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Hill states that "the missing link in all systems of education may be found in the failure of educational institutions to teach their students how to organize and use knowledge after they acquire it."

I have had this problem for a long time with education.  This is actually a soapbox I could get on for a while.  This may be somewhat of an over-generalization, but to me it seems like all knowledge acquired at colleges is like this.  Even if a person gets a biology or engineering degree they still are learning a lot of useless info. that they never use.  A person usually only uses a small percentage of what they learn in college - or I would even venture to say what they learn in high school as well.  And then they are not even taught how to use the small percentage that could be useful.  It just makes so much more sense to me to get some kind of specialized degree in something where you are actually shown how to apply what you learn.  I think that's pretty much what Hill is saying here.  I'm not saying that you should quit college if you are getting a degree.  Just make sure you learn how to apply what you learn if you want to be successful or make money.  I think for the most part anyway that a person can apply the Think and Grow Rich principles to any degree and be successful. 

People mistakenly think that if they get a degree that they will all the sudden be smart and rich.  It just doesn't work that way.

This is so interesting Jennifer - because just maybe a week or so ago, I had a conversation with a buddy I went to college with.  We were reminiscing about college days, people we knew back then, etc, etc.  And out of the blue - we ended up on this exact subject.  The fact that what we learned in college - how much of it were we actually using?  Differential equations?  Advanced physics?  Not ever used.  I'm not saying that these classes don't have use - they do.  The question was more - what was the purpose of taking these classes?  Short of showing that we had the 'gumption' to complete them - most have never been used.  Yet, they're required. 

I agree that a college education has much value.  Part of that value is just in the piece of paper you receive at the end.  Proof that you completed it.  That one piece of paper can open many doors.  It does not make you any more qualified than someone off the street who has a great desire for the same position. 

In fact, I happen to think that some of the most valuable classes from college were ones not related to my major at all.  Many of the English classes, public speaking classes, creative thinking classes.  These really are classes that can apply to life in general.  And those ARE valuable. 

The other thing I think - is that we don't always know what we want to do when we're 18 years old.  Sure, some people do.  Many, though, are undecided. 

Okay, I've gotten off on a couple of tangents here.  The value in a college degree is that it expands our boundaries.  However, the knowledge we gain - is not necessarily knowledge we'll ever use.  College degrees open doors - but that doesn't mean it's the table we want to sit at.  Or it doesn't mean the meals are all prepared at that table. 

Good thoughts here Jennifer. 

[Six Steps to Stimulate Your Subconscious Mind]

Six Steps to Stimulate Your Subconscious Mind

The fact that you are reading this book is an indication that you earnestly seek knowledge. It is also an indication that you are a student of this subject. If you are only a student, there is a chance that you may learn much that you did not know, but you will learn only by assuming an attitude of humility. If you choose to follow some of the instructions but neglect, or refuse to follow others-you will fail! To get satisfactory results, you must follow ALL instructions in a spirit of FAITH.

The instructions given in connection with the six steps in the second chapter will now be summarized, and blended with the principles covered by this chapter, as follows:

First. Go into some quiet spot (preferably in bed at night) where you will not be disturbed or interrupted, close your eyes, and repeat aloud, (so you may hear your own words) the written statement of the amount of money you intend to accumulate, the time limit for its accumulation, and a description of the service or merchandise you intend to give in return for the money. As you carry out these instructions, SEE YOURSELF ALREADY IN POSSESSION OF THE MONEY.

For example :-Suppose that you intend to accumulate $50,000 by the first of January, five years hence, that you intend to give personal services in return for the money, in the Capacity of a salesman. Your written statement of your purpose should be similar to the following:

"By the first day of January, 19.., I will have in my possession $50,000, which will come to me in various amounts from time to time during the interim.

"In return for this money I will give the most efficient service of which I am capable, rendering the fullest possible quantity, and the best possible quality of service in the capacity of salesman of (describe the service or merchandise you intend to sell).

"I believe that I will have this money in my possession. My faith is so strong that I can now see this money before my eyes. I can touch it with my hands. It is now awaiting transfer to me at the time, and in the proportion that I deliver the service I intend to render in return for it. I am awaiting a plan by which to accumulate this money, and I will follow that plan, when it is received."

Second. Repeat this program night and morning until you can see, (in your imagination) the money you intend to accumulate.

Third. Place a written copy of your statement where you can see it night and morning, and read it just before retiring, and upon arising until it has been memorized.

 Remember, as you carry out these instructions, that you are applying the principle of auto-suggestion, for the purpose of giving orders to your subconscious mind. Remember, also, that your subconscious mind will act ONLY upon instructions which are emotionalized, and handed over to it with "feeling." FAITH is the strongest, and most productive of the emotions. Follow the instructions given in the chapter on FAITH.

These instructions may, at first, seem abstract. Do not let this disturb you. Follow the instructions, no matter how abstract or impractical they may, at first, appear to be. The time will soon come, if you do as you have been instructed, in spirit as well as in act, when a whole new universe of power will unfold to you.

[Self-Confidence Formula]

Self-Confidence Formula

FIRST: I know that I have the ability to achieve the object of my Definite Purpose in life, therefore, I DEMAND of myself persistent, continuous action toward its attainment, and I here and now promise to render such action.

SECOND: I realize the dominating thoughts of my mind WILL eventually reproduce themselves in outward, physical action, and gradually transform themselves into physical reality, therefore, I WILL concentrate my thoughts for thirty minutes daily, upon the task of thinking of the person I intend to become, thereby creating in my mind a clear mental picture of that person.

