How to Develop a Definite Major Purpose

Every time I read something from Napoleon Hill I am amazed at how profound his words are, even today!

I wanted to share with this excerpt with you with the intention that it get a fire burning in you and you’ll take massive action today.

“This procedure in the development of a Definite Major Purpose is simple, but important, viz:

(a) Write out a complete, clear and definite statement of your Major Purpose in Life, sign it and commit it to memory. Then repeat it orally at least once every day, more often if practicable. Repeat it over and over, thus placing back of your purpose all of your faith in Infinite Intelligence.

(b) Write out a clear, definite plan by which you intend to begin the attainment of the object of your Definite Major Purpose. In this plan state the maximum time allowed for the attainment of your purpose, and describe precisely what you intend to give in return for the realization of your purpose, remembering that there is no such reality as something for nothing, and that everything has a price which must be paid in advance in one form or another.

(c) Make your plan flexible enough to permit changes at any time you are inspired to do so. Remember that Infinite Intelligence, which operates in every atom of matter and in every living or inanimate thing, may present you with a plan far superior to any you can create. Therefore be ready at all times to recognize and adopt any superior plan that may be presented to your mind.

(d) Keep you Major Purpose and your plans for attaining it strictly to yourself except insofar as you will receive additional instructions for carrying out your plan, in the description of the Master Mind Principle, which follows.

Do not make the mistake of assuming that because you may not understand these instructions the principles here described are not sound. Follow the instructions to the letter; follow them in good faith, and remember than by so doing you are duplicating the procedure of many of the greatest leaders this nation has ever produced.

The instructions call for no effort that you may not easily put forth.

They make no demands upon time or ability with which the average person may not comply.

And they are completely in harmony with the philosophy of all true religions.

Decide now what you desire from life and what you have to give in return. Decide where you are going and how you are to get there. Then make a start from where you now are to get there. Then make a start from where you now stand. Make the start with whatever means of attaining your goal that may be at hand. And you will discover that to the extent you make use of these, other and better means will reveal themselves to you.

That has been the experience of all men whom the world has recognized as successes. Most of them started with humble beginnings with little more to aid them than a passionate desire to attain a definite goal.

There is enduring magic in such a desire!”

(Source: The Master Key to Riches. Fawcett Crest Book. 1965. Pgs. 41 & 42.)

The MSI (mental strength idea) that I took away from this is:

“Decide now what you desire from life and what you have to give in return.”

Read this again….it’s not think about, guess or hope…it’s decide what you desire!  This takes a commitment and many of us are so afraid to comment to something in case we don’t get it (I talked about this in a previous post).

But here’s the real biggie…decide what you’ll give in return.  WOW!!  Not many success principles talk about this these days.  We all hear about attracting our success, but no one asks what are you willing to give in return?  

To generate peak personal performance you have know exactly what you want AND what you are willing to give in return….success is a two-way street.

So go ahead and take out some paper and start writing.  Sure it will take some soul searching and mental strength to write out a complete, clear and definite statement of your Major Purpose in Life, sign it and commit it to memory.  But ask yourself this….”If I don’t, how can I expect my life to really change?’