Chapter 2 Discussion

[Jennifer]

What are your thoughts on chapter 2 (Desire) of Think and Grow Rich?  What stood out to you in this chapter?

[Jennifer]

So this story of Barnes becoming Mr. Edison's partner....  Hill notes some important principles he implemented in order to succeed.  These are the ones I've pulled out:

1. He chose a definite goal.
2. He placed all his energy, will power, effort, everything back of that goal.
3. He wanted this partnership more than he wanted anything else.
4. He created a plan by which to attain it.
5. He left himself no possible way of retreat (burned all bridges behind him)
6. He stood by his desire until it became the dominating obsession of his life - and - finally, a fact.
7. He did not say to himself, "I will try..."  He said to himself, "I will..."
8. He did not say to himself, "I will keep my eyes open for another opportunity if I fail."  He said, "There is but one thing in this world that I am determined to have."

Did I leave out anything? 

What are your thoughts about these points? 

In which areas have you been strong?

In which areas have you been weak and need to work on?  (I think I need to work on most all of these in varying degrees.)

One last thought... a paragraph quoted directly:
"Every person who wins in any undertaking must be willing to burn his ships, and cut all sources of retreat.  Only by so doing can one be sure of maintaining that state of mind known as a burning desire to win, essential to success."
I've heard Paul J. Meyer put it this way:  "Failure is not an option."  In fact, he says it never even occurs to him that he could fail.

How many times have you failed because you left yourself an out?  (I'd say I've done that plenty of times.)

[Lance]

So this story of Barnes becoming Mr. Edison's partner....  Hill notes some important principles he implemented in order to succeed.  These are the ones I've pulled out:

1. He chose a definite goal.
2. He placed all his energy, will power, effort, everything back of that goal.
3. He wanted this partnership more than he wanted anything else.
4. He created a plan by which to attain it.
5. He left himself no possible way of retreat (burned all bridges behind him)
6. He stood by his desire until it became the dominating obsession of his life - and - finally, a fact.
7. He did not say to himself, "I will try..."  He said to himself, "I will..."
8. He did not say to himself, "I will keep my eyes open for another opportunity if I fail."  He said, "There is but one thing in this world that I am determined to have."

Did I leave out anything? 

What are your thoughts about these points? 

In which areas have you been strong?

In which areas have you been weak and need to work on?  (I think I need to work on most all of these in varying degrees.)

One last thought... a paragraph quoted directly:
"Every person who wins in any undertaking must be willing to burn his ships, and cut all sources of retreat.  Only by so doing can one be sure of maintaining that state of mind known as a burning desire to win, essential to success."
I've heard Paul J. Meyer put it this way:  "Failure is not an option."  In fact, he says it never even occurs to him that he could fail.

How many times have you failed because you left yourself an out?  (I'd say I've done that plenty of times.)

I think you've hit upon THE hardest part of this whole thing - not leaving yourself an out.  This is, by far, the hardest one on this list for me.  The other ones, I think I do at least fairly well with - but the whole idea of not leaving myself something to fall back on - that is difficult beyond measure for me.  Why?  Maybe part of it goes back to #1 (choose a definite goal).  In general (as in general population) - I would say that having definite goals is somewhat lacking.  How about me?  Maybe my goals are too broad.  They lack focus.  (I'm working on that).  But the point I'm trying to make is that without definite goals (me, or anyone) - it becomes that much harder to commit to something fully (and burn all other bridges).  Which leads to the next point - that I think these bullet points you've listed - they all intermingle.  Each are an important part in making the others become reality. 

Take away:  Having one or two of these done well is probably not enough...that's not enough commitment to really achieve what is possible.

