Episode 110 – This Napoleon Hill Technique Will Make You Unstoppable

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Note: This blog post serves as an accompaniment to the corresponding podcast episode of A Changed Mind, where we’ll distill down the core ideas of this week’s theme, along with additional distinctions and insights. If you haven’t listened to the episode yet, you can go here to do so.  Enjoy.

Why do some people turn every idea into gold while others struggle no matter how hard they work? What separates those who achieve financial freedom, impact, and fulfillment from those who stay stuck in the grind?

Napoleon Hill spent 25 years studying the world’s most successful individuals, uncovering 13 core principles that determine wealth, success, and personal transformation. But here’s what most people miss—these principles aren’t just about money. They are the foundation of how your mind creates reality itself.

Mastering these principles means breaking free from self-doubt, fear, and limitation. It means understanding how to influence your thoughts, emotions, and actions in a way that guarantees success—no matter your starting point.

In this post, I’m going to break down all 13 principles, sharing insights, personal stories, and the often-overlooked key that ties them all together. By the end, you’ll see why these ideas have changed countless lives—and how they can change yours too.

The Power of Desire: Clarity Creates Reality

Success begins with a burning desire. Napoleon Hill makes it clear: you must know exactly what you want before you can achieve it. But most people focus on what they don’t want—struggling to escape their current reality rather than creating a new one.

I’ve experienced this firsthand. My wife and I were traveling in Mexico, sitting on a hotel balcony, when a whale breached in the ocean before us. I turned to her and said, “Why don’t we live somewhere where whales breach all the time?” That single question sparked a desire for a new way of living. We explored moving to Mexico, but after some financial and legal considerations, we shifted our focus to Puerto Rico.

At first, we struggled to find the right home. Nothing fit our vision. But we stayed clear on what we wanted—a retreat-style home for transformation, a place to host deep personal work and gatherings. Just when we were about to give up, my mother-in-law sent us a listing. It was exactly what we had imagined—10 bedrooms, jungle surroundings, a private lake.

Years later, I looked at my old vision board and realized something incredible: I had unknowingly pinned a picture of a home that looked almost identical to where we now live.

Desire—when focused and unwavering—sets the wheels of creation in motion.

Faith: Believing in the Invisible Before It’s Visible

Faith is the bridge between your desires and their manifestation. Napoleon Hill said that without belief in your own ability to achieve your goals, success remains out of reach. Henry Ford put it simply: “Whether you think you can or you think you can’t, you’re right.”

Your brain is a goal-achieving machine. It takes your dominant thoughts—whether positive or negative—and works to prove them true. If you believe money is hard to make, your subconscious will seek evidence to support that belief. If you believe opportunity is everywhere, suddenly, you’ll start seeing it.

This isn’t just self-help talk—it’s backed by neuroscience and psychology. Your brain filters reality through a process called the Reticular Activating System (RAS), which means you’ll always find more of what you focus on.

Spiritually, this is echoed in ancient wisdom. Neville Goddard, a pioneer in the study of the mind and manifestation, taught that everything already exists in a higher dimension of possibility—it just needs to be claimed. Quantum physics suggests the same: all outcomes exist, and your focus determines which becomes your reality.

When you step into faith, you shift from hoping things will work out to knowing they will. Faith transforms doubt into action and fear into momentum. Success starts when you stop waiting for proof and start believing in what hasn’t yet appeared.

Auto-Suggestion: Reprogramming Your Mind for Success

Your subconscious mind runs the show. It controls your habits, reactions, and ultimately, your results. Napoleon Hill emphasizes that auto-suggestion—the practice of repeating positive affirmations—can reprogram your subconscious to align with your desires.

But here’s the mistake most people make: they try to use affirmations without first clearing out limiting beliefs. If deep down you believe you’re not worthy of success, repeating “I am wealthy and successful” can feel like a lie. Your mind resists it. Instead of creating confidence, it reinforces doubt.

I’ve been there. Early in my journey, I tried standing in front of a mirror, repeating affirmations about money and success. But inside, I felt resistance. I wasn’t just battling my current reality—I was battling years of conditioning. That’s when I realized something crucial: before planting new beliefs, you have to pull out the weeds.

