I’m currently reading How to Own Your Own Mind by Napoleon Hill. I’ve been impressed with this book and it has become one of my favorites I’ve read this year.
There’s a statement he repeats throughout that has stuck in my head, and this is the lie that you should avoid. He claims in the book, and I agree with him, that the vast majority of humanity believe this lie and live all their days under its enchantment.
The lie: There is such a thing as something for nothing.
Many people believe this, and are disgruntled when they haven’t seen things they desire come about in their life.
The problem isn’t that their expectations are too high, it’s that their output—their willingness to take initiative, go the extra mile, concentrate all their effort into their task—is too low. They fail to realize that they haven’t conquered themselves. They’re standing in their own way.
There’s no such thing as something for nothing. Not in business, relationships, parenting, education, employment, career building, fitness, or any other area where we expect results.