[Jennifer]

I think you've hit upon THE hardest part of this whole thing - not leaving yourself an out.  This is, by far, the hardest one on this list for me.  The other ones, I think I do at least fairly well with - but the whole idea of not leaving myself something to fall back on - that is difficult beyond measure for me.  Why?  Maybe part of it goes back to #1 (choose a definite goal).  In general (as in general population) - I would say that having definite goals is somewhat lacking.  How about me?  Maybe my goals are too broad.  They lack focus.  (I'm working on that).  But the point I'm trying to make is that without definite goals (me, or anyone) - it becomes that much harder to commit to something fully (and burn all other bridges).  Which leads to the next point - that I think these bullet points you've listed - they all intermingle.  Each are an important part in making the others become reality. 

Take away:  Having one or two of these done well is probably not enough...that's not enough commitment to really achieve what is possible.

I also think not leaving an out is the hardest part.  I think it all has to do with fear - we're afraid that we're going fail.....  And with lack of belief - we don't really believe we can do it, so we leave that out - "Well, if it doesn't work out...."  So which comes first - the lack of belief or the fear?  Or maybe it's the lack of a definite goal and not really knowing what we want.  If we have a definite goal does that mean our belief will be stronger?  I would say yes, but I don't think that's all of it.

Yes, all the bullet points I listed are very intertwined and woven together.  I think it would do me good to study them diligently since like you said having only "one or two is probably not enough."

My take away:  Total commitment on a definite goal with no looking back.  And I need to go study all these points that Barnes implemented - evaluate my life and IMPLEMENT them.

[LisaNewton]

I totally agree with both of your "Take Aways." One or two is not enough.  It's an all or nothing choice.  Another thing that stuck me from your bullets was the "I will" instead of "I will try."  It's so common for us to say I will try to do that, but I hardly ever hear I will do that.  And from myself either.

This is one major concept I can implement now.  No more I will trys.  From now on, it's either I will or I won't.  I firmly believe we need the power to say I won't.  There are just some things I'm not able to do, and if I tell someone that I will try, but won't really do that, I'm lying to them and myself.

[Lance]

Great point, Lisa. 

I won't can be a very appropriate response - and freeing, really.  In saying "I will try" - we're setting ourselves up for potential failure - and possibly doing something we don't want to do or are not able to do.  Whereas saying "I won't" - frees us from this thing.  And we can move on to the things that are the "I will's" in our life. 

This one's really hitting me this morning - how often I'll say "I'll try" - only to wallow along and get very little accomplished.

[CreateaBalance]

My thoughts relating to chapter 2....

1. I question if my burning desire is too high level. I have a burning desire to help people practice the art of life balance but maybe I need a more specific, more measurable burning desire.

2. I am not in a place to burn bridges. Do I really need to burn bridges to grow rich? I hope not. When I had the opportunity to meet Oprah 5 years ago we briefly discussed my burning desire and my reality (needing to support my family, etc). She suggested I keep my day job and start building my dream part-time until I am in a position to take on my dream full-time. Yet I think Hill would have told me to quit my day job and not look back. I am being open minded as I read this book, but burning my bridges right now seems like too big of a risk (for me and my family). One must be fully prepared (money reserve, new form of health insurance, etc) to truly burn bridges in today's economy.

3. I love the concept of not recognizing failure. I think I'm growing closer to removing the word failure from my vocabulary.

4. I think the wisdom in chapter 2 is very similar to the wisdom in The Secret.

5. When I was deciding on the exact amount of money I wanted to desire by 1/1/10 I felt a sense of embarrassment and a sense of guilt for asking the universe for that much money. It was so interesting to notice my sense of shame for desiring money. I would probably feel better if I lowered the exact amount I want, but if “I bargained with life for a penny” I recognize I will only receive a penny.

6. Hill says we are “in this race for riches”. I don’t want to be in a race for riches. I want to be in a supportive circle of friends (like this forum) heading towards riches.

7. I love the liberating concept that the world rewards the dreamer who gives the world a new idea. Humans love newness.

8. Around page 40, I started wondering if I have read this book before through my grandfather’s eyes. I started wondering if my grandfather had read this book after the great depression. Did this book influence my grandfather, who then influenced my father, who then influenced me?

