Thoughts Are Things

Let me share to you Napoleon Hill's concept of thought turning into things. This is an excerpt from his book with which he gave a concrete and real example of "thought(s)" that eventually turned into "thing(s)".

Truly "thoughts are things," and powerful things at that, when they are mixed with definiteness of purpose, persistence, and a burning desire for their translation into riches, or other material objects.

Some years ago, Edwin C. Barnes discovered how true it is that men really do think and grow rich. His discovery did not come about one sitting. It came little by little, beginning with a burning desire to become a business associate of the great Edison.

One of the chief characteristics of Barnes' desire was that it was definite. He wanted to work with Edison, not for him. Observe carefully the description of how he went about translating his desire into reality, and you will have a better understanding of the principles which lead to riches.

When this desire, or impulse of thought, first flashed into his mind he was in no position to act upon it. Two difficulties stood in his way. He did not know Mr. Edison, and he did not have enough money to pay his railroad fare to Orange, New Jersey. 

These difficulties were sufficient to have discouraged the majority of men from making any attempt to carry out the desire. But his was bo ordinary desire!

He presented himself at Mr. Edison's laboratory, and announced he had t come to go into business with the inventor. In speaking of the first meeting between Barnes and Edison, years later, Mr. Edison said:

"He stood there before me, looking like an ordinary tramp, but there was something in the expression of his face which conveyed the impression that he was determined to get what he had come after. I had learned, from years of experience with men, that when a man really desires a thing so deeply that he is willing to stake his entire future on a single turn of the wheel in order to get it, he is sure to win. I gave him the opportunity he asked for, because I saw he had made up his mind to stand by until he succeeded. Subsequent events proved that no mistake was made."

It could not have been the young man's appearance which got him start in the Edison office, for that was definitely against him. It was what he thought that counted.

Barnes did not get his partnership with Edison on his first interview. He did get a chance to work in the Edison offices, ar a very nominal wage. 

Months went by. Apparently nothing happened to bring nearer the coveted goal which Barnes had set up in his mind as his definite major purpose. But something important was happening in Barnes' mind. He was constantly intensifying his desire to become the business associate of Edison. 

Psychologists have correctly said that "when one is truly ready dor a thing, it puts in its appearance." Barnes was ready for a business association with Edison; Moreover, he was determined to remain ready until he got that which he was seeking.

He did not say to himself, "Ah well, what's the use? I guess I'll change my mind and try for a salesman's job. " But He did say, "I came here to go into business with Edison, and I'll accomplish this end if it takes the remainder of my life." He meant it! What a different story men would have to tell if only they would adopt a definite purpose, and stand by that purpose until it had time to become an all-consuming obsession!

Maybe young Barnes did not know it at the time, but his bullsog determination, his persistence in standing back of a single desire, was destined to mow down all opposition, and bring him the opportunity he was seeking.

When the opportunity came, it appeared in a different form and from a different direction Barnes had expected. That is one of the tricks of opportunity. It has a sly habit of slipping in by the back door, and often it comes disguised in the form of misfortune, or temporary defeat. Perhaps this is why so many fail to recognize opporunity.

Mr. Edison had just perfected a new office device, known at that time as the Edison Dictating Machine. They did not believe could be sold without great effort. Barnes saw his opportunity. It had crawled in quietly, hidden in a queer-looking machine which interested no one but Barnes and the inventor.

Barnes knew he could sell the Edison Dictating Machine. He suggested this to Edison, promptly got his chance. He did sell the machine. In fact, he sold it so successfully that Edison gave him a contract to distribute and market it all over the nation. Out of that business association Barnes made himself rich in money, but did something infinitely greater. He proved that one really may "Think and Grow Rich."

How much actual cash and original desire Barnes' was worth to him, I have no way of knowing. Perhaps it brought him two or three million dollars, but he amount, whatever it is, becomes insignificant when it is compared with the greater asset he acquired in the form of definite knowledge that an intangible impulse of thought can be transmuted into material rewards by the application of known principles.

Barnes literally thought himself into a partnership with the great Edison! He thought himself into a fortune. He had nothing to start with, except the capacity to know what he wanted, and the determination to stand by that desire until he realized it.