Law of Success Part II

Second of a 3 part special series featured in the Hero Soul ezine:

1. Featured Quote
2. Law of Success Part II
3. The New Frontier: Space Travel for the Masses
4. Need a Writer?
5. Billionaire Speaks: Your Complimentary Invite
6. Subscribe to the Hero Soul ezine
7. Reprint Rights
8. Your Feedback is Welcome


1. Featured Quote

“Everything you can imagine is real.” – Pablo Picasso


2. Law of Success Part II

Dear Friends and Subscribers,


Welcome to the second part of my three part series commemorating the 21st Century Edition of Napoleon Hill's landmark work, "Law of Success," in which he reveals 17 Principles of Success based on his 25 years of research studying the lives of over 500 of the world’s greatest achievers.

In this special edition of your Hero Soul ezine, I’m highlighting these 17 Principles of Success both as a refresher for those who are already familiar with Hill’s work, and as an introductory guide to the essential qualities of achievement for those who have not yet had the chance to study this great personage who started the personal development revolution.

If you missed the first 5 principles outlined in Part I of my Hero Soul newsletter, I've included it for your benefit in my last blogpost. (To stay on top of the latest developments and cutting-edge news on success, leadership, and personal growth, remember to subscribe to the free monthly Hero Soul ezine by visiting www.HeroSoul.com and clicking on the "newsletter" tab). Enjoy:

Principle # 6: Imagination

“Imagination is the workshop of the human mind and creative power of the soul,” writes Hill. “First comes thought; then organization of that thought into ideas and plans; then transformation of those plans into reality. The beginning, as you will observe, is in your imagination.”

According to Hill, there are two types of imagination: synthetic imagination and creative imagination. Synthetic imagination involves rearranging old ideas into new combinations that produce new solutions. Stimulating creative imagination involves a repetition of highly emotionalized thoughts that can be combined with visualization, meditation, and prayer focused on a chief aim or solving a difficult problem, and then surrendering the thoughts to infinite intelligence to come up with new ideas, combinations, and plans.

Artists, inventors, and entrepreneurs frequently use some combination of both types of imagination. For example, many writers will often intentionally stop writing in the middle of a heated sentence or uncompleted paragraph at a particularly challenging point in the plot and “sleep on it.” During the rest of the night their subconscious mind, through the powers of creative intelligence, will work on the solution, and upon awakening, the writer will
write beautifully to complete the idea.

Entrepreneurs will often brainstorm and write down all the ideas, challenges, and available solutions and resources concerning a challenging problem and then “forget about it.” They might go on vacation for an extended period of time. On returning, or even while they’re on vacation, new ideas spring up that help solve the problem.

To further develop your imagination, study yourself; find out the inner motivations that drive you to carry out certain tasks to completion while avoiding other tasks. Study other people and human behavior around you. If you want to know what the other person will do (whether a customer, boss, employee, partner, or competitor), use your imagination to put yourself in their shoes. What would you do if you were that person?

By being able to look from another’s perspective, you not only help build your imagination muscles, you also help build bridges.


Principle # 7: Enthusiasm

Enthusiasm comes from the Greek root “entheos” which literally means God within. Enthusiasm is the vital force that impels action. Great leaders inspire others to action from their own enthusiasm which is highly contagious.

“It’s not so much what you say as it is the tone and manner in which you say it that makes a lasting impression,” writes Hill.

I recall a time when a “recruiter” had called and left a message for me requesting an interview. I checked out the company’s website and liked what I had to see. I was ready to come in for an interview, but when I returned the recruiter’s call and spoke to her, the tone of her voice clearly indicated that she wasn’t happy with her job and that I was just a number to make her appointment quota.

While the conversation was polite and professional, her tone and manner of speaking said she didn’t care. Needless to say, I did not come in for an interview, and it wouldn’t be a far stretch to guess that that recruiting company was losing business by the truckload on account of that one person – probably hundreds of thousands of dollars in revenue.

