Mindful Monday -Napoleon Hill's Lost Blueprint for Building Wealth

Hi there, I’m Judy Croon. Welcome to Laugh Long and Prosper.

Today, I’m doing a Top 5 Tips Book Review of one of the greatest self-help books of all time. It’s sold over 100 million copies around the world and continues to inspire readers nearly 90 years after it was written.

📚 The book? Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill.

Written in 1937, this classic has become the blueprint for success, mindset, and financial empowerment.

👤 So, who was Napoleon Hill? Hill was a journalist-turned-success strategist, personally commissioned by steel magnate Andrew Carnegie to answer one question:

👉 What makes someone truly successful?

To find the answer, Hill spent over two decades interviewing more than 500 of the most accomplished people of his time—everyone from Henry Ford to Thomas Edison to Alexander Graham Bell.

This guy was basically the first motivational podcaster… before podcasts… or even color TV.

💡 Why was he ahead of his time?

Because Hill was talking about the power of thoughts, belief, and intention during the Great Depression—when most people were talking about canned soup and side hustles involving chickens.

He believed success starts in the mind, not the bank account. And that message? Still ahead of our time.

📘 One of the biggest fans of Think and Grow Rich was none other than Bob Proctor—the beloved speaker, author, and personal development icon best known from The Secret.

Bob once said he read his copy of Think and Grow Rich every single day. For decades. That’s commitment. I don’t even remember where I put my keys every day.

🧠 Top 5 Takeaways from Think and Grow Rich

🖐 #5 – Desire is the Starting Point of All Achievement Not a wish. Not a “maybe someday.” Hill says desire needs to burn brighter than a ring light during a Zoom call. Be specific. Be obsessed. Be clear.

✋ #4 – Faith: Fake It Till You Feel It No, not like “my cat is totally a certified therapist.” We’re talking about belief in yourself. Visualize your success. Speak it into existence. Act like it’s already happening—even if you’re still in your pajama pants.

🤟 #3 – Autosuggestion: Tell Your Brain Who’s Boss Hill believed in talking to yourself—and not just when you're looking for parking. Repeat your goals daily with emotion and confidence. Bob Proctor swore by this, and let’s face it—Bob didn’t just manifest success, he scheduled it.

✌️ #2 – Specialized Knowledge Beats a Fancy Degree Hill said it’s not about knowing everything, it’s about knowing your lane—and surrounding yourself with people who know the rest. Basically: be the quarterback, not the equipment manager.

☝️ #1 – Persistence: The Unsexy, Unstoppable Force

This is where most people quit—right before the good stuff. When it’s hard. When it’s boring. When it’s Tuesday.

Hill says: Don’t stop because it’s tough.

Stop because you crossed the finish line. Then celebrate like Oprah just called your name.

So there you have it—Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill. A timeless reminder that success doesn’t start in your wallet—it starts in your mind. If it was good enough for Bob Proctor to read every day, it might just deserve a spot on your nightstand.

📣 If you liked this countdown, give it a thumbs up, share it with someone who could use a mindset boost, and let me know in the comments—what’s one book that’s changed your life? Until next time—stay inspired, stay curious, and as always… Laugh Long and Prosper.

🌟 Judy Croon is Canada’s Keynote Humorist, Tedx motivational speaker, comedian and stand-up coach at Second City. She has worked with many celebrities including; John Cleese, Jon Stewart, and Joan Rivers. Her specials have appeared on NBC, CBS, CTV and The Comedy Network. She is a co-author of ‘From the Stage to the Page: Life Lessons from Four Funny Ladies!” Judy draws from her standup performance and coaching experience to ent