Chapter 1

The Philosophy of Achievement: Meeting Andrew Carnegie

Introduction to the Purpose of Research

• Hill's primary goal for over 25 years has been to isolate and organize the causes of success and failure to help others who lack resources for such research.

The Initial Encounter with Carnegie

• In 1908, Hill expressed his desire to attend law school while interviewing successful individuals to fund his education through magazine articles. He shared this ambition with Andrew Carnegie.

Carnegie's Challenge

• Carnegie encouraged Hill to not only document success stories but also analyze failures, emphasizing that understanding both is crucial for enduring service and impact on future generations.

Education System Critique

• Hill criticized educational institutions for teaching abstract knowledge without practical application, highlighting a gap in teaching principles of individual achievement.

The Need for a New Philosophy

• There is a demand for a practical philosophy of achievement derived from real-life experiences rather than theoretical knowledge, which could guide individuals toward success.

Courage and Tenacity in Pursuing Success

Requirements for Undertaking the Task

• To embark on this extensive research (estimated at 20 years), one must possess courage and tenacity, as initial efforts may not yield immediate financial rewards or recognition.

Insights from Failures

• Analyzing failures can provide more valuable lessons than studying successes; understanding what not to do is essential in achieving one's goals. This perspective was emphasized by Carnegie during their discussions.

Discovering the 'Other Self'

Understanding Success Beyond Conventional Wisdom

• Success is intertwined with an intangible force within individuals—referred to as the "other self"—which often reveals itself during times of adversity when one must adapt and rethink strategies.

Learning from Adversity

• Real failures stem from self-imposed limitations; overcoming these mental barriers can lead individuals closer to their goals if they persist beyond perceived setbacks.

The Story of R.U. Darby: A Lesson in Perseverance

Case Study: Gold Prospecting Failure

• R.U. Darby's experience illustrates how giving up too soon can result in missed opportunities; he sold his claim just before discovering gold three feet away, later learning valuable lessons that led him to build an insurance empire instead.

Transformative Impact of Carnegie's Speech

Lasting Influence on Hill’s Life

• Mr. Carnegie's insights reshaped Hill’s life purpose, igniting a relentless drive towards understanding success despite initially vague concepts about the "other self." This motivation propelled him into extensive research on failure and success dynamics throughout his career.

The Journey of Personal Achievement

Early Discoveries and Realizations

• The research for the 17 principles of achievement and 30 causes of failure took years, highlighting the extensive effort behind personal development.

• Initially, Hill believed he had completed his philosophy on personal achievement, only to realize that this was just the beginning of a much larger journey.

• He created a foundational framework (the skeleton) but recognized it needed practical application (flesh) and inspiration (soul).

• The soul of his philosophy emerged through significant life experiences that shaped his understanding and approach to challenges.

Career Transitions and Challenges

• Hill shifted focus towards monetizing his talents in advertising, becoming the advertising manager at LaSalle Extension University.

• After a year, dissatisfaction led him to resign and pursue opportunities in the candy business as president of Betsy Ross Candy Company.

• Disagreements with associates forced him out again; however, he remained drawn to advertising and attempted to establish an advertising school.

World War I Impact

• With the onset of World War I, Hill felt compelled to leave his successful school venture to serve under President Wilson's direction.

Entrepreneurial Ventures

• On Armistice Day 1918, he launched Golden Rule magazine without initial capital; it quickly gained substantial circulation and profitability.

• The profit from the first year ($3,156 in 1918), equivalent to $45,000 today based on inflation metrics, showcased remarkable success amidst high failure rates in new publications.

Lessons from Successes and Failures

• An experienced publisher later advised that starting such a magazine typically required significant capital—highlighting Hill's unconventional approach.

• Despite early success with Golden Rule magazine, growing discontent led him to relinquish ownership due to ongoing frustrations with business partners.

Continued Pursuits in Sales Training

• Following Golden Rule's departure from his portfolio, Hill organized a training program for salespeople which proved financially rewarding.

• Within six months of this endeavor, he earned over $30,000—a testament to his skills despite internal dissatisfaction persisting.