It’s surprising (or maybe not so surprising given the poor customer service survey results across North America) that companies are willing to go on losing millions by treating their frontline workers who have first line of contact with customers as an “expense” instead of as an investment.

The companies that will turn out to be champions in this information economy are the ones that treat their customer service and sales staff as VPs of Customer Relations. These organizations will have a HUGE competitive advantage by investing just a fraction of the money (money that would normally be lost to poor service) towards paying above industry average rates to retain quality customer service professionals, investing in their professional development, teaching basic human relations skills, and helping to create a better work environment.


Principle # 8: Self-Control

Hill keenly points out that self control directs your enthusiasm. A wise business tenet is to keep cool when others are hot. As Hill says, “Those who control themselves usually boss the job.”

I can’t recall how many business deals I’ve lost because I contacted a potential client in a moment of anger or frustration (either due to the business on hand or something entirely different). It’s amazing how much more business one can drum up by simply counting to ten, taking a couple of deep breaths, and thinking of something pleasant for a few seconds before making or taking that important call!

If you’ve tried these types of techniques without much success and are still angry with someone, at least try ‘writing it out of your system’ before approaching this person. Write a steaming hot letter to this person venting about what you feel is inappropriate behavior or some problem or injustice you feel you might have encountered.

After you’ve read the letter to yourself, tear it up and throw it away! Now you can approach this person and make your case with a level head without blaming or getting overly emotional. Maybe it was a simple misunderstanding.

I’m not saying this method will always work. Sometimes you do have to confront someone and express your anger – but those moments are rare when it’s productive. Using this one technique alone can save you from countless relationship disasters and bad business deals, and might even help get you that promotion over the next person
who blows his top!).

Never retaliate against those who offend you. Be a leader by being a person of poise and self-control.


Principle # 9: The Habit of Doing More Than Paid For

“Giving people a little more than what they expect is a good way to get back more than you’d expect”- Robert Half

We get back in life what we give. By getting into the habit of always doing more than you’re paid for, you will meet with opportunities for expansion, advancement, and promotion at every turn of the corner. (You might not get these opportunities immediately with your current employer; but eventually competitors will take notice and will gladly provide you with plenty of opportunity if your employer is not willing to do so).

Napoleon Hill offers countless real-life examples of ordinary people reaching extraordinary heights of achievement and success using this one principle alone in his magnum opus: Law of Success: The 21st-Century Edition.


Principle # 10: A Pleasing Personality

Hill states that a pleasing personality is a person that attracts. It’s all about your character and how you carry yourself. Are you dressed for success as it relates to your field? Do you speak with self-confidence? Do you offer a firm handshake and a warm smile, or a limp, ‘dead fish’ handshake with a rigid, forced smile? Do you offer an appropriate level of eye-contact given the cultural context or do you have shifty eyes that makes people feel uncomfortable? Are you flexible in mind, body, and spirit? Do you express genuine interest in others?

The best way to develop a pleasing personality is to show a keen interest in other people. If that recruiter had expressed even the slightest interest in what I did as a person, I would have overlooked the initial awkwardness of the call and come in for an interview. Her lack of a pleasing personality cost her and her company a number of lost contracts.

It’s so much more FUN and PROFITABLE to have a pleasing personality!


Principle # 11: Accurate Thinking

“The facts, just the facts, ma’am” – Sgt. Friday in Dragnet

Don’t believe everything you read in the news. Much of it is planted by powerful lobbyists and corporations with hidden agendas. Get into the habit of basing your decisions on factual information and avoiding gossip, rumors, and conjecture.

Even common day practices that are widely accepted can be based on wrong assumptions. In the Middle Ages, bloodletting was a common practice that was believed to help cure a variety of illnesses. It was a common belief among doctors that bad blood caused disease and so they bled patients for every imaginable ailment under the sun. This crude and ineffective medical ritual continued for 2,500 years until it was discovered that germs, not bad blood, were responsible for disease.

