Tags
internal locus of control, paradigm shift, perceptions, philosophy, positive and negative thinking, Self-concept, self-defeating beliefs, self-realization, success, thought
Success: The Product of Thought
Messizio
Abstract
In order to achieve success in any personal or professional goal, one must know and believe in the power of the thought, and one must find his or her own definition of success independent of society’s
perceived norms. Everyone is the creator his or her own destiny, the molder of his own environment, and accomplishes goals through one’s repetitive thoughts and actions regardless of negative circumstances.
Success: The Product of Thought
Napoleon Hill (1937) stated the following:
Success in its highest and noblest form calls for peace of mind and enjoyment and happiness which come only to the man who has found the work that he likes best” (Emmert, 2009).
American author Napoleon Hill was one of the earliest producers in the genre of personal success literature. Hill and Carnegie initially published in 1928, a study course called “The Law of success” (Emmert, 09). The achievement formula was further detailed and published in home-study courses, including the seventeen-volume book series “Mental Dynamite” until 1941 (Emmert). Hill later named his personal success teachings “The Philosophy of Achievement”, and he considered freedom, democracy, capitalism, and harmony to be important elements to this philosophy (Emmert). Achieving success is important to one’s life in order to feel a sense of inner peace and self-worth; any determined individual will undoubtedly accomplish his dream. In order to achieve success in any personal or professional goal, one person must know and believe in the power of the thought, and one must find his or her own definition of success.
The Power of Thought
To shape one’s destiny one must know and believe in the power of the thought. One’s thoughts shape one’s own destiny and self-realization is the most important step for any pursuit of greatness or betterment of man; without the achievement of awareness of self, no change will be possible. It states in the Bhagavad Gita “After Self-Realization, one does not regard any other gain superior to Self-Realization” (Bhagavad Gita, 7.03). Self realization has also been referred to as an epiphany, a paradigm shift, enlightenment, or as commonly referred to as the “Light Bulb” or “Ah Hah” moment.
Everyone does not experience paradigm shifts at the same time nor has the will to adhere to it; if one chooses not to adhere, one will live with regret of his or her inaction. A paradigm shift will alter one’s thoughts, feelings, and perception of whatever subject; most people experience paradigm shifts during life threatening situations or new role in life, and one will suddenly view priorities in a different matter. In most instances, one has to be different in order to see different; paradigm shifts are very important because it is the basis for any change. In order to achieve and preserve individual success, one needs to realize that one create themselves and is the sole controller of one’s life.
Internal Locus of Control
“Internal locus of control—the perception that you control your own fate” (Myers, 2009, p. 578). As the sole controller of life, one can accomplish anything, if one applies the correct mindset and
has the will to pursue success (Allen, 1902). One does not just achieve success by mistake; there is a common recipe that holds true in every long-term successful person. Everyone is the creator one’s own destiny, the molder of his own environment, and accomplishes goals through one’s repetitive
thoughts and actions regardless of negative circumstances. Positive thinking has a tremendous impact on an individual’s life and the prosperity and good will of societies. If good thoughts and right thinking can transform one’s world; certainly, negativity and bad thoughts can destroy one’s
world. Constant repetitive thoughts will manifest into being, whether good or bad. One should feed the mind with good thoughts and read positive or informative books, Buddha once said, “Be vigilant; guard your mind against negative thoughts.” Negative thoughts affect the masses; many people look at their bleak situation and crumble to circumstance. One condemns himself to failure, not knowing the impact of self-defeating beliefs. If a one says “I cannot,” he or she is one hundred percent accurate; if one focuses on failure, failure is inevitable. Automotive tycoon Henry Ford said, “Whether you think you can or you think you can’t, your right.” Repetitive bad thoughts will become bad actions, repetitive bad actions reap bad habits, and bad habits crystallize into a bad character (Allen, p.23). Most negative people live an unhappy life because one’s bad thoughts lead to suffering; a
pure and virtuous person with positive thoughts will lead a life filled with an abundance of joy. The concept of cause and effect also holds true in the realm of thought as well as the physical world; good thoughts create good results, bad thoughts create bad results. In the sense of gardening, if one wants to grow tomatoes, he or she would plant tomato seeds; it’s impossible to plant a tomato seed and expect to grow a cucumber (Allen).
Self-Concept
The Law of Attraction gives testament to the power of thought and what the human
mind can accomplish. “One’s inner world reflects one’s outer world; as one focuses his or her thoughts and harmonize them one’s actions, he or she can call into existence whatever one desires” (Allen, 1902). Analyzing one’s self by asking specific questions or wanting specific things to be fulfilled is an
important step to fill one’s void. The acknowledgement and acceptance on one’s personal control in imperative; “In study after study, ‘internals’ achieve more in school and work, act more independently, enjoy better health, and feel less depressed than do ‘externals’ (Myers, 2009, p. 578). The next step is
to believe fully in receiving, commonly referred to as faith—believing without doubt that he or she will receive one’s request; applying this method one is aligning thoughts and energy with one’s request and preparing one to receive. To achieve any personal or professional success in life, one must find his or her own definition of success. The perception of success is relative to the individual. Many people measure success strictly by the acquisition of materialistic items. The majority of average Americans see success as an expensive vehicle, large amounts of money, expensive apartment, and expensive
clothing. Although some successful people possess expensive tastes, that is not what makes them a success; success is in the doing, not the getting. The reality is that success depends upon the individual’s personal or professional goals and interests and not societies’ perceived norms. Planning, achieving and reflecting upon a goal are the process of success; when inner thoughts crystallize into the physical world, one has succeeded (Allen).Before achieving success, one must have knowledge of the basic commonalities found in those whom do not leave success to chance. To shape one’s destiny one must know and believe in the power of thought. After one ponders self-realization he or she feels confident that they are the sole controller of one’s destiny. To achieve any personal or professional success in life, one must find his or her own definition of success. One’s individual goals are most
important in spite of societies distorted perception. Many behaviors affect the outcome of one’s
life; although, only a few were mentioned. Achieving success is important to one’s life in order to feel a sense of inner peace and self-worth, any determined individual will undoubtedly accomplish his dream.
“Success in its highest and noblest form calls for peace of mind and enjoyment and happiness which come only to the man who has found the work that he likes best” (Emmert, 2009).
Napoleon Hill
References
Allen, James. (1902). As A Man Thinketh Revision (2008). Penguin Group (USA) Inc. New York,
NY.
Emmert, J.M. (2009). Rich Man, Poor Man: The Story of Napoleon Hill. Retrieved from http://www.successmagazine.com/article?articleId=515&taxonomyId=15#. Web. 6/29/2011.
Ford, Henry. Henry Ford Quotes. Retrieved from http://ww.goodreads.com/author/quotes/203714.Henry_Ford. Web. 6/25/2011.
Gita, Bhagavad. (3000 B.C.). Self-Knowledge and Self-Realization. In Bhagavad
Gita (7.03). Retrieved from http://www.interfaith.org/hinduism/bhagavad-gita-7. 6/25/2011.
Myers, D. G. (2010). The Story of Psychology. In Myers, D. G., Psychology. New York, NY: Worth.
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