Seeking True Fulfillment

• Despite financial success in various ventures, Hill felt unfulfilled; he realized money alone could not bring happiness or satisfaction.

• ((#)) Friends questioned his decisions as he sought deeper meaning beyond monetary gain—reflecting common struggles many face regarding career fulfillment.

Turning Points: Indecision and Clarity

• ((#)) In late fall 1923, stranded without funds or plans in Columbus marked a pivotal moment leading him into introspection about life's direction.

• This experience left him feeling lost; despite having knowledge of achievement principles, applying them became challenging amid indecision.

Finding Direction Through Adversity

• His distress prompted reflection on how adversity can lead individuals toward self-discovery—a theme echoed by Carnegie’s teachings.

• Acknowledging indecision as one of humanity's greatest ailments resonated deeply with Hill’s experiences during this tumultuous period.

Breakthrough Moment

• Ultimately finding clarity came after walking outdoors where an inner command urged him back home—to complete his philosophy on achievement based on prior insights gathered throughout life experiences.

Awakening to a New Self

The Experience of Transformation

• The narrator describes a frightening awakening of an "other self," leading to a rapid return home.

• Upon arriving home, the narrator sees his children looking at neighbors decorating their Christmas tree, triggering feelings of sadness.

• A deep distress arises from the realization that there will be no Christmas tree for his own children this year.

Reflection and Writing

• The disappointment on his children's faces prompts the narrator to write about his discoveries regarding success and failure.

• An interruption by a strange feeling leads him to realize that his life's mission is to complete a philosophy of individual achievement.

Lessons on Happiness and Service

Understanding Happiness

• The narrator learns that true happiness comes from helping others find happiness, rather than seeking it for oneself.

• He reflects on being stubborn in learning this lesson through disappointment, suggesting future global experiences will create demand for his philosophy.

Call to Action

• A strong directive urges him to work diligently until he completes and publishes his manuscripts.

Doubts and Determination

Overcoming Doubts

• Despite initial doubts about writing a philosophy while facing personal struggles, he feels compelled to continue.

• He humorously acknowledges the absurdity of someone in his position attempting such an ambitious task but ultimately chooses perseverance over quitting.

Embracing Adversity

• Reconciliation with the task at hand becomes evident as he recalls moments when determination pushed him forward despite wanting to quit.

The Value of Adversity

Blessings in Disguise

• Past adversities are recognized as beneficial experiences that forced him into productive work, enhancing usefulness to society.

Completion of Manuscripts

• After three months dedicated to writing, he finishes the manuscripts early in 1924 but soon feels drawn back into business ventures.

Business Ventures and Discontentment

Return to Business

• He purchases Metropolitan Business College in Cleveland, expanding its offerings significantly by late 1924.

Realization of True Calling

• Despite business success, discontent resurfaces; he recognizes that fulfillment lies not in business but in lecturing about achievement philosophy.

Encountering Danger

A Fateful Lecture Night

• During a lecture in Canton, Ohio, fate intervenes as he encounters painful experiences linked with danger due to external circumstances.

Partnership Opportunity

• His lecture captures the interest of Don R. Mellet, leading to discussions about publishing their collaborative work on individual achievement.

Tragedy Strikes

Mellet's Murder

• Tragically, Mellet is murdered due to exposing corruption within local law enforcement during Prohibition—a shocking event impacting many lives.

Community Impact

• This murder becomes one of the most publicized crimes during the 1920’s era highlighting societal issues related to crime and corruption.

Life Threatened

Escaping Danger

• Following Mellet's death, an anonymous warning prompts immediate flight from Canton due to perceived threats against his life connected with Mellet's expose.

Living in Fear

• This experience introduces him deeply into fear for survival—an emotional state contrasting previous ambitions filled with hope and determination.

Fear and Indecision: A Personal Struggle

The Nature of Fear and Its Consequences

• Fear is described as a self-generating morass, leading to foolish indecision and constant worry.

• The emergency faced resulted in a paralyzing state of fear and idleness, exacerbating the situation.