Today, we have our own version of bloodletting that is far more devious than in the Middle Ages. Take for example invasive medical practices such as coronary stenting and angioplasty. Freakonomics author, Steven D. Levitt, sites a recent NY Times article which, according to Levitt, “tells of the compelling study which found that coronary stenting is typically no more effective than heart drugs, even though it is far more invasive — and, to be sure, profitable for the medical personnel involved.” (According to the NY Times article, “angioplasty and stenting generally cost between $25,000 and $50,000”).

I think we need a new name for 21st Century bloodletting. If you’ve read this far, perhaps you can convince Mr. Webster to add the term moneyletting to the dictionary.

If someone makes a sweeping statement that raises doubts, you can ask this person the question that Napoleon Hill likes asking: “How do you know?”

We haven’t even begun to scratch the surface of accurate thinking. But to get to the heart of Hill’s main idea, accurate thinking is about separating the important facts from the unimportant ones.

The important facts being any fact you can use in the attainment of your chief aim. I’m not saying that the unimportant facts can’t also help enrich your life. But by focusing most of your time on the important facts as it relates to your chief aim will help get you there further and faster…


I hope you enjoyed Part II of my “Law of Success” series. Stay tuned for Part III in my upcoming newsletter. If you missed Part I, you can catch it on my last blog post.

In the meantime, share these principles with your peers, forward this newsletter if you like, discuss the concepts and teach other people what you’ve learned. There’s no better way to learn than by teaching others!

P.S. If you haven’t already, I’d highly recommend getting a copy of Napoleon Hill’s classic bestseller: Law of Success: The 21st-Century Edition. It really is a great read and I rank it in my personal top 10 list.


To your success,

Sharif Khan
www.herosoul.com
Freelance Writer, Inspirational Keynote Speaker
Bestselling Author of Psychology of the Hero Soul


3. The New Frontier: Space Travel for the Masses

I’d like to share a passage from The Hero Soul (pg. 81): “It will be a momentous day when this book reaches the generation whose average citizens can economically travel into space. Most of us, however, might not have the opportunity in our lifetime to travel into outer space to experience a higher perspective…”

I hope that visionary entrepreneur, Richard Branson, proves me wrong with his new space travel venture, Virgin Galactic, the world’s first commercial spaceline that will be offering suborbital space flights in 2009!

Can you imagine what it would be like to ‘slip the surly bonds of earth’? Let me quote a blurb from Branson’s site:

“The rocket motor has been switched off and it is quiet. But it’s not just quiet, it’s QUIET. The silence of space is as awe inspiring as was the noise of the rocket just moments earlier. What’s really getting your senses screaming now though, is that the gravity which has dominated every movement you’ve made since the day you were born is not there any more. There is no up and no down and you’re out of your seat experiencing the freedom that even your dreams underestimated.”

Wow! Now that would be a fantastic perspective builder!

On my “to read list” is Richard Branson’s business biography:

Losing My Virginity: How I've Survived, Had Fun, and Made a Fortune Doing Business My Way

I admire this unconventional rebel-business hero for being able to combine fun, business, and social responsibility as a way of life. He has managed to break every rule in the book and come out a winner.


4. Need a Writer?

If you need help with a writing project, shoot me an email at sharif @ herosoul. com. I might be able to help.

Of special interest would be owners of mid-to-large circulation publications (newspapers, magazines, ezines, blogs, trade journals) looking for an advice columnist writer or someone to write feature articles, reports, and reviews.

I’ve been writing for the inspirational market for over five years now and would be an ideal fit for publishers and organizations looking for content that would fall under the following topics:
motivation, success, leadership, personal and professional development, psychology, achievement, organizational performance, as well as entrepreneurship, business, sales, and marketing.

For a sampling of my writing, visit: http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Sharif_Khan


5. Billionaire Speaks: Your Complimentary Invite

Come spend an evening mentoring with a self-made Billionaire. A Complimentary 2 Hour Seminar Invitation. Discover the secrets to achieving personal and financial success from a man uniquely qualified to teach it, a man who went from broke to billionaire, an extraordinary man named Bill Bartmann.