[Jennifer]

I totally agree with both of your "Take Aways." One or two is not enough.  It's an all or nothing choice.  Another thing that stuck me from your bullets was the "I will" instead of "I will try."  It's so common for us to say I will try to do that, but I hardly ever hear I will do that.  And from myself either.

This is one major concept I can implement now.  No more I will trys.  From now on, it's either I will or I won't.  I firmly believe we need the power to say I won't.  There are just some things I'm not able to do, and if I tell someone that I will try, but won't really do that, I'm lying to them and myself.

Great point Lisa.  For me, both "I will's" and "I won'ts" are empowering.  With this, I go from trying to actually doing and I go from feeling guilty for not doing something I said I would try to do to not feeling like I have to do it because other things are more important.

[Jennifer]

My thoughts relating to chapter 2....

1. I question if my burning desire is too high level. I have a burning desire to help people practice the art of life balance but maybe I need a more specific, more measurable burning desire.

2. I am not in a place to burn bridges. Do I really need to burn bridges to grow rich? I hope not. When I had the opportunity to meet Oprah 5 years ago we briefly discussed my burning desire and my reality (needing to support my family, etc). She suggested I keep my day job and start building my dream part-time until I am in a position to take on my dream full-time. Yet I think Hill would have told me to quit my day job and not look back. I am being open minded as I read this book, but burning my bridges right now seems like too big of a risk (for me and my family). One must be fully prepared (money reserve, new form of health insurance, etc) to truly burn bridges in today's economy.

3. I love the concept of not recognizing failure. I think I'm growing closer to removing the word failure from my vocabulary.

4. I think the wisdom in chapter 2 is very similar to the wisdom in The Secret.

5. When I was deciding on the exact amount of money I wanted to desire by 1/1/10 I felt a sense of embarrassment and a sense of guilt for asking the universe for that much money. It was so interesting to notice my sense of shame for desiring money. I would probably feel better if I lowered the exact amount I want, but if “I bargained with life for a penny” I recognize I will only receive a penny.

6. Hill says we are “in this race for riches”. I don’t want to be in a race for riches. I want to be in a supportive circle of friends (like this forum) heading towards riches.

7. I love the liberating concept that the world rewards the dreamer who gives the world a new idea. Humans love newness.

8. Around page 40, I started wondering if I have read this book before through my grandfather’s eyes. I started wondering if my grandfather had read this book after the great depression. Did this book influence my grandfather, who then influenced my father, who then influenced me?

Stacey, 

It sound like making a more definite specific goal would help you know exactly what you want.  The more vague we are with our goals, the more vague our results are.

I don't think Hill would tell you to quit your day job.  I think he would tell you to make a DEFINITE plan to reach your goal which would include quitting your job at a definite appropriate time.  He would say, make a plan... that's in a later chapter.  I don't think by burning bridges he is saying to quit everything you are doing this very instant.   Burning bridges means there's no way you are going back or retreating on your goal.

We are here to support you.  We're cheering you on.

I wonder if there is any way you could find out if your father read this book?  It would be neat to know if it was passed down to you...

[CreateaBalance]

Thanks for helping me reframe the concept of "burning bridges". I just read chapter three and recognize my biggest struggle is building the plan. There are so many ah-ha moments in this book.  I'm keeping my day job and will not retreat on my ultimate goal!

[Jennifer]

Thanks for helping me reframe the concept of "burning bridges". I just read chapter three and recognize my biggest struggle is building the plan. There are so many ah-ha moments in this book.  I'm keeping my day job and will not retreat on my ultimate goal!

Stacey, I think I've already said this somewhere else at the forum already, but I think chapter 4 will help you with your plan.  He suggest turning it over to your subconscious and not relying on your reasoning faculty.

[CreateaBalance]

I just printed off chapter 4 and will start reading it tonight! I am ready to turn it all over to my subconscious.

[Jennifer]

I just printed off chapter 4 and will start reading it tonight! I am ready to turn it all over to my subconscious.

Good luck (Oh wait, you don't need that.  Hill doesn't believe in superstition.  And I don't either anymore.) 
I think you will find this info exciting.  I know it excites me.