I am reading a book right now called “Think and Grow Rich” by Napoleon Hill. The book was written in 1937 and has stood the test of time. The premise of it is simple. The author spent time with the titans of his time and observed what separated those that amassed great wealth from those that didn’t. I am still reading the book, but what it boils down to is not education, physical abilities, or even intelligence that will grant you success.

It’s mindset and being able to focus your energies towards a goal without stopping.

I am not sure how I stumbled across the book, but I figure if a book from the 1930’s was still being discussed, I should read it.

In my own life I want to attain a certain amount of wealth, but not for wealth alone. In fact, I find the single minded pursuit of money to have an emptiness to it. However, I have found that those who create wealth in a just way can also create an ecosystem around them that can be almost self-sustaining.

Mentorship can be offered to others. Ideas that require capital can be pursued. Innovations can be perfected and causes can be embraced.

If you look at a man like Bill Gates you see a savvy businessman that has spawned an industry and can now use his great wealth to promote positive actions around the world. However, he would never be in that position if he had not been single-minded with his company in the beginning.

I doubt myself constantly or tell myself no when I should say yes.

Abundance comes not from being timid, but by being bold and honest with what you want.

Think of the possibilities you could pursue should you truly embrace who you are. It would be better for everyone!

And without making this seem like a rah rah post about positive thoughts, consider the fact that we have nothing to lose by pursing a better version of ourselves.

I am still working on the book, but I encourage you to try it. Is it going to make you think in a new way? Perhaps, but that can be a positive. The author has some insight and he is genuine with his writing.

What would you do with abundance?

Image credit: Good Reads

Few question the idea of emotional contagion.

It’s not a problem when the mood is upbeat, but what to do when it’s not fills volumes.

I found a way to short-circuit ‘emotional contagion’ decades before was named, defined and discussed.

I learned about it in my early twenties in a book by Napoleon Hill and it’s since been reiterated by others in various forms.

I’ve used and shared with clients and it rarely fails when done whole-heartedly and not just with lip service.

“Act enthusiastic and you will become enthusiastic.”

Sounds simplistic, but simple is often best — because this isn’t about finding the cause of your negativity, but preempting the contagion.

Accomplishing that means you need to stay aware of your own mood.

Long ago I realized that judging my mood based on its effect was a bad idea—by the time I had the feedback the damage was done.

After a lot of trial and error I found the easiest and most accurate method my mood early was to stay conscious of my facial muscles, wrinkled brow, smile, frown, etc., because my muscles react long before I’m aware of the mood that is affecting them.

I’m not sure why it took me so long to realize that, except that the obvious often zips right by us.

Image credit: ganeshaisis

Whether you are a in a position of leadership, one of the go-to people on your team or on the lowest rung of the ladder you need to know about emotional contagion and how your moods affect those around you.

Although much of the research has focused on bosses, everybody is a carrier and anyone can ignite an epidemic.

There is documented evidence for what all of us who have been exposed to “glass half empty” people already know—negative emotions can bring a group down faster than bad ventilation during flu season, whereas a sunny outlook can lift us beyond what is reasonable.

Yes, it’s difficult to be upbeat when you walk out of a meeting with an enraged client, or a design review for a project about to go over budget or a difficult conversation, but if you don’t you’ll bring down those around you and that can blow off an entire day, week or even longer.

For decades, I’ve used a simple approach learned from a book by Napoleon Hill and reiterated by others in various forms.

“Act enthusiastic and you will become enthusiastic.”

Sounds simplistic, but often simple is best—you’re not trying to solve the cause, but to mitigate the effect.

That means you need to stay aware of your own mood.

Long ago I realized that judging my mood based on its effect was a bad idea—by the time I had the feedback the damage was done.

After a lot of trial and error the easiest and most accurate method I’ve found of catching my mood early is to stay conscious of my facial muscles, wrinkled brow, smile, frown, etc., because my muscles react long before I’m aware of the mood that is affecting them.

I’m not sure why it took me so long to realize that, except that the obvious often zips right by us.

Image credit: alasis on flickr

Image credit: sscharlo

More than 200 years ago Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe said, “Treat people as if they were what they ought to be and you help them to become what they are capable of being.”

A hundred years later Napoleon Hill said, “Think, act, walk and talk like the person you want to become and you will become that person.”

What these two great thinkers have in common is the positive use of assumption, but not assumption in a vacuum.

Assumptive management a la Goethe requires that you provide all the information necessary to attain the vision, coach as needed and be an active cheering section for accomplishments.

Personal growth a la Hill requires a clear vision of who/what you’re emulating. Yes, it’s easier with active support from those around you, but don’t let the lack of support hold you back—it’s achievable without it.

(Thanks to Phil Gerbyshak over at Slacker Manager for the Goethe quote.)

Do you use positive assumptive techniques at work or personally?