There is no cost to attend but seating will be limited. To register now and reserve your spot immediately, click on: Mentor with a Billionaire


6. Subscribe to the Hero Soul ezine

To get your free copy of the Hero Soul ezine for the latest news and developments in success, leadership, and personal growth, visit www.HeroSoul.com and click on the "newsletter" tab or simply email inspire @ herosoul. com with "subscribe to hero soul" in the subject line.

If you’d like to share this ezine with your workgroup or friends and family, you have permission to ‘steal’ this Hero Soul eZine by forwarding it in its entirety as is without any changes. (I just ask that you do it nicely by forwarding the whole thing and not in bits and pieces).

This ezine is copyright © 2007 by Sharif Khan.

7. Reprint Rights

You have permission to use any of the articles in this ezine edition in your own ezine, blog, newsletter, or web site, as long as you include the following blurb with it:

Sharif Khan (www.sharifkhan.blogspot.com) is a freelance copywriter, inspirational keynote speaker, and author of the leadership bestseller, Psychology of the Hero Soul (www.herosoul.com). He publishes his monthly Hero Soul ezine for cutting-edge advice on success, leadership and personal growth. To contact Sharif Khan about his writing and motivational speaking services, call: 416-417-1259.


8. Your Feedback is Welcome

Let us know how we’re doing. Are you finding the content in our ezine useful? Any comments, praise, or suggestions for improvement? Do you find the Hero Soul ezine too short, too long, or just right? What kind of topics would you be most interested in receiving in the future? We’d love to hear from you! Send your feedback to: inspire @ herosoul. com

_________________________________________________________

I'll see you next week! Be a hero!

“Heroes are rebels with a cause. Rebels because they challenge the traditional ways of thinking and refuse to follow the herd. They have a cause, a vision, that's larger than life.”
- Sharif Khan, author of Psychology of the Hero Soul

Hero Soul eZine, Copyright © 2007 by Sharif Khan. A F-R-E-E monthly column.

www.herosoul.com
35 Douville Court, Toronto, Ontario M5A 4E7 Canada
Tel: 416-417-1259

Law of Success Part I

First of a 3 part special series featured in the Hero Soul ezine:

Inside Your www.HeroSoul.com eZine Issue:

1. Featured Quote
2. Law of Success Part I
3. Need a Writer?
4. Billionaire Quest
5. Reprint Rights


1. Featured Quote

“After one has discovered what he is called for, he should set out to do it with all of the power
that he has in his system…Do it as if God almighty ordained you at this particular moment in
history to do it.” - Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.


2. Law of Success Part I

Dear Friends and Subscribers,


Please forgive my rather long absence in writing to you. I’ve been fairly busy working on my next book project (an inspirational novel) which I’ve promised to complete by December 31, 2007. I’ve also spent the last month immersing myself in the teachings of Napoleon Hill and would like to make up my long absence by sharing with you a summary of the main principles from his landmark work, Law of Success: The 21st-Century Edition.

Most of you know who Napoleon Hill is. But for the benefit of those who don’t, Mr. Hill is quite arguably the author of the world’s first practical philosophy of human achievement. Commissioned back in 1908 by the great steel magnate, Andrew Carnegie, Hill spent over 25 years researching the lives of over 500 of the most successful people on the planet.

The amazing thing is that most of Hill’s work was not from second-hand research but first-hand knowledge from personal contact with some of the greatest powerbrokers of the day including Henry Ford, Alexander Graham Bell, Thomas Edison, John D. Rockefeller, Charles M. Schwab, Elbert Hubbard, George Eastman, and US Presidents Woodrow Wilson, William Howard Taft and Theodore Roosevelt.

While “Think and Grow Rich” is certainly Hill’s most popular book based on the results of his exhaustive research, “Law of Success” (which was first published in a set of eight volumes) is Hill’s most comprehensive work of achievement; a veritable tome of success literature, I’d call it the world’s first and foremost “success encyclopedia.”

