The Mechanics of How to Proceed By: Napoleon Hill

The Mechanics of How to Proceed
by Napoleon Hill

You know that you will probably never feel that you are completely ready to start any project. There will always be something else you could do in preparation for your take-off. But if you start where you stand and work with whatever tools you have at hand, other and better goals will reveal themselves as you move forward.

Write out a clear, concise statement of your goal, just as though you were writing a letter to a friend, explaining what it is you really desire from life. List the benefits which will result either during the process or after attainment of your major goal. For example:

1. List the information or knowledge you desire to acquire.
2. List the kind of work you desire to do.
3. List the kind of personality you desire to be.
4. Write down how much you desire to earn and receive each year.
5. List the places you desire to visit and see.
6. List the skills, arts, crafts, and sciences you desire to master.

As you list these, write out a separate statement of the motive which prompts each desire. Each one of us, as a normal human being, does everything he does in response to some one or more of the ten basic motives. Relate each one of the elements in your objective to some strong motive. This will enable you to develop a burning desire behind it and continually impress your subconscious mind until it has a complete preoccupation with the attainment of your aims and purposes.

Source: PMA Science of Success. Educational Edition. The Napoleon Hill Foundation. 1961. Pgs. 41-42.