“There is one quality which one must possess to win, and that is definiteness of purpose, the knowledge of what one wants, and a burning desire to possess it.”

Napoleon Hill, author of The Law of Success and Think and Grow Rich

Napoleon Hill learned from Andrew Carnegie, common denominators of doing our best exist, make an impact when learned and implemented, and should be taught at home and school, as well as places of work and worship–and often they were not (in many schools and other key places, still not taught, which we can fix). Carnegie introduced Hill to scores of the world’s most prolific people, including U.S. presidents, business leaders, and scientists such as Thomas Edison.  He compiled their common denominators into a list of principles and practices published in essays and books.

If you read more of Hill’s work, you will see his emphasis on writing your definite purpose and internalizing it as a key to building desire and action. This process and plan can become a great source of motivation, habits, accountability, and results.

I first read his books as a college student in a summer job selling Bibles door-to-door. The ideas plus the summer experience planted the seeds of my calling to help people learn and use best-self leadership. Hill’s work influenced mine and is a reason why I emphasize so much to students, professionals, and families alike that we should write plans to help us discover purpose, focus, and internalize what’s most important.

May you Plan and Lead your Life, David