The only modern day equivalents that readily come to mind is Anthony Robbin’s “Unlimited Power” in the field of applied psychology, Stephen Covey’s “The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People” on principle-centered leadership, and the success strategies employed in Jack Canfield’s “The Success Principles.”

Nevertheless, I would rank Napoleon Hill’s “Law of Success: The 21st-Century Edition” as the foundational book for developing a practical success philosophy that anyone can readily apply. The fully revised and updated 21st-Century Edition comes in at 1035 pages containing Hill’s deep analysis of the 17 proven principles of success, many personal examples and stories from his own life experiences, and new commentary from the editors providing modern parallels with contemporary events and the latest management theories.

I come across a lot of success literature in my line of work; and after thoroughly reviewing Hill’s “Law of Success,” I can quite comfortably recommend purchasing several copies as treasured gifts for friends and family and as a special collection for your own personal success library.

To get your copy or copies at a 37% discount, you can visit the following link: http://tinyurl.com/2a2cuk

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In this special edition of your Hero Soul ezine, I’ll provide a brief summary of each of Napoleon Hill’s 17 Principles from his classic bestseller, “Law of Success: The 21st-Century Edition.” I’ve divided this ezine edition into three parts: Law of Success Part I, Part II, and Part III, spread out over three weeks.

Breaking this ezine edition into three parts will give you some time to learn and apply these principles. Master these principles and you will master your destiny:

Principle # 1: The Master Mind

The Master Mind is simply a friendly alliance of two or more minds harmoniously working together in full cooperation towards the achievement of a singular purpose. It’s more than just a brain-trust of accumulated knowledge used for creative problem solving; the Master Mind is a field of accumulated energy created from the combined group’s spirit which can accomplish far more than any individual member could possibly hope to achieve independently.

Hill recommends forming a round table of ideally six to twelve like-minded individuals who will support your chief aim, who are in complete harmony with each other, and who are willing to meet with you regularly to help you accomplish that aim. You must offer each group member something in return that will reward their participation in your Master Mind.

Whether you choose to develop a formal alliance or not, the Master Mind principle will still have a powerful influence over your life – for better or worse. It is said you are the average sum total of the people you spend the most time with which will either help or hinder you. Choose your friends and associates carefully.

Principle # 2: A Definite Chief Aim

Without a definite purpose backed by a definite plan one is as lost and hopeless as a rudderless ship in the middle of the Atlantic. Good intentions and hard work are not enough. You need a Purpose, a Plan, and Perseverance backed with a burning desire to achieve your definite chief aim in life.

To realize your Chief Aim, Hill suggests writing out your WWWH and reviewing it daily: “know what you want, when you want it, why you want it, and how you intend to get it.” Also include what you plan to give in return for reaching your dream.

By reviewing your manifesto daily, with intense feeling, you will begin attracting the people and circumstances in your life to make your wildest dreams come true.

Note: If you’re not sure what your definite purpose in life is, I’d highly recommend getting a copy of Napoleon Hill’s Law of Success: The 21st-Century Edition because it includes a number of self-assessment questionnaires with practical examples and stories to help you clarify your chief aim in life.

Principle # 3: Self-Confidence

To be self-confidant you must know. Know yourself and know your business. Know your strengths and weaknesses, your greatest fears and deepest desires. Those who do not know live in constant fear and anxiety. A leader must know.

Keep a log of all your accomplishments and all the praise you receive and review it frequently. Use autosuggestion or self-talk to tell yourself daily about how you are growing as a leader in your field.

Fill your mind with positive, inspiring thoughts. Surround yourself with people who will empower you. Have faith in others and see the good in people because how you view others is a reflection of yourself.

Principle # 4: The Habit of Saving

Pay yourself first by developing the habit of consistently saving a portion of your income. Hill and many others suggest saving at least 10% of your earnings. (Tip: if you’ve accumulated high-interest debts such as credit card debt, it’s a good policy to allocate 80% of your savings to paying down the debt in order to avoid that debt from growing faster than the rate of return you’re getting on your savings).