This means identifying and clearing limiting beliefs, unresolved fears, and past programming. Once you do, affirmations become powerful. They’re no longer empty words—they become commands that your subconscious obeys.

True transformation happens when you combine auto-suggestion with belief clearing. When you install empowering thoughts on top of a clean foundation, your subconscious shifts from working against you to working for you. That’s when success stops feeling like a struggle and starts feeling inevitable.

Specialized Knowledge: Your Unique Gifts Are No Accident

Success isn’t about knowing everything—it’s about knowing the right things. Napoleon Hill makes it clear: general knowledge won’t get you far. You need specialized knowledge—skills and insights that directly align with your goals.

The best part? Life has already been preparing you. Every experience you’ve had, every challenge you’ve overcome, every skill you’ve developed—it’s all shaping your unique expertise.

For years, I didn’t realize how my past struggles were actually training me for my purpose. My early experiences with self-doubt and overthinking turned me into a critical thinker and problem solver. My time in addiction recovery introduced me to powerful transformation tools like the 12 Steps. My background in search engine optimization taught me how to take complex data and simplify it into strategies—a skill I now use to break down mindset shifts for entrepreneurs.

The truth is, you’ve been on your own specialization journey without even realizing it. Your unique challenges have forced you to develop knowledge that others need. The key is recognizing it.

So ask yourself:

• What do people naturally come to me for advice on?
• What challenges have I faced that others still struggle with?
• What skills or insights do I take for granted that others find valuable?

Your specialized knowledge is the foundation of your impact. Lean into it. Master it. And then use it to create massive value in the world.

Imagination: The Hidden Power You Use Every Day

Most people think imagination is just for artists, dreamers, or kids playing make-believe. But Napoleon Hill makes it clear: imagination is the workshop where success is built. Every invention, business, and breakthrough started in someone’s mind before it became reality.

Here’s the thing—you’re already using your imagination all the time. The problem? Most people use it against themselves.  When you worry about the future, replay past failures, or imagine worst-case scenarios, you’re engaging in negative imagination. Fear is just imagination misused. You’re vividly picturing things going wrong instead of envisioning them going right.

But what happens when you take control of your imagination? That’s when things shift.

I’ve seen this play out in my own life. When I imagined my dream home in Puerto Rico, I wasn’t just daydreaming—I was activating a mental blueprint that guided my decisions. When I envisioned my business helping thousands of entrepreneurs, it gave me the motivation to build it.

Napoleon Hill teaches two types of imagination:

• Synthetic Imagination – Combining existing ideas in new ways (innovation).
• Creative Imagination – Tapping into intuition and inspiration for breakthroughs.

Both are powerful. The key is being intentional. Instead of imagining fear, start imagining possibility. Train yourself to see solutions where others see obstacles. Your mind is already creating—make sure it’s creating what you want.

Organized Planning: Success Doesn’t Happen by Accident

Having a goal is one thing. Turning it into reality? That requires a plan. Napoleon Hill makes it clear—success isn’t random. It comes from structured, intentional action.

But here’s what most people get wrong: they overthink the plan and never take action. They wait until they have everything figured out before starting. But success doesn’t work that way.

I’ve learned this firsthand. When my wife and I decided to move, we didn’t have all the answers. We didn’t know exactly how it would unfold. But we had a clear vision, and we took the first step. That led to the next, and then the next. The plan evolved as we moved forward.

Hill emphasizes that planning is essential, but the plan will change. It’s like flying a plane—course corrections happen constantly. But as long as you keep moving toward your goal, you’ll get there.

So what does an effective plan look like?

• Define your goal clearly. Know exactly what you want.
• Identify key steps. What actions move you closer?
• Expect adjustments. Be flexible as you learn.
• Surround yourself with the right people. Seek guidance and accountability.

Success isn’t about having the perfect plan from the start. It’s about taking action, learning, and refining as you go. Start moving, and the path will reveal itself.

Decisiveness: The Bold Win, The Hesitant Lose

Indecision is the silent killer of success. Napoleon Hill discovered that the most successful people make decisions quickly and confidently, while those who struggle hesitate, overanalyze, and second-guess themselves.

