modern world. The principles he discusses are useful and are certainly still being touted everywhere today but the application looks a little different. It felt a bit dated and honestly, bored me a little at times.
I can forgive the repetitive nature of these segments because the original format probably necessitated some amount of repetition. But it doesn't fit in a book like this. It made me skim parts. At the end of the day, I'm glad I read this; I just don't know how much I'd recommend it to other people. I think there are works out there that accomplish the same idea and are easier to read.
May 19, 2021
This is a book about the kind of person you should be to succeed in business and in life. It's about what your attitudes and habits should be and what can get in the way of them. It is worth a read if you would like to improve your dealings with the world and will read it with an open mind and a critical eye toward yourself.
I received this book when the book I had won was unavailable. It's an oldie but goodie. It is the transcription of a series of radio interviews that Napoleon Hill did in Paris, Missouri in 1952. His research, prompted by Andrew Carnegie led to a 1937 book, Think and Grow Rich, twenty years in the making. While the wording may seem archaic, the advice is sound. He and his wife created a foundation to continue his teachings and this book is one of their projects.
I received this book (by fate) when I won a goodreads giveaway and the publisher substituted it for the unavailable book.
I received this book when the book I had won was unavailable. It's an oldie but goodie. It is the transcription of a series of radio interviews that Napoleon Hill did in Paris, Missouri in 1952. His research, prompted by Andrew Carnegie led to a 1937 book, Think and Grow Rich, twenty years in the making. While the wording may seem archaic, the advice is sound. He and his wife created a foundation to continue his teachings and this book is one of their projects.
I received this book (by fate) when I won a goodreads giveaway and the publisher substituted it for the unavailable book.
December 22, 2018
SUCCESS HABITS is based on radio show transcripts from a series of talks given by Napolean Hill in the 1950s. He provides the same wisdom and inspiration he offered in THINK AND GROW RICH. He covers how to create definiteness of purpose, aligning your thinking with your purpose, applying faith, avoiding the major causes of failure, maintaining the self-discipline necessary to succeed, cultivating a pleasing personality, and plenty of examples from his life and others.
The style is out-dated, which you'd expect given the date of the transcripts, but the core concepts are timeless and easy to follow. Maintain your focus, act with integrity, and be persistent in the pursuit of your goals. Readers who enjoyed THINK AND GROW RICH will also enjoy SUCCESS HABITS.
I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
The style is out-dated, which you'd expect given the date of the transcripts, but the core concepts are timeless and easy to follow. Maintain your focus, act with integrity, and be persistent in the pursuit of your goals. Readers who enjoyed THINK AND GROW RICH will also enjoy SUCCESS HABITS.
I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
November 11, 2019
Educational, informative, inspiring, redundant.
Success Habits, by Napoleon Hill was written from a radio broadcast he conducted in Paris, Missouri. I've read quite a few books, along with Think and Grow Rich and felt this was a bit repetitive. A valuable tool to keep on hand for a continued reference. There's easy to follow instructions in this book, some enlightening suggestions, and important topics necessary for a fulfilling life with successful habits.
I liked how the novel touched on the topic of life challenges and how to stay in line with our goal of success. He intertwines the cosmic forces of nature and how choices made with them can help you succeed.
Thank you Goodreads and St. Martins Essentials Publishers for the chance of winning this book for an honest review.
Success Habits, by Napoleon Hill was written from a radio broadcast he conducted in Paris, Missouri. I've read quite a few books, along with Think and Grow Rich and felt this was a bit repetitive. A valuable tool to keep on hand for a continued reference. There's easy to follow instructions in this book, some enlightening suggestions, and important topics necessary for a fulfilling life with successful habits.
I liked how the novel touched on the topic of life challenges and how to stay in line with our goal of success. He intertwines the cosmic forces of nature and how choices made with them can help you succeed.
Thank you Goodreads and St. Martins Essentials Publishers for the chance of winning this book for an honest review.
April 25, 2024
Halte wenig vom Autor, weil er richtig beeindruckt von sich selbst ist und dauernd von seinem Erfolg spricht, dieser aber nur daraus besteht die Aussagen von den wirklich Erfolgreichen zu sammeln und in ein paar Bücher zusammenzuschreiben. Das wichtigste Success Habit ist das Setzen von konkreten Zielen und akkuratem Denken, wobei man die Dinge berücksichtigen muss, wo man weiß, dass man sie nicht weiß, und sich sonst auf Fakten und Logik verlassen muss. Außerdem beschreibt er die Wichtigkeit von Durchhaltevermögen und Ehrgeiz und die Relevanz von Glauben, nicht nur an Gott (eine höhere Intelligenz), sondern v.a. an sich selbst! Buch war mittelmäßig, dennoch die Kernbotschaft angekommen, es war nur keine 20€ wert, das hätte ein 20min Video auch getan.
July 1, 2024
I struggled with giving this even a 2-star but I did because some sections are worth reading.
Some things said are good and make your think. Some statements are outdated.
He said that many illnesses are from Bad eating and no exercise? Really? You can think yourself into wellness. Well…..
His section on leadership makes it sound like great leaders give orders. This depends. A really great leader helps others to succeed and do their best. They help others to be stronger. They are no not dictators that give orders.
His abc’s of success deal with planting a motive in someone mind to get them to do something. Motives: love, sex, material Wealth, self preservation, etc.
I listed to the ebook of this and I just wasn’t a fan.
Some things said are good and make your think. Some statements are outdated.
He said that many illnesses are from Bad eating and no exercise? Really? You can think yourself into wellness. Well…..
His section on leadership makes it sound like great leaders give orders. This depends. A really great leader helps others to succeed and do their best. They help others to be stronger. They are no not dictators that give orders.
His abc’s of success deal with planting a motive in someone mind to get them to do something. Motives: love, sex, material Wealth, self preservation, etc.
I listed to the ebook of this and I just wasn’t a fan.
March 14, 2023
There was good advice within a couple chapters of this book. I really liked the section about personalities and what characteristics make up the good and bad ones. I found this book too wishy washy for my liking, while I agree that what you put out into the world is what you get back there where way too many stories that just didn't make sense. An example was how he willed his son to hear when he was born without ears, or how he told someone who needed money to write a check and that person somehow ended up with the money. I also think its a bit dated and the advice might have worked well in the 20's and 30's but not in today's world.
January 12, 2019
I was surprised how much I enjoyed this book although I have already read "Think and Grow Rich" a couple of times. What I did was imagine if I was listening to the radio while the author did his talks. You can see how much conviction he had on his work after years of seeing case studies after case studies of the results people were having with his work. It was eye-opening as well to see how much prominent people used the work of this author like Hitler to Gandhi, which is an excellent example that you can use most things for good or evil.
January 14, 2019
Despite the fact that this was compiled from material several decades ago, for the most part it holds true. Hill can on occasion come across as pompous, but his philosophy for a successful life and habits are compelling. I think his analysis of introverts is a bit misunderstood and his idolization of Thomas Edison is a bit misplaced.
Overall some good take aways and reminders to search out facts, be knowledgeable, and really focus on a good content of character.
Overall some good take aways and reminders to search out facts, be knowledgeable, and really focus on a good content of character.
February 18, 2019
A student of Dale Carnegie who was tasked with explaining philosophy of success. I think he succeeded well in this. Success Habits is a curious reads ladies and gentlemen because it's been transliterated from Hill's radio shows in Paris. So every chapter starts in that fashion. Still, it offers very relevant and practical advice like being self disciplined and what's the reward of that or how a good personality will help you far in life.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 113 reviews