• The author felt helpless, realizing that previous resourcefulness had vanished under pressure.

Reflection on Past Efforts

• A painful realization emerged about wasted years spent chasing success without tangible results.

• Humiliation arose from lecturing others on success principles while failing to apply them personally.

Self-Perception and Isolation

• The author experienced self-contempt, feeling unworthy to face the world again.

• There was a growing identification with charlatans who offer solutions they cannot implement themselves.

Confronting Fear: A Turning Point

Facing Greater Fears

• New circumstances were deemed more frightening than the criminals responsible for past trauma.

• An overwhelming sense of depression hindered clear thinking and decision-making.

Emotional Toll

• Indifference towards oneself grew, along with irritability towards those providing support during tough times.

• The paralysis caused by fear led to an inability to act or think clearly.

The Path to Overcoming Paralysis

Recognizing Choices Amidst Fear

• Emotions can either motivate or paralyze; recognizing this choice is crucial for change.

• Many individuals experience similar feelings of anger and discouragement due to personal crises.

Taking Action Against Inertia

• Conversations reveal common excuses for inaction; without effort, situations remain unchanged.

A Moment of Clarity

Discovering Inner Strength

• Hill shares his journey toward overcoming fear through determination and introspection.

Dramatic Shift in Perspective

• A pivotal moment occurred in fall 1927 when he decided to confront his fears head-on.

The Revelation of the Other Self

Embracing Challenges as Tests

• An epiphany struck: hardships are tests meant to uncover one's true potential.

Recalling Wisdom from Mentors

• Hill remembered advice about discovering one’s "other self" during emergencies that demand change.

Transformation Through Adversity

Opportunity Within Crisis

• The great emergency presented an opportunity not just for discovery but also for testing previously taught principles.

Commitment to Authenticity

• He resolved that if his teachings failed him now, he would abandon them entirely.

Conclusion: Mastery Over Fate

Affirmation of Control

• Hill reflects on the importance of mastering one's fate despite life's challenges.

Final Thoughts on Resilience

• After enduring torment, there was gratitude for the chance to validate his principles through personal experience.

A Call to Action: The Emergence of the Other Self

The Initial Command

• The narrator experiences a sudden, commanding thought that feels like an order from a military commander, prompting him to take action.

• He is instructed to drive to Philadelphia the next day for assistance in publishing his philosophy of achievement, with no further explanation provided.

Overcoming Doubts

• Despite initial skepticism about the mission's validity and financial feasibility, he prepares for the trip with newfound peace of mind.

• The narrator questions his decision due to lack of connections or funds but receives clarity that he must follow orders rather than dwell on doubts.

Financial Support

• An internal command instructs him to ask his brother-in-law for $50, which he does without hesitation.

• His brother-in-law offers $100 instead, showcasing unexpected support and reinforcing the narrator's belief in following his other self’s guidance.

Embracing Change: Journey to Philadelphia

Departure and Arrival

• He drives through the night, arriving in Philadelphia with a mindset influenced by his other self.

• Instead of seeking budget accommodations, he is compelled to check into an exclusive hotel as part of embracing a new identity.

Transformation Through Environment

• Despite limited funds, he follows an impulse to request a suite at the hotel, symbolizing a shift towards confidence and ambition.

• For the first time in over a year, he experiences respect from others (the bellboy), contrasting sharply with previous feelings of inferiority.

Understanding Duality: Fear vs. Faith

The Nature of Self

• The narrator learns about two entities within himself: one driven by fear and another by faith; this duality influences behavior and decisions.

• His faith entity now guides him toward success without limitations or fears while reminding him that fear can regain control if not managed properly.

Guidance from Faith Entity

• While under the influence of faith, he will receive logical impulses guiding him toward achieving desires but must actively engage in work himself.

• He is encouraged to focus on major desires—specifically publishing research on success—and identify potential financial backers among acquaintances.

A Turning Point: Personal Transformation

Reflection on Change

• The chapter concludes at a significant moment in Hill's life where he reflects on profound personal transformation akin to religious conversion or awakening.