I’ve seen this truth play out countless times. One of my mentors—someone who built a billion-dollar empire—once told me, “The only bad decision is no decision.” That stuck with me. Too many people wait for absolute certainty before acting, but certainty doesn’t come first—action creates clarity.

I get it. We fear making the wrong choice. But here’s the truth:

• There are no ‘wrong’ decisions—only learning experiences.
• Success is built on course correction, not perfection.
• Every mistake moves you closer to the right answer.

Think about how a child learns to walk. They don’t analyze every step—they take one, stumble, adjust, and try again. But as adults, we hesitate, afraid of failure. The key is shifting from fear of mistakes to confidence in adaptation. Make a decision, take action, and let experience guide your next move. Boldness attracts success. Indecision repels it.

So ask yourself: Where am I hesitating? What decision am I avoiding? Trust yourself. The faster you decide, the faster you grow.

Mastermind: The Power of Who You Surround Yourself With

You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with. Napoleon Hill understood this long before modern psychology confirmed it—your environment shapes your mindset, your actions, and ultimately, your results.

Every successful person has a mastermind—a group of like-minded individuals who challenge, inspire, and elevate them. Success isn’t a solo journey. You need people who push you forward, not hold you back.

I’ve seen this play out in my own life. Early in my career, I was surrounded by people who thought small. Their limiting beliefs rubbed off on me. It wasn’t until I intentionally sought out mentors, coaches, and high-level peers that my growth skyrocketed. Just being in proximity to ambitious, solution-focused people shifted my entire trajectory.

Think about it:

• Want to get in shape? Surround yourself with fit, health-conscious people.
• Want to grow your business? Spend time with thriving entrepreneurs.
• Want to develop a powerful mindset? Engage with people who think big and take action.

A mastermind doesn’t just provide knowledge—it provides energy. The right group fuels your belief, speeds up your learning, and holds you accountable.

So ask yourself: Who’s influencing me daily? Are they lifting me higher or keeping me stuck? If you want to transform your life, start by transforming your circle.

The Subconscious Mind: Your Silent Architect of Success

Your subconscious mind is always at work, shaping your reality based on what you believe. Napoleon Hill emphasizes that if you don’t consciously program your mind, it will run on default settings—which are often filled with fear, doubt, and limitation.

Most people don’t realize how deeply their subconscious influences them. It determines what you notice, what opportunities you attract, and even the micro-decisions you make daily.

I’ve seen this in action with entrepreneurs I’ve coached. One client kept attracting prospects who “loved” her work but couldn’t afford to pay. She thought it was bad luck, but it wasn’t—it was her subconscious belief that she wasn’t worthy of high-paying clients. That belief dictated her energy, her conversations, and even the seat she chose at networking events.

Here’s the key: your subconscious works like a GPS. If it’s programmed for struggle, it will guide you there—even if you consciously want success. But when you intentionally rewire it, everything changes.

To reprogram your subconscious:

• Feed it empowering beliefs daily (affirmations, visualization).
• Clear out limiting beliefs (self-inquiry, coaching, mindset work).
• Immerse yourself in environments that reinforce success.

Your subconscious mind is your most powerful tool. Make sure it’s working for you, not against you.

The Brain: Your Broadcasting and Receiving Station

Napoleon Hill made a bold statement—your brain is both a transmitter and a receiver of thoughts. This means that what you consistently think and feel isn’t just affecting you—it’s sending signals into the world, attracting like-minded people, opportunities, and circumstances.

Science now backs this up. Your brain emits electromagnetic waves, just like a radio tower. Ever noticed how when you focus on something—a car, a song, an idea—you suddenly see it everywhere? That’s not coincidence. It’s your Reticular Activating System (RAS) filtering reality to match your dominant thoughts.

This is why negative thinking is so dangerous. If you constantly worry about failure, your brain will subconsciously guide you toward actions and situations that confirm that fear. On the flip side, when you program your mind for success, your brain starts filtering for success.

I’ve seen this happen countless times. When I shifted my focus from avoiding struggle to creating abundance, I started meeting the right people, attracting better opportunities, and seeing solutions where I once saw obstacles.

So here’s the question: What frequency are you broadcasting? If your mind is filled with doubt, fear, or scarcity, that’s what you’re signaling to the world. But the moment you shift to belief, confidence, and abundance, the entire game changes.

