Chapter 2: DESIRE: The Starting Point of All Achievement (the First Step to Riches).

- Every person who wins in any undertaking must be willing to burn his ships and cut all sources of retreat. Only by so doing can one be sure of maintaining that state of mind known as a BURNING DESIRE TO WIN, essential to success.

- The power of that state of mind called burning desire is the difference that distinguishes practically all who succeed from those who fail.

-But desiring riches with a state of mind that becomes an obsession, then planning definite ways and means to acquire riches, and backing those plans with persistence which does not recognize failure, will bring riches.

- The method by which DESIRE for riches can be transmuted nto its financial equivalent, consists of six definite, practical steps:

1. Fix in your mind the exact amount of money you desire.
2. Determine exactly what you intend to give in return for the money you desire.
3. Establish a definite date when you intend to possess the money you desire.
4. Create a definite plan for carrying out your desire, and begin at once, whether you are ready or not, to put this plan into action.
5. Write out a clear, concise statement of the amount of money you intend to acquire, name the time limit for its acquisition, state what you intend to give in return for the money, and describe clearly the plan through which you intend to accumulate it.
6. Read your written statement aloud, twice daily, once just before retiring at night, and once after arising in the morning.

- If you truly DESIRE money so keenly that your desire is an obsession, you will have no difficulty in convincing yourself that you will acquire it. The object is to want money, and to become so determined to have it that you CONVINCE yourself you will have it.

- This steps are not only the steps essential for the accumulation of money, but necessary for the attainment of any definite goal.

- Accumulation of money cannot be left to chance, good fortune, and luck.

- DEFINITENESS OF PURPOSE: the knowledge of what one wants, and a burning DESIRE to possess it.

- The practical dreamers have always been, and always will be the pattern-makers of civilization.

- Dreams are not born of indifference, laziness, or lack of ambition.

- All who succeed in life get off to a bad start, and pass through many heartbreaking struggles before they “arrive” .

- There is a difference between WISHING for a thing and being READY to receive it. No one is ready for a thing, until he believes he can acquire it. The state of mind must be BELIEF, not mere hope or wish. Open-mindedness is essential for belief.

- The first step to achieving success is to firmly believe that you are an excellent person who deserves success.

- Exercise to help you create your image of excellence and begin to stablish an atmosphere of success in your life:

1. Imagine yourself successful.
2. Reflect on your past successes.
3. Set definite goals.
4. Respond positively to life.

- Adversity brings with it the seed of an equivalent advantage.

- Our only limitations are those we set up in our own minds.

- Nothing is impossible to the person who backs DESIRE with enduring FAITH.