This will definitely not be the last time this subject is undertaken in this book, but for anyone doubting that they have the ability to create wealth because of a lack of formal education or college, this passage from Napoleon Hill’s forward will keep you reading. For those of you with education in excess, take heart that utilizing the secret to building wealth should be all the easier for you.
The Secret
“The secret serves equally well, all who are ready for it. Education has nothing to do with it. Long before I was born, the secret had found its way into the possession of Thomas A. Edison, and he used it so intelligently that he became the world’s leading inventor, although he had but three months of schooling.
“The secret was passed on to a business associate of Thomas Edison. He used it so effectively that, although he was then making only $12,000 a year, he accumulated a great fortune, and retired from active business while still a young man. You will find his story at the beginning of the first chapter. It should convince you that riches are not beyond your reach, that you can still be what you wish to be, that money, fame, recognition and happiness can be had by all who are ready and determined to have these blessings.”
No Education Doesn’t Mean Failure
This fact parallels what we teach at Universal Wealth Creation; your past educational experience does not predispose you to a life of poverty. All you have to do to build wealth of your own is to gain access now to the tools you need, and implement what you learn about investing and wealth creation to live better, richer, and freer. Past education is likely a moot point, anyway, because so much of what we learn in school and college is mis-directed; you just don’t learn in school the ways to create wealth that we teach here.
I will see you back here Monday and Thursday every week for the continuation of the Mindset Mastery series.
Sean Rasmussen
Success Communicator
SeanRasmussen.com © 2004 – 2008
{ 38 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi, Sean I like to have a copy of Mindset Mastery, how we can take this matter further, I could not download it.
Regards
Alan
Hi Alan
Reply to the email you received by filling in the above form (under the ebook picture). Put “Mindset Mastery eBook” in the subject and we will email you a copy.
I am interested in acquiring the a copy of the Mindset Mastery. I couldn’t see the form above. I see this note has been made a while ago so maybe it has been removed.
I have really enjoyed the mindset mastery posts that I have read so far.
Yes, me too. I would like a copy of Mindset Mastery – but can’t see the form.
Maybe I should have affiliated to the Mindset Mastery first and then pointed everyone to the sale of the book.
But then again, that’s not probably me either. If I get something for free then I like to pass it on.
Hi Sean,
I have not been able to download Mindset Mastery, what can I do? I have sent for Jamie’s Home Study program.
Margaret
Hi Margaret
Simply reply to one of my emails with “Mindset Mastery eBook” in the subject and you will receive a book. Congrats on getting Jamie McIntyre’s program.
I have downloaded Mindset Mastery without a problem. I am looking forward to reading this.
Hi Donna
Thank you. Enjoy the book. I have had a lot of great feedback.
Hi there My name is Chris, and I have been searching the web in regards to Motivational Story for what seems like ages now. Its really nice to know that someone out there is really writing great articles about Motivational Story. I’ll be back to read other articles you have. Signed this day (Saturday).
Thanks Chris. Welcome back.
Hi been surfing the net for Internet Marketing Secret and found your blog reg Mindset Mastery 7 – Can An Undereducated Person Learn The Secret? – Mindset Mastery,Motivation,Napoleon Hill. You really know your stuff! I’d like to see more posts here. Will definitely bookmark this one and come back.
Hi Egor
Hang around. There will be plenty more
Can An Undereducated Person Learn The Secret? If you mean lack of formal qualifications then the answer is yes. But if we take education more broadly to cover a persons experience and his training and combined with his natural talents then the answer is a resounding no. A person has to be ready to grasp the meaning of the secret. to see it and no amount of formal education is going to make that happen. I know people with multiple university degrees and less than average common sense. Only when a person is in the right frame of open and postive mind can they understand the secret. A person who has never been to schooll can have it and a University graduate might not have a clue.
Hi Sean,
When you consider that learning the principles of success and wealth creation is not generally a priority for schools, I’m not surprised that education is not essential for harnessing the secret. I think the only thing that is necessary is an open mind, a willingness to learn and apply the success principles and a burning desire to create the life of your dreams.
Hi Sean,
When you consider that learning the principles of success and wealth creation is not generally a priority for schools, I’m not surprised that education is not essential for harnessing the secret. I think the only thing that is necessary is an open mind, a willingness to learn and apply the success principles and a burning desire to improve one’s life.