THIRD: I know through the principle of autosuggestion, ANY desire that I persistently hold in my mind WILL eventually seek expression through some practical means of attaining the object back of it, therefore, I WILL devote ten minutes daily to demanding of myself the development of SELF-CONFIDENCE.

FOURTH: I have clearly written down a description of my DEFINITE CHIEF AIM in life, and I WILL never stop trying, until I shall have developed sufficient self-confidence for its attainment.

FIFTH: I fully realize that no wealth or position can long endure, unless built upon truth and justice, therefore, I WILL engage in NO transaction which does not benefit all whom it affects. I will succeed by attracting to myself the forces I wish to use, and the cooperation of other people.

I will induce others to serve me, because of my willingness to serve others. I will eliminate hatred, envy, jealousy, selfishness, and cynicism, by developing love for all humanity, because I know that a negative attitude toward others can never bring me success. I will cause others to believe in me, because I will believe in them, and in myself.

I will sign my name to this formula, commit it to memory, and repeat it aloud once a day, with full FAITH that it will gradually influence my THOUGHTS and ACTIONS so that
I will become a self-reliant and successful person.

[Six Ways to Turn Desire Into Gold:]

I thought it would be helpful to post the formulas that Napoleon Hill instructs us to use in Think and Grow Rich.  Here's the first one:

Six Ways to Turn Desire Into Gold:

1. Fix in your mind the exact amount of money you desire. it is not sufficient merely to say “I want plenty of money.” Be definite as to the amount. (There is a psychological reason for definiteness.)

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

3. Establish a definite date when you intend to possess the money you desire.

4. Create a definite plan for carrying out your desire, and begin at once, whether you are ready or not, to put his plan into action.

5. Write out a clear, concise statement of the amount of money you intend to acquire, name the time limit for its acquisition, state what you intend to give in return for the money, and describe clearly the plan through which you intend to accumulate it.

6. Read your written statement aloud, twice daily, once just before retiring at night, and once after arising in the morning. As you read—see and feel and believe yourself already in possession of the money.


(It is helpful to note that the formula in chapter 4 gives instructions on how to do this formula.)

I have to wonder after reading some of this chapter how often we go about things backwards.

We can look online, we can look through the classifieds, etc. for job opportunities, send in a resume that gets lost in a sea of others and hope for an interview and hope to get hired....

or

Hill suggests we can get specialized knowledge, do our research well, design our own job, organize a plan and then present it to a company for any set salary we choose knowing that we have proposed them with something that they can't turn down. 

If we want to work for someone or a company why would we do it any other way?

Napoleon Hill says that "anything acquired without effort, and without cost is generally unappreciated, often discredited." and that "one of the strange things about human beings is that they value only that which has a price."  He says that libraries and free public schools do little to impress people because they are free.

Why do we value only that which has a price?

Do humans value something that is acquired with effort, but no cost, or vice versa?

Hill states that schooling and knowledge are of little use unless:

1) the knowledge is organized and put into use

2) for a definite purpose

3) through practical plans.

I think we can learn from this...

[educated man]

I really like how Hill defines an educated man:  one "who knows where to get knowledge when he needs it, and how to organize that knowledge into definite plans of action."  This is what made Ford so "smart" and successful.  He knew how to get knowledge and how to use it. 

I find comfort in Hill's words that say of Ford (and this applies to us as well): "It was not essential that he have this knowledge in his own mind."

Hill then goes on to say that we must have specialized knowledge in something in order to transmute desire into money, but any lack of knowledge on our part can be bridged through the aid of the "Master Mind" group. 

Just a little recap of the Ford story and this important lesson.....

Hill states that "the missing link in all systems of education may be found in the failure of educational institutions to teach their students how to organize and use knowledge after they acquire it."

I have had this problem for a long time with education.  This is actually a soapbox I could get on for a while.  This may be somewhat of an over-generalization, but to me it seems like all knowledge acquired at colleges is like this.  Even if a person gets a biology or engineering degree they still are learning a lot of useless info. that they never use.  A person usually only uses a small percentage of what they learn in college - or I would even venture to say what they learn in high school as well.  And then they are not even taught how to use the small percentage that could be useful.  It just makes so much more sense to me to get some kind of specialized degree in something where you are actually shown how to apply what you learn.  I think that's pretty much what Hill is saying here.  I'm not saying that you should quit college if you are getting a degree.  Just make sure you learn how to apply what you learn if you want to be successful or make money.  I think for the most part anyway that a person can apply the Think and Grow Rich principles to any degree and be successful. 

People mistakenly think that if they get a degree that they will all the sudden be smart and rich.  It just doesn't work that way.

This is especially difficult for type "A" personalities. They are all action and sometimes never stop to listen. I found this was true in the corporate world. All my bosses were so involved in their own world of constant action, that they never stopped to see if there might be a better way. There are 24 hours in a day, but if you have two people there is 48 and so on. Seems obvious to me!!

Hey, that's another great point Jay - two people working on the same thing double the man-hours available.  There does become a point where you can have too many people working on something together - the key is to find that balance where you're maximizing cooperation, effort, and output.

I too love the thought of two people in a day equaling 48 hours.  Makes a lot of sense.  Two minds thinking AND taking action toward the same thing....  Better and faster - hard to go wrong there.