Think and Grow Rich!

01Turning Burning Desire Into Tangible Reality

Every great achievement in human history started as a mere thought, a tiny seed of desire planted firmly in someone's mind. But we are not talking about a simple wish or a fleeting hope; we are exploring a consuming, obsessive passion that flat-out refuses to accept defeat. When you look at people who have achieved extraordinary things, it is easy to assume they were blessed with special talents or endless resources. Yet, the foundation of all profound success is something much more accessible: a burning desire. A wish will not bring you riches. Hoping for a better life will not magically change your bank account. What creates real, unstoppable momentum is a desire so strong that it becomes the singular, driving obsession of your life. You must want your goal so badly that you are willing to burn all your boats and cut off all avenues of retreat. Consider the fascinating story of Edwin C. Barnes, a man who had a burning desire to become the business partner of the great inventor Thomas A. Edison. Barnes did not want to work for Edison; he wanted to work with him. At the time, Barnes had no money, no influence, and no special technical skills. He could not even afford a passenger train ticket to Edison’s laboratory in West Orange, New Jersey. Instead of giving up, he traveled on a freight train, arriving at Edison’s office looking completely unkempt, resembling a common tramp. However, beneath his ragged exterior burned an unstoppable ambition. When he stood before Edison, the great inventor later recalled that there was something in the young man's eyes that conveyed absolute determination. Edison gave him a job sweeping floors. Most people would have felt insulted or discouraged. They might have thought, "I came here to be a partner, and now I am just a janitor!" Barnes, on the other hand, saw this as his foot in the door. He used his time to observe, learn, and wait for his opportunity. Months went by, and nothing changed. But in his mind, Barnes was already Edison's partner. Eventually, Edison invented a new device called the Edison Dictating Machine. His sales force was entirely unenthusiastic about it, believing it would be too difficult to sell. Barnes instantly saw his chance. He confidently approached Edison and promised he could sell the machine. Edison gave him the opportunity, and Barnes sold it so successfully that they entered into a contract to distribute and market it nationwide. The slogan "Made by Edison and installed by Barnes" was born, and Barnes made a massive fortune. He proved that a deeply held desire, backed by absolute persistence, can bend reality to your will. How do we apply this incredible principle to our everyday lives? Hill provides a highly specific, practical six-step formula to transform your desires into physical reality. First, fix in your mind the exact amount of money or the specific goal you desire. It is not enough to say, "I want plenty of money" or "I want a better job." You must be highly specific. Second, determine exactly what you intend to give in return. There is no such thing as something for nothing. What effort, service, or product will you provide? Third, establish a definite date by which you intend to possess the desired goal. A goal without a deadline is merely a dream floating in the wind. Fourth, create a definite plan for carrying out your desire, and begin at once. It does not matter if you feel ready or not; you must take immediate action. Fifth, write out a clear, concise statement summarizing the first four steps. Put it all down on paper. Sixth, read your written statement aloud twice daily. Read it once just before going to sleep and once upon waking up. As you read, you must see, feel, and believe yourself already in possession of your goal. This process might sound completely illogical to someone who has never tried it. You might ask, "How can reading a piece of paper change my life?" The secret lies in how human psychology works. By constantly focusing your mind on a single, burning desire, you begin to notice opportunities that were previously invisible to you. Your brain acts like a heat-seeking missile, filtering out distractions and locking onto the people, resources, and circumstances needed to fulfill your ambition. When your desire becomes an obsession, failure simply becomes a temporary detour rather than a dead end.