Think and Grow Rich: A Guide to Self-Empowerment
May 21, 2025
Book Review: Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill
Simple wisdom for anyone who wants more from life
I am doing a book review on the classic book Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill, as living your Best Life usually involves an abundant mindset, as well as an abundant bank account, and this book’s wide-ranging topics are still relevant today.
While I first read it many years ago, it’s a classic book (still on many people’s ‘must-read’ books in relation to finance and abundance) – despite it being written nearly 90 years ago. If you read it with an open heart, and open mind (keeping in mind it was written in a different time), and apply the lessons to your life today, there’s still a lot of gold in it. This book laid the foundation for many of the later books, research, and courses that are currently on offer.
This best-selling book contains ideas to help you live a more abundant life — whether that means more money, more confidence, or more purpose — and is worth checking out. Written by Napoleon Hill back in 1937, this book has helped millions of people shift how they think about success. And while some parts feel a bit old-fashioned, the heart of the book is still powerful, and relevant today (as you’ll see by some of my comments, and supporting quotes from other people that I’ve interspersed with this review).
What’s the book about?
Napoleon Hill spent over 20 years studying successful people — people like Henry Ford, Thomas Edison, and other big names from his time. He wanted to understand what made them so successful, and what he discovered is this — success starts in the mind.
“All achievement, all earned riches, have their beginning in an idea!’[i]
The title might make you think it's all about getting rich with money (and yes, there’s a lot about wealth), but the real message is bigger than that. It’s about growing rich in life — rich in purpose, dreams, confidence, and belief in yourself. Please note I've focused on only some of the key ideas from the book - although the free journal prompts inspired by this book cover more of the areas that I've covered here.
Key ideas from the book
I’ve outlined a few simple but powerful lessons from Think and Grow Rich book.
- Your thoughts shape your reality
Napoleon Hill teaches that whatever you focus on in your mind — good or bad — starts to grow. If you truly believe in your goal, and take steps toward it, you’re much more likely to achieve it. He calls this the power of definite desire. “Barnes literally thought himself into a partnership with the great Edison! He thought himself into a fortune.”[ii]
(This concept is fairly well established now – in fact, it’s being taught in the combined Life Coaching and NLP course I’m doing at present.)
- Clarity is key
Knowing exactly what you want is important. Vague goals create vague results. Napoleon Hill suggests writing down your goal, reading it every day, and staying connected to it emotionally. That helps to keep you motivated, and to keep taking action, even when things get tough.
(Again, this is still a very popular topic, covered by many people and in many courses, including High Performance Coaching, Life Coaching, and NLP courses. It makes sense, because if you don’t know where you want to go, you’ll never know if you get there or not, and won’t have a strong sense of direction — or a ‘compelling vision’ to help you get there. The stronger your vision, the clearer it is what steps to take to get there.)
- Faith and belief matter
You have to believe you can succeed. Doubt makes you hesitate. Belief gives you energy. Napoleon Hill says when your mind is filled with belief, you'll find the courage to take action and keep going — even when others doubt you.
(Faith and belief are important – you need self-belief to keep going, despite what others say, or else you’ll give up too early, and never get there. Not everyone has the same goal or the same belief – having sufficient belief in yourself and your vision is necessary to succeed.)
- Persistence is power
Most people give up too soon. One of the famous stories mentioned is about a man who gave up digging for gold — only to find out he was just three feet away from a huge discovery. The message? Don’t quit too soon. Keep going. “Spasmodic or occasional effort to apply the rules will be of no value to you. To get results, you must apply all of the rules until their application becomes a fixed habit with you. In no other way can you develop the necessary ‘money consciousness.’”[iii]
(While it can sometimes it can be helpful to pause, and consider new approaches that may help, inconsistent or inadequate action or giving up too soon means you are unlikely to get there. Consistent action is usually required to get where you want to go.)
- Surround yourself with support
The book encourages readers to create a “mastermind group” — a group of people who support, encourage, and challenge you to grow. We weren’t meant to chase our dreams alone.
(Mastermind groups are still very popular today. I’m in one now, and know a number of other people who are also part of various ones around the world, as they are very helpful in helping us learn and grow.)
What I liked
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The book reminds us that we are more powerful than we think.
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It’s full of uplifting stories, and real-life examples of people who succeeded against the odds.
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The main ideas can apply to any area of life — career, health, confidence, or relationships.
How Think and Grow Rich Can Help You Live Your Best Life
At its heart, Think and Grow Rich is really about helping you become the best version of yourself (which aligns with the mission statement for Your Best Life Academy). The book shows you that success isn't just about luck or talent — it’s about mindset, belief, and taking action, even when things feel hard.
Living your Best Life means waking up with purpose, feeling confident about who you are, and moving toward the dreams that matter to you. This book helps with all of that. It reminds you that:
- You are allowed to dream big.
- You can trust your ideas and desires.
- You are capable of taking steps — even small ones — toward a life that feels rich in love, meaning, and joy.
- You’re not alone — asking for support, and building a community, is part of the journey.
The book also encourages you to get clear on what you want. When you're clear about what matters to you, and you believe in it, you're already halfway there. (Our free course The Values Code: Unlocking Your Best Self, can assist with this.) The rest is about persistence, daily actions, and staying true to yourself.
So whether your Best Life looks like starting your own business, being more present with your family, feeling peaceful and grounded, or making a difference in the world — Think and Grow Rich offers tools to help you trust yourself, stay focused, and keep going.
Final thoughts
Think and Grow Rich is more than just a book about money — it’s a book about mindset, belief, and action. If you’re ready to think bigger, and take your life to the next level, this book could be a great place to start. Our free Journal Prompts inspired by the book can help you take it deeper.
Even just reading a few pages can give you a boost of inspiration. So if you’re feeling stuck or unsure of your next step, give it a try. (You could even try a second-hand bookstore, or the library, if you don’t already have a copy.) You might just discover something powerful inside yourself.
❓FAQ — Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill
Q - Is this book just about making money?
Not at all. While money is one focus, the book is really about mindset, belief, purpose, and creating a life that feels rich in every way — emotionally, spiritually, and mentally.
Q - Is Think and Grow Rich still relevant today?
Yes! Even though it was written in 1937, the ideas — like positive thinking, goal setting, and persistence — are timeless, and still help people grow and succeed today.
Q - Do I need a business or big goal to benefit from this book?
Nope. Whether you want to feel more confident, change your habits, or live with more meaning, the book can help you believe in yourself, and take steps toward your version of success.
Q - Is it hard to read?
Some of the language is old-fashioned, but the messages are simple and easy to understand. Take your time and reflect as you go. (You can also find modern summaries online if you prefer.)
Q - How can I get the most from the book?
Read it with an open mind, write down your goals, and use the journal prompts in our free download to connect it to your own life. This book is most powerful when you take action on the ideas it shares.
📌 Disclaimer
This blog post is for educational and inspirational purposes only. While Think and Grow Rich offers helpful ideas around success, mindset, and personal growth, your results may vary depending on your unique situation, effort, and circumstances. The content shared here is not financial, legal, or mental health advice. Please speak with a qualified professional if you need personal guidance or support in those areas.
We believe in the power of positive thinking and taking aligned action — but always encourage you to do what feels right and true for you.
[i] Napoleon Hill, “Think and Grow Rich”, Ballantine Books, 1996, p.18.
[ii] Napoleon Hill, “Think and Grow Rich”, Ballantine Books, 1996, p.22.
[iii] Napoleon Hill, “Think and Grow Rich”, Ballantine Books, 1996, p.153
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