The Sixth Sense: Tapping Into Higher Intelligence

Napoleon Hill refers to the sixth sense as an inner knowing—an intuition that develops once you’ve mastered the other principles. This isn’t just logic or experience; it’s a higher intelligence that guides you toward the right decisions, people, and opportunities.

Many of history’s greatest minds, from Einstein to Tesla, spoke about receiving ideas that seemed to come from beyond themselves. Hill believed that when you sharpen your mind, align your beliefs, and take inspired action, you become receptive to these insights.

Think about the moments in your life where you just knew something before you had evidence. Maybe you felt drawn to a particular opportunity, sensed when something was off, or had a sudden breakthrough that seemed to come out of nowhere. That’s the sixth sense at work.

But most people block it. Why? Because they’re too caught up in overthinking, stress, and fear. The mind is loud, but intuition speaks quietly. To access it, you have to create space—through reflection, stillness, and trust.

Hill suggests that the sixth sense is the final step in mastering success because it allows you to operate beyond just logic. When you develop it, you no longer have to force your way forward—you’re guided toward the right path.

Overcoming Fear: The Final Barrier to Success

Fear is the silent force that holds most people back. Napoleon Hill identified six core fears that sabotage success: poverty, criticism, ill health, loss of love, old age, and death. He believed that fear is the greatest obstacle to achievement because it keeps people trapped in hesitation and self-doubt.

Here’s the truth—fear is not real. It feels real, but in reality, it’s just a projection of the mind. Most of what people fear never actually happens. And even when it does, it’s rarely as bad as they imagined.

I’ve experienced this personally. Every major breakthrough in my life required me to walk through fear. Fear of failure. Fear of judgment. Fear of the unknown. But I’ve also learned this—on the other side of fear is everything you want.

The key to overcoming fear isn’t to wait for it to disappear—it’s to take action despite it. Fear fades when you move forward. When you prove to yourself that you’re capable. When you stop letting worst-case scenarios dictate your choices.

So ask yourself: What fear is holding me back right now? And what would happen if, just for today, you ignored it and moved forward anyway? The most successful people aren’t fearless—they just refuse to let fear make their decisions.

The One Principle That Holds It All Together: Persistence

If there’s one thing that separates those who succeed from those who don’t, it’s persistence. Napoleon Hill calls it the “glue” that holds all the other principles together. Without persistence, even the most powerful desires and the best-laid plans will fall apart at the first obstacle.

Here’s what most people miss—success isn’t about never failing. It’s about refusing to quit. The truth is, things won’t go as planned. You’ll hit roadblocks, experience setbacks, and face moments where giving up feels easier. But success belongs to those who keep going.

I’ve learned this lesson over and over again. In business, relationships, and personal growth, the biggest breakthroughs didn’t come when things were easy. They came when I kept going despite frustration, uncertainty, or temporary failure.

Hill points out that most people quit right before their biggest success. Think about it—how many times have you stopped just short of a major breakthrough? If you had pushed a little further, could everything have changed?

This is why persistence is everything. It’s what transforms faith into results, imagination into reality, and effort into mastery. The path to success isn’t always easy, but the people who refuse to stop are the ones who win.

Success Begins in the Mind

At the core of Napoleon Hill’s work is one simple truth: success begins in the mind. Everything you desire—wealth, freedom, impact, fulfillment—first takes shape in your thoughts before it becomes your reality.

The 13 principles he uncovered aren’t just theories; they are a roadmap. When you align your thinking, your actions, and your beliefs with these principles, success is no longer a matter of if—it’s a matter of when.

But here’s the most important part: you have to apply them. Reading about them isn’t enough. Understanding them intellectually won’t change your life. You have to live them.

• Clarify your desires. Stop focusing on what you don’t want and define exactly what you do.
• Build faith. Believe in your ability to create the life you want—even before you see results.
• Take bold, decisive action. Stop hesitating. Move forward and course correct along the way.
• Surround yourself with the right people. Success is a team sport. Get in the right rooms.
• Never quit. Persistence is the key that makes all the others work.

This is how success is built—not overnight, but over time, with consistent effort and unwavering belief. The question is, which principle(s) will you start applying today? Because the moment you do, everything will begin to shift.