Those who have will be given more. Having even a modest savings account will increase your self-confidence and will attract many opportunities that would normally not come your way without that extra cushion.

Successful people will be more willing to back your idea or promote you within their enterprise if they see that you yourself have developed the self-discipline of saving.

Hill recounts several instances in his book where people who had built up a little savings account were able to invest in new business opportunities, attract financing for their ideas, or enter into partnerships that would later result into untold millions.

Principle # 5: Initiative and Leadership

“Do the thing and you shall have the power.” – Emerson

According to Hill, leadership is “doing the right thing without being told.” Leadership is ultimately about taking initiative and getting things done. Bottom line: leaders get paid for results.

By always providing additional service without any expectation for pay, you will build your initiative muscles.

Leadership requires self-sacrifice. Leaders are givers. Inspire and help others and you will be rewarded in direct proportion to your efforts. As American self-help icon, Zig Ziglar, likes to say, “You can have everything in life you want, if you will just help other people get what they want.”


I hope you enjoyed Part I of my “Law of Success” brief. Stay tuned for Part II in my upcoming newsletter. In the meantime, share these principles with your peers, forward this newsletter, discuss the concepts and teach other people what you’ve learned. There’s no better way to learn than by teaching others.


To your success,

Sharif Khan
www.herosoul.com
Freelance Writer, Inspirational Keynote Speaker
Bestselling Author of Psychology of the Hero Soul


3. Need a Writer?

If you or someone you know has a mid-to-large circulation newspaper, magazine, or newsletter and is looking for an advice columnist writer or someone to write feature articles, reports, and reviews, feel free to contact me at: sharif @ herosoul.com

I’ve been writing for the inspirational market for over five years now and would be an ideal fit for publishers and organizations looking for content that would fall under the following topics:
motivation, success, leadership, personal and professional development, psychology, achievement, organizational performance, as well as entrepreneurship, business, sales, and marketing.

For a sampling of my writing, visit: http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Sharif_Khan


4. Billionaire Quest

On May 3, 2007, Bill Bartmann, the self-made Billionaire who is making waves in the personal development industry, is returning to Toronto to deliver his famous Billionaire Mentoring evening seminar.

This time he’s bringing his camera crew along where they’ll be filming his new TV reality show:
“Billionaire Quest.”

This is your opportunity to be mentored by a self-made billionaire on overcoming failure and achieving lifelong success while also being on a TV reality show that will air this Fall on National TV.

Here is your complimentary invitation to sign-up: F-R-E-E Mentoring Session with a Billionaire

P.S. There’s no cost to attend but seating is limited and space will fill up fast. Reserve your spot now before it's too late and the seats are all gone.

6. Reprint Rights

You have permission to use any of the articles in this ezine edition in your own ezine, blog, newsletter, or web site, as long as you include the following blurb with it:

Sharif Khan (www.sharifkhan.blogspot.com; sharif@herosoul.com) is a freelance copywriter, inspirational keynote speaker, and author of the leadership bestseller, Psychology of the Hero Soul (www.herosoul.com). He publishes his monthly Hero Soul ezine for cutting-edge advice on success, leadership and personal growth. To contact Sharif Khan about his
writing and motivational speaking services, call: 416-417-1259.

_________________________________________

I'll see you next week! Be a hero!

“Heroes are rebels with a cause. Rebels because they challenge the traditional ways of thinking and refuse to follow the herd. They have a cause, a vision, that's larger than life.”
- Sharif Khan, author of Psychology of the Hero Soul



Hero Soul eZine, Copyright © 2007 by Sharif Khan. A F-R-E-E monthly column.

www.herosoul.com
35 Douville Court, Toronto, Ontario M5A 4E7 Canada
Tel: 416-417-1259

How are you benefiting from the Hero Soul ezine? If you have any comments, praise, or suggestions for improvement, please let us know by sending an email to inspire @ herosoul.com