Hi Sean,
O.K. I think I am getting the idea now. When you mentioned Thomas Edison I can see a quality he had that was special. He had to have this quality to be able to do what he did. He needed it to succeed. Now I don’t want to say it either. Also I could be wrong at this point.
I’m waiting for more hints in the next post.
We’re lucky that, in the wealthy nations, we have the privilege to be in a position to criticise our schools for not teaching us basic “wealth creation principles” (as we call it in these circles). In poor countries, children are struggling to receive primary school education to learn basic reading and writing. When their families don’t make enough money, they don’t get to eat or drink clean water.
Lina Nguyen´s last blog ..Richard Branson Business School: A day visit
Being exposed to an idea, and utilising does not have a pre-requisite of schooling. We have done it all our lives with many things. Choosing what we learn for our own advancement, now that is just common-sense.
Jo Carey-Bradshaw´s last blog ..Empowering Mindset – Mindfulness
Hi Sean
Maybe Napoleon Hill;s book should be studied in school from year 7 on giving everyone the chance to excel in their chosen field maybe it would be the way to change the world.
Rita
If the books about Anastasia are to be believed, you can have anything you want whenever you want it. She is a living example of this without any formal education. And yet people read the books she inspired in part to become better educated.
Wal Heinrich´s last blog ..Think And Grow Rich Mindset Mastery
I agree with Hill, it’s not about formal education. It’s more about the hunger to learn. Learn from life, from books, from experience. Or from formal education. But not having formal education is not stopping you from getting what you want. If you really want it.
Renee´s last blog ..Definition Of Motivation
Hi Sean,
I don’t believe that a high (academic) education means a high IQ. Passing exams is more to do with how reliable a students memory is or how well they studied. Instead true intelligence is shown in common sense and in humility.
An example I like to compare with is that I read often about the rise of an entrenpreneur. Most will say that they left school at aged around 14, They say they couldn’t wait to get out there and built a business. They tell how they built it from scratch and that they are in a position to retire by the age of 30. This is a far more reliable indication that someone has a high IQ
Very interesting question Sean
Jill Brown´s last blog ..Common Law Marriage – What is Common Law Marriage?
It is a proven fact that one does not need a formal education to succeed. Only an all consuming desire and the ability to learn is needed. Mr. Hill’s book is a fascinating read.
Elizabeth
I believe that you hit the nail on the head here. Desire is the biggest motivating factor
Hi Sean
I noticed that Elizabeth and Jazz both mentioned the word ‘desire’ as being the motivating
factor to succeed in life.
I know for a fact that formal education doesn’t necessarily give you that desire, and in fact with alot of young people they have a one huge desire and that is to get out of school (lol)
My parents did not have any education in wealth building and they struggled all their lives.
My reason for having a huge desire to succeed will not be exactly the same as everyone else and I can’t exactly pin point why, when all in my family lived through the same conditioning, I am the only one that wanted to break from the mould and make a difference.
It is very debatable what exactly turns us around on our heels and makes us stop and decide we want a better life, to create the life of our dreams and then start swimming upstream against the tide of the other 96% of the population who are all flowing downstream.
The most important thing I think is that we don’t swim alone, we swim with determination and we can change the way we swim when we need to. It is also great to have strong swimmers like you Sean who are leaders in your field and create a slipstream effect for those of us who are willing to follow.
Blessings
Elly
Hi Elly,
I guess some of us just keep the dreams they have alive for longer – maybe we are just more stubborn?
But you are right – it’s important that we don’t swim alone, that we know we can change our direction and that we do it. And along the way help others who want to do the same.
I am very happy that you are part of this great “swimmer” team that I got to know via Yota, your comments do help me to stay on target. Thanks.
Renee´s last blog ..Self Improvement Books – What Are Your Favourites
Hi Elly,
Sometimes I think it’s precisely what happens to us when we watch our parents struggle. Something inside of us just knows that we want to live a different life and I think that’s okay.
When our family isn’t going the same way as us; we need to find friends and mentors that are.
Jazz Salinger´s last blog ..Sean Rasmussen – Aussie Internet Marketer Making a Difference
So true Jazz. I don’t think it was so much that my parents were undereducated so much as just following their upbringing. I think in their day as new parents it was expected to conform and follow what their parents, grandparents did. If you dared to be different or think different you were an weird, crazy and made an outcast – or all of the above.
Society and thinking has changed. There are still a lot of people who follow the norm and that’s where we stand up for our beliefs and our visions and impact one or two people each then we are on the path to a much bigger change.
I clash with my Mum because she has been treating me just like her mother treated her. I have only found out more about my grandmother of recent times and more things make sense. I deserve more and stand up for myself.
Recent events just make me more determined that to make sure that don’t let that happen to my boys.
Hi Sean,
A great post to encourage some great thoughts about the direction our life can go based on our own desires, perseverance, persistence, belief and faith. Education may or may not play a part for some people….and it is certainly not the basis of succeeding. Belief in oneself (and all the other virtues mentioned) are the basis of success. Education in the traditonal sense isn’t needed, but educating oneself (in life skills, integrity, persistence etc)….that is what is important!
Love your comments Elly
Regards,
Cath
G’day Sean,
As someone who left school at 5th form, this information is a total inspiration. What is special about seeing this today is that it’s a powerful reminder, and a good kick along.
It is not news to me as I’ve poured over TAGR on and off for years, and read the Rich Dad Poor Dad series of books by Robert Kiyosaki, SLOA since you generously provided it to us for free, plus many other fine authors.
Bill Gates of Microsoft is a perfect example of not needing lots of special formal education – a college dropout has become one of the richest people in the world ! Not bad for a so-called dummy ! Robert Kiyosaki too had limited schooling , and he is now extremely wealthy and a respected educator.
Cheers
Harry
Harry Lynn´s last blog ..SEAN RASMUSSEN’S ” LEARN AND EARN ” COMPETITION.
Intelligence, the desire to succeed, a positive attitude and so on has absolutely nothing to do with education.
In our focus – internet marketing, too much education could even be a handicap. Good content writing, for example, does not require erudite dissertations, but clear, useful and easy to understand information that the breadth of readership levels of education can grasp.
Website grader.com actually comments on this – I saw one of my sites rated as college level – and immediately thought was the reach of the content limited therefore.
As it was on health, it was a challenge to review and alter content to ensure it was at anyones grasp.
Any person, regardless of education level, can learn the secret. What is taught in schools is misdirected and is highlighted very well in Robert Kiyosaki’s Rich Dad, Poor Dad.
There are many examples about like Thomas Edison that Napolean Hill writes about in Think & Grow Rich. How many times do we read about a highly successful person who has had no education and been labelled a dunce and a ‘you will never be good at anything’ person.
These Mindset Mastery series are excellent.
That is a good example “Rich Dad, Poor Dad”. It is attitude and mindset not education that brings success. A lot of the education at school and college emphasises qualifications and career paths – but little is done to help form minds that think outside the box.
The very direction of current education can actually close off the mind from exploring in the ways illustrated by “Rich Dad’ Poor Dad”
As our own person, we alone can make the decision on whether we can learn the secret or not. We don’t have to be educated. We just have to make a decision on what we desire, visualise it and set about creating it – no matter what.
That decision can happen at any time, anywhere.
So what if someone else doesn’t think it’s a good idea. Dare to be different. Dare to stand out and swim against the tide. Become a leader with your desire. If your desire is strong enough it will become contagious and attract others.
Next thing you know you’ll be on top of the world.
This guy dared to be different and look at the following he created. Do you think he had to be educated to create such a following?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fW8amMCVAJQ
It’s not just daring to be different – and swimming against the tide. It is the only way. Our society and education is very risk aversive when emphasizing the need for a degree or secure job.
Warren Buffet is a good example of swimming against the tide – not for him the standard Wall St practices – and he’s made a few bucks.
Thank you for making think and grow rich available, have placed order.
I lost my copy in a move years ago, hopefully to somebody else benefit.
Education is controled and Judged…. what is vital tho is our inner desires and the willingness to Learn.
Children easily put this ’secret’ into practice due to its simplicity, One of the best gifts we can give them
In my opinion >Education,or beliefs can actually get in the way .
If The Secret wasn’t simple how could it possibly be something that ANYBODY could learn, understand and do.
Children don’t look for complications in things and so can follow more easily so you’re right with education and beliefs getting in the way. They are responsible for creating preconceptions.