Think and Grow Rich - Chapter 2

Principle 1: Desire 

This vastly important principle is emphasised, again, in Chapter 2. 

Accordingly, an important factor of the success of the author's friend, Barnes, who seized his goal through desire, was that he had no plan B. As Napoleon Hill makes clear in page 32, Barnes completely and utterly left himself no other option. He certainly had no alternative option to fall back on and his thoughts and actions reflected that. He showed Edison that working with him was the only single thing he wanted.  

Additionally, it is advisable that the reader writes on a piece of paper the six practical steps that are outlined in the book, since it brings clarification and it will be easier for you to read it over and over again until it is embedded in your subconscious. You can use these practical steps for any area of your life and not just the financial. 

In fact, a study from the Dominican University found that "you are 42 percent more likely to achieve your goals if you write them down."1

Principle 2: Imagination

The book asserts that imagination is a vital aspect of success. It is apparent that any sort of innovation that was created in the world throughout the human race, has been part of the imagination of the inventor. If it weren't for the imagination of the inventor, to see something that no other person has seen before him, that invention that has made our life better, more convenient or more productive, would not have existed. Napoleon Hill adduces airports, cities and factories, among others. Now, think of the  smartphones, TV's and computers that have made our life better, more convenient and more productive. 

Remember Albert Einstein's famous quote, 'Imagination is more important than knowledge'.

Napoleon advises to look at history. Examine and analyse the great leaders of history to squeeze the valuable lessons out of them. For instance, Thomas Edison failed approximately a thousand times before finally figuring out the way to create a lamp that would run on electricity. He was determined to create it because he imagined that it was possible. 

As George Santayana rightly acknowledged, 'Those who do not learn history, are doomed to repeat it'.

Along with imagination, it is emphasised that the individual must possess BELIEF that his/hers imagination can become his/hers reality, as illustrated with the Thomas Edison example. This would require a sense of open-mindedness, since it is derived from belief and faith. On the contrary, close-mindedness tends to immediately dismiss and disregard belief and faith due to the fact that they can only see limitations.  

1. https://www.inc.com/peter-economy/this-is-way-you-need-to-write-down-your-goals-for-faster-success.html#:~:text=You%20are%2042%20percent%20more%20likely%20to%20achieve%20your%20goals,tasks%20necessary%